I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Mesopotamian Breakfast Brunch Café in Istanbul with my family. It was an absolute delight! If you're looking for a top-notch breakfast spot with a warm atmosphere and incredible views, this place is definitely worth checking out.
I'll be honest, we wanted to go to 7 Hills Restaurant which is the one everyone sees on Instagram, but it was too crowded and you need to go through a posh hotel to get there (still if you want to go there no reservations are necessary just get there early). Our research told us Mesopotamian was a good alternative and it was near buy (many of the restaurants in the area have terraces).
First things first, the breakfast (all day) at Mesopotamian is simply out of this world-. They serve up a mouthwatering array of traditional Turkish dishes (my son's first experience with a Turkish breakfast) From the crispy and fluffy bread to the rich and flavorful menemen (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and peppers), every bite was a burst of deliciousness. And don't even get me started on their fresh and aromatic Turkish tea—it's the perfect accompaniment to start your day right. Prices were very fair and the food plentiful. Good for sharing.
The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive (though we had a young man serving us who was new, so he wasn't very helpful in speed or accuracy thus the 4 stars). The manager greeted us and took care of our stroller. He made us feel like a valued guest from the moment you step through the door (got me bonus point with my Turkish mother in law).
What else can I say? The terrace wasn't very crowded around 11am, but it appeared to be spacious in itself (you will need to go up three floors. Bathrooms were clean-- no squatters!)
All in all, next time you find yourself in Istanbul, be sure to swing by and treat yourself to a memorable breakfast experience. You won't be disappointed! Definitely, a 4.5...
Read moreWe came here because of the Google reviews and a recommendation from another couple that we had shared another breakfast with. We opted for the traditional Turkish breakfast, The Lake Van.
The pros: the view is amazing, and the staff are very kind, and they were quite busy so you know they were hustling to try to serve everyone in a timely manner.
The cons: you are essentially paying for the view and the prices here reflect the fact that you are in the prime tourist area. I am not sure if the quality has decreased because of inflation/COVID, but this was unfortunately the worst food we had in our six days in Istanbul. The bread provided tasted stale. The dishes were five variations of egg scramble, but lukewarm and overcooked. Looking at other patrons having the same breakfast as we were, others did not look impressed with their food. To us, the food tasted as though it was store-bought quality.
Food quality aside, one other concern was that one of the worker’s had a finger injury that was wrapped in old, used bandage with dried healing fluid that was not covered. While I don’t expect food safety standards to be the same as back home, this was more off putting than eating at any street food establishment in Istanbul (or Vietnam,...
Read moreI had a truly memorable experience at Mesopotamian Breakfast Brunch Cafe in Istanbul. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed as if I were visiting a family home rather than just a restaurant. The service was warm and attentive, with staff making sure we felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout the entire visit. Their friendliness and genuine hospitality added a lot to the experience.
The food was absolutely outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Everything tasted homemade and authentic, with that special touch you only find in places that truly care about what they serve. It wasn’t just a meal, it felt like a real introduction to local culture and tradition.
One of the most unique aspects of the cafe is its atmosphere. On the first floor, you can actually see a person making carpets, which gives the place a special charm and connects you to Istanbul’s artisanal heritage. It’s not something you come across every day and definitely made the visit more memorable.
Overall, this place combines excellent food, genuine hospitality, and cultural richness. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Istanbul—it’s the kind of spot you’ll want...
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