Best Coffee Shops to Work From in Istanbul

In terms of visibility, Istanbul has fully arrived on the international scene. With a gorgeous cityscape and a mix of rich history and culture, Istanbul is one of the top travel destinations for modern tourists from around the world. One of the most prominent and distinct culinary offerings to enjoy in Istanbul is Turkish coffee culture. Turkey is home to one of the oldest coffee traditions in the world, and there are hundreds of authentic coffee houses in Istanbul. These traditional cafes are beautiful and charming, but there are so many modern coffee shops that will be similar to cafes in New York or Los Angeles. Sometimes, you need to knock out a dozen work emails before you head out to do some of the best shopping in Istanbul at the Grand Bazaar or Nisantasi or tour one of the many historical sites like the Hagia Sophia. Perhaps you have some freelance work or a passion project you want to tend to while you’re traveling. 

Whatever your reason for needing space to work, Istanbul’s coffee shops have you covered. Not only is Turkish coffee delicious, but you can spread out your work materials and comfortably work for a few hours. On the go? Drop the bags off at one of the many Bounce luggage storage spots in Istanbul so you won’t take up too much space in the coffee shop while you work.

Here are the best Istanbul coffee shops for working:

Bond Coffee Company

Taking its cues from modern coffee shops in New York and Berlin, Bond Coffee has become one of the premier roasters in Istanbul. With a host of cafés located around the city’s different neighborhoods, Bond Coffee Company specializes in precision coffee roasting, treating the brewing process as a science. Not only can you get a perfect cup of coffee at their cafés, you can even attend classes and workshops to learn how to brew the perfect batch of coffee. 

While all these features make Bond Coffee one of the most compelling cafés in Istanbul, their spaces are also the ideal setting for setting up shop and getting work done. All of their coffee shops have spacious seating areas, bright lights, strong WiFi, and delicious coffee to fuel your productivity. Their locations are popular on weekends as a hangout, and the commuter rush certainly sees plenty of customers, but Bond Coffee shops are never overcrowded. Once your work is done, you can always learn a thing or two about making your own delicious coffee!

Location:

Mecidiye, Dereboyu Cd. No: 121-123/B, 34347 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey

Brew Coffeeworks 

This café is housed in a beautifully-preserved Ottoman building, designed over a century ago by one of Turkey’s most legendary architects. While the best coffee shops for working tend to have a modern design, Brew Coffeeworks proves the exception, with a comfortable working layout and all the charm of a historic setting. While the café can get crowded during the high tourist months, most afternoons are quiet enough that you can reliably find a table to spread out. Brew Coffeeworks specializes in espresso, serving easily the best espresso drinks in Istanbul and some of the best in all of Europe. 

Given its location, try to set aside some time to take a walk through Istanbul’s Old City, where you’ll find the best architecture and culture. 

Location:

Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Caddesi, Gümrük Sk. No:26/A, 34410 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

The Coffee Department

While this café’s playful name is meant to be slightly ironic, this is certainly one of the best coffee shops in Istanbul for remote work. Not only can you order a cup of delicious coffee, but the café’s brightly-lit dining area boasts wide tables, charging stations, free WiFi, and a relaxed atmosphere ideal for deep concentration. Their menu features multiple roasts of coffee, espresso, cold brew, and beans you can bring home. There are even light snacks, sandwiches, and pastries to keep you going for a full afternoon. 

The Coffee Department is conveniently located near the iconic Kariye Mosque, making it the perfect spot to get some work done before seeing this must-visit tourist area. Just remember to drop the bags off before exploring this world-class heritage site. 

Location:

Ayvansaray, Kürkçü Çeşmesi Sk. No:5, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Coffee Sapiens 

In recent years, Karaköy has become Istanbul’s most popular neighborhood for tourists and younger locals. The youthful energy makes the area perfect for cafés, restaurants, and shopping. One of the neighborhood’s anchors is the legendary Coffee Sapiens café, where modern third-wave coffee drinks are served in an industrial-chic setting. The tables are large enough to spread out, and the strong WiFi reaches every corner of the coffee shop, making this the perfect spot to post up and get some work done. 

Coffee Sapiens is as hip and trendy as it gets in Istanbul, but the main draw here is the quality. Coffee Sapiens sources the coffee beans themselves, traveling throughout Central America and Africa to find the highest quality product to roast and serve to their avid customers. Everything is roasted in-house, and their rotating menu of fair-trade beans features the delicious coffees. Don’t sleep on their pastries either, a local bakery provides tasty treats every day. 

Location:

Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Kılıç Ali Paşa Mescidi Sk. No:10 D:C, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Café Cuma

Cuma is equal parts charming café and restaurant churning out some of the best breakfast food in Istanbul. The cozy layout makes it ideal for sitting with a friend or reading a book in their comfortable chairs, but it’s perfectly suited for posting up with a laptop and latté for deep concentration. They have a large space, including a second floor, so you won’t have trouble finding a place to settle in. Their food is definitely worth exploring, especially their gluten-free menu. The pancakes are the best in Istanbul!

