Yeni Halk Kafe Offers Affordable Respite for Citizens in Yenimahalle

Yenimahalle Municipality's "Yeni Halk Kafe" (New People's Cafe) is providing a much-needed respite for citizens, offering quality food and beverages at affordable prices. Located in Ragıp Tüzün Park, the cafe has become a popular spot for students and retirees seeking to escape the city's hustle and bustle.

Embracing a social municipalism philosophy, Yenimahalle Municipality has expanded the Yeni Halk Kafe project, with three locations now operating across the district, including branches at Cumhuriyet Akademi and Lalegül. These cafes serve a variety of hot and cold drinks, as well as savory and sweet food options, catering to a diverse clientele.

The facility at Ragıp Tüzün Park boasts a high capacity, with 40 tables and 100 chairs in the garden and 43 tables and 72 chairs indoors. Shaded areas in the garden offer comfort during warmer days. The cafe opens at 9:30 AM most days, except for Mondays when it opens at 1:30 PM for cleaning.

Prices are notably low: a simit costs 17.50 lira, a slice of börek is 39 lira, and tea is just 10 lira. Various coffees, including Turkish coffee, americano, cappuccino, and latte, are priced at 60 lira. Savory options like cheese toast are 49 lira, while sandwiches cost 110 lira. Sweet treats range from 60 to 160 lira.

Patrons expressed high satisfaction. One retired individual, a former municipal worker, praised the cafes as essential social services that go beyond basic infrastructure, stating, "Municipal work is not just roads, water, electricity. These kinds of social services are the municipality's second duty." Another long-time Yenimahalle resident described the cafe as a "calm and cool place suitable for retirees in a crowded city," where they can "shop at affordable prices and breathe."