Cafe da Giovanni — Restaurant in Beyoğlu

I arrived at 8:30am. As you can see from the pictures it was fairly empty. I asked for a menu and I was directed to use the QR code. So I sat down and waited to order. After awhile, the worker did not come to the table, and I just went to the counter to order. I ordered the Croque Madame and a latte. I took pics of the prices of things. I waited about 20 minutes for food. The Croque Madame was 545 lira ( about $16 USD) and a latte 130 lira ($4), November 2024 exchange rates. While I was eating a group of 4 individuals sat next to me and joined the tables. Then another two walked in and just stood by that group to say hi and bye, and left. Then another 3 more wanted to sit. The table was obviously full, (but the other tables in the restaurant was empty, around the restaurant, etc.). I did not think anything of it, because I saw that they were being transient, coming and going. They only ordered bagels, and coffee. While I was MID-MEAL the worker basically picked up my plate and moved it to the table next to me to accommodate that transient group. Granted, the "group" DID NOT ask me to move, the worker just came to my table, picked up my plate and coffee and moved it to the next table. She goes do you mind (while she is picking up the plate) and I told her that I minded, but she did it anyways. I HAVE NEVER, while eating, mid meal, had my plates picked up by restaurant workers to "move". The group should have better organized, the way that it was not properly handled. The worker should NOT have to accommodate the large group. She should have just left them along to eat their "bagel", it is their fault, not hers. So she made this mistake. The group either needed to wait until I finished, take their "bagel" and eat it separately, or go somewhere else. That really pissed me off, that I was spending 20$ for food (that was not good--more on that in a bit), but that this happened. IT was a horrible experience.

Now the food. The food looks great in pics, but DO NO ORDER THE CROQUE MADAME. They wanted 16$ for basically burned bread, dry inside, and a cheap slice of ham. The bread and crust was so hard and stale. I do not know if they left if in the "George Foreman" panini grill too long or what. The sauce, should have helped it to keep moist, but it was just dry. The latte and salad was fine. I would definetly not come here again, after eating a 16$ burned hard crusty bread and being treated like I was, to accommodate other peoples "bagels". After, I went to pay and they did not have any change for cash...so strike 3. I would have been better eating at Mc Donald's. The service and price was bad...

This is a nice European bistro along Yeni Çarşı Cd. in the Beyoğlu neighbourhood. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are open from 7.30am to 8.30pm daily. Staff are very friendly, service timely, prices reasonable for what is served and environs relaxing and genuinely very nice.

We had breakfast here recently and were very happy with what was served. Crogue Monsieour served Turkish style and breakfast bagel were both delicious, great light meals to start the day. We also enjoyed the Americano and Macchiato served on the day. They were flavourful and complemented the breakfast dishes just fine. This was a nice breakfast and place we'd be eager to visit again next time...

“Nice cappuccino and super-friendly staff”

I visited this cafe twice. Once when I was nearby and second time because the cappuccino was better than any other cafe on the nearby Istiklal street.

Both times found the staff to be super welcoming. In fact the second time, the man who was acting as barista, in a very friendly gesture, replaced my flat white with a cappuccino, free of cost, despite my insistence to pay. I just found the flat white to be too strong for my taste.

Not only this kind gesture, as a true professional he genuinely wanted to know if he made a mistake. Rarely I have met such a...