Food & Drink

Where to Eat Best Baklava in Istanbul

Born and raised Istanbulite. Keeping an eye on the opportunity to explore this ancient city even more. Trying to do the best for nature.

You can eat numerous desserts in Istanbul but baklava has a special place in the heart of this city. Baklava is one of Türkiye’s special desserts. Made from very thin layers of phyllo and flavored with walnuts and pistachios among others. It takes various names according to how it’s made: carrot slice baklava, milky Nuriye, home baklava….

Baklava is a dessert which has been important throughout ages. No one can find its exact location of made for certain, but it is believed to be made in Asia by Turks who lived there. After the arrival of Turks to Anatolia, this dessert combined with various other ingredients that can be found in the Middle East. Especially in Ottoman Empire times, if there is a baklava included, there is certainly an important event going on. Even the sultans of Ottoman Empire had a tradition of preparing baklava in the royal kitchen, and offering it to the Janissaries after their arrival from expedition.

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Baklava is made in many different ways. We can offer an easy way to make your own homemade baklava. Here is the recipe;

  1. Start by preparing the sherbet. Cook the sugar and water in a pot for 30 minutes. After the mixture boils, add the lemon juice and mix well. Your sherbet is ready, let it cool.
  2. Start making the baklava dough. Thoroughly whisk the eggs, oil, yogurt, butter, vinegar, baking powder, lemon juice and salt in a deep bowl. Then add flour gradually. You will get a very soft dough. Divide the dough into four equal parts. Sprinkle starch on a piece of dough and roll out as much as you can using a roller. Spread a lot of starch on one end of the dough you opened and fold it. Then apply a generous amount of starch on one end and fold it. Continue the starch application and folding process 2 more times so that the dough takes the shape of an envelope. Take the dough you have shaped as an envelope aside to rest.
  3. Repeat these steps for the other three meringues. Let all the greens rest for 20 minutes. Sprinkle some starch on the dough meringue you opened first and open it with a roller. Cut the dough to the size of your tray. Place the dough on the tray. Put the remaining pieces on the dough.
  4. After placing the second piece of dough you rolled out, sprinkle the hazelnuts, peanuts or walnuts into the baklava. Do this until the other two dough are finished. Slice your baklava tray as you wish.
  5. Melt the butter you will use for the top. Pour the melted butter over the baklava slices. Then, pour the oil on the dessert.
  6. Start baking the baklava tray in a preheated 180 degrees oven. Set the temperature of the oven to 170 degrees after the first 20 minutes during cooking. Your baklava will be cooked in about 2 hours.
  7. After your baklava is cooked, let it rest for a while to cool. Pour the cold sherbet that you have prepared on the cooled baklava. Make sure that the baklava and sherbet are not hot at this stage to make your dessert more crispy. After resting the baklava for 3 hours, you can serve it immediately. Bon Appetit.

And yes, this is one of the easy ways to make baklava. You can find it a little too much effort for a dessert but some of the most luxurious restaurants in Istanbul have a chef only for baklava making. These baklava chefs’ job is only and only making baklava. This is how much important baklava is for many people.


When”baklava” is mentioned in Istanbul, several addresses come to mind. Here are those addresses.

1. Karaköy Güllüoğlu

Karakoy Gulluoglu

Baklava is prepared by the master and baked in the oven, and then served. The oven is located in the baklava store so you’re guaranteed freshness – and there has only been one branch of this place since its opening so it’s also unique. Güllüoğlu also produces gluten-free baklava. Its masters have unique methods which give the baklava its special flavor.

Güllüoğlu delivers gift packages with special notes to addresses in Türkiye and around the world. It’s located on Mumhane Street in Karaköy, one of the oldest districts of Istanbul. You must come here to eat baklava in Karaköy Güllüoğlu – the only branch in the world. It’s modestly decorated and prices are average. Karaköy Güllüoğlu, which is given 5 stars by each visitor and is a great place to enjoy traditional baklava.

