When Ramadan arrives, it brings far more than iftar tables, it awakens centuries-old flavours across Istanbul. From the delicate gullac to crispy baklava, from stretchy kunefe to Ottoman sherbets, a rich culinary map comes alive throughout the city every Ramadan. But where can you taste the very best of these traditional treats?
For those who want to experience Ramadan in Istanbul to the fullest, atmosphere and presentation matter just as much as flavour. We have curated the 10 essential Ramadan delicacies and the best address in Istanbul for each one. Two of them are right inside Emaar Square Mall, and one is up in the sky plus, at the end of this guide, a complete Ramadan evening route awaits you, from iftar to dessert to the skyline! Ready? Let’s begin.
1. Gullac – Hafiz Mustafa 1864
No Ramadan is complete without gullac. Thin starch wafers soaked in rose-scented milk, topped with crushed pistachios and pomegranate seeds — this light, refreshing dessert has graced iftar tables for centuries. If you are looking for something sweet yet gentle on the stomach after fasting, gullac is the perfect answer.
Why Hafiz Mustafa 1864? A symbol of Turkish confectionery culture since 1864, Hafiz Mustafa holds a special place for gullac during Ramadan. With pistachio, classic, and chocolate gullac varieties catering to every palate, the venue also offers an unforgettable experience with its historic Eminonu atmosphere.
Address: Hobyar Mah., Hamidiye Cad. No:84, Eminonu / Istanbul
Tip: Ramadan-special gullac varieties are usually seasonal menu items. Check their Instagram page before you visit!
2. Baklava – Karakoy Gulluoglu
Baklava, the syrup-soaked star of Ramadan tables, truly shines when served alongside tea after iftar. Hundreds of paper-thin layers of dough, generously filled with pistachios and drenched in syrup — the Ottoman tradition of “baklava alayi,” where the sultan would serve baklava to soldiers mid-Ramadan, is proof of how deeply intertwined this dessert is with the holy month.
Why Karakoy Gulluoglu? Serving the same flavour for five generations since 1843, Gulluoglu holds the title of Istanbul’s first oven-baked baklava maker. Beyond classic pistachio baklava, you can also try sobiyet, durum baklava, and sutlu nuriye.
Address: Kemankesh Karamustafa Pasa Mah., Kemankesh Cad. No:67, Karakoy / Istanbul
3. Kunefe – Hatay Medeniyetler Sofrasi
Served piping hot with stretchy cheese that catches the eye and syrup that delights the palate, kunefe is one of Ramadan’s most beloved desserts. Enjoyed with hot tea after iftar, it becomes a truly special treat. This unique dessert from Hatay cuisine stands out with its crispy kadayif and unsalted cheese.
Why Hatay Medeniyetler Sofrasi? One of the finest representatives of authentic Hatay-style kunefe in Istanbul. Their kunefe is prepared with fresh kadayif dough and unsalted cheese, staying true to a recipe preserved in Hatay for centuries. You will feel as though you have been transported to the narrow streets of Hatay.
Address: Akdeniz Cad. No:44/A, Fatih / Istanbul
4. Ramadan Pide – Tarihi Karakurum Firini
One of the first flavours that comes to mind with Ramadan is undoubtedly the warm, soft Ramadan pide. Baked in a stone oven, topped with sesame and nigella seeds, this bread is an absolute staple of the iftar table. The aroma of freshly baked pide wafting through every neighbourhood is the most beautiful herald of Ramadan.
Why Tarihi Karakurum Firini? Standing out among Fatih’s historic bakeries, Karakurum is famous for its wood-fired pide. The unique rise and flavour that a stone oven delivers is an experience you simply cannot find in industrial bakeries.
Address: Ali Kuran Cad., Fatih / Istanbul
Tip: Arrive at least 1 hour before iftar — the queues can get quite long!
5. Kazandibi & Sutlac – Mado
At Emaar Square Mall!
When it comes to light Ramadan desserts, milk-based sweets lead the way. The unique caramelised bottom of kazandibi, the golden-baked surface of sutlac — if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth after iftar without feeling heavy, milk desserts are the perfect choice.
Why Mado? Known for its Kahramanmaras ice cream, Mado is equally impressive with its milk-based desserts. They prepare classics like kazandibi, oven-baked sutlac, muhallebi, and kemalpasa flawlessly. Their branch on the -2 floor of Emaar Square Mall is a perfect stop for a sweet break after shopping or before visiting SkyView.
Address: Emaar Square Mall, -2 Floor (Uskudar)
6. Sobiyet & Burma Kadayif – Fistikzade
Sobiyet is perhaps the most elegant form of baklava. Clotted cream and pistachios hidden between thin layers of dough, meeting a light syrup — the resulting flavour is the finest finale to Ramadan evenings. Burma kadayif, with its satisfying crunch, is the star of tea time.
Why Fistikzade? Bringing authentic Gaziantep flavours to Istanbul, Fistikzade excels with its sobiyet and baklava varieties. With midye baklava, homestyle baklava, and mixed baklava platters, they offer options for every palate.
