Turkish desserts and sweets are one of the great pleasures of a trip to Istanbul. The range is huge: syrup-soaked pastries, crisp shredded-wheat desserts, creamy milk puddings, nutty halvas and chewy ice cream. Many recipes were refined in the kitchens of the Ottoman palace, and most neighbourhoods have a pastry shop (pastane) or a pudding shop (muhallebici) where locals stop for something sweet with tea.
Here are the Turkish sweets worth trying, what they are made of and where to find them. For the savoury side of the menu, see our guide to Turkish cuisine.
Syrup-Soaked Turkish Desserts
Baklava
Baklava is the most famous Turkish dessert. Layered pastries of this kind were known in the Byzantine era, but baklava as we know it today was developed in the Ottoman palace kitchens. It is made from paper-thin sheets of filo dough layered with butter and chopped nuts, baked until golden and soaked in syrup.
Pistachio is the classic filling, with walnut a close second; hazelnut or almond versions are less common. The city of Gaziantep in south-eastern Turkey is famous for its pistachio baklava and considers itself the home of the dessert. Baklava is difficult to make well, and it tastes best fresh, so buy it from a busy shop that bakes daily.
Kunefe
Kunefe comes from southern Turkey, especially the Hatay region. Fine strands of shredded pastry (kadayif) are layered with a soft, unsalted stretchy cheese, baked in butter until crisp, then soaked in sugar syrup and topped with pistachios. Because it must be eaten hot, you will usually find it in kebab restaurants rather than pastry shops. Try it with a glass of Turkish tea.
Burma kadayif
For burma kadayif, strands of kadayif pastry are wrapped around a filling of pistachios or walnuts and rolled into a coil. The rolls are baked until crispy and then soaked in cold syrup.
Other syrup desserts
- Sobiyet: similar to baklava, but with a layer of cream inside.
- Revani: a light semolina sponge cake soaked in syrup.
- Lokma: small fried dough balls in syrup, often handed out on special occasions.
Turkish Delight and Other Sweets
Turkish delight (lokum)
Turkish delight, or lokum, is known all over the world. These soft cubes are made from starch and sugar and flavoured with rosewater, lemon, mastic or nuts, then dusted with powdered sugar. Confectioner Haci Bekir, who opened his shop in Istanbul in the late 18th century, is credited with popularising the modern form. You will find good lokum in the Spice Bazaar and in historic confectioners across the city.
Helva
Turkish helva comes in two main forms: tahini helva, a crumbly block made from sesame paste, and semolina or flour helva, cooked with butter and sugar and often served warm.
Turkish ice cream (dondurma)
Maras-style ice cream is thickened with salep (a flour made from orchid tubers) and mastic, which gives it a dense, chewy texture. Street vendors are famous for their tricks when handing a cone to customers.
Turkish Milk Puddings
For something lighter, try the milk puddings sold in muhallebici shops:
- Sutlac: rice pudding, often baked so the top caramelises.
- Kazandibi: a milk pudding with a caramelised, slightly burnt base.
- Tavuk gogsu: an Ottoman palace dessert made with finely shredded chicken breast, which you cannot taste, giving a silky texture.
- Muhallebi: a simple milk pudding, sometimes scented with rosewater.
- Asure: a pudding of grains, pulses, dried fruit and nuts, traditionally shared with neighbours.
- Gullac: thin starch sheets soaked in sweetened milk with rosewater, especially popular during Ramadan.
Where to Try Turkish Desserts in Istanbul
- Karakoy and Eminonu are known for their baklava shops.
- The Spice Bazaar and the streets around it are good for lokum, helva and dried fruit.
- Kebab restaurants are the place to order kunefe hot from the oven.
- Traditional pudding shops (muhallebici) serve sutlac, kazandibi and tavuk gogsu.
A guided Istanbul food tour is an easy way to taste several desserts in one go, and our guides to the top things to eat in Istanbul, Istanbul street food and traditional Turkish drinks will help you plan the rest of your meals. And if you would like to enjoy a Turkish meal on the water, take a look at our private dinner cruise on the Bosphorus.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous Turkish dessert?
Baklava is the best-known Turkish dessert: layers of filo pastry with butter and nuts, usually pistachio or walnut, soaked in syrup.
What is kunefe made of?
Kunefe is made of shredded kadayif pastry layered with soft unsalted cheese, baked in butter, soaked in syrup and topped with pistachios. It is served hot.
Where can I buy Turkish delight in Istanbul?
The Spice Bazaar in Eminonu and the historic confectioners around the city are good places to buy fresh Turkish delight (lokum).
Which Turkish desserts are not too sweet?
Milk puddings such as sutlac (rice pudding), kazandibi and muhallebi are lighter and less sweet than syrup desserts like baklava.
Dinner on the Bosphorus
Enjoy Turkish mezes and a chef's dinner on a private yacht, with the palaces and bridges lit up around you.