Food & Drink

Best Dessert Places in Istanbul: Where and When to Eat

A global citizen, eager to travel where she has not travelled yet.

Journey to The Dessert World While Touring Istanbul

There are a wide variety of desserts in Türkiye and yes, they are all incredibly delicious. It is definitely one of the things to do in Türkiye Istanbul as part of the hipster Istanbul life. There are so many desserts that you can eat at the end of a meal or between meals, so that you can imagine yourself in a paradise of dessert. But we don’t want you overdoing the sugar – so maybe enjoy them with Turkish coffee or unsweetened tea.

We have compiled a list of the best places to enjoy the most delicious desserts and Turkish candies in Istanbul:

1. Şekerci Cafer Erol

sekerci_cafer_erol

This candy store has been running since 1807. All candies are handmade and very tasty. Sugar masters combine their creativity and talent with a passion for making desserts. Colourful rock candies, Turkish delights & chocolates, Turkish candy and special marzipan, crushed candies, pastry and milk desserts and jams will fascinate and delight you. They do special designs for celebrations such as anniversaries and birthdays too. You must visit Şekerci Cafer Erol, full of Turkish sweets where miraculous candies are produced right there in the small shop in Kadıköy Bazaar.

Akide

akide

We suggest trying colourful candies (akide) at Şekerci Cafer Erol. The only difficulty is picking just one. But fortunately, there is a mixed box for those who want to taste all the kinds of these beautiful candies.

If you want to visit Istanbul and discover the undiscovered food options, here is a plan for you. You can explore all the street foods, desserts and more you needed to do before. Also here is another to witness Turkish art and Turkish desserts together!

More Information

Open Hours: 08:00 – 23:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0216) 337 11 03
Website: sekercicafererol.com
Foursquare: View

 

2. Hafız Mustafa 1864

hafiz_mustafa_1864

Hafiz Mustafa still makes rock candy with the traditional recipe since used 1864. When you eat the candies from here, you’ll be transported to a mystical world and fall in love with them. Hafız Mustafa has branches in Sirkeci, Eminönü, Sultanahmet and Taksim, serving traditional desserts such as baklava, şöbiyet, and kadayif. Milky desserts like custard are lighter and especially popular in the evening. The biggest decision will be which one to go for.

Hafiz Mustafa is also known as the first person to make salty pastry. There are close to 50 Turkish Delight varieties. Colourful and fresh Turkish delight varieties like small bliss packs. Turkish Delight is also a popular gift to take home for family and friends.

Moreover, you can order delicious Turkish Delight right to your home. The desserts will surprise your guests and be a great treat with a cup of coffee.

Pistachio Baklava

pistachio-baklava

If you plan to visit Hafız Mustafa 1864, you should try some pistachio baklava. There are several types, and the colour varies depending on the proportion of pistachios and filo pastry. There are also other baklavas made using other nuts, feel free to pick any. All of them are extremely tasty.

More Information

Open Hours: 08:00 – 01:30
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: 0(212) 514 90 68
Website: hafizmustafa.com
Foursquare: View

3. Karaköy Güllüoğlu

karakoy-gulluoglu-min

In various districts of Istanbul, you can see Güllüoğlu signs while walking down the street. But the main place is in Karaköy. Karakoy Gulluoglu is the most famous Turkish baklava shop in Istanbul. If you want to eat one of the best baklava desserts in Istanbul, you should go to Karaköy Güllüoğlu. And when you get home you can go online and order Güllüoğlu to your home.

Rhombus-shaped baklava

baklava-rhombus

These type of baklava looks simply mesmerizing. Rhombus-shaped baklava filled in a tray may seem a bit hypnotizing. The nuts flavour in addition to filo pastry and sherbet will burst in your mount the second you bite baklava. Be careful, baklava can be addictive.

More Information

Open Hours: 07:00 – 01:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0850) 3084545
Website: karakoygulluoglu.com
Foursquare: View

Check out most loved Istanbul attractions by HeyTripster readers:

4. J’adore

When J’adore is mentioned, two things come to mind: “Oh la la Beatrice” and “chestnut coup”.  When you enter the shop, the first thing you’ll notice is the charming chocolate smell. It may seem a little cramped in the shop and it is small, but that doesn’t bother the locals, so don’t let it bother you.