Tip: Karakoy is a vibrant neighborhood located on the European side of Istanbul that offers a wide range of activities and attractions. To make the most out of your trip, we recommend staying in the heart of Karakoy, where you can easily access the city’s top-rated museums, galleries, and landmarks. Click on this link to browse through our list of hand-picked hotels in Karakoy that cater to a range of budgets and preferences. From luxurious stays to budget-friendly options, Karakoy has something for everyone.

More Information

Open Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0212) 249 96 80
Website: karakoygulluoglu.com
Foursquare: View

2. Destereci Fırını

baklava

Destereci Fırını, located in Naşantaşı, is one of the hidden treasures of Istanbul. The journey to this venue will grant you an experience taste the unforgettable flavor of Destereci Fırını’s baklava. The venue has strict rules about serving. There are other desserts and cakes in the patisserie. Many locals favour this place.

More Information

Open Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0216) 354 27 27
Website: gaziburmamustafa.com
Foursquare: View

3. Kaşıbeyaz Baklava

Kasibeyaz Baklava

Kaşıbeyaz is famous for its kebabs and desserts. Their desserts, like their kebabs, are the product of many hours of work. The crispness and freshness of baklava made by the masters from scratch is hugely important to Kaşıbeyaz which is a very luxurious restaurant. There is a “Kaşıbeyaz Shop” on Etiler Nispetiye Street which sells only desserts and baklava. The carrot slice baklava and milky Nuriye are my favourite. Baklava prices are slightly higher than other desserts.

More Information

Open Hours: 10:00 – 21:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0850) 441 20 40
Website: kasibeyaz.com
Foursquare: View

4. Köşkeroğlu

Koskeroglu Baklava

Köşkeroğlu established his first branch in Gaziantep and his reputation reached Istanbul. Consequently, Köşkeroğlu came to Istanbul and currently has 5 branches. There is also a restaurant serving local dishes of Gaziantep and its surroundings. Domestic orders can be placed, but they do not send orders abroad.

Surprisingly, this management did more than it seems. The founder of Köşkeroğlu sent his own invention of shredded wheat dessert with pistachio filling to President Kennedy. After receiving his dessert gift, President Kennedy sent him his own fountain-pen as a gift. Apart from this huge interaction with the former USA President, the current owner of Köşkeroğlu aims to build a school about restaurant business. Süleyman Kay, current owner indicates that what he earns from the restaurant will build a future for the restaurant business. 

More Information

Open Hours: 08:30 – 22:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0212) 245 35 14
Foursquare: View

5. Hafız Mustafa

Hafiz Mustafa Baklava

In Hafız Mustafa, a brand name for dessert with 150 years of experience, you must try the pistachio baklava. For a nostalgic trip, you might prefer Sirkeci or Bahçekapı branches. As soon as you enter the shop you’ll feel as if you are on a journey into old times. Many baklava and dessert options can be delivered abroad. For the traditional Turkish experience, you should drink Turkish coffee after eating dessert. The nostalgic atmosphere of the shops will take you on a peaceful and mystical journey. Baklava prices are average.

More Information

Open Hours: 10:00 – 23:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0549) 286 23 17
Website: hafizmustafa.com

 

6. Salih Özkan

Salih Ozkan Baklava

If you want to eat one of the most delicious and fresh baklavas in all Istanbul in a friendly old style patisserie, come to Salih Özkan. The baklava prices in Salih Özkan are average and other delicious pastries and desserts are available.

More Information

Open Hours: 10:00 – 21:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0212) 530 85 21
Foursquare: View

7. Kafadaroğlu Baklava

baklava-rhombus

In Türkiye you don’t have a sweet tooth, you have a baklava tooth. In some dessert shops, you order, eat quickly and leave. Kafadaroğlu Baklava is one of these. The shop is small and has no seating; you order the baklava, eat while standing and leave. Kafadaroglu Baklava is in Besiktaş.

More Information

Open Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0212) 258 07 59
Foursquare: View

You can also view our Where to Eat Best Baklava in Istanbul
Foursquare List.

 

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