A cup of tea or coffee in Istanbul cafes used to be an affordable luxury. Now, the treat will cost more, as most cafes in popular hangouts in the city increase the price, charging the customer according to the time they sit there without reordering.
For example, in some upscale cafes in areas like Taksim, customers are now asked to order a new item every 30 minutes or an hour—otherwise, they face additional charges. Some cafes have also set minimum spending limits for larger tables, meaning that guests who don’t cover the required amount may be asked to leave.
In some cafes, if a customer orders something worth less than 220 TL, they may not be allowed to stay for a long time. To this end, warnings have been placed on tables, making it clear that simply enjoying a leisurely coffee or tea for hours is no longer welcome without additional expense.
Coffee prices skyrocket in Turkey
The new time charges come at a time when coffee prices in Turkey have skyrocketed. Currently, the average cost of a cup of tea in some cafes has risen to 50 TL ($1.65 or USD), while a regular coffee can cost up to 100 TL ($3.30 or USD).
The increase in costs is partly due to inflation and rising rents, prompting many businesses to look for new ways to cover the increased costs. Some caf? owners argue that customers who occupy tables for long periods of time without ordering more reduce their ability to serve new customers, affecting revenue in high-demand locations.
For now, the price hike does not seem to affect tourists, but only students and pupils, who do not have significant pocket money.
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