There's a reason this place has been around so long! Their ingredients are all insane (in a good way). Their butter comes from Buffalos that feed on poppy stalks, their pistachios are probably hand selected by elves on a magic island and their syrup has rose essence in it. It's famous all over the country. Worth the visit and the calories - there's no high fructose corn syrup here and it's good for the soul. read more

Old world charm + incredible desserts = AMAZING! As soon as you enter the old part of town heading towards the Mosque/Palace area, you can't help but notice this little gem. Probably because of the massive baklava tower they have in the window. Talk about a display of confection ;) The baklava and other pastries they serve are authentic and incredible. There are many Candy stores in this part of town. This one is the original. read more

Hafiz Mustafa - Not too shabby display of confections - Desserts Near Me - Istanbul, 34

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Came across this place as we were looking for a place to stop and enjoy a coffee. I only wish I hadn't just eaten breakfast as their pastries and puddings looked fantastic. I will definitely need to return here if ever in Istanbul to partake of some of these. This small shop has done a good job of utilising the small space. There is one area for the puddings, another for the Turkish delights, and another for the baklava and pastries. There are one or two tiny tables to also sit at, however if you climb the tiny stairs to the top you will find a small area to sit and enjoy the view of the street outside - fantastic people watching from here. The ladies serving us were extremely friendly and prompt. With our coffees they gave us a small dish of their Turkish delights and sweets to sample. It was the best Turkish delight I had during my trip - very fresh. That sold me. After the coffee I went downstairs to the store area and they were very helpful and instead of getting a prepackaged box, for the same price, I could self select my own options, the ladies cut them right there and prepared a fresh box for me, and then they vacuum sealed them for my flight back home. This way they would last for up to three months they said. Beautiful little shop with amazing treats, and friendly people! This place is definitely well known as there were MANY people always flowing in and out of here. read more

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I adored this place so much I went back twice! It was heaven, pure Baklava loving heaven! The Husband and I stopped in after spending almost 5 hours walking around Topkapi Palace, we earned our sugar. It was so nice to take a seat upstairs, enjoy our drinks and sweets, and people watch. I have to recommend their hot chocolate, it's divine. It might be overkill for some to have hot chocolate with their sweets but hell, I was on vacation. Strict eating rules went out the window! During both visits, the Husband and I shared a sample of Baklava. My favorite: the Pistachio Cream. What I would give to find Baklava like that in Houston! If you are wanting to purchase Turkish Delight, this is where you need to do it. It's not overpriced like what you'll find at the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar and it tastes so much better! Ask to sample some, you will be not be told no. I would go back to Istanbul just to eat here again. read more

Hafiz Mustafa - The most amazing Baklava I've ever tasted! - Desserts Near Me - Istanbul, 34

This was my friend and I's nightcap every night while in Istanbul. The server we had each night was great. His English was just enough to have some fun, and he remembered us each time we can. Their tea is good, and the chocolate baklava was incredible. The several other desserts we tried from here were always great too. The outside is usually pretty busy so grab a seat when you can because you're right on Taksim Square and at the end of the ever-packed Istiklal Avenue which makes this perfect for enjoying your tea and desserts over conversation and watching the people walk by. It's also great seeing the police continually keeping the taxi drivers from parking in front of here, providing never ending entertainment. I would recommend the sahlep if you've never had it. It was new to me, and very good for a cold night. read more

Hafiz Mustafa - Desserts - Desserts Near Me - Istanbul, 34

Seat in the second floor by the window, what a great view. This city reminds me of Lisbon, it's alive!!!!! I had a Turkish coffee, too strong for me, but at least I did try it. The baklava is to die for, walnut my fav. Good service. After this, go down the street make a left and walk to the Galatta tower, exercise will help you with the caloric intake lol read more

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the best baklawa i have ever had ambiance - excellent pricing - good taste - excellent service - good read more

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wow, what a huge assortment of turkish desserts. it's super busy but it wasn't a problem getting a table for my friend and i. we ordered a bunch of different things, but the one thing that really sticks out in my mind is the assortment of turkish ice creams -- I'd tried some from a random streetstand which was not very good, but this was AMAZING. the milk flavor was delicious. the both of us decided to buy a box of baklava to bring back to the US - they even shrink wrap it for you to maintain freshness on the plane! read more

