While in Istanbul last September, we discovered the quaintest little coffee-shop, Hafiz Mustafa. It is a family-owned confectionary that exists since 1864, founded during the first years of Sultan Abdulaziz’s reign in the Ottoman Empire. They had the best Turkish delights that I have ever tried: fresh, crunchy, fruity and full of flavour. I do not even like Turkish delight so much, at least not the cheap commercial stuff that I had tasted until then. This stuff is hand-crafted with the best ingredients and you can tell how it's the real deal from the first bite.
They are in front of the Sirkeci metro/tram station, in the Eminönu neighborhood. You could stay for hours and hours in their café on the second floor, covered in the typical, pretty Turkish tiles, and watch people coming and going or get lost in a book.
We had Turkish tea and coffee and a few of their desserts, from cakes, to jellies, to rice-pudding and local specialties (yup, once we find a place like this, we make sure we come back to try the whole menu!). Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
This is where we got our stash of candy to bring back home. The staff is very kind and attentive. Being there transports you to other times, and you can tell it's good as the place is loved among locals of all ages: from grandmas, to business people, to families with children and young couples. If you ever find yourself in Istanbul you should totally visit Hafiz Mustafa (they will even let you try a few of their delicious concoctions).
You will find them at:
Hocapasa Mahallesi Muradiye Caddesi
No: 51, Sirkeci - Fatih - Istanbul,
34080 Sirkeci Eminönü / Istanbul
(very very near to the Sirkeci train / tram station).
OMG baklava. I am a baklava fiend.
ReplyDeleteNot that I will be in Istanbul any time soon, but there are plenty good baklava shops where I live and now I must get some.
Also: what is that delectable looking thing that stands between you and your husband in picture six (and is in the background in picture six)?
You should totally get some baklava :)
DeleteThat think was some kind of chocolate-pistache pudding, I remember it being delicious.
I love baklava and turkish delight. I go a little crazy for them! There's no Turkish or Lebanese restaurants here so I am really missing all that good food. Istanbul is high on my list of cities to visit so I'll be coming back to this post whenever we get to go.
ReplyDeleteIstnbul is so so beautiful, and I was so excited to be at a place that was so important for the origins of Christianism.
DeleteIf you come we will get you some Turkish food, they have it good over here.
Ohhhh, all those desserts look sooo good! *gasp*
ReplyDeleteYup, mouth watering. Truly delicious.
DeleteOohh, dat ziet er echt geweldig uit! Onthouden als ik eens naar Istanbul ga.
ReplyDeleteAlles was echt super lekker, je moet er naartoe gan.
DeleteOw jam ik wil letterlijk alles, an nja ook naar istanbul. Dat staat al lang op de lijst, voor het volgende jaar maar eens plannen :D
ReplyDeletexx
Oh spannend :) Istanbul is echte en mooie stad. (En de voed is zo zo lekker)
Deletedit is echt lekker! een vriendin nam vroeger dit soort dingen altijd mee naar school en vind het zo lekker <3
ReplyDeletex robin
http://kissokill.net/
Ze zijn echt super lekker, gelukking er zijn ook te vinden hier !
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ReplyDeleteWhat an absolute masterclass on Ottoman confectionery history! Hafiz Mustafa 1864 truly sets the gold standard for authentic Turkish delight—their signature double-roasted pomegranate Lokum rolled in crisp Antep pistachios and edible rose petals is completely unforgettable. When streaming high-bitrate 4K culinary travelogues or sweet-making documentaries on mobile devices, unexpected video buffering can break your concentration. Outdated media apps often struggle with smooth decoding, which is why downloading an updated setup like the xuper tv gratis helps keep video streams playing smoothly without random crashes. Thanks for showcasing such an iconic Istanbul spot!
ReplyDeleteSpot-on dessert review! Visiting the original Hafiz Mustafa near Sirkeci station and sampling fresh Lokum paired with traditional Turkish tea served in tulip glasses is an essential Istanbul experience. Tracking down high-definition culinary channels, live pastry crafting streams, or travel food guides online can get frustrating when dealing with unorganized directories and broken links. Utilizing structured platforms like the ixuper tv live online stream makes finding organized video content and live media so much easier for food lovers. Appreciate this delicious feature!
ReplyDeleteSolid confectionery write-up! The difference between mass-produced gelatin sweets and traditional starch-and-sugar Lokum slow-cooked in copper kettles at Hafiz Mustafa is night and day. When streaming high-definition international food tours or live baking podcasts onto larger laptop displays or secondary screens while working, maintaining correct aspect ratios is key. Setting up a reliable media environment via xuper tv 2026 ensures the video player UI scales accurately across different display sizes without formatting glitches. Looking forward to reading your next culinary guide!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your thoughts on Hafiz Mustafa! Those signature tin gift boxes filled with mixed nut rolls and honey-infused delights make for the ultimate souvenir from Turkey. Whether rewatching classic international street food retrospectives or tuning into live broadcast channels on the go, having a solid aggregated connection via xuper tv app gives viewers a much cleaner connection during peak hours without sudden buffering drops. Thanks for sharing these great dessert notes!
ReplyDeleteTurkish delight is one of those sweets that becomes even more interesting when you learn about its history and traditional preparation. Hafiz Mustafa is a name that often comes up when talking about Turkish sweets, so it was nice to see a post focusing on the experience. The combination of soft texture, sweetness, and different fillings makes Turkish delight quite different from many everyday desserts. Reading food posts like this always makes me curious about trying traditional treats when visiting a new place. Xuper TV App Download
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the focus on Turkish delight here. It is easy to think of it as simply a sweet, but there is a lot of tradition and variety behind it. Different flavors, fillings, nuts, and textures can make the experience completely different from one piece to another. Hafiz Mustafa is also an interesting part of Istanbul’s food culture, which makes this a fun recommendation for anyone interested in traditional Turkish desserts. Posts like this are especially enjoyable when they combine food with a sense of place. Eespacio Download
ReplyDeleteTurkish delight has such a distinctive character that it is easy to understand why visitors want to try it when exploring Turkey. I like that posts about traditional sweets can introduce readers to something beyond the usual tourist attractions. Hafiz Mustafa seems like an especially interesting name for anyone looking to experience a classic part of Istanbul’s dessert culture. The different combinations of flavors and ingredients also make Turkish delight worth exploring rather than judging from just one variety. This was a pleasant food-related read. Bus Simulator Indonesia
ReplyDeleteThere is something appealing about discovering traditional sweets through travel stories, and Turkish delight is a perfect example. Its history and variety give it much more character than an ordinary packaged candy. I especially like learning about places that have maintained traditional recipes and presentation while becoming well known among visitors. Hafiz Mustafa is an interesting name to come across in that context. A post like this can definitely make readers curious about the different flavors and encourage them to try authentic Turkish delight for themselves. Magis TV Android
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