Best Cafés and Coffee Shops in Northern Cyprus
From harbourfront espresso bars in Kyrenia to village breakfast spots in Bellapais — the best coffee and café culture Northern Cyprus has to offer.
Café Culture in Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus has a growing café scene that blends traditional Turkish coffee culture with modern espresso bars. In Kyrenia especially, the harbour is lined with cafés where you can watch the sunset behind the castle while sipping a cappuccino. In the villages, breakfast spreads (köy kahvaltısı) are a weekend ritual.
Types of Cafés
Traditional Turkish Coffee Houses
Small, unassuming places serving Türk kahvesi (Turkish coffee) in copper pots, çay (tea) in tulip glasses, and sometimes a simple breakfast. Found in every town and village. The social heart of the community.
Modern Espresso Bars
Third-wave coffee culture has arrived in Northern Cyprus. Kyrenia and Nicosia have several espresso bars serving flat whites, cold brew, and single-origin beans. Most are along the harbour or in the new shopping areas.
Harbourfront Cafés (Kyrenia)
The postcard setting — tables along the crescent harbour, the castle at one end, fishing boats at the other. Tourist-priced but the views are worth it. Open from morning to late night.
Village Breakfast Spots
Weekend breakfast (serpme kahvaltı) is a Northern Cyprus institution. A table laden with 15-20 small plates — olives, white cheese, hellim, honey, clotted cream (kaymak), eggs, sausage (sucuk), tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh bread. Allow 1-2 hours. Popular in Bellapais, Çatalköy, and the mountain villages.
Best Cafés by Area
Kyrenia (Girne)
- •Harbour cafés: The entire crescent of the harbour has café tables. Pick any with a sea view. Expect to pay €4-6 for a coffee (tourist pricing).
- •Gloria Jean's Coffees: International chain, reliable Wi-Fi, air-conditioned. Popular with expats and digital nomads.
- •Starbucks Kyrenia: Near the harbour. English-speaking, long hours, good for working.
- •Nima Restaurant & Lounge Bar: Also serves excellent coffee. Harbour views.
- •Corner Pub: More of a bar but does good coffee during the day.
Bellapais (Beylerbeyi)
- •Tree of Idleness: A Bellapais institution. Terrace with abbey views, great coffee and breakfast. Allow time to sit.
- •Kybele: Restaurant and café with abbey views. Known for its setting.
Nicosia (Lefkoşa)
- •Büyük Han courtyard: Cafés inside the 16th-century caravanserai. Shaded courtyard, craft shops, coffee. A perfect afternoon.
- •City centre cafés: Several modern espresso bars in the shopping streets.
Famagusta (Gazimağusa)
- •Old town cafés: Inside the walled city. Quieter and cheaper than Kyrenia.
- •University area: The Eastern Mediterranean University area has several student-friendly cafés.
Turkish Coffee: A Quick Guide
Turkish coffee (Türk kahvesi) is brewed in a copper pot (cezve), served in a small cup with foam on top, and is unfiltered — the grounds settle at the bottom. It is traditionally served with a glass of water and a piece of Turkish delight (lokum).
How to order:
- •Sade — plain (no sugar)
- •Az şekerli — lightly sweetened
- •Orta şekerli — medium sugar
- •Çok şekerli — very sweet
Do not drink the last sip — that is where the grounds are. The fortune-telling tradition (tasseography) involves flipping the cup and reading the patterns the grounds make.
What to Order
Turkish Coffee
The traditional classic. Strong, unfiltered, served in a small cup. €2-3.
Çay (Tea)
The everyday drink. Served in a tulip glass, everywhere, all day. €1. Black tea is the default; apple and other flavours are available.
Cappuccino / Flat White
Available at modern cafés and hotel restaurants. €3-5.
Serpme Kahvaltı (Full Breakfast)
The weekend institution. 15-20 small plates. €10-20 per person for a full spread. Best in village restaurants.
Fresh Orange Juice
Squeezed to order. €3-4. Available everywhere in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best coffee in Northern Cyprus?+
For traditional Turkish coffee, any village coffee house serves authentic Türk kahvesi. For modern espresso drinks, the harbour cafés in Kyrenia and the espresso bars in Nicosia's city centre are the best. The Tree of Idleness in Bellapais is famous for its setting and coffee.
What is Turkish coffee?+
Turkish coffee is very finely ground coffee brewed in a copper pot (cezve), served unfiltered in a small cup with foam on top. It is strong and traditionally served with water and Turkish delight. Don't drink the last sip — that is where the grounds settle.
What is a Turkish breakfast (serpme kahvaltı)?+
A full breakfast spread of 15-20 small plates — olives, white cheese, hellim (halloumi), honey, clotted cream (kaymak), eggs, sucuk (spicy sausage), tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh bread. It is a weekend ritual. Budget €10-20 per person and allow 1-2 hours.