The Best Coffee Shops Turkey 2026 Begins

The Best Coffee Shops will evaluate coffee shops in different cities across Türkiye not only based on the coffee in the cup, but also using comprehensive criteria ranging from barista expertise and atmosphere to customer experience and sustainability. Coming to Türkiye to make the country's burgeoning coffee culture visible on an international scale, The Best Coffee Shops Turkey 2026 will initially cover coffee shops in Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya, discovering businesses that stand out based on comprehensive criteria encompassing coffee quality, barista expertise, customer experience, atmosphere, and sustainability. In addition to coffee shop applications, sponsorship and volunteer jury applications for the platform are also open.

Turkey's rich coffee culture, ranging from traditional coffee houses to new-generation coffee shops, is entering a new era with an international discovery and evaluation platform. The Best Coffee Shops, which evaluates quality coffee experiences in different cities around the world through a common and comprehensive system, is starting its journey in Turkey in collaboration with Dream Sales Machine .

The first stops for The Best Coffee Shops Turkey 2026 will be Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya. Independent coffee shops, next-generation coffee spots, roastery-cafes, and businesses offering quality coffee experiences operating in these three cities can apply to the platform and participate in the evaluation process. The Best Coffee Shops Turkey aims not only to create a "best of" list but also to discover, make visible, and connect with coffee enthusiasts worldwide businesses in different cities of Turkey that produce quality coffee, design unique experiences, and contribute to local coffee culture.

A New Era of Discovery in Türkiye's Coffee Culture

Coffee culture in Türkiye has undergone a rapid transformation in recent years. The centuries-old legacy of traditional Turkish coffee is evolving alongside a third-wave coffee approach, different brewing methods, selection of high-quality beans, local roasting, and new-generation interior designs. Coffee shops are no longer just places to buy drinks; they are transforming into living spaces where people meet, work, socialize, discover new flavors, and become part of a community.

This shift is also broadening the definition of a "good coffee shop." Today, the success of a coffee shop isn't measured solely by the quality of the product it offers in the cup. The way the beans are selected and roasted, the barista's knowledge, the preparation technique, the quality of service, the atmosphere of the place, the food pairings, the sustainability approach, and how consistent the experience is across different visits are all crucial factors.

The Best Coffee Shops Turkey 2026 is preparing to make this transformation in Turkey's coffee scene visible through a holistic assessment approach.

Initial assessments were conducted in Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya.

The platform's first phase in Türkiye will cover Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya. Prominent coffee spots in these three cities, each with its own unique coffee culture, consumer habits, and variety of venues, will be evaluated using common criteria. Istanbul stands out with its multi-layered coffee culture developing in different neighborhoods, independent roasters, and venues that blend international trends with local habits. Ankara attracts attention with its strong loyal customer base, university life, and long-standing coffee communities. Antalya, thanks to its dynamic structure that connects local consumers with domestic and international visitors, is among Türkiye's coffee destinations with high international visibility.

The Best Coffee Shops Turkey 2026 aims to evaluate coffee shops of varying scales and concepts in these cities within the context of their own integrated experiences. The goal is to highlight not only large or well-known brands, but also independent businesses that have built strong communities in their neighborhoods, stand out with their unique approaches, and offer a high-quality coffee experience. The Best Coffee Shops Turkey 2026 will consider coffee quality, proper processing and preparation of beans, barista expertise, customer service, innovation, atmosphere and ambiance, sustainability, the quality of food and pastry products, and the consistency of the experience offered across different visits.

"In coffee, the competition is no longer about the cup, but about the experience."

Alper Sesli, President of Dream Sales Machine, commenting on The Best Coffee Shops Turkey 2026, stated that competition in the coffee sector has changed significantly in recent years, saying, “With the development of coffee culture, consumer expectations are also changing. Good coffee is now the starting point of the experience. How the coffee is served, the atmosphere the place creates, the relationship it establishes with the visitor, and how consistently all of this can be maintained are becoming increasingly important. People are not just buying a cup of coffee; they are also buying an experience, a sense of belonging, a story, and a lifestyle. We see this transformation very clearly in Turkey.”

Sesli stated that many businesses today can access the same quality coffee beans and similar equipment , but emphasized that the real difference lies in experience design, saying, “Many businesses can buy the same coffee beans; however, it is impossible to create the same atmosphere, the same story, and the same community. Competition in coffee is no longer just about the cup, but about the experience. In this new era, businesses that can transform the product into a powerful experience, establish a genuine connection with their visitors, and maintain this consistently will stand out.”

Sesli stated that Dream Sales Machine has been contributing to the development of the coffee ecosystem for 12 years through the Istanbul Coffee Festival and for 10 years through the Ankara Coffee Festival , and continued as follows:

“For years, we have viewed coffee not merely as a product to be consumed, but as a powerful experiential space that brings together culture, gastronomy, entrepreneurship, creativity, and urban life. Through coffee festivals, we have brought together brands, producers, roasters, baristas, and coffee lovers in the same ecosystem. With The Best Coffee Shops Turkey 2026, we are taking this experience to a new platform for discovery and visibility.”

With the Turkey evaluation, coffee shops in Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya will have the opportunity to reach a wider audience, including their local regulars and those looking to discover new cities and coffee experiences. Coffee shops operating in Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya can apply for The Best Coffee Shops Turkey 2026 evaluation. The platform invites businesses with a unique approach to coffee, a strong barista team, quality products, a good customer experience, and consistent service to be part of this international journey of discovery. Coffee experts, professional baristas, coffee roasters, influencers and content creators working in the specialty coffee field, gastronomy and hospitality sector experts, and coffee enthusiasts with strong experience can apply to be volunteer judges.

Sponsorship Opportunities for Brands

Brands operating in the fields of coffee, gastronomy, hospitality, technology, sustainability, equipment, and lifestyle can become sponsors of The Best Coffee Shops Turkey platform. Sponsorship collaborations will offer brands the opportunity to establish strong connections with professionals, businesses, and coffee enthusiasts in Turkey's burgeoning coffee ecosystem.