Let’s say it together: Hi, my name is ____________ and I’m a chocoholic. It’s sad but true that for some of us, when travelling, the search for the nearest chocolate bar trumps the search for the nearest museum. If you’re spending time in Istanbul, not to worry. This city has possibly the biggest sweet tooth of any other place in the world.
Meshur Beyoglu Cikolatacisi - Famous Beyoglu Chocolate
Meshur Beyoglu Cikolatacisi: Istiklal Avenue, No:69 / A Taksim, Beyoglu +90 (212) 249 53 64
Don't let the aluminum foil and the low price scare you off. This family company, Zambo Food & Chocolate, has been making their chocolates with their secret recipe for at least half a century. Every variation of chocolate is available for all tastes: milk, dark, with hazelnuts, pistachios, or almonds.
Pelit Cikolata
With 36 different branches, Pelit Cikolata is the most wide-spread chocolatier chain in Turkey. Pelit developed its unique gourmet chocolate making methods by acquiring a Belgian brand, VALONIA. These days, with the latest Swiss manufacturing technology, Pelit produces a wide variety of sweets from truffles to wedding cakes
Gezi Istanbul
İnönü Caddesi No:5 Taksim / İstanbul , Tel: +90 (212) 292 53 53
Located conveniently just past the top of Istiklal (beyond the Marmara Hotel), Gezi is a cute cafe with a charming porch where you can sit yourself down and soak in the liveliness of Taksim. This spot is known for its modern take on chocolatiering - it’s the place to go if you’re looking for the most creative chocolates!
Kahve Dunyasi
Kahve Dunyasi is ubiquitous in Istanbul. Despite its name, “Coffee World”, this branch also makes excellent chocolates. You can pick from their impressively huge displays and fill up a box for a special occasion, or sit yourself down and order their “chocolate plate” with a coffee if you’d rather relax.
Divan Patisserie
Divan Elmadag: Cumhuriyet Avenue, No:69/A, 34420, Harbiye +90 (212) 225 72 86
Divan Kalamis: Amiral Fahri Koruturk Yat Limani (Yatch Port), 34726, Kalamis +90 (216) 541 03 46
With twelve branches in Istanbul, Divan is one of the most reputable brands, established during the 50's and famous for their luxury chocolate and boutique patisserie experience. Featuring cocoa varieties from seven different countries: Java, Ghana, Madagascar, Mexico, Togo, Trinidad and Venezuela, Divan's high quality chocolates are made of rich, authentic flavors.
Their most popular branches are Elmadag/Harbiye branch on the European side, and the Kalamis branch on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Baylan
Kadikoy branch: Muvakkithane Street, No:9/A, 34710, Kadikoy +90 (216) 346 63 50
Bebek branch: Cevdet Pasa Street, No: 52-54, 34342, Besiktas +90 (216) 358 07 60-61-62
As old as the Republic of Turkey, Baylan is an Istanbul institution. The Kadikoy branch (Asian side) was the only one until the Bebek store opened in 2010. Go for the great chocolate, stay for the insane desserts.
Vakko
Turkey's leading fashion house, Vakko became the first fashion brand in the world to produce chocolate under its own label in 1989. Vakko Chocolate can be found at all Vakko stores, Vakko Boutique stores, and Vakko Chocolate stores. Check the company website for address information.
Follow the chocolate love on Vakko Chocolate Facebook Page
Ülker and Eti
If you need a chocolate fix RIGHT NOW then simply head to the nearest bakkal! (There is one of these small grocery stores on every single street). You can’t go wrong with the two biggest brand names in Turkey for chocolate. Go for the “Bitter” chocolate. It’s a dark chocolate that is smooth, extremely rich, and actually not bitter at all.
