# How much does it cost to open a cafe or restaurant in Turkey?

> 2026 prices for fit-out, equipment, furniture, deposit, key money, licences and working capital, with three worked budgets.

Source: https://fizibi.com/en/guides/kafe-acmanin-maliyeti
Updated: 2026-09-06

## What are the investment lines?

The opening cost is not one number but the sum of eight lines. 2026 estimates (Istanbul, mid-market):

| Line | Cafe 80 m² | Restaurant 150 m² | Patisserie 100 m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit-out (fitted takeover) | ₺1.2-1.6m | ₺3.0-3.5m | ₺1.9-2.2m |
| Kitchen / bar equipment | ₺0.7-1.0m | ₺1.8-2.4m | ₺2.2-2.8m |
| Furniture and decor | ₺0.5-0.7m | ₺1.0-1.4m | ₺0.4-0.5m |
| POS, fiscal register, IT | ₺120k | ₺150k | ₺120k |
| Signage, brand, menus | ₺150-200k | ₺200-300k | ₺150-200k |
| Licences, incorporation, project | ₺200-300k | ₺300-450k | ₺250-350k |
| Deposit (3 months) + key money | ₺350-600k | ₺0.7-1.2m | ₺0.4-0.7m |
| Opening stock and marketing | ₺250-350k | ₺500-700k | ₺300-400k |

Starting from a bare shell multiplies the fit-out line by 1.5-2.5.

## Which three lines are always forgotten?

1. **Working capital.** The first months lose money; do not open without 3-6 months of fixed costs (rent, payroll, energy, accounting) in the bank. ₺2-3 million for an 80 m² cafe.
2. **Input VAT on the investment.** The 20% VAT on fit-out and equipment invoices is paid upfront and offset against sales VAT over 6-14 months. It belongs in the cash plan.
3. **Contingency.** Fit-out overruns are normal in Turkey; reserve 10-15%.

## Three worked budgets (total)

- **60 m², tier-3 district, takeover cafe:** ₺4.5-6m.
- **150 m², tier-2 district, table-service restaurant:** ₺13-18m.
- **100 m² patisserie with production:** ₺8-11m.

## How much should monthly running costs be?

In a healthy venue ingredients take ~30% of net revenue, staff ~30%, rent ~10%; the remaining 30% covers energy, marketing, commissions, accounting and profit. If those three ("prime cost plus rent") exceed 75%, the model does not work.

## Where beginners under-budget

- Staff: use employer cost (gross × 1.3), not net wages.
- Rent: 20% withholding, and mall service charges (₺250-500/m²).
- Energy: cafe ₺350/m², restaurant ₺550/m², patisserie ₺600/m² per month.
- Delivery: 25-33% commission + 4% packaging + 3% ads.

## Inflation and FX note

Much of the equipment is EUR-priced; every 10% lira drop between plan and purchase raises equipment cost ~7%. Get quotes and fix prices. Rent rises with annual CPI and the minimum wage in January; a 36-month projection must include both.