I did not know that Yelp covered Turkey - I'm pretty sure it didn't when I started and last checked to see about it - or I would have added this review (and others) earlier. Apparently they now have a branch in Taksim but we have only ever been to the original one in Eminonu/Sirkeci area near the Yeni Cami. We first discovered it in 2004 and make it a priority to go here every time we are in Istanbul. This is a wonderful place and a great experience for a real Turkish sweet-and-pastry shop. It has been run by the same family apparently since 1864 and sells a huge of range of traditional Turkish confections such as Turkish delight, other sugar candies, candied fruits and nuts of a huge range, cakes, borek, baklava and all the variations on baklava like vezir parmagi, etc. They also make tulumba and periodically lokma, both essentially a type of syrup-soaked doughnut. Their Turkish Delight is excellent and it's at the top of our list for that sweet. Their mastika (retsina) flavoured one is our favourite. Their lokma are divine - crisp onb the outside, sweet, light on the inside. They make excellent bakalva with great texture, their candied chestnuts are great, they make peynir helvasi ("cheese helva" - with cheese, butter, flour and sugar, it's a regional speciality of the Aegean region, NE Greece and the west coastal region of Turkey), and they have incredible candied walnuts, husk, shell and all candied when the nuts are very young. There is a sit-down eating area upstairs and the place has a ncie decor of tile, traditional bras-lidded candy jars, etc., and the people are friendly and eager to serve customers. read more

A must visit of you are in Istanbul. The location is a bit obscure but if you ask any local person in the area when visiting the Hagia Sophia they will gladly point you to the right direction. The interior has a warm and cozy fill with eye catching display of desserts. The staff is friendly and you can always ask to sample the treat before purchasing. If you have a sweet tooth while in Istanbul you must go here. Enjoy! read more

Great place, great employees. Not only are the sweets delicious, but the employees are entertaining and they work with efficiency. I bought 5 boxes to take home for family and friends. It's just that good. read more

Excellent tipical Turkish cafeteria located in a corner with an stunning view. The sweets are to die for and the Arabic tea delicious. The variety of Turkish delights is enormous. Definitely a five stars read more

Hafiz Mustafa - The tables and the sweets as background - Desserts Near Me - Istanbul, 34

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Absolutely love this place! With all the hype and series of unpleasant waiters and servers from Turkey, I didn't expect much given that I am going to get disappointed again but this place, they were very very very very (can I say very once more?) friendly and helpful. And it might be their confidence (that I will buy once I try their desserts), they kept offering free stuff and guess what? We kept on buy more and more. I wouldn't say this was the highlight of our trip but it certain ranks up there. And for those who are visiting, do stop by. My family and friends loved their sweets! read more

Hafiz Mustafa was our regular stop for desserts while we were in Istanbul. They have locations in Taksim Square and Sultanahmet area. You can't really go wrong with anything you order. Our personal favorites were the Turkish delight assortments, knafeh and the almond pudding. The Turkish ice cream was perfect, not too sweet and with the perfect variety of flavors. This place serves truly authentic Turkish sweets and is a huge hit with the Turkish locals. Highly recommend! read more

Listed as one of the best cafes in the world on several articles and heaven for you if you have a sweet tooth. Best Baklava & Lokum (Turkish Delight) and tons of choices. We went by here every day for dessert and Elma Chai (Apple tea), either to this location or one of the others. Loved it! Brought back some stuff too and they vacuum seal the boxes for travel. MISS IT!!!!! read more

I like sutlac and zerde so far! But kazandibi wasn't that good. I tasted cheese in it which normal kazandibi doesn't contain cheese so better you don't order it here. read more

Hafiz Mustafa - Sutlac with ice cream and zerde. Yum - Desserts Near Me - Istanbul, 34

During my recent visit to Istanbul I was here or at one of the other shops of this Istanbul chain, on average twice a day. I simply got addicted to their fabulous puddings. My favourite: a base of milk pudding with bits of sponge cake and chocolate pudding on top. I can't wait to go back to Istanbul to have more. read more

