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Ferreting Out Delicious Chocolate in Istanbul By Sally Peabody |
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If you love baklava and chocolate but thought the twain would never meet, take yourself to the ever-bustling Gulluoglu cafe in Karakoy, just over the Galata bridge from the Old City. Gulluoglu offers a mind boggling variety of over 15 baklavas and numerous other traditional pastries in the broader baklava family. There is a chocolate version that is heavenly. Get a cup of Turkish coffee or Turkish black tea, pick out your chocolate baklava and maybe a pistachio variety as well and feast to your heart’s content. You probably won’t spend more than $5. Gulluoglu is located at 10 Rihtim Caddesi, which is just a few blocks off the tramline’s Karakoy stop and also short walk in from the Karakoy ferry landing. You can’t miss it. The shop is on the street level under a large, multi-story, multi-colored parking garage! Haci Bekir, the venerable Turkish sweets
company sells a vast range of Turkish Delight including one that is
chocolate covered. The rose and hazlenut Turkish Delight flavors are
exquisite as well.
Also along Istiklal Caddessi, Inci, a pastry shop located at number 56, is famous for its chocolate profiteroles. Maybe not quite the level of Paris but pretty good nonetheless and loaded with chocolate sauce. Inci’s historic patisserie has been threatened by a new development project, so sadly its long-term future is uncertain. In the Spice Market area the Gold Cikolata shop located at 78 Tahmis Caddessi is a good stop for a variety of chocolates in bars and flavored bonbons. An excellent source is Khave Dunyasi, a Turkish
company that specializes in European style coffees and offers a
range of high quality chocolates in plain or nut studded bars or
creatively flavored
The Khave Dunyasi shop and cafe near the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest in the mini-chain and is a great destination for both chocolate-seeking shoppers and weary tourists soaking up the considerable sights in the Old City. Located on Nuroseymanyie Caddessi, this large, two level cafe is a perfect stop for a restorative coffee and chocolate pastry or a selection of chocolates and truffles. Filter coffees, cappuccinos, hot chocolates and other beverages are served with a dark chocolate ‘spoon’ to melt into your brew or eat outright. And among the pastry selection on offer, the chocolate souffles are eminently worth the twenty minute wait. After all, hanging out in Istanbul and watching the endless parade of street life is one of the city’s highest pleasures. A bit of chocolate only adds to that fun. Khave Dunyasi Address: Mollafenari Mah. Nuruosmaniye Cad. No:79 Gazi Sinanpaşa Sok. No:12 Eminönü / İstanbul. Check www.kahvedunyasi.com for other locations. Finding good chocolate in Istanbul is getting
easier and easier! |
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with fruits, herbs, and a zillion tasty
sweet and savory flavors. But high quality chocolate is another
matter.
You will probably be strolling and shopping along Istiklal Caddessi in Beyoglu and when you do, check out the Haci
Bekir shop at 6 Istitklal.
bonbons. Remember that Turkey is one of the
world’s largest producers of hazelnuts and of pistachios. Walnuts
are abundant too. You will find these nuts used liberally in
chocolates bars, squares, and sweets of all types here and in Turkey
generally.