You’ll be immersed in the rhythm of the French songs that play after the first sip of hot chocolate. You may have some difficulty finding the place, but if you look for the busiest cue on the street, you’ll find it at J’adore. Considering you want to try Turkish delight cheesecake we are sorry to inform you that here is not the place. For cheesecake, yes you can try here with Belgian chocolate but for Turkish delights, you need to try other local options.

Hot Chocolate

hot_chocolate

Here, at J’adore we suggest you order a cup of hot chocolate in addition to a dessert.

More Information

Open Hours: 10:00 – 23:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0212) 249 03 33
Foursquare: View

 

5. Saray Muhallebicisi

Saray Muhallebicisi, which has branches in 25 different parts of Istanbul, grabs the attention of visitors with its modern design. Opened 83 years ago, Saray Muhallebicisi also serves breakfast. Although its name is “Muhallebici”, Saray Muhallebicisi, which serves as a restaurant, has kept its nostalgic atmosphere while moving with the times. It serves a wide variety of food and desserts.

Muhhalebi

muhallebi

We suggest you trying muhallebi here since the menu has lots of variations specifically.

More Information

Open Hours: 07:00 – 02:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0212) 999 28 88
Website: saraymuhallebicisi.com
Foursquare: View

6. Mado

At Mado you’ll find out just how delicious ice cream can be. Gorgeous ice creams made from goat’s milk are flavoured and presented by ice-cream masters with the spirit of artists. Desserts such as kadayif, semolina and Turkish halva are served with ice cream. You can also have breakfast in Mado. After breakfast, why not order a snack ice cream to go with your Turkish coffee. If the weather is cold, we recommend “salep with ice cream”. If you don’t want dessert with sugar, you should try Mado’s ice-cream made with fruit extracts and honey.

Helva

irmik_helvasi

During summer days we suggest you trying helva with ice-creat. It is both sweet and refreshing. During winter times don’t forget to order hot Turkish tea to accompany your sweet journey.

Our trip designer created a plan full of history, with a little ice-cream break. You can visit this link to see the plan!

More Information

Open Hours: 07:30 – 01:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0212) 292 99 99
Website: mado.com.tr

7. Baylan

Almost every Istanbulite has a romantic memory in Baylan patisserie. Open since 1923, Baylan Pastanesi is a nice place to chat with friends. Jazz performances are held every Sunday and Wednesday evening at Baylan Patisserie. Baylan has two branches: Bebek and Kadıköy. It’s a great place to end a tiring day by eating dessert from Limoges porcelain plates.

Kup Griye

kup_griye

We recommend Kup Griye in the hot summer months and Montebianco in the winter.

More Information

Open Hours Everyday :07:00 – 22:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0216) 346 63 50
Website: baylangida.com
Foursquare: View

8. Mendel’s

If you’re looking for a place where chocolate meets love in Beşiktaş, you’ve found it. Mendel’s makes people smile with fresh chocolate and takes them on a taste journey with its flavoured coffees. Mendel’s chocolates have a secret recipe which they don’t share with anyone. Mendel’s is open from 10.00 to 23.00 on weekdays and from 10.00 to 24.00 on weekends. You’ll feel the hidden and magical taste of chocolate at Mendel’s Chocolatier in Akaretler.

Chocolate Candies

chocolates

It is not a surprise that at Mendel’s Chocolatier we suggest ordering chocolate candies. There are so many that we could choose. The best decision would probably be to try several types depending on your taste.

More Information

Open Hours: Sun-Thu 09:00 – 23:30, Fri-Sat 09:00 – 01:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0212) 258 42 22
Foursquare: View

9. Çikolata Dükkanı

If you get the unmistakable aroma of chocolate while walking on the street in Kadıköy, Moda, you’re probably close to the “chocolate shop”. The intimate and small atmosphere of the shop combines the pleasures of chocolate, friendship and sincerity. You’ll see various names such as “Asuman”, “Neriman”, “Mualla” on the menu as the chocolates take traditional women’s names used in Türkiye.

