Kadikoy is a district in Istanbul on the Asian side of the city. It is known for being progressive and hip. Many different types of people live here from the old to the young. It is also full of amazing restaurants and boutiques. If you’re into good food, you’ll definitely want to make time to wander the streets of Kadikoy and explore the restaurants and cafes.
After living on the Asian side for 2 years, and frequently going to Kadikoy, I’ve created a list of my favorite cafes and restaurants that you should check out while you’re wandering around. They are all located in the center of Kadikoy.
Here are the best restaurants and cafes in Kadikoy in no particular order!
Best Cafes in Kadikoy
Montag
Hours: 10am – 11pm everyday
Address: Caferağa Mah, Muvakkıthane Cd. No:16/A D:Kat:1, 34710, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
This coffeehouse was established in 2014. It has many different beans from around the world to choose from.
If you like people watching with a good cup of coffee then this is a good choice for you. Located above the square, the balcony to this cafe is a great place to sit and people watch.
Montag has a location in Kadikoy and another in Moda as well as a roastery. You can even order the beans online and have them delivered to your home.
Story Coffee
Hours: 9am – 11pm everyday
Address: Caferağa, Dalga Sk. No:22, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Story Coffee is located in Moda. Their location is on, what I like to call, “coffee street” because all the good coffee shops are located on this one street.
And, along with having delicious coffee, they also have great bagel sandwiches.
Seating is limited inside and outside. However, it is a cozy place to sit and relax to get some work done.
Their coffee beans are also available to take home and they also sell coffee accessories such as french press, Chemex filters, and grinders.
Brekkie
Hours: 9am – 6pm Tuesday to Sunday, closed Monday
Address: Osmanağa, Yoğurtçu Parkı Cd No:24/1, 34714 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Brekkie is a cafe located in Kadikoy close to the Fenerbahce football stadium. They recently moved locations with a brand new storefront just a few meters away. The new design reminds me of Egypt with columns and hieroglyphics. The hieroglyphics, however, are pictures of cats and croissants, very Istanbul.
Once you enter the store you can go up to the counter to look at all the options and tell the employees which one you want as well as your drink order. They will warm up your pastry for you and package it or serve it on a plate.
This is a great place for breakfast and brunch. There is always a line here because they have unique pastries that are all worth a try. You can try many different croissant sandwiches and yogurt/fruit bowls.
I recommend any of the croissants! Some of them are even filled with different creams and jams.
Village
Hours: 9:30am – 10:30pm everyday
Address: Rasimpaşa Mh, Recaizade Sk. No:54/A, 34716 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Village is located in Rihtum which is on the other side of the center in Kadikoy. I would call it a more residential area. It’s quieter and there are fewer people.
Here you will find smoothie bowls, vegetarian and vegan options, sandwiches, pasta, and salad. They also offer a pretty good breakfast with omelets, cheese platters, and breakfast sets. Their pastries are also worth a try.
This is also a good place to take your laptop and get some work done without it being overcrowded and noisy.
They have an inside seating area as well as an outdoor garden in the back.
Boden
Hours: 8am – 12am everyday
Address: Osmanağa, İhlas Sk. No:4/A, 34714 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Boden is a hip restaurant and cafe in Kadikoy.
There are many items on the menu depending on the time of day. It’s a place where you can get coffee in the morning and drinks at night. The food ranges from eggs, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and salads.
The atmosphere inside is very relaxing and inviting. The staff is friendly and informative.
Kropka
Hours: 10am – 11pm everyday
Address: Caferağa mah, Moda Cd. No:57 D:C, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Kropka is located on a crossroads section of three streets making it a very busy location and good for people watching.
This cafe serves cold brew coffee which is delicious on hot summer days. They have a small selection of sweets and pastries to choose from inside the cafe.
There is only seating outside, but in the winter there are heaters to keep you warm.
Everything Bagel
Hours: 10am – 4:30pm Wednesday to Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday
Address: Caferağa, Keresteci Aziz Sk. No:29 1A D:1, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Everything Bagel is a little hidden gem that I recently discovered.
They specialize in bagels and nothing else! While they do have a good variety of bagel sandwiches, it is the only thing on the menu besides drinks.
You can order a typical egg, cheese, and avo bagel or the classic lox sandwich.
Monster Bubble Tea Shop
Hours: 11am – 10pm everyday
Address: Osmanağa, Halitağa Cd. No:6/A, 34714 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Monster Bubble Tea is for those that miss a little bit of Asia. And tapioca pearls.
At this cafe, you can find Thai Iced Tea and Milk Pearl Tea. There are a wide variety of options and you can even choose how sweet you would like your drink. There is also the option of ice or no ice.
It’s usually pretty busy on the weekends and seating is limited.