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Love the kunefe and pistachio ice cream/dondurma here! They had chocolate kunefe, which I will need to order next time around. They also have a large assortment of puddings and I usually get the sutlac (rice pudding). They serve a decent borek if you're looking for something on the savory side. However, the baklava isn't the best. The turkish delight is good, but you can find equally good ones throughout the city. read more

One word: YUM! On the way in, there's someone at the door sampling Turkish delight so you can get a taste of what you'll be in for. H-M has a wide variety of Turkish delight, ranging from simple and inexpensive, to more expensive varieties - but make no mistake, all are excellent. You can purchase individual pieces, or boxes (you can select the size of the box as well as your flavors) - the boxes will be weighed to determine price, if I'm not mistaken. My personal favorite is the Pomegranate/pistachio - it is to die for! The chocolate/pistachio ain't so bad either. H-M also has a huge selection of Baklava. Now, I'm generally not a fan of Baklava because I find it to be too sweet. That being said, the Baklava that I had in Istanbul was amazing - oozing honey, incredibly moist and flavorful but not sickeningly sweet. H-M makes a mean Baklava - check it! You can also have pastries or pudding if Turkish delight and Baklava don't appeal to you. Though if that's the case, I think you might have a problem ;-) I found all items to be pretty reasonably priced, however if you visit less touristy areas of Istanbul, you may find that prices are lower there. read more

Yum! Baklava is one of my favorite desserts, especially the pistachio variety, so Hafiz Mustafa was a dream for me. They have a variety of pastries as well as Turkish Delights and the guy working there was so eager to allow us to try some samples before we settled on what we wanted. read more

Love the waiters and staff! Once we discovered this place, we came back everyday for dessert. Everything here is amazing. We've tried the pistachio ice cream (so creamy), milk rice pudding, pumpkin, lokkum, baklava, pistachio and milk pudding and my favorite of them all, quince with clotted cream. The guys there are so completely welcoming and offered us free apple tea. On several occasions, we were given free pomegranate tea. :) I bought some Turkish delights and baklava for gifts home... So excited... read more

Stop in here and make yourself a custom box of Turkish delight. Perfect for gifting too. Still savoring every bite, over a month later. The staff is very friendly and are happy to let you sample the various flavors. Fig and pomegranate with bits of pistachio was exceptional. Don't forget the pom tea while you're there. read more

Hafiz Mustafa - Pomegranate tea - Desserts Near Me - Istanbul, 34

We stoped by to get some Turkish delights as souvenirs and ended up having some tea with desserts on the second floor with a great view. The service was very nice and we had great time here. I will definitely be back next time I am in Istanbul. read more

I entered the shop and a man was waiting at the door with a long roll of Turkish delight and scissors. He gestured that I should hold out my hand and he cut a large piece of the roll into my hand. "No one comes in without tasting," he declared. I liked the place already. I headed upstairs and found a table near the window. As I sat in the very attractive Ottoman-style room, I looked through the expansive menu including sweets, pastries, puddings, and even creme brûlée; there were so many choices that wasn't sure what to get. I asked one of the waiters and he suggested a chocolate and pistachio cake. I took the cake as well as a glass of tea. Soon enough a monster piece of cake arrived at the table. "For you I cut an big slice," the man said. He wasn't exaggerating. The cake was composed of chocolate cake and chocolate cream; the top was sprinkled with pistachio and had been drizzled with a hard caramel. I took my first bite and was very impressed; the cake is delicious and the pistachio and caramel add a great exotic touch to the chocolate. At Hafiz Mustafa the customer clearly comes first and the pastries, cakes, and sweets are as valuable as the customers. Later on in my trip, when I needed some gifts to bring back with me, I returned to Hafiz Mustafa for their lokum. With four locations throughout the city, the real question is: how could you not visit Hafiz Mustafa at least once? Full review on my blog: http://reestablishingthefoodconnection.blogspot.com/2013/04/hafiz-mustafa-sweet-spot-in.html read more

