Best Turkish Delight Shops in Istanbul for Tourists
If you come to Istanbul and don’t try lokum (Turkish delight), you’re missing a delicious slice of the city’s soul. This guide blends historic icons with beloved local gems, and adds everything a traveler cares about: what to buy, where they are, how to get there, whether they ship internationally, gift-pack options, price cues, and in‑shop etiquette.
Table Of Content
- Quick Picks by Traveler Type
- 1) Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir (1777) — Eminönü (Old City)
- 2) Hafız Mustafa (1864) — Sirkeci & Taksim
- 3) Şekerci Cafer Erol (1807) — Kadıköy (Asian Side)
- 4) Altan Şekerleme (1865) — Küçükpazar / Eminönü
- 5) Hicipoğlu Şekerleme (1745) — Fatih/Demirtaş (Old City)
- 6) Koska (1907) — İstiklal/Karaköy & Citywide
- 7) Malatya Pazarı — Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
- 8) Divan Pastanesi — Taksim / Nişantaşı / Malls
- 9) Famous Safranbolu Lokum Shop — Asian Side (Maltepe area)
- How to Choose Your Lokum (Flavor & Texture Guide)
- Practical Tips for Tourists
- Sample Sweet Itinerary (Half Day)
- FAQs
- Final Word
- Related Posts
Quick Picks by Traveler Type
- 🕌 First‑timers near Sultanahmet: Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir (Eminönü), Hafız Mustafa (Sirkeci)
- 🔎 Hidden‑gem hunters (Old City): Altan Şekerleme (Küçükpazar), Hicipoğlu Şekerleme (Fatih/Demirtaş)
- 🚤 Asian‑side foodies (Kadıköy): Şekerci Cafer Erol
- 🎁 One‑stop brand & easy gifts: Koska (İstiklal / Karaköy)
- 💎 Luxury packaging & modern vibe: Divan Pastanesi
- 🌿 Bazaar experience with quality: Malatya Pazarı (Spice Bazaar)
- ✨ Regional twist (saffron): Meşhur Safranbolu Lokumcusu (Asian side)
💡 Tourist tip: In almost all reputable shops, sampling is normal—ask politely for a taste before you choose.
1) Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir (1777) — Eminönü (Old City)
Style: 🏛️ Historic, traditional classics • Known for: Rose, lemon, mint, kaymaklı (clotted‑cream) lokum, akide (hard candies)
Where: 📍 Bahçekapı/Eminönü (steps from the Spice Bazaar); branch on İstiklal too
Go if you want: 🎐 The original Ottoman lokum experience in a time‑capsule shop
Tourist notes: 💼 Fixed prices; 🌍 English usually understood; 🎁 beautiful gift boxes; ✈️ international shipping via website/partners.
How to get there: 🚋 T1 Tram → Eminönü; walk 3–5 minutes.
Price cue: 💲 Mid‑range for premium tradition.
What to buy: 🍬 A mixed box (rose/pistachio/lemon), plus akide in a small jar. If available, try kaymaklı lokum.
2) Hafız Mustafa (1864) — Sirkeci & Taksim
Style: 🏛️ Historic brand + café experience • Known for: 🍇 Pomegranate‑pistachio lokum, 🌹 rose‑petal lokum, locum rolls; excellent baklava
Where: 📍 Large branches in Sirkeci (near Sultanahmet) and Taksim Square
Go if you want: ☕ A sit‑down café with tasting platters and coffee/tea
Tourist notes: 🌍 English‑friendly; 🎁 ornate gift tins; ✈️ worldwide delivery; ⚠️ often crowded—go weekday mornings.
How to get there: 🚋 T1 Tram → Sirkeci or 🚇 M2 Metro → Taksim.
Price cue: 💲💲 Mid to upper‑mid.
What to buy: 🍇 Pomegranate pistachio lokum roll; assorted gift tin for souvenirs.
3) Şekerci Cafer Erol (1807) — Kadıköy (Asian Side)
Style: 🍭 Artisanal, vast variety • Known for: ~50 lokum types, double‑roasted nut lokum, akide candies, marzipans
Where: 📍 Kadıköy Market area (flagship); seating upstairs for coffee
Go if you want: 🏺 A candy museum vibe with generous sampling and superb variety
Tourist notes: 🌍 English often spoken; 🎁 elegant gift packaging; ✈️ worldwide shipping; 💳 credit cards accepted.
