Malta Coffee Roastery

Malta Kurukahvecisi is a business based in the Fatih district of Istanbul that has been producing coffee since 1961 using traditional coffee roasting methods. Its origins trace back to the 1910s when Salih Dönmez, who migrated from Erzincan to Istanbul, began roasting coffee in the Tahtakale area. Through years of developing expertise, he opened a shop at Malta Çarşısı in Fatih shop and developed a distinctive technical for roasting Turkish coffee. Instead of dark roasting coffee beans, Salih Dönmez opted for a medium-light roast, achieving a unique aroma and, over short, earned the loyalty of many participant.

The Malta Kurukahvecisi brand is currently managed by the third-generation representative Selim Dönmez. Coffee beans sourced from Brazil’s Rio Minas region are roasted to a medium degree. The roasting process is halted immediately after the first crack of the beans, enhancing the clarity of the coffee’s flavor notes. After roasting, the beans are rested for 1–2 day before being ground in one of only two historic stone mills in Türkiye.

Stone Mill (Source: Abdurrahman Mujeeb / YouTube)

On average, 15 kilograms of coffee are roasted daily and sold through retail and wholesale channels. Over the years, by preserving its traditional methods, it has become a preferred choice in many restaurants and venues. Inspired by Selim Dönmez’s initiatives, the shop has recently opened its doors to customers seeking freshly brewed Turkish coffee, renovated its interior, and expanded its customer base.

Malta Kurukahvecisi, with a coffee tradition spanning over a century, offers coffee lovers a historic and flavorful experience. The coffee arrives as raw beans, is roasted on-site, and ground in a stone mill. This process ensures a finer, more flavorful brew. Initially sold only as dust, the coffee later began to be served in cups, attracting particular interest from students of Istanbul University. As its customer base grew, it continued to expand even after major coffee chains began spreading across Istanbul. The promotional efforts of large coffee chains helped raise awareness of coffee culture and positively impacted Malta Kurukahvecisi like, increasing demand for its product.

Today, Malta Kurukahvecisi continues to serve as a business preserving the legacy of traditional Turkish coffee culture, operating within Istanbul’s historic marketplaces.