Istanbul is where East meets West in every cup. Turkish coffee — UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2013 — is still prepared in a cezve over sand in traditional coffee houses across the city. But a vibrant specialty scene has taken root in Karaköy, Kadıköy, and Beyoğlu, where young Turkish baristas blend European technique with local tradition. The result is one of the world's most fascinating coffee landscapes.
Coffee neighborhoods
Turkish coffee and its preparation were inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013. In Turkish tradition, a suitor's coffee-making skills were once evaluated by the bride's family.
4 cafes