If there's one thing I often love above just about anything else, it's finding the origin of a…read morecuisine, especially when it ties to a city or a region. Next to kebabs, turkish delight defines both Istanbul and Turkey on the culinary stage, and Ali Muhittin Haci Bekir is the origin of not only turkish delight, but of gummi snacks as we know them. Haci Bekir opened this exact spot in 1777, and the rest is literally history. Expecting an 18th century vibe with as much history as wonderful product, I was honestly a bit disappointed on both fronts. If you're looking for a historical experience and the best turkish delight you've ever had? I unfortunately can't say that you'll find either at Haci Bekir. Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere? Star 1? Strike 1. Considering this is the origin of turkish delight (as in, in the world), I was expecting a homely and authentic 18th century vibe. How was this stuff invented? How do they even make it? I was hoping to learn these things from staff who knew the history, and was gutted to find an entirely commercialized and bland shop with passive employees. I ordered my turkish delight, paid, and left. That was it. Considering what could have been? This was a huge disappointment. No Star Granted. Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost? Considering how much the original spot could price gouge? I was pleased. I paid 32 turkish lira at the spice market for a kilo, and only 24 lira here. Both prices are a great deal, but I loved the fact that I wasn't getting ripped off by a place that could have easily done so. Star Granted. Stars 3 and 4: How was the food? I need to start this off by defining what my idea of perfect turkish delight is. A powdered sugar covered gummi bear? No. Turkish delight should be so soft that it requires the powdered sugar for you to even hold it. My turkish delight in the spice market was close to what i've had stateside, but what I had at Haci Bekir was weak. The flavor? mediocre. The consistency? a bit chewy, which is shouldn't be. Overall, this was a pretty disappointing visit. Single Star Granted. Star 5: Would you eat here every day if you could? I have a theory. Turkish delight is a rarity here in the states, so if you're going to serve it? It's got to be the very best. On the contrary, TD is absolute commonplace in Istanbul, so the abundance of it all leads to some down ticks in quality. I was hoping for a real show from the very origin of turkish delight, and I didn't get it with the service, the atmosphere, or the product quality. No Star Granted.

Pretty delicious turkish delights/lokum sold here! My personal favorite was the rose flavored one…read more There are a bunch on display that you can try before you purchase too.

In August 2023, when I visited the store near Taksim Square I purchased a large red tin of mixed…read moretypes of Baklava. I ended up giving it as a gift when I landed in Israel. Since I have returned back to New York, City, I have placed orders directly with the store two different times; each time ordering three large tins of baklava and other Turkish sweets. Customer service: 100%. shipping perfect. Quality of product is as if it were baked in our own kitchen. delicious, varied and presented beautifully. well worth the DHL shipping fees! I will continue to order again and look forward to visiting the store the next time I am in Istanbul. Alan J. B. - Flushing, New York

Yeah, I mean at the end of the day it's baklava. How many ways can you have it?…read more I don't know what I was expecting but those video clips had raised my expectations. Then I got there. I found that this place is on every corner, five of their competitors are on every corner too. It lost the prestige. Baklava! Baklava! Come get your baklava! The realization that this was lower than expectations even impacted my experience with Türkiye experience. I would avoid it. I see why tourists avoid it. I didn't see anyone there, except some others like me who had been impressed by the social media coverage.

You better Hari up and try some Haribo Candy…read more They actually make some pretty good candy. When you're in Europe when you get those fizzy Cola bottles for example, now that's what I'm talking about. Very good stuff. Elsewhere in the world not quite so much. But still they make some pretty damn good things and are a high-quality company.

The spices looked and smelled wonderful. The rolls of Lokum, Turkish Delight looked good and i…read morepurchased 3 kg to share with family and friends over the holidays. All purchased goods were sealed in vacuum packed bags for travel. Three weeks later I discovered maggot worms inside the sealed bag of Lokum. After opening the bag and box there were worms on the Lokum itself. There appear to be no worms in the spices so far.

Gözde is loaded with high quality specialty foods from around Turkey. Adam is particularly helpful…read morewhen I go there. When you go, ask for him by name. I always drop in whenever I need to buy Turkish delight or high quality spices.

Lots of sweets to choose to share with family or friends. Try a sample or two to figure out what…read moreyou want to bring back home.

The best chocolate pudding ever! A huge serving, so rich and fudgy and garnished with chopped…read morepistachios. We also had delicious rice pudding and a small finger eclair. The owner served us and told us that personally makes the confections.

After a satisfying dinner at a nearby restaurant, my wife and I decided to scope out the…read moreneighborhood for dessert. A short walk took us past this brightly lit establishment with a window display of mouthwatering cakes and other beautifully decorated offerings, any single one of which was sufficient inducement to walk in and indulge. The very pleasant English speaking owner bid us welcome and kindly explained the details of his creations and the taste expectations we could enjoy with each. Being a lover of chocolate pudding, and having noted that various puddings are a Turkish tradition, I opted for one of the very large bowls and sat down to thoroughly enjoy a delicious, rich and creamy culinary creation laced with ground pistachios. Wow! My wife opted for the rice pudding which I tasted and found to be exquisite as well. This establishment is small and clean and caters primarily to "take out", but there is a small seating area. A small selection of drinks and beverages is available from a self serve refrigerator. With so many larger shops in the area offering similar desserts, Candy Cake is a rare gem and a real "find". All in all, the service and tastes were well worth going out of the way for. I'll be back and SOON. By the way, free WIFI is also offered.

Cute place to pick up a box of sweet treats for your friends and family back home. Sample the…read moreTurkish delight to select what you like best.

OH MY GOD. GET THOSE SESAME PEANUTS…read more i am munching on them as I'm writing and honestly, my biggest regret is not buying a 1 KG bag of those peanuts. I could eat them for the rest of my life!!! Where can I find this in America?!!?!

Truly incredible confectionery in the Çiçek Pasajı off İstiklal Cad. The passage itself is easy to…read morewalk past, but full of restaurants, mostly specializing in mezzes. Hacı Niyazi Efendi is just inside the entrance. They have an amazing assortment of lokum (Turkish delight) in various flavors, as well as combinations that look like sushi rolls, in which different fillings are wrapped in a sheet of lokum, which may then be dusted with cocoa, spices, shaved coconut, etc. The toasted hazelnuts in hazelnut cream, wrapped in lokum, was my favorite. Pistachios in apricot were also good. Ask them to slice the rolls for you, and you'll get a bag of lokum rolls like individual sushi rolls.

If you want to gift friends and family with high quality chocolate then make sure to plan a visit…read moreto Melodi. I did some research hoping to find the perfect location to purchase some extravagant boxes of chocolate and all led me to Melodi. They offer a vast variety of chocolates and quantities that can be served for any special event. As for customer service, the employee was extremely patient and helpful.

From the owner: Melodi is the product of an over 60 year old heritage of supplying candy makers, bakers,…read moresupermarkets and other food manufacturing businesses with a wide range of premium quality chocolate and cocoa products.