Gourmet products local specialties and wines Istanbul

In Byzantine times, it was a market where Venetians and Genoese sold spices, hence its name "spice market". Every day spices, honeys, cheeses, from the Turkish provinces, aphrodisiac mixtures, dried meats and even domestic animals are negotiated. Much more authentic than the Grand Bazaar, which has become the centre of jewellers and carpet merchants. That being said, jewellers are gaining a little more ground each year.

In the heart of the Egyptian Bazaar, this little French-speaking address is a good idea if you're feeling a bit lost amidst the stalls that all look the same... You'll find every spice imaginable, with a stand full of color, and a whole host of other products, including dried meat, jewelry, excellent honey loukoums and even caviar! Lots of beautiful things at affordable, reasonable prices. Don't forget that Turkish delight can be kept for a long time... So stock up!

This family business, a veritable institution, now has sales outlets abroad. It is known for its loukoums which are considered to be among the best in the city with their amazing aromas: sesame, orange, mint or resin. Loukoums with kaymak (buffalo milk) are a speciality of the house, while pistachio loukoum remains the most popular. Their shape, more or less regular, proves to us that they are handmade. The rates are displayed. Good to know: you can buy them at the Duty Free at both airports.

Without a doubt the best baklavacı in the city. If you want to taste baklava, then you should go to Karaköy's shop. We recommend pistachio, walnut and chocolate ones. If you plan to bring some back to France, employees can pack them for you so they won't get damaged during the trip. Other franchises of the same brand have been opened in Istanbul in the Taksim and Üsküdar districts among others, but the Karaköy franchise offers more choice and is considered THE original store.

Still an old and known Pâtisserie pastry. Here we specialize in milk-based desserts, including good struck. In winter, taste the famous sahlep, a drink based on orchid. Born in the 1950 s, it is a real institution. It is customary to get there after dinner for dessert. The best Baklava in the city.

Honey is relatively expensive in Istanbul but this small shop is still affordable. It is located behind the Mihrimah Sultan mosque. At Bingöl Bal Pazari, you will find 3 types of artisanal honey of very good quality at very affordable prices. Flower honey from Bingöl (the cheapest), karakovan (honeycomb) from Pervari and chestnut honey from Artvin. You can also buy polen, honey still in its cells, which Turks like to accompany with kaymak (a cheese speciality made from buffalo cream)

A very nice food market, right next to the Egyptian bazaar, with which it contrasts well. Less tourism, it keeps its commodities for local customers. It buys cheese, honey, pastırma (meat from local Grisons), sucuk (spicy sausage), coffee, tea or olives: the choice is important and of good quality.

Hafiz Mustafa was founded in 1864 in Istanbul. This sign is now very popular with tourists as it offers all the variations of the famous turkish delights. All Turkish specialties are rather good, choose the classics: pistachio baklavas, trileçe (soft raspberry or caramel cake) or milk-based desserts such as sütlaç (rice pudding), kazandibi (chicken breast pudding). When it comes to cakes, you have to like cream... The company has a shop in Sultanhamet and Taksim.

A good address for breakfast, the mini-sandwiches are exquisite. There are also croissants and lots of good things that are sweet: oriental sweets, pies and cakes. A small terrace can enjoy all this with a coffee, and in winter you can eat indoors.

Mösyö Lukas's profiteroles are known throughout the city and for cause: it is here that this wonder would have been invented at the beginning of the century. Profiterole was then introduced into France and Italy by the Levantins. In France, we simply added the ice. The place, small, is still crowded.

Classic pastry that offers a variety of different products ranging from baklavas to homemade cakes and profiteroles. Fruit tartlets (tartölet) and cream are delicious. The reputation of the establishment has grown over time (two floors) and is now like a café. Small restoration also. On the second floor of brasserie style, giant screens for the game nights.

Opened in 2011, Demirören is a large shopping center located a stone's throw from Taksim on İstiklal avenue. The building, renovated for the occasion, boasts a deceptively old-fashioned white facade. The mall is home to some fifty boutiques, most of them international, as well as a food court and a cinema on the top floor. The main attraction: a terrace at the very top with a bird's-eye view of frenetic Istiklal Avenue. And spacious, clean toilets. Apart from that, the place isn't really interesting.

Established in Eminönü since 1871, the roaster Mehmet Efendi has built up a reputation that continues to grow with customers queuing up there. Bearing the name of its founder, the company actively participates in the world-wide reputation of Turkish coffee. You go to the counter outside the store and choose one of the packages that are ready for sale. It should be noted that the brand can be found in all the good grocery stores in the city and in supermarkets.

Generally unloved, the neighbourhood of Tarlabaʂı, in the midst of "forced gentrification", has a bad reputation: crimes, drugs, prostitution. However, every Sunday, its market attracts: locals (mainly Kurdish, Roma and African minorities) to Erasmus students and other "expats". The market is a true cultural melting pot with a village spirit in the heart of downtown Istanbul. All in length, the market exposes an enormous quantity of fruit and vegetable stalls, fish, cheese, textiles... at unbeatable prices!

This café-pâtisserie-cafétéria offers a wide choice of delicious cakes, cakes and biscuits prepared in a traditional way (so very caloric!). You can also taste what is very popular right now in Istanbul: colorful cakes imitating objects, cartoon heroes or toys (sometimes Vuitton handbag). It's kind of kitschy, but the kids love it. It is also possible to order a very good omelette, or tasty dill rolls. We like the original decoration and space of this place with a winter garden spirit.

Unlike the Pera market, only fish can be found in it. It can be interesting to see the different varieties that are sold at the auction. Nearby, inside the ramparts, a series of restaurants is set around a few pedestrian streets. Original practice: Addresses such as Küçük Liman, Havuzbaşı or Beyaz agree to prepare the fish you just bought. You pay only cooking and salad.

This brand, renowned for its dairy products, has been in existence since 1936. The place doesn't look like much: five tables with a few stools and one or two tables outside. But don't hold it against them because kaymak (buffalo milk cream) and butter are exceptional. The jams are homemade, you can taste all kinds of omelettes and the classics of Turkish kahvaltı Some desserts are offered throughout the day, accompanied of course by kaymak. The prices are quite high but the products are of high quality.

A brand that stands out quite easily from the others thanks to a dynamic team that seems to know the business inside out. You will really find everything (prices displayed), including flower essences: jasmine, rose, opium... And a tip: ask about essential oils. The choice is incredible and cheap compared to France. Many organic products are available and can be found in large Turkish supermarkets: Migros, Kipa...

In the new Bobo district of Karaköy, this address combines Turkish cuisine and modern cuisine. Away from the sun, sheltered from the sun by a wall of vegetation, a relaxing atmosphere, you can eat a salad or drink a turca coffee... a moment out of time! At Pim, salads are generous and excellent, as are köfte or falafel, always in elegance and originality. The only downside is that the music is sometimes very loud inside. Try the terrace, which is much more charming on sunny days.