The Morning Feast: Turkish Breakfast
A spread of small dishes that can fill an entire morning
Turkish breakfast, kahvaltı, literally means 'before coffee,' and it is a spread rather than a plate. A proper table holds dozens of small dishes: cheeses, ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, several kinds of olives, fresh herbs, honey with the comb still in it, homemade jams, warm bread, and boiled eggs. Nobody hurries. Breakfast here is a social event as much as a meal, especially on weekends, when families settle in for two hours or more and the tea keeps coming.
A full Turkish breakfast (serpme kahvaltı) is a weekend ritual. Popular places are busy on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
What it is
- The spread: white cheese, kaşar, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey and kaymak (clotted cream), jams, butter and fresh bread.
- Hot dishes: menemen (eggs with tomatoes and peppers), sucuk with eggs and sigara böreği.
- Endless tea: served in tulip-shaped glasses throughout the meal.
Where to try it
- Beşiktaş Breakfast Street (Kahvaltıcılar Sokağı)
- Bosphorus villages such as Bebek, Arnavutköy and Emirgan
- Kadıköy and Moda cafés
- Çamlıca Hill on the Asian side, with city views
Tips
- Go hungry and take your time; a breakfast spread can last two hours.
- A ‘serpme’ spread is usually priced per person.
- Try honey with kaymak on fresh bread: the classic combination.
More Istanbul street food
Hungry for more? See the Istanbul guide for more dishes, or explore the food streets of Kadıköy. A guided food tour is the easiest way to taste many dishes in one afternoon.
Turkish Breakfast: frequently asked questions
What is in a Turkish breakfast?
Cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey and clotted cream, jams, eggs, sucuk, pastries, bread and lots of tea.
Where to have Turkish breakfast in Istanbul?
Beşiktaş Breakfast Street, the Bosphorus villages like Bebek and Emirgan, and cafés in Kadıköy and Moda are popular choices.
What is serpme kahvaltı?
A breakfast spread with many small plates served all at once, usually for two or more people.
Book tours & tickets
🎟️ See Istanbul food tours →Free cancellation on most tours · secure booking with GetYourGuide
Photos: E4024, CC BY-SA 4.0; Glassmug29, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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