Best Restaurants in Kadikoy
Basta Street Food
Hours: 12pm – 10pm Monday to Saturday, 12pm – 9pm Sunday
Address: Caferağa, Sakız Sk. No:1, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
This small little restaurant, called Basta Street Food, is located on a busy corner in Kadikoy. There are only a few tables outside, but customers don’t stay long. It’s meant to be a quick bite.
On their menu, they have traditional Turkish street food with a modern twist, including sandwiches and doners. I like getting the beef wrap and their homemade lemonade.
Bordo Wine Bar
*Unfortunately this location is closed 🙁 but they have a wine store that you can visit called Bordo Salkım which is located here.
Around the corner from Basta Street Food is this quiet wine bar that definitely deserves more attention.
Bordo Wine Bar has an extensive list of reds, whites, and blush wines from all over Turkey. The ambiance of the restaurant is relaxing, small, and romantic with comfy seating and table candles. Seating is available inside and outside.
You can order cheese and meat plates to pair your wine with, or if you want more of a meal they also have lasagna and pizza.
The staff is very friendly and can speak English which is always helpful for visitors and tourists.
Victor Levi
Hours: 11am – 2am Monday to Saturday, 12pm – 1am Sunday
Address: Caferağa Mh Moda Cd. &, Damacı Sk. No:4, 34710 Kadıköy
Just a short walk away from Bordo is another wine bar, but the complete opposite of Bordo.
Victor Levi is much bigger and makes their own wines to sell in their restaurant. The downside is that their wines are labeled as numbers, which means you have to ask the staff what kind of wine it is.
As you can see from the photo, I got a bottle of No. 35, but I don’t remember what type of wine it was.
The plus side that is they have a very nice terrace and outdoor seating. It’s usually always busy here and not uncommon to wait for a table. Their food menu is large and includes pasta, fish, steak and salads.
Depending on which type of atmosphere you like, you can choose between Bordo and Victor Levi for wine houses.
Akveren Makarna
Hours: 8am – 11pm everyday
Address: Osmanağa, Söğütlü Çeşme Cd 12/1, 34714 Kadıköy/İstanbul
Akveren Makarna is on my list of best restaurants in Kadikoy because it’s a pasta house and who doesn’t like pasta. This particular restaurant is cafeteria-style.
They don’t speak much English here but, all you have to do is, point to which pasta you want and which size plate and you’re good to go.
You can try the Turkish version of ravioli called manti. The pasta is shaped like square stars and inside there is spiced meat, usually lamb or ground beef. It is served with tomato sauce, yogurt, and garlic.
Çiya Sofrası
Hours: 12pm – 10pm Monday to Friday, 11am – 10pm Saturday and Sunday
Address: Caferağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sok, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
This restaurant has humble beginnings starting in 1987 has just a kebap, lahmacun, and pide shop.
The owner, Musa Daðdeviren, wanted more than just this type of restaurant. So he decided to make traditional dishes that were soon being forgotten and lost due to the demand for fast food. He started testing recipes for dishes found all over the Turkish region.
This became a success. Today Çiya Sofrası has expanded into 3 restaurants all on the same street. Customers can taste food from many cultures including Azerbaijani, Georgian, Turkish, Arabian, Armenian, Ottoman, Syrian, Seldjukian, and Jewish.
Tatar Salim
Hours: 11:30am – 10pm everyday
Address: Caferağa, İmamata Sk. No:7 D:3, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul
This place specializes in one dish, and that is the doner. You know right away that if a restaurant only serves one thing, it has to be good.
So, Tatar-Salim is on the list of best restaurants in Kadikoy because it’s the best place to get a doner and lentil soup. You must pair the doner with Ayran for a drink. This is a yogurt-based drink mixed with salt and water. It’s definitely a hit or miss for most people, but worth a try.
For dessert, there are two options, either rice pudding or baklava.
Aida – vino e cucina
Hours: 5pm – 12am, closed on Sunday
Address: Caferağa, no: 10, Ressam Şeref Akdik Sokağı No:10, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye
Aida is located in Moda. It is an intimate Italian restaurant with a cute interior of antique furniture inside an old renovated house. Some nights there is a pianist playing downstairs which adds to the enjoyable and cozy atmosphere.
The menu is chosen with care and changes with what is in season. There are many varieties of dishes to choose from and there are some vegetarian options as well.
It can be a bit more expensive compared to other restaurants in the area, but it is a unique dining experience. Aida is only open for dinner service and a reservation typically is encouraged.
The Wrap Up
Kadikoy has so many great restaurants it’s so difficult to choose only a few. I hope you will find time to visit some, or all, of these places during your next trip to Istanbul! I would love to know if you find any of your own “best restaurants in Kadikoy” while you are here.
