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Cafe Dóra, Balat: The Best Café in One of Istanbul’s Most Charming Neighborhoods
- Jenn & Leon
- Oct 25, 2021
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 3
When we first arrived in Balat, our Airbnb host kindly took us on a small tour of the beautiful winding streets of this 15th-century historic Istanbul district in Turkiye.
We had watched some videos before coming and knew of the vibrant colors and mixture of restored and rundown buildings, ruins, artisan bistros, and cafes.
We were even more enamored seeing it in person and couldn’t wait to explore it on our own!
We retired to our apartment for the evening as we were slightly jet lagged, and the following day, we decided to go for a stroll around Balat. Cue in Cafe Dora!
Read on for the awesome food we tried, more about the amazing dog behind the name, how to find Cafe Dora, our YouTube video highlights, and our café rating!
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Our Cafe Dora Highlights
This corner cafe is located on the main street of Vodina Caddesi. The owners of Cafe Dora, Elif and his wife, are almost always leading from the front and greeting passersby with a warm welcome.
When Elif said hello and asked us over, we happily obliged. We are so happy we did, with Elif and his wife becoming special friends throughout our stay and offering us great food and hospitality with every visit.
Café Dora's name is derived from its owner’s beautiful Rottweiler, Dora.
She is super friendly and usually takes up residence on the corner by the traditional Turkish coffee stand that stands proudly outside.
She is not intrusive to guests in any way, and Elif takes great care to ensure she is well-behaved!
You will find a good menu with breakfast options including the traditional Turkish breakfast, eggs, and our personal favorites, Menemen Tarifi and Gözleme.
The drink options are great too, with coffee for all tastes.
The menu is moderately priced and extremely affordable for tourists, with meals ranging from 15 – 100 lira, with the average being around 25 lira!
The afternoon and dinner meals here are a real treat too, with a selection of burgers including the Café Dora special, fries, salads, pizza, and Köfte (Turkish Meatballs).
All of the food is homemade and absolutely delicious!
We pretty much tried every option over our many visits here. You will be served plenty of bread, Turkish Tea, and service with a wonderfully warm smile too!
You can also enjoy Turkish Hookah here, and alongside the menu, the prices are very reasonable. It has a fantastic vibe in a great location, you cannot ask for more, really.
Recently married Elif and his wife are super friendly and also introduced us to their newest arrival, baby Dora!
This was a special moment for us that we will not forget! Jenn was as happy as a kid in a candy shop!
During our stay in Istanbul, we found out it was Elif’s birthday, so we surprised him with a mini cake!
Our favorite thing about traveling is meeting amazing people we will never forget along the way.
Be sure to stop by the café and say hello when you are in the area to see the Greek Orthodox school, the colorful mansions (home of our Airbnb), and the colorful stairs that are all super popular places to visit when in Fener Balat, Istanbul.
We loved this entire area! We highly recommend a visit if you have the time. If you come to see the houses, head to Café Dora too!
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Cafe Dora on YouTube
Join us as we explore the beautiful Balat neighborhood in Istanbul, a fantastic area for photographers.
Discover popular photo spots like the fishermen at the Bosphorus, the Bulgarian Iron Church, and the Fener Greek High School, all near our Airbnb.
We also highlight lesser-known gems such as the Velvet Cafe, Marginal Flower Shop, Balat Cafe, colorful stairs and homes, and other charming spots!
If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures, please like and subscribe!
Your support truly is invaluable to us, and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world!
How to Get to Cafe Dora in Balat, Istanbul
Cafe Dóra is tucked into the heart of Balat, one of Istanbul’s most colorful and historic neighborhoods, known for its cobbled streets, pastel houses, and artsy vibe.
Getting there is half the fun, and there are a few good options depending on where you're coming from.
By Metro + Bus
From central Istanbul (like Sultanahmet or Taksim), take the M2 metro line to Haliç Station, then walk across the Golden Horn Metro Bridge to the Eminönü area.
From Eminönü, hop on Bus 99, 99A, or 48E heading toward Balat/Ayvansaray, and get off at the Balat stop. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk through the colorful side streets to the cafe.
By Public Bus (Direct)
On Foot (If Nearby)
By Taxi or Ride App
⪢ Contact Information for Café Dora
● Address: Cafe Dora, Balat, Vodina Cd. No: 55/A, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
● Opening Hours: 8.30 am to 11 pm
● Phone: +90 505 059 16 14
⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Istanbul and Beyond
Looking for a place to stay nearby? Browse Istanbul hotel deals below to find great rates for an overnight stay.
Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination.
Our Experience Ratings:
Café Dora
In our opinion, there really is no reason not to stop off and enjoy this beautiful café. Indeed, Balat itself!
Finding Dora was a great bonus for us as the food was awesome, but more significantly for us, we also made wonderful friends that we are still connected with to this very day!
Atmosphere: 5/5
Café Dora certainly feels very traditional in its design and has a great front seating area.
It is neatly sectioned off from the road with planters, although the road is narrow and usually busy.
We did get the feeling that we were in the heart of Balat and could not have asked for a more genuine Turkish café experience, though!
Cost: 5/5
Food: 5/5
Service: 5/5
FAQ: Café Dora – Balat’s Must-Visit Hidden Gem
Where is Café Dora located?
Café Dora is tucked away in the vibrant neighborhood of Balat, one of the most colorful and historic districts in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s within walking distance of Balat’s famous rainbow stairs and photo-worthy houses.
What makes Café Dora special?
Is it tourist-friendly?
What kind of food and drinks are served?
Does Café Dora have Wi-Fi or space to work?
What’s the price range?
Are there vegetarian or vegan options?
Is the café cash-only, or do they take cards?
What’s the best time to visit?
Can I find Café Dora on social media?
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We had such a wonderful time here with our new found friends and their fur babies! Language barriers don't top friendships!