‘Breaking Bad’-themed café in Istanbul cooks something special

ISTANBUL

Fan of the hit TV series “Breaking Bad? Then you better call… Deniz.

Deniz Kosan, an entrepreneur, has opened what is believed to be the world’s first “coffee laboratory,” Walter’s Coffee Roastery, inspired by the American TV series, in Istanbul’s Moda neighborhood.

Feeling the absence of an original idea in the food and beverages sector, Kosan opened a coffee shop, using a chemistry lab as a base. Likewise, the café took its name from the antihero of the series, Walter White. The café is not legally authorized to use the series’ logo, title or promotional tools, but boasts effects that every “Breaking Bad” fan would recognize. 

The cafe also incorporates other elements from the show, like “blue meth” cupcakes.


“Breaking Bad,” which lured millions of viewers for five seasons, tells the story of a struggling high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, who turns to a life of crime, producing and selling crystallized methamphetamine to secure his family’s financial future before he dies.

Kosan and her cousins came up with the idea to open the café while joking among themselves. Since opening in March, the café has attracted a lot of interest from locals and foreigners and also been the subject of foreign news reports.

In an interview with Buzzfeed, the Germany native said he had originally planned to open the shop in Brooklyn, but when the investor backed out he decided to open the shop in Turkey instead.

He added the shop was careful not to use copyrighted material, and it’s just inspired by the AMC show. The response has been positive so far, Koşan said, adding they have plans to expand in Turkey and perhaps in Europe and the United States.

The café has free Wi-Fi service and has both open and closed areas. It is open between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and does not have delivery service.