How to get there: 🚤 Ferry to Kadıköy from Eminönü/Karaköy → 5‑minute walk.
Price cue: 💲 Moderate.
What to buy: 🥜 Double‑roasted pistachio lokum; a jar of akide (cinnamon/bergamot).
4) Altan Şekerleme (1865) — Küçükpazar / Eminönü
Style: 🏠 Old‑school, family‑run • Known for: Exceptionally soft, flavorful lokum; 🍊 natural fruit lokum (fig/orange), no artificial colors
Where: 📍 Kantarcılar / Küçükpazar (below Süleymaniye, 10 min from Spice Bazaar)
Go if you want: 💎 A true local treasure off the tourist trail—and great prices
Tourist notes: 🤝 Simple storefront, warm owners, 🍬 lots of samples; 🌍 limited English but very welcoming; 💳 cards usually accepted.
How to get there: 🚶 Walk from Eminönü or 🚖 taxi.
Price cue: 💲 Budget‑friendly to moderate.
What to buy: 🍊 Fruit lokum (orange/fig), 🍫 chocolate‑covered lokum, a mixed half‑kilo.
5) Hicipoğlu Şekerleme (1745) — Fatih/Demirtaş (Old City)
Style: 🕰️ Heritage hidden gem • Known for: 🌹 Classic rose/lemon/orange lokum, 🌰 almond paste, 🍯 helva
Where: 📍 Demirtaş neighborhood (Old City)
Go if you want: 🕌 Ottoman‑era nostalgia in a tiny, humble shop
Tourist notes: 👨👩👦 Family‑run for generations; 🌍 limited English; 📦 basic packaging; 💲 very fair prices; 💵 cash preferred.
How to get there: 🚖 Short taxi or 🚶 10–15‑minute walk from Grand/Spice Bazaar area.
Price cue: 💲 Budget‑friendly.
What to buy: 🌹 Classic rose lokum and badem ezmesi (almond paste) to taste pure tradition.
6) Koska (1907) — İstiklal/Karaköy & Citywide
Style: 🏭 Big, reliable brand • Known for: 📦 Massive selection; nut/stuffed/chocolate‑coated lokum; halva, jams, nougat
Where: 📍 İstiklal Avenue flagship; also Karaköy and malls
Go if you want: 🛍️ Consistency, traveler‑friendly packaging, vacuum‑sealed boxes
Tourist notes: 🍬 Samples available; 🌍 English service; 💼 fixed prices; 🎁 perfect for quick gift shopping.
How to get there: 🚇 M2 Metro → Taksim (İstiklal) or 🚶 walk from Karaköy.
Price cue: 💲 Moderate.
What to buy: 🎁 Assorted mini boxes (great for gifts) and 🥜 pistachio lokum.
7) Malatya Pazarı — Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
Style: 🛍️ Bazaar institution • Known for: 🌈 Wide lokum range, 🍑 dried fruits (apricot/fig), 🌰 nuts, 🍯 honey
Where: 📍 Inside the Spice Bazaar (Eminönü)
Go if you want: 🧿 A quality bazaar purchase without aggressive sales tactics
Tourist notes: 🤝 Helpful staff, 💼 fair fixed prices on packaged goods; 📦 can vacuum‑pack on request; 🌍 English commonly spoken.
How to get there: 🚋 T1 Tram → Eminönü; enter Spice Bazaar.
Price cue: 💲 Moderate, fair for quality.
What to buy: 🍑 Apricot‑rolled or 🥥 coconut‑covered lokum; mix with nuts/dried fruit.
8) Divan Pastanesi — Taksim / Nişantaşı / Malls
Style: 🏙️ Modern luxury • Known for: Small‑batch, premium lokum (🍯 honey‑pistachio, 🌿 mint, 🌶️ ginger, ☕ coffee), 🍫 chocolate‑coated variants
Where: 📍 Taksim/Gezi Park, Nişantaşı, İstinye Park, some hotel/bazaar boutiques
Go if you want: 🎀 Designer‑level packaging and a calm café experience
Tourist notes: 🌍 English‑friendly; 🎁 gorgeous boxes; 💲 pricey but elegant; ✈️ ships internationally via partners/retailers.
How to get there: 🚇 M2 Metro → Taksim or Osmanbey (Nişantaşı).
Price cue: 💲💲 Upper‑range.
