Where to Buy Turkish Delight in Istanbul: Best Lokum Shops and IST Airport Options (2026)
By Anastasia Maisuradze, Istanbul travel writer
Quick answer: The best Turkish delight (lokum) in Istanbul comes from a handful of historic makers: Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir (making lokum since 1777, original shop in Eminönü near the Spice Bazaar), Hafız Mustafa 1864 (branches across the center) and Şekerci Cafer Erol in Kadıköy on the Asian side. No time in the city? Hafız Mustafa has a store inside Istanbul Airport, near Gates A and B on the lower level, and the duty-free shops carry boxed lokum from the big brands, so you can pick up a quality box right before your flight, just expect airport prices to run higher than in town.
The shops worth your suitcase space
Istanbul sells lokum on every tourist street, and most of it is forgettable. These are the names locals and pastry people actually respect, and each is easy to reach by tram or ferry.
Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir, Eminönü
The oldest name in the business: the family has been making lokum since 1777, and the Eminönü shop near the Spice Bazaar still feels like a piece of Ottoman Istanbul. Come here for the classics, double-roasted pistachio lokum, rose, and unusual house flavors like Turkish-coffee lokum. If you only visit one shop, make it this one.
Hafız Mustafa 1864, multiple locations
Founded in 1864 and now the most visible premium brand in the center, with cafe-shops in Sirkeci, Sultanahmet and along İstiklal. The gift boxes are the strongest part: sturdy, beautifully printed and ideal for carrying home. You will pay more than at a bazaar stall, and the quality is consistently worth it.
Şekerci Cafer Erol, Kadıköy
The Asian side's confectionery institution, with Ottoman-era roots and a Kadıköy shop that has been serving since 1945. Expect around fifty varieties of lokum in a beautiful old interior; the pistachio version is the one to try first. Combine it with a ferry ride from Eminönü, which is half the pleasure.
Koska and the supermarket shelf
For budget gifts in bulk, Koska is a reliable industrial brand sold in supermarkets and malls across the city. It will not match the historic houses, but a boxed assortment costs a fraction of the price and travels well in a checked bag.
The Spice Bazaar, with open eyes
The stalls of the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) are atmospheric and fine for tasting, but quality varies stall to stall. Two rules: taste before you buy, and prefer lokum cut from fresh blocks over pre-packed boxes of unknown age. Prices are negotiable; the first quote rarely is the real one.
At a glance: where to buy lokum
| Shop | Where | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir | Eminönü, near Spice Bazaar | Oldest maker (1777), the benchmark |
| Hafız Mustafa 1864 | Sirkeci, Sultanahmet, İstiklal + IST Airport | Premium gift boxes, long hours |
| Şekerci Cafer Erol | Kadıköy (Asian side) | ~50 varieties, historic interior |
| Koska | Supermarkets and malls | Budget bulk gifts |
| Spice Bazaar stalls | Eminönü | Atmosphere and tasting, quality varies |
| Duty-free and Hafız Mustafa at IST | Istanbul Airport, airside | Last-minute boxes before the flight |
Buying lokum at Istanbul Airport
If your city plans fell through, the airport has you covered. Hafız Mustafa 1864 runs a store airside at IST, next to Gates A and B on the lower level, selling the same gift boxes as in town from early morning until late at night, and the duty-free shops stock boxed lokum and baklava from the major brands. Two caveats: airport prices are noticeably higher than in the city, and the selection is narrower than in the historic shops. As a rule of thumb, buy in town if you have twenty spare minutes near Eminönü, and treat the airport as a reliable plan B.
Getting it home in one piece
Lokum is a solid, so a box is fine in your cabin bag, and anything you buy airside goes on board without question. Watch two things. First, syrupy extras often sold alongside lokum, jars of rose jam or bottled pomegranate syrup, count as liquids at security if bought before the checkpoint, so anything over 100 ml belongs in checked luggage. Second, weight adds up fast: tins of lokum are heavier than they look, and a few kilos of sweets can tip a bag over the limit, so check your fare's allowance in our baggage checker before you stock up. Freshly cut lokum keeps for weeks when stored cool and dry; boxed lokum lasts longer, and the box will show a date. Most countries allow packaged sweets for personal use, but if your destination is strict about food imports, declare them.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy Turkish delight at Istanbul Airport?
Hafız Mustafa 1864 has an airside store next to Gates A and B on the lower level of the departures terminal, open from early morning until late at night, and the duty-free shops carry boxed lokum from major brands. Prices run higher than in the city, so it works best as a last-minute option.
Can I take Turkish delight in my hand luggage?
Yes. Lokum is a solid, not a liquid, so boxes and tins are fine in cabin baggage, and anything bought airside at IST goes straight on board. Jars of jam or bottled syrup over 100 ml, however, must travel in checked luggage if bought before security.
Which is the oldest Turkish delight shop in Istanbul?
Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir, making lokum since 1777. The historic shop in Eminönü near the Spice Bazaar is still run under the founding family's name and is the classic first stop for visitors.
How long does Turkish delight stay fresh?
Freshly cut lokum is best within a few weeks if kept cool and dry, while sealed boxed lokum lasts longer and carries a date on the packaging. Ask the shop to vacuum-pack or double-wrap fresh pieces if your trip home is long.
About the author
Anastasia Maisuradze writes practical guides about Istanbul Airport and the city for international travelers, testing routes, shops and services in person where possible and against official sources everywhere else.
