Best Baklava & Turkish delight in Istanbul

Istanbul's sweet tooth revolves around two pillars: **baklava** (flaky, butter-soaked phyllo pastry layered with pistachios or walnuts) and **lokum** (the chewy, cornstarch-based confection known globally as Turkish delight). Order them by weight at the counter: ask for **'fıstıklı baklava'** (*pistachio baklava*) or **'cevizli baklava'** (*walnut baklava*), and pair them with a small tulip glass of black tea to cut the intense sweetness. True Gaziantep-style baklava utilizes clarified butter (*sade yağ*) and vibrant green early-harvest pistachios, while proper lokum should be dense, fragrant with rosewater or mastic, and never stick to your teeth. Prices range from 400–1200₺ per kilo depending on the nut used. The classic tourist trap is buying pre-packaged, shrink-wrapped lokum from the Spice Bazaar that has been sitting for months; always buy fresh, loose lokum that is cut to order from specialized confectioners.

Baklava (layered pastry) · say “Baklava & Turkish delight” ·

How this ranking works

Guide score ✕ verified reader stamps ✕ critic notes. External reviews are linked, never copied.

What to order

fıstıklı baklava ·

Why locals care

Istanbul's sweet tooth revolves around two pillars: **baklava** (flaky, butter-soaked phyllo pastry layered with pistachios or walnuts) and **lokum** (the chewy, cornstarch-based confection known globally as Turkish delight). Order them by weight at the counter: ask for **'fıstıklı baklava'** (*pistachio baklava*) or **'cevizli baklava'** (*walnut baklava*), and pair them with a small tulip glass of black tea to cut the intense sweetness. True Gaziantep-style baklava utilizes clarified butter (*sade yağ*) and vibrant green early-harvest pistachios, while proper lokum should be dense, fragrant with rosewater or mastic, and never stick to your teeth. Prices range from 400–1200₺ per kilo depending on the nut used. The classic tourist trap is buying pre-packaged, shrink-wrapped lokum from the Spice Bazaar that has been sitting for months; always buy fresh, loose lokum that is cut to order from specialized confectioners.

The ranking · 8 stops

Where to eat Baklava & Turkish delight

10.0/ 10

Gaziantep Baklavacısı

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Verdict
An uncompromisingly authentic Gaziantep-style baklava house serving exceptionally fresh, syrupy pastries to a devoted local following in the Şişli district.Osmanbey
Queue
Go
Afternoon.
Price
$$
Dietary
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
20.0/ 10

Altan Şekerleme

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Verdict
Operating since 1865, this tiny, deeply authentic, fourth-generation family shop produces some of the most fragrant, additive-free rosewater lokum in the city.Eminönü
Queue
Go
Morning to afternoon (closed Sundays).
Price
$
Dietary
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
30.0/ 10

Karaköy Güllüoğlu

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Verdict
The absolute gold standard for baklava in Istanbul since 1949, operating out of a single, massive location in Karaköy where master chefs hand-roll impossibly thin phyllo dough.Karaköy
Queue
Go
Mid-afternoon for tea.
Price
$$
Dietary
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
40.0/ 10

Bilgeoğlu Baklava

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Verdict
The Asian side's most respected baklava maker, known for using pure, high-quality clarified butter that gives their pastries a distinctively rich, unmistakable aroma.Kadıköy
Queue
Go
Afternoon.
Price
$$
Dietary
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
50.0/ 10

Hafız Mustafa 1864

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Verdict
A beloved, bustling historical confectioner that excels in both decadent baklava varieties and visually stunning, heavily-stuffed pomegranate and pistachio lokum.Sirkeci
Queue
Go
Late night dessert (open 24 hours).
Price
$$
Dietary
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
60.0/ 10

Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir

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Verdict
Founded in 1777, this is the historic shop credited with inventing modern Turkish delight, serving immaculately fresh, cut-to-order lokum.Eminönü
Queue
Go
Anytime before 19:00.
Price
$$
Dietary
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
70.0/ 10

Şekerci Cafer Erol

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Verdict
An enchanting, visually spectacular historic sweets shop offering exceptional lokum, jams, and traditional candies in a space that feels untouched by time.Kadıköy
Queue
Go
Morning or early afternoon to avoid crowds.
Price
$$
Dietary
Stamp availableGoogle Maps
80.0/ 10

Köşkeroğlu

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Verdict
A fantastic dual-purpose establishment where locals eat excellent Southeastern kebabs before moving straight to their highly regarded, heavily-stuffed pistachio baklava.Karaköy
Queue
Go
Lunchtime.
Price
$$
Dietary
Stamp availableGoogle Maps

Decide at a glance

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0.0 / 10

Verified venues

8 stops

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