If you are looking for the perfect local sweets, Ali Muhittin Hacı Bekir is the place to visit. It is the oldest sweets shop across Istanbul. Its story goes as far back as 1777. Ali Muhittin Hacı Bekir who was the ‘grandfather’ of the brand was the founder of Turkish delight whom he served to Sultan of his time. Sultan Mahmut the Second who was a very progressive Sultan simply loved it.
Ottoman court became one of his prominent customers and this is how the tradition of Turkish delight started.
The oldest store of Muhittin Hacı Bekir is in Sirkeci which you can visit. It is a tiny shop which has kept its originality.
Its flag ship store is in Beyoğlu now. The decoration was done by Serdar Gülgün who is an expert on Ottoman design and fabrics. The store is a delight to be in with a wide range of sweets, rich fabrics and opulent colours. It is the perfect store if you are looking for something local to buy either as a gift or as a personal treat.
When you are in Beyoğlu, do yourself a favour and drop by Muhittin Hacı Bekir for a sip of Turkish coffee and some bon bon Turc.
Or if you cross the Bosphorus to the Anatolian side where I live, consider visiting his delightful shop elegantly decorated in Kadiköy which is my favourite!
Store in Kadıköy after the recent restoration
Visit its website at https://www.hacibekir.com/Kurumsal/4633/about-us.
