In this blog post, I will introduce you to the restaurants cooking the best gözleme in Istanbul. Gözleme is a Turkish dish that can be served for breakfast or lunch and with various fillings such as cheese, spinach, eggs, and ground beef. Notorious for being vegetarian-friendly, there’s so much choice here. In fact, it’s so popular that it has been exported from Turkey to other countries all over the world!
If you’re craving a breakfast that’s delicious, quick, basic, warm, and inviting, here are some of the best gözlemes in Istanbul.
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1. Yiğit Sofram Gözleme ve Kahvaltı
Those with an adventurous palate would find themselves home here. Despite the traditional gözlemes on the menu, Yiğit Sofram has experimented with fillings that even the locals may not have heard about.
If you’re struggling to choose between the variety of breakfast and gözleme options, you’re in luck. The menu has English descriptions, but it also has pictures of the dishes for those that aren’t entirely fluent.
The understated elegance coupled with the antiques gives this place an Ottoman vibe. You may be lucky enough to stumble across a quote from Rumi. If you’re even more fortunate, you may find yourself sampling luxurious buffalo cream (kaymak) or even the handmade jam that’s been passed down from mother to son.
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2. Cafe Privato Restaurant
Café Privato Restaurant encapsulates the historical aspect of this wondrous city. The menu offers a selection of homemade, traditional dishes, including, of course, the famous Turkish gözleme and set breakfasts.
Vegetarian gözleme options are not an afterthought but an absolute must. While you’re waiting for your order to arrive, you may be surprised with the little tidbits of information on the local touristic sites such as the history of the nearby Galata Tower.
At Cafe Privato, the chairs reminiscent of the Victorian era combined with the wood-clad décor will have you feeling like you’re stepping into an era long gone.
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3. Çeşme Bazlama Kahvaltı Nişantaşı 1
An experience not to be missed, there’s no menu at this great brunch joint. After you nestle yourself amongst the cute pink trees, contrasting with the seafoam-green interior, you’ll find the waitstaff will slowly bring out plate after plate. There’ll be jams that you never heard of. In fact, milk jam is highly recommended.
The portions are small to prevent food waste. However, if you’re not full, you don’t have to worry. You’re not allowed to leave before you’re full so just ask for another plate.
Pets are highly welcome: ask the staff for a bowl. If you’re a solo traveler, this is unmissable. You can watch the Turkish teyzes roll out the dough for the gözlemes.
The extraordinary ambiance will make you feel right at home, and that is if a home was the cozy but welcoming cottages of a Disney princess. This means that if you have cute daughters – and by daughters, we mean princesses – you absolutely must stop by.
Get there early or make reservations to avoid disappointment.
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4. Türkmen Cafe
From the outside, it’s a small, unassuming café. Sandwiched between various offices, you’ll find this to be a favorite of the locals.
Step in, however, and you’ll find a wondrous world of warm, friendly staff and colorful menus. If you struggle to choose between the many, many different gözleme choices, you’re in safe hands: the menu has recommendations of the best filling combinations.
Further, if you visit Türkmen Cafe with a friend on keto, they have plenty of other non-carb choices, and if you like what you eat, there are options to buy certain dishes by the kilo.
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5. Gözlemece
If you can navigate the picturesque but narrow streets, you may stumble upon this humble escape into the world of the locals. Although it’s only a stroll away from touristy Dolmabahçe Palace, Gözlemece is incredibly reasonably priced.
Their menu has a wide selection, allowing patrons to have more than one different type of filling in a single gözleme. Moreover, on previous occasions, the incredibly accommodating staff have coordinated with local pubs and served their gozleme inside the pub to a customer craving a beer with their meal.
Whether you want to eat something basic and reasonably priced or you’re after the best gözleme in Istanbul, Gözlemece will be the perfect place!
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6. Mola Gözleme Evi
In the middle of nowhere and with its classical Turkish-village style architecture, this is a hidden gem that must be visited to be believed. If you don’t feel like you’re in the midst of an enchanting forest, you’ll indeed feel like you’re in a lodge.
The food itself is another bragging right for Mola – you’ll find that your mouth will start watering at just the sight. The gözlemes are made in a fiery hot oven powered by wood. In other words, it’s the real, classical method of making this traditional dish.
The restaurant’s name translated means: Stopover Gözleme House and it truly lives up to its name. It’s a nice break, not from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. Like a little cottage in a fairy-tale, this is one for those that love to daydream.
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7. Çınaraltı Mantı & Gözleme
With its picturesque coastlines, stunning creek, and surrounding woodlands, it’s no wonder that Ağva is a popular filming location for TV series. More like a little settlement adjacent to Istanbul, Ağva is the place for a romantic boat excursion.
Çınaraltı menu has nearly 50 types of gözlemes! Eggplant, spinach, pastrami, Nutella, mushroom, cheddar, potatoes are just a few of the handmade gözlemes. Some other exciting fillings are pumpkin and walnut.
Çınaraltı is based in Ağva and does an excellent job of keeping up with the rustic theme. If not for the occasional Turkish evil eye hanging innocently in a corner, you may be fooled into thinking you’re in the Italian countryside. The classic art on the wall is nothing compared to the art made in the kitchen. Fresh, authentic, and homemade jam and pickles are sweet souvenirs for you to take home.
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Final words:
Istanbul is a vibrant city with many sights to see and food to taste. As you explore this exciting destination, make sure that your belly is full too! We’ve compiled the best places in Istanbul to eat gözleme for those of us who are looking for delicious Turkish cuisine.
Our expert guides can also help with exploring Turkish cuisine while you are in Turkey’s most populated city. Check out our award-winning food tours here.
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