The shop is almost always crowded and so not well suited to sit and chat. If the weather is nice, there are tables outside the shop.

Asuman

chocolate_candies

Order an “Asuman” and enjoy yourself. Also, you can try their own products such as chocolate with different flavors as mint and truffles.

Our trip designer who loves Asuman so much created this plan for other dessert lovers. Check this out for a local experience!

More Information

Open Hours: 13:00 – 22:30
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0216) 345 05 26
Foursquare: View

 

10. Savoy Pastanesi

Tarihi Savoy Pastanesi by its name obviously is one of the oldest patisseries in Istanbul. They serve different types of desserts since 1950. The patisserie is famous for its Çilekli Milföy and Budapeşte as they are really popular in this area and people coming to Taksim area cannot leave without buying one, as a local habit. The patisserie is located in Cihangir, famous for being a typical hipster Istanbul part. The streets are full of couples with their dogs going for a walk and also the cafes are decorated in a hipster way. The main branch is in Cihangir, but recently they opened another in Osmanbey, Nişantaşı.

Budapest

budapest
At Savoy Pastanesi they make great classical Budapest dessert. A must-try.
Taksim is most probably the most touristic area in whole Istanbul. We don’t want you to miss any part of it! If you are ready for a day full of artistic and local activities, check this plan out!
More Information

Open Hours: Everyday 07:00 – 22:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0212) 249 18 18
Website: savoypastanesi.com
Foursquare: View

11. Kukis

Kukis is another place full of Turkish desserts lovers visit all the time! The cafe is famous for its Polka basically, Krokanlı, Profiterol Kule and Volkanik come afterwards. But we are sure that you are going to be in love with Polka’s fresh and crispy almonds. They are considered as dessert masters that they serve various kinds of cookies as well. You will definitely lose your mind when you go inside the store, be aware of mind blowing experience! Kukis also has a place next to its main branch named as Kukis Bahçe where you can enjoy your breakfast in a garden. P.S: Don’t expect a real greenery area!

Profiterol

profiteroles
Almost everyone loves profiteroles. And there is a reason for that. A tasty combination of pastry, creme and chocolate sauce will surely take an important place on your dessert journey.
More Information

Open Hours: Everyday 07:00 – 23:30
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0216) 326 54 88
Website: kukis.com.tr
Foursquare: View

12. Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir

Confectioner in Istanbul, founded in 1777. It is the oldest of the confectioners in Türkiye according to some economy historians. This is the place you will be proud of visiting. Because after seeing and tasting, you will be a real Turkish desserts gourmet. Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir is famous for its Turkish candy and Turkish helva options as well as their Turkish delights and sherbets. Also some people love their jellies made of fruits. It’s your choice! Here you have the chance to taste real Ottoman desserts. They have diabetic options, too. Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir has many branches in Istanbul, rather than Kadıköy, you can visit Fatih, Taksim and Pendik.

Sherbet

serbet
Sherbet has a long history and a wide variety of tasty. Choose one you like and enjoy together with traditional Turkish desserts
More Information

Open Hours: 08:00 – 21:00, Sun 09:00-21:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0216) 336 15 19
Website: hacibekir.com
Foursquare: View

13. Hatay Ekol Künefe – famous for its Turkish kunefe

You should not leave Türkiye without having a real Turkish kunefe experience! Just because it has lots of sugar inside, kunefe is served with milk and also fruits and nuts in some places.  The place is assertive about katmer as well as kunefe. Except Kadıköy, you can visit its branches in Üsküdar, Ümraniye, Levent and Ataşehir.

Künefe

künefe
Turkish kunefe is made with cheese and kadayif brought from Hatay, and is served in the form of slices, again in the Hatay style. The amount of cheese is quite a lot. There are many alternatives too; You can get your kunefe with cream, extra pistachio, plain and ice cream.
More Information

Open Hours: 12:00 – 01:00
Location: View on Google Maps
Phone Number: (0216) 330 23 13
Website: ekolkunefe.com

You can also view our Foursquare List for this post.

 

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