The Trishaw: Istanbul

On our first night after a not so great dinner, we found a gem of a cafe. Karafirin in Sultanahmet has only been opened for about five months and I was glad we walked by it as it really made my night. After a tiring flight and not so great dinner, a good cup of tea and some indulgent desserts was the only way to make a girl smile.

We were immediately captured by the exterior of this cafe, with warm lighting and many attractive cakes staring at us with those puppy dog eyes asking us to eat them. How could we say no to that. There were cakes, cookies and Turkish desserts on both left and right side as we enter. They made it so difficult for us to focus. All of them looked good and really, there were too many to choose from.

It was such a warm and inviting cafe that even children felt comfortable exploring about.

As we entered, on the left was a glass cabinet filled with muffins and little almond cakes.

Then further up were more cakes, cookies and meringues covered in glass cloches.

And on the right side, next to the counter were lots various Turkish desserts including baklava.

Then further up were where the French patisserie were beautifully displayed.

Don't they look pretty as a picture!?

As it was only few days left before Christmas, they even sold adorable Christmas stockings and cute little packed edible gifts as stocking fillers.

How so cosy and warm the interior was that it was perfect to chill and relax.

I was told that the phrase on the wall means something like 'Let's have tea..' since tea is part of the Turkish culture.

This was what we tried. The almond cookies, pastry encased coconut chocolate filling and the last one was our favourite chocolate and coconut ball.

While we were sat enjoying our Turkish tea and Turkish coffee accompanied with those cute little sweets, we noticed an oddly placed door which seemed a little difficult to reach. There was even a painted sign on the wall that says it's a 'Secret Gate'. Curious as a cat, I finally found out where that door leads to. It was not an entrance to Narnia nor was it to Hogwarts. The manager told me it was to their store room filled with candies and chocolate!! I don't know about you, but that's one great door to enter.

Smile..

A charming cafe with lots of attractive and good desserts, accompanied with friendly service.

Frown..

Nothing to frown about.

Will I return?

Yes, we were meant to try more desserts the next time but did not have enough time. So maybe the next trip to Istanbul.

Karafirin

Cankurtan Mah.
Akbiyik Cd. No.56
Sultanahmet, Fatih
Istanbul, Turkey

Tel: +90 212 518 5000

Continue

I have only been back for less than two days and already, I am missing Turkey. At least I am lucky enough to be able to share all the sweet memories of the past two weeks with you here.

My first night in Istanbul was so exciting! There were lights everywhere, and everything was so colourful! Everything was new to me; people, culture, language, food and many more. Armed with my new camera, I was taking pictures of almost everything I encountered with. This excitement only subsided well, at the end of the trip just as we were about to leave. Turkey is such a big country and every part of it is so different from the other, it feels different every time. Who wouldn't be excited.

The first very interesting thing that I had to get used to was the many looks of everyone surrounding us. I know we look different but whoa trying to ignore them took some time. Also, the overly friendly and inviting men took a little adjustment for us girls to handle but at the end of this trip, we grasp hold of it pretty well and made some good friends along the way.

So here's a short tease of my first night in pictures and captions while I write more of my two weeks Turkish adventures in the next few posts.