Café Cuma is located in a cute neighborhood near antique shops and other stores, so once your tasks are completed, head out and explore the area! 

Location:

Firuzağa Mh, Çukur Cuma Cd. 53/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Coffee Manifesto 

The serious branding might be a little misleading because this café provides a relaxing atmosphere and is a comfortable place to sit for a few hours to read or work on a passion project. They serve delicious coffee sourced from the highest quality regions in the world. Coffee Manifesto also roasts its own coffee beans, and their baristas host small workshops for enthusiasts and coffee connoisseurs. Their large space is your best bet for finding an ideal spot to work for a few hours, but if your inbox is at zero, you can always sit by the window, sip a delicious espresso drink and enjoy the prime people watching. 

Location:

Caferağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sok No:40A, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

Journey 

This charming and trendy coffee shop has a massive communal table in the middle of the café. Here, along with the second floor, you’ll find plenty of students and remote workers typing away on their laptops while sipping on delicious coffees, lattés, or cold brews. Being located in the stylish Cihangir neighborhood, the clientele leans young, but Journey never gets so crowded or loud that you can’t focus on the tasks at hand. On weekends and during the morning rush, the upper floor seating area has more space to spread out and focus. Their menu features classic Turkish food along with pastries. 

Location:

Kılıçali Paşa, Akarsu Ykş. Sok. 21/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Montag 

Since its first opening in 2014, this cafe has been one of the most popular coffee roasters in all of Istanbul. Their Kadiköy coffee shop is the go-to place for local hipsters and stylish travelers to grab a cup of coffee and see and be seen. Their precision coffee brewing process makes it ideal for both connoisseurs and anyone looking for delicious coffees in a setting ideal for remote working. Montag is the German word for Monday, so it’s fitting that this café would be perfect for setting up shop to plug away on a laptop for a few hours. 

Kadikoy Location:

Caferağa, Muvakkıthane Cd. No:16/A D:Kat:1, 34710, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

Moda Location:

Caferağa, Bademaltı Sk. No:22/A, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

Müz Botanik & Kahve

With botanical features throughout this café, Müz is aptly named. Not only does the stylish greenery make for a wonderful space to hang out, but the communal table and ample seating also make it a great place to get some work done. The prominent natural light at this coffee shop makes it pleasant, and the spacious layout allows for deep concentration. Their baristas certainly know what they’re doing because a cup of espresso or one of their delicious coffees is some of the best in Istanbul. 

Müz Botanik & Kahve is located close to the Pers Museum. This is a worthy travel destination, so drop your bags off, head to the cafe to get your work done, and go visit this illustrious museum in the heart of Istanbul. 

Location:

Firuzağa, Hayriye Cd. 18/A, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Viyana Kahvesi

Vienna and Istanbul are both worthy rivals for being the premier coffee cities in Europe, and while the modern landscape is different, both still have mutual respect for one another. Modeled after the famous Viennese café from Austria’s capital city, Viyana Kahvesi has paid homage to a coffee culture that’s been deemed worthy of the UNESCO Heritage distinction. But the Austrians first got the delightful coffee bean from the Ottomans, so it’s fitting that Viyana Kahvesi can celebrate both traditions in their stunning coffee shop. 

The café is stylish and opulent but still a solid place to grab a cup of coffee and get some work done. The ample seating is comfortable, and the tables are spacious. There’s even WiFi at this historic café. While coffee is the primary offering here, there are pastries and cakes, tea, sandwiches, and other treats that will appeal to just about everyone. 

Location:

Bereketzade, Büyük Hendek Cd. No:19/A, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Walters Coffee Roastery 

Whether it’s for the café’s workability or the absolutely great coffee, Walters is one of the most famous roasters and coffee shops in Istanbul. Like so many other companies in the city, Walters Coffee Roastery takes its beans VERY seriously. They’ve not only designed their roastery and café to invoke memories of the Breaking Bad TV series, they take a scientific approach to roasting and brewing. Their espresso drinks are incredible, but a cup of any of their rotating roasts will surely satisfy even the most staunch connoisseurs. 

The large space has plenty of seating for small groups or solo customers looking to work for a few hours. For food, they have a solid gluten-free menu along with a solid breakfast and superb pastries, which makes it a popular afternoon hangout on weekends.

Location:

Caferağa, Bademaltı Sk. No:21, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

Conclusion

Turkish coffee culture draws enthusiasts and connoisseurs to Istanbul from all over the world. Their traditions and delicious coffees are world-famous and worthy of searching out while you’re traveling through Turkey. But in a modern world where workers are expected to be dialed in at all times, sometimes you just need some WiFi, a cup of coffee, and a comfortable space to get some work done. Luckily, Istanbul’s top coffee shops aren’t just traditional cafés. There are plenty of places that are perfect for getting work done and that also serve delicious coffee and food. So, find the best cafe for working, log on, fuel up with some delicious Turkish coffee, and get your work done so you can return to enjoying your trip. Just remember, you can always store your work gear and bags with Bounce, so you have one less thing to worry about!