Café Replika is part of a large family of Montreal coffee shops offering freshly brewed coffee from the four corners of the world. It’s no secret that coffee shops have proliferated in Montreal and as a result, new entrepreneurs in the already competitive business have needed to create an even more unique and distinguishing place.
For Ozan Ucan and his wife Ceren Tunasat, the creators and owners of Café Replika, they found inspiration in their home country to offer something very few can in Montreal: a delicious Turkish coffee. Ozan and Ceren’s coffee is more than delicious; it represents a trip back in time as Ozan proudly states, “Turkish coffee has a unique touch since Turkish coffee is the original coffee.”
Ozan and Ceren are indeed from Turkey, but their roots are only the beginning of what inspires them. “We wanted to offer the best of Turkish and Western coffee with a Quebec touch,” says Ozan when talking about the culinary inspiration behind Café Replika.
Due to the couple’s talents, you’ll find coffee as it’s served in Istanbul as well as homemade Turkish delicacies you won’t find anywhere else. That’s because Ozan and Ceren create their own recipes inspired by years of experience. So whether you’d like to try a Turkish bagel, a spinach borek or a fresh Mediterranean salad, the savoury menu at Café Replika is a testament to the skills and creativity of the entrepreneurial couple.
I have long lived a few blocks from the cafe Réplika, which has somehow managed the feat of drawing crowds at all hours of the day. Of course, I live for their coffee, but also for their "simit" – fully-loaded Turkish bagels, their omelets with feta and soujouk (spicy Turkish sausage) – and the atmosphere that prevails: the chairs and tables are all mismatched, the musical atmosphere is soothing and on cold days, a soft light filters through the large frosted windows of the cafe.
A warmly-lit, friendly, neighbourhood café is the perfect place to recharge throughout the day. These local spots range from quick service takeouts to full-fledged hangouts complete with Wi-Fi, tables and food menus meant to attract students and mobile workers alike. Find your new destination at one of these 10 Montreal cafés.
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