Address: Hacimimi Mah., Kemeraltı Cad. No:46, Beyoglu / Istanbul
7. Turkish Delight – Sekerci Cafer Erol
At Emaar Square Mall!
Turkish delight is present at every moment of Ramadan, from pre-iftar appetiser plates to tea time. Rose, pomegranate, mastic, pistachio, walnut — offered in every colour and variety, lokum is also the most elegant way to welcome guests. It proudly adorns the centrepiece of hospitality platters during Ramadan visits.
Why Sekerci Cafer Erol? A symbol of Turkish confectionery tradition since 1807, Sekerci Cafer Erol is indisputably one of Istanbul’s finest for Turkish delight. Alongside dozens of varieties including pistachio, rose, pomegranate, cream, and double-roasted, they also impress with their hard candies, syrup-based sweets, and chocolates. At their branch on the -3 floor of Emaar Square Mall, you can enjoy tastings and have elegant gift boxes prepared for your Ramadan visits.
Address: Emaar Square Mall, -3 Floor (Uskudar)
Tip: Gift boxes of Turkish delight sell out fast before Eid — order early!
8. Ekmek Kadayifi – Koskeroğlu
Ekmek kadayifi is one of the most classic syrup-soaked desserts of Ramadan tables. When paired with clotted cream, this dessert reaches another dimension — it is the pride of Gaziantep cuisine. The soft kadayif, having absorbed syrup over a long period, served with generous clotted cream on top, becomes the most satisfying dessert of Ramadan.
Why Koskeroğlu? Serving in Karakoy since 1986, Koskeroğlu is one of Istanbul’s most sought-after addresses for syrup-based desserts, run by a family from Gaziantep. Their katmer and baklava are also very popular, and during Ramadan, gullac is added to the menu as well.
Address: Kemankesh Mah., Karakoy / Istanbul
Tip: Don’t forget to pair your gullac with a glass of deeply brewed Turkish tea!
9. Ottoman Sherbets – Ciragan Palace Kempinski
Sherbets, the essential complement to Ramadan tables, have been an inseparable part of iftar since the Ottoman era. Basil, strawberry, tamarind, rose, and tamarind sherbets both revitalise the body after fasting and pair beautifully with the meal.
Why Ciragan Palace? Tugra Restaurant, which carries forward the legacy of Ottoman palace cuisine, offers traditional sherbet varieties in its special Ramadan iftar menu. Breaking your fast in a historic palace with Bosphorus views is a truly unique experience for those who want to make Ramadan extra special.
Address: Ciragan Cad. No:32, Besiktas / Istanbul (Reservation required.)
10. Tea with an Istanbul View – Emaar SkyView Sky Cafe
At Emaar Square Mall!
After exploring the flavours of Ramadan, would you like to experience this special month from a completely different perspective? The Sky Cafe at Emaar SkyView, perched 300 metres above the city, adds an entirely new dimension to your Ramadan experience with perfectly brewed Turkish tea and a 360-degree panoramic view of Istanbul.
At Sky Cafe, you can enjoy carefully prepared snacks and a selection of delicious coffees while taking in the breathtaking silhouette stretching from Istanbul’s historic peninsula to the blue of the Bosphorus, from the Princes’ Islands to Camlica Hill. Visiting SkyView at sunset during Ramadan means witnessing that magical moment when Istanbul’s lights slowly begin to glow.
Don’t miss the current offer: Buy 2, Get 1 Free! Valid on Emaar SkyView tickets from 18 February to 18 March, take advantage of this deal and discover Istanbul from the sky with your loved ones.
Address: Emaar Square Mall -2 Floor entrance, Libadiye Cad. No:82, Uskudar / Istanbul
Visiting Hours: Every day 10:00 – 22:00 (Last ticket 21:15)
Bonus: Your Ramadan Evening Route at Emaar
Your Ramadan Evening at Emaar Square Mall
From iftar to dessert, from dessert to the skyline — spend a complete Ramadan evening at Emaar Square Mall:
1. Iftar: Break your fast at one of the terrace restaurants Big Chefs‘ extensive Turkish menu, The House Cafe‘s modern table, or Huqqa‘s premium atmosphere await you.
2. Turkish Delight: Enjoy a tasting at Sekerci Cafer Erol and have a Ramadan gift box prepared (-3 floor)
3. Dessert: Savour kazandibi or oven-baked sutlac at Mado (-2 floor)
4. Grand Finale: Head up from the -2 floor to Emaar SkyView → Turkish tea with Istanbul’s night panorama at Sky Cafe
Buy 2, Get 1 Free makes the finale of this route even sweeter! → emaarskyview.com
Happy Ramadan!
Ramadan is a special time when flavours come together, tables are shared, and Istanbul shows its most beautiful face. With this culinary map stretching from gullac to baklava, from kunefe to Ottoman sherbets, you can make your Ramadan even more enjoyable. And at Emaar Square Mall, you can break your fast at the terrace restaurants, visit the traditional dessert stops, and crown it all with Istanbul’s night panorama at SkyView.
Looking for more things to do in Istanbul during Ramadan? Check out our guide to 15 Iftar Venues and Places to Visit During Ramadan.
