A popular Turkish coffee shop known for attracting celebrities is launching its first UK outlet in Twickenham this spring. Karabatak Coffee, owned by Ali Gokhan, will occupy a site previously held by a long-standing Greek restaurant. The new venue aims to blend Mediterranean vibes with local appeal.
Karabatak Coffee, a cult favorite among travelers and celebrities in Turkey, is set to open its first UK cafe in East Twickenham in early April. Owner Ali Gokhan, 41, currently operates two locations in Istanbul and Bodrum. The chain has gained recognition in publications such as Condé Nast Traveller, TripAdvisor, and The New York Times.
The Twickenham site was formerly Orpheus Taverna, a Greek restaurant that served the high street for 40 years. A note from the Orpheus Family expressed gratitude: “We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers, friends, and neighbours who have shared so many meals, celebrations and memories with us over the decades. We will always cherish the memories and relationships made along the way.”
Gokhan plans to maintain a Mediterranean heritage at the new spot, distinguishing it from typical modern cafes. “It will be a Mediterranean coffee shop, it won’t be like the all-white ones you see everywhere, we want to bring something different,” he said. “We can’t make it a copy and paste franchise, so each and every shop we open has to be one of a kind.”
The menu will feature Turkish coffee, cocktails, and pastries, with the cafe staying open late and doubling as a bar. It will offer three coffee varieties: a Turkish roast, a Viennese bean, and a London blend. Cocktails will draw names from eighties music, reflecting Gokhan's interests.
Gokhan relocated to Twickenham a year ago with his family, drawn by the area's strong Turkish community in the Richmond region. “We have a strong Turkish community in the Richmond area, and in the last 10 years lots of close friends of mine have moved here – so I thought, ok let’s make a place for us,” he said. He envisions the cafe becoming a local hub, attracting visitors across Richmond Bridge.
The original Istanbul location gained early fame when Ben Affleck and the Argo crew visited shortly after opening, staying for two weeks. “When we opened our first coffee shop in Istanbul, our very first month, Ben Affleck and the Argo crew came in for coffee and ended up basing themselves in our place for two weeks,” Gokhan recalled. “That was our first lucky moment.” In 2014, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler also stopped by, sharing photos on Instagram.