Velvet Cafe, Balat Breakfast • Brunch • Coffee — Restaurant in Fatih

If there's a rate below zero definitely they deserve it... they are NOT doing us any favor or for free!!! We are paying for you and to run your business.

I had an incredibly disappointing breakfast experience at Velvet Restaurant today, as from the moment we arrived, it was clear that the service was lacking. We waited over 30 minutes without anyone taking our order.

After our complaints, we were finally provided with cutlery, salt, and pepper, but still had to wait another 10 minutes for plates to arrive.

When we voiced our frustration again, the owner's daughter responded dismissively, claiming, "This is our way of working!" Such a condescending attitude was shocking and unprofessional.

The situation escalated when a waiter confronted us, threatening to call the police if we did not leave. This aggressive behavior was completely unwarranted. He even returned to remove our cutlery and plates while on the phone, prioritizing confrontation over customer service.

As we attempted to leave, one of the waiters aggressively approached us, seemingly ready to instigate further conflict. It was deeply unsettling and utterly uncalled for.

All we wanted was to enjoy a paid breakfast, yet we were met with hostility and rudeness.

It is clear that the staff, particularly the owner's daughter and the waiters, have no understanding of professional hospitality.

After 20 years of avoiding Turkey due to similar experiences, I had hoped things would improve, but this encounter has proven otherwise.. especially we are Arab.. they hate Arabs!!

In conclusion, I cannot recommend Velvet Restaurant for breakfast—or any meal, for that matter. Their service is appalling, the treatment we received was disrespectful, and the overall experience was distressing. Save your money and seek out a restaurant that genuinely values its customers. Velvet Restaurant is not worthy of your...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting this family owned business, and I must say, it was an absolute delight. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with the warm and inviting scent of freshly baked bread, spices, and espresso.

The menu was filled with a variety of traditional Turkish breakfast dishes, all made with the freshest ingredients and served in generous portions. The star of the show was the pişi, a classic Turkish frıed bread that was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It was served with a variety of spreads and sweet and savory toppings, including garlic and herb butter, , orange butter, honey, kaymak, and an amazing peanut butter sweeter with dates.

Another standout dish was the menemen, a traditional Turkish egg dish made with tomatoes, peppers, and spices. The eggs were perfectly cooked and blended well with the rich and tangy tomato sauce.

The breakfast also included a range of cheeses, olives, and fresh vegetables, which were beautifully presented and added a refreshing element to the meal. The homemade jams and marmalades were also a highlight, with a wide variety of flavors ranging from tahini with molasses to a carrot and orange marmalade that was to die for.

To accompany our meal, we were served a traditional Turkish tea, which was the perfect complement to the rich and hearty breakfast.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Velvet Cafe to anyone looking for a unique and satisfying dining experience. The food was delicious, the coffee was fantastic, the atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and the service was above and beyond with a most friendly and attentive staff. If you're a fan of breakfast foods (or just good food in general), or just looking to try something new, this restaurant is definitely...

This place could not get better. Without hesitation I put 5 stars on every category; from the mouth-watering food to the most caring service to be found in Istanbul. I came twice; the first being when we were simply looking for a place to have a drink and a quick bite for lunch, and the second because we had to return to retrieve some of our things which we had forgotten the day before. As we were impressed with the first time, we sat down when we got our things back (which is in any case very generous of them to hold on to our things for us for a night), we ate. I would like to say that I recommend the egg dishes; however I would also say that there is nothing to specifically recommend as everything on their immaculately composed menu is delicious. We were served by the kindest waiter we have met yet in Istanbul or even beyond, possibly in my life. The atmosphere is pleasant, as well as diverse thanks to the two small tables out front on the street (where we sat), a quiet inside section alongside a serene garden area in the back. Absolutely nothing negative to say-I am fully satisfied and happy about this place as it alone made our visit to Istanbul better. If you are in the area- or even in Istanbul -, I fully heartedly recommend...