Ali Dezinci Deliler Kahvehanesi

Translated for short to Madmen Coffeehouse, is a place that is simply not your typical café! Originally started off as a small coffeehouse in Balat, Istanbul that was referred to as “Dervish Baba Deliler Coffeehouse for the Crazy, Devotee, People Lost in Ecstasy and Lovers.” Living up to its outlandishly long captivating name, it turned into a much bigger organization in service of the mentally ill, homeless, disabled, refugees, and the needy, in the most unexpected of ways. Contrary to Dezinci’s expectations, however, he believed in the power of people’s compassion and love that would grow his humanitarian efforts, expecting the unexpected.

Founded by Ali Dezinci, a self proclaimed Sufi, who abandoned his affluent upbringing for life on the streets. After years struggling with addiction and contemplating his soul, living in his built grave, he decided to go where he felt most needed. Starting off with his small community café that grew into a lifelong project of social service with projects such as an established soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, a thrift donation underground store, a food bank, a shelter, literacy scholarships, and of course the coffeehouse. All in one place, now at the corner of one of Beyoğlu’s inner neighborhoods in Istanbul.