CAFES THAT WILL KEEP YOU WARM ON COLD WINTER DAYS
by Efsa Sema Aktay
Our first stop is in Moda, Kadıköy a place that I am in love since its chocolate desserts takes you on another “serotonin” level. My favourite desserts are serotonin and endorphin made with Belgium chocolate and gives you the biggest happiness if you are a chocolate lover like me.
The place is quite small but welcoming. It is not for chatting with friends for hours type of place because the café itself is quite popular and generally there are people in line waiting, But The desserts are worth the wait. We were quite lucky, and we didn’t have to wait in line but as we finished our desserts the café got a little bit crowded, so we left anyways.
The décor is lovely as there is a wall of polaroid and frames around the café.
Overall it is a cute place when you are craving for a chocolaty dessert and want to reward yourself. Watch out for the calories!! Instagram: @hanecikolata
MINT NISANTASI CAFÉ, NİŞANTAŞI
The Second place is Mint Café it is placed in Nişantaşı and a very welcoming place. The décor makes you feel like you are actually at home. I can promise you my grandma has that chair in our living room :) Also it has a variety of food choices. We were on the go so we picked up some tea and ice cream. However, there were many different food options you can check them out on Instagram.
Overall, sweet place to have long chats since it’s not very crowded.
KEV CAFÉ, MODA
This Café has the greatest food ever. Well… Every time we went there we basically eat hamburgers but that is what’s best about this place. Its located in Moda therefore probably very accessible if you live in Anadolu. The service is very good, and people are welcoming. They offered us çay, and now the waiter knows me so well that they always welcome us with kindness as they do to everyone. I really like the ambiance. It is typical Moda rustic vibes type of place.
Overall perfect for after school craving. Also, would recommend “Kev Burger”
YER CAFE, MODA
This place is one of the places where I can eat mushrooms even though I hate mushrooms. They cook the food so well that thinking about it my mouth is watering. This place is more like “I want to eat but a little healthier, so I do not feel so bad” type of place. I really like the cat that always sleeping at the same spot every time we go there. Also, we saw a young celebrity hanging out with his friends, so they have a young customer profile making the place fresh. If you want to take your parents, they also serve alcohol.
Overall you can wine dine, chat and have a good time eating good food there.
GÜMRÜK CAFÉ, KARAKÖY
I discovered this café while in karaköy with my family. The ambiance is quite rustic and vintage with a twist of young elements like a disco ball facing the glass door, or hangers designed to be displayed in quirky arrangement. I love this place the service is well enough, so nice to chat as the ambiance is interesting. %100 insta pic possibility as the décor is beautiful.
I saw two or three celebrities every time I went there therefore the menu is quite on the pricier side.
Overall, surely recommend for grabbing a bite with a friend tht you haven’t seen in a while. The atmosphere captures you and holds on to the sentimentality of the memories you made there.
WALTER’S, MODA
Interestingly nerdy… This phrase popped up In my mind when I first saw the interior design and the general theme of the place. Perfect replacement for cafes that you go to work or have a quick chat with friends. There is a room downstairs with perfect silence for working with wifi. It would be interesting to take pics in front of a periodic table, but this place is the best to strip that boredom of your face if you are stuck in the same go to coffee place. Service was nice, and nobody seems to bother each other unlike some clothes stores who has assistants following you everywhere the second you walk in therefore “chill” type of place.
Would recommend for a quick cup of coffee
LOKMATA, MODA
This is the only place that I always see a line no matter the time of the day. It is made quickly, and you can take it on the go. The dessert is quite traditional as it is, but it is combined with the Belgium chocolate. “Just delicious”. The service is quick, and people are friendly. Would recommend for a sweet bite :)
AKALİ, NİŞANTAŞI
Ughhh I literally got hungrier writing this remembering the taste of burger they make there. I believe the burger has a slight wine flavour to It and Its juicy, spicy just perfect. If you want to reward yourself I believe your stomach would be thankful. One of the best burgers I had in İstanbul. The place is quite small, but it is the usual size for places in Nişantaşı. It takes some time for food to be made but it’s worth the wait.
You choose the ingredients from the menu and create the best burger the way you like it. There are variety of things you can add and there are several things to eat on the side like chips etc.
