Thalia C.
Yelp
If you are planning to come here for the first time, warning! Do not consult your GPS maps to find this place, it will probably not work. Go to Karaköy and ask around for directions; most people know it and can guide you, except if they are also looking for it, in which case (yey!) you'll have company for the road and -who knows- maybe even for coffee! When you arrive to the area pointed to you, you most probably won't see the word "Karabatak" written anywhere (I didn't), but if you see the words Julius Meinl written all over the wall of a corner coffee place then you have found it, get in and keep reading.
When you enter the place, you will notice a staircase with a red rope blocking it. If you are alone or with maximum one friend, then don't let this rope stop you! Just jump over it and go upstairs, where everyone is sipping their coffee quietly, reading their newspaper or book, studying for their exam or working on their projects. This place is great for all these activities, although in the evening it gets pretty dark making it hard to read anything.
The Julius Meinl beverages are delicious and the prices are not too expensive considering the quantity (it's a pretty big cup) and comparing to the other coffee places in the area. Plus from 9:00 to 12:00 there is a special deal for students, where they can pay as much as they like for certain coffees on the menu. I tried the filter coffee and the cappuccino and they both smelled and tasted really good. Besides beverages, you can also grab a light bite here, they have fresh and nice sandwiches. The cheesecake is delicious, I can't wait to try the rest of the deserts.
The decoration is elegant and cosy and the music is soft and relaxing, especially if you sit upstairs you can enjoy it the best. There is also a mini shop inside where you can buy coffee, mugs and other nice things. When the weather is nice you can also sit outside (practically on the street) and enjoy the sun.
Definitely on my favourites list!