Hafiz Mustafa - The storefront - Desserts Near Me - Istanbul, 34

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High quality desserts. This is a must try place in turkey. Their cakes, Turkish delight, and everything else is clearly of superb standard. The Sahlep tea was my favorite- highly recommend. Next time I visit turkey, I'm coming back for more of everything! Namely the Turkish delight, sahlep, and fancy cakes! read more

One of the best patisseries in Taksim Square and around the city. They have almost all kinds of sweets and desserts, from Baklava's to Lokum's. You can also have a Turkish coffee or tea along with your dessert. They have several seating areas but it's a very popular place therefore it's always busy with tourists and locals. The prices are average. Sweets are delicious :) read more

They're open 24 hours with superb service around the clock. This is hands down the place in Istanbul for Turkish delight and baklava.

It's the worst nothing tastes good y is all this people in line oh my gosh don't come here

Hafiz Mustafa has been a hot spot for breakfast, brunch but it's especially famous for its top-notch bakery and desserts. All kinds of Turkish sweets are served in a typical Turkish atmosphere overlooking the sea in Eminonu near Sirkeci Train Station. A very budget friendly place. You can also bring some Turkish sweets back to your home in different sized boxes or even get it vacuum packed for your flight. read more

Hafiz mustafa was one of the highlights of our trip to Istanbul last year and puts it in the same league as the Hagia Sophia and the Blue mosque! Unbelievable sutlac - turkish rice pudding - and great baklava and coffee too. The ultimate hot spot on weekday and weekend nights. It has several outlets but The sirkeci location is the best. read more

This is the perfect place to ease a sweet tooth in Istanbul. The dessert options are endless including traditional ones like baklava and delights. The stringy filo one with the nuts in the middle are fantastic. Grab an assortment of desserts with a Turkish coffee and sit at a table outside is a great way to end the day. read more

After two days of "turkish delights" everywhere, they use lokum as complimentary good for every tourist, we where almost full... but you must remember to keep space for Hafiz Mustafa lokum and rice pudding. The variety of delights the sell here require a menu 1 cm high (with almost 100 pages....). The rice pudding with pistacchio is a must. You cannot leave Istanbul without a gift box from this place. read more

The best baklava place in Taksim square. They have really good variety and all of them taste good.

A great spot to go for coffee / tea and desserts! Try the many different baklavas available and the fancy Turkish delights on display! A must try even for those without a sweet tooth! :) read more

The staff is very helpful and the selection of turkish delight or baklava is wonderful. Ferhat was wonderful.

Amazing food, friendly service. The only thing can be improved is communication and attentiveness; then again, we are in a touristy area.

Great coffee, Turkish Delight, and pastries. Give it a try. Nice location where you can watch all the action and a view of the golden horn off the Bosphorus. read more

You walk down a set of stairs to enter the coffee shop. In the front is a shop where you can buy lokkum and other sweets to take with you. Further inside it becomes a coffee shop with three different rooms, which helps maintain the cozy atmosphere even when it is more crowded. The first time we went it was mostly empty, and we sat in the streetside room, and the next time it was quite crowded and we sat in the middle room. It is a nice place to stop for tea or coffee and something sweet after dinner or between visiting attractions in the Sultanahmet area. The menu is extremely extensive and has pictures of all the sweets, which can be an advantage if you are unfamiliar with the different things on offer. The first time we tried fıstıklı kesme maraş (pistachio ice cream) and çikolatalı kek (chocolate cake). The second time we had çikolatalı fıstıklı baklava (chocolate pistachio baklava) and fıstıklı muhallebi içindekiler (pistachio and custard layered pudding). read more

Tasting the baklava here changed by life. Ok, trying not to be dramatic, it is one of the best tasting baklava I have ever had. I had to come back the next day just to get more! Fantastic. read more

Randomly stopped in here for coffee and some food while we were waiting for the Spice Bazaar to open. The Turkish coffee was delicious and our cheese-Danish-y thing was delicious. Honestly, can't remember what we got but it was good. They also gave us a Turkish delight sampler which was also good. Good place to hang out. Lots of locals were stopping by before work. Service was friendly. read more