Some meals are meant to be savoured. Turkish Breakfast is most definitely one of them.
STYLE Canada had the pleasure of experiencing Turkish Breakfast prepared by a Turkish chef firsthand at an event hosted by Turkish Airlines in Toronto. Honestly, we’re still thinking about it months later. It’s just that good! For anyone unfamiliar with it, think abundance – countless small plates filling up a table and endless cups of Turkish black tea.
Turkish Breakfast is called kahvaltı in Turkish – translating to before coffee. It is not just a meal to start the day, it’s the main event. A ritual steeped in tradition. A celebration of togetherness. A window into Turkish culture. And a feast both for the eyes and the taste buds that’s best enjoyed together with a group of friends or family as you pass the morning connecting over long conversations, being very present in the moment.
Photography credit: Kennedy Pollard
In Türkiye, the tradition has become wildly popular. So popular, it topped Taste Atlas’ list of 50 best breakfasts in 2025. And for good reason. The meal makes for an impressive spread. While the components can differ from region to region in Türkiye and at restaurants in Canada, it typically includes a diverse range of dishes featuring cheese, olives, eggs, cured meats, tomato, cucumber, pastries, bread, jams, honey and clotted cream, accompanied by endless cups of tea.
Eggs are a defining feature of Turkish Breakfast; you can find the typical styles (poached, soft or hard boiled, sunny side up) but the Turkish preparations are the best. Menemen, flavour-packed scrambled eggs cooked with peppers and tomatoes, and çılbır, poached eggs served on top of garlicky yogurt, are must-try dishes in our opinion.
Turkish cheeses are not commonly found in Canada, so it’s a treat to try them at Turkish breakfast. White cheeses are a central element, with local varieties featured based on the region in Türkiye. Ezine cheese, a blue mould cheese from Konya; aged kaşar from Kars; and herb cheese from Vans are just a few examples.
Photography credit: Kennedy Pollard
Freshly baked pastries and breads include simit, a sesame-coated Turkish bread that resembles a bagel; bourek, a flaky filled pastry (we had one filled with spinach and cheese at the Turkish Airlines breakfast) and Turkish flatbreads. Spread honey and clotted cream on the simit for a sweet treat or dip it in the eggs for a savoury bite. Both ways are fantastic.
While Turkish Coffee (a strong, dark brew served in a small cup) is a celebrated drink, Turkish breakfast is all about tea. Coffee comes later. Turkish tea is a black tea and served in small glasses that are constantly refilled.
In a fast-paced world, Turkish Breakfast is a ritual that invites you to slow down, indulge, savour the morning and be present in your relationships for a few hours. While some might be tempted to skip breakfast most days, Turkish Breakfast is a tradition worth waking up for.
Photography credit: Kennedy Pollard
Check out these Turkish Breakfast hotspots across Canada.
Toronto: Pera Café
If you’re craving a Turkish breakfast moment in Toronto, Pera Café is the kind of cozy spot that hits instantly, think fresh bakery bites, warm tea, great menemen and that unmistakable Istanbul café energy in the middle of the city.
Vancouver: Simit Bakery Café
Simit Bakery Café is a go-to for when you want something simple, comforting, and undeniably Turkish, grab a freshly baked simit, pair it with tea, and you’ve created your own little Turkish morning in Vancouver.
Montreal: Restaurant Mirazu
Restaurant Mirazu feels like the perfect place for a slow, indulgent breakfast, a welcoming, sit-down Turkish experience where you can linger a little longer and turn breakfast into a full kahvaltı-style ritual.
