The Apple of Üsküdar’s Eye Kuzguncuk’s Peace Stops

When peace is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar's novel Huzur, and then Kuzguncuk. Because Kuzguncuk is known as the peaceful Bosphorus district of Üsküdar. With its unspoiled texture, historical structures and smiling people, it takes you on a peaceful journey. You feel the serenity of life in every street and corner. In addition to these, Kuzguncuk is the meeting point of three religions. It has hosted different cultures, poets and writers such as Oktay Rifat, Can Yücel, and Rıfat Ilgaz.

While walking on the streets of Kuzguncuk, you experience Can Yüceli's lines "I found a green branch in Kuzguncuk, I held on to it / I live in Kuzguncuk; on the same floor with the seagulls". Kuzguncuk is the stop to hold on to life more tightly, to throw off the burdens on your shoulders amidst all this rush and anxiety, and to look at the sky with peace.

Today, everyone has a rush and a hustle; Everyone has to get somewhere, they don't even have time to stop and take a breath on the slopes. A peaceful stop is sought in all this chaos. We have prepared a list of peaceful stops in Kuzguncuk for you to breathe easily in these moments. Let's discover the peaceful stops together!

1) Kuzguncuk Çınaraltı Cafe

You will notice that peace surrounds you as you take a fresh breath in the shade of the plane tree and sip your tea facing the Bosphorus. It is a place that can be visited in every season and you can have a peaceful tea break indoors in rainy weather. We witnessed that it is especially beautiful in rainy weather. The heat of the tea and the raindrops hitting the glass seem to take the bad feelings one by one and pour them into the sea.

Address: Kuzguncuk, Kuzguncuk Çarşı Caddesi 3/A 34672

Üsküdar/ İstanbul

Phone: (0216) 310 40 03

2) Nail Bookstore

Nail Bookstore, which provides both bookstore and publishing services in a historical building dating back to the 19th century, is one of the most peaceful places in Kuzguncuk. Nail Bookstore, which hosts various events throughout the year, has three floors. When you enter, you are greeted by the smell of coffee and books. As you go up to the second floor, you hear Ahmet Haşim's line, "You will climb these stairs slowly." There is a long table in the middle of the carefully placed books on the second floor. This table hosts "Literature Conversations". You don't realize how time passes when you travel with books in such an environment. It is the symbol of peace in Kuzguncuk with the slogan "In a beautiful neighborhood, beautiful literature, accompanied by beautiful coffee". If you haven't discovered it yet, we recommend you to enter its door when you come to Kuzguncuk.

Address: Kuzguncuk, İcadiye Caddesi, No:32, 34674 Üsküdar/ İstanbul

Phone: 0216 391 10 70

3) Galette Kuzguncuk

Galette Kuzguncuk is a place run by Gamze Hanım that satisfies your soul with peace and offers a feast of flavors to your palate. Galette Kuzguncuk is a small place. It is one of the peaceful stops of Kuzguncuk with its warm atmosphere. It is a place where you will become a regular in Kuzguncuk with its delicious varieties from breakfast to dinner. There are gluten-free foods for those with celiac and gluten sensitivity at Galette. Galette's desserts, cheesecake and especially lemon poppy seed cake are finger-licking. We have experienced it for you, if you are in Kuzguncuk, do not forget to stop by. You can visit every day of the week between 08.30-22.00.

Address: Kuzguncuk, İcadiye Caddesi, No:45, 34674 Üsküdar/ İstanbul

Phone: (0216) 334 03 94

4) Püruze Caffé

Püruze Caffé in Kuzguncuk is one of the places you go to relax and take a break from life in peace. It is an ideal cafe for peaceful weekends. When you enter the door, it welcomes you with sunflowers. It helps you spend a time full of awareness with its mottos of "look at life differently" and "drink a latte". If you want to leave yourself in the wind of peace accompanied by French songs and a wonderful atmosphere, you should go to Püruze. Working hours are every day between 09.00-23.30.

Address: Kuzguncuk Mah, İcadiye Cd. No: 33/A, 34674 Uskudar/Istanbul

Phone: (0216) 310 15 35

Written by: Nilda Pasaoglu