What to buy: 🍯 Honey‑pistachio or 🍫 chocolate‑coated lokum in a gift box.
9) Famous Safranbolu Lokum Shop — Asian Side (Maltepe area)
Style: 🌸 Regional specialty (saffron) • Known for: 🌼 Saffron‑almond lokum; ornate Ottoman‑style gift boxes
Where: 📍 Maltepe / wider Asian side (delivery options often available)
Go if you want: 🌟 A Safranbolu‑style lokum fix in Istanbul; less touristy, more local
Tourist notes: 🚉 Longer ride from city center; 📦 online ordering & hotel delivery often possible; 🌍 Turkish‑forward service.
How to get there: 🚇 M4 Metro (Asian side) + 🚖 short taxi, or order delivery.
Price cue: 💲 Moderate.
What to buy: 🌼 Saffron lokum assortment and a showpiece gift box.
How to Choose Your Lokum (Flavor & Texture Guide)
- 🌹 Classics (great for first‑timers): Rose, lemon, mint
- 🥜 Nut lovers: Pistachio (most popular), hazelnut, walnut
- 🍊 Fruity & bright: Pomegranate, orange, sour cherry
- 🍦 Creamy & decadent: Kaymaklı (clotted cream)
- 🌿 Adventurous: Mastic, ginger, coffee, chocolate‑coated
- ✨ Texture tip: Fresh lokum should be soft, bouncy, not rubbery, lightly dusted with starch or sugar so pieces don’t stick.
Practical Tips for Tourists
1) Sampling & Etiquette
- 🍬 Politely ask: “Tadabilir miyim?” (Can I taste?)
- ☕ If offered tea/coffee, it’s hospitality—not a binding sales pitch. A warm “Teşekkürler” (thanks) goes a long way.
2) When to Go
- ⏰ Morning = fresher batches + fewer crowds (especially for Spice Bazaar, Hafız Mustafa, İstiklal).
3) Prices & Weight
- ⚖️ Sold by weight. Typical traveler sizes: 250 g / 500 g / 1 kg.
- 🥜 Nut‑heavy varieties cost more than plain fruit/floral.
4) Bazaar Smarts
- 🛍️ Prefer reputable names; confirm price per kilo; watch the scale. Fixed‑price shops (Hacı Bekir, Divan, most brands) don’t haggle.
5) Paying & Packing
- 💳 Most major shops take cards; carry some cash for tiny family stores.
- 📦 Ask for vacuum‑sealing if traveling long; store cool & dry (avoid fridge).
6) Gifting & Shipping
- 🎁 Many shops offer beautiful tins/boxes and international shipping.
- 🚫 Separate nut and non‑nut boxes if gifting to groups (allergies/preferences).
7) Getting Around
- 🚋 For Old City icons use the T1 Tram (Eminönü/Sirkeci).
- 🚤 For Kadıköy, take the ferry—it’s scenic and fast.
Sample Sweet Itinerary (Half Day)
1️⃣ Eminönü Morning: Start at Hacı Bekir → buy a mixed box.
2️⃣ Walk 5 min to the Spice Bazaar → sample & shop at Malatya Pazarı.
3️⃣ Stroll up to Altan Şekerleme (Küçükpazar) for a hidden‑gem stop.
4️⃣ Cross to Kadıköy by ferry → Cafer Erol coffee + tasting upstairs.
Prefer to stay central? Swap steps 4 with Hafız Mustafa (Sirkeci) for a café platter and Turkish coffee before heading to Sultanahmet sights.
FAQs
Is Turkish delight halal/vegetarian?
✅ Traditional lokum uses starch + sugar (no gelatin), so it’s typically vegetarian and gelatin‑free. Always check labels for modern variants.
How long does lokum last?
⏳ Sealed and kept cool/dry, often 1–2 weeks (longer if vacuum‑packed). Consume fresh for best texture.
Can I bring lokum on flights?
✈️ Yes—boxed lokum travels well in carry‑on. Powdered sugar may be inspected; keep boxes sealed.
What’s the best “first taste”?
🌟 Pomegranate‑pistachio (crowd‑pleaser) and 🌹 rose (the Ottoman classic).
Final Word
Whether you want palace‑era tradition or sleek modern boxes, Istanbul’s lokum scene has it all. Start with the icons, detour for a hidden gem, and don’t leave without a ribbon‑tied box for home. Afiyet olsun!
