Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

priced considering their quality.

ART, JEWELLERY SOFA ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-520 2850; www.kashifsofa.com; Nuruosmaniye Caddesi 53, Nuruosmaniye; h 9.30am-6.30pm Mon-Sat; j Çemberlitaş) Investigation of Sofa’s three floors of artfully arranged clutter reveals an eclectic range of pricey jewellery, prints, textiles, calligraphy, Ottoman miniatures and contemporary Turkish art. ALI MUHIDDIN HACI BEKIR ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-522 8543; www.hacibekir.com.tr; Hamidiye Caddesi 33, Eminönü; h 9am-7.30pm; j Eminönü) Many people think that this historic shop, which has been operated by members of the same family for over 200 years, is the best place in the city to buy lokum (Turkish Delight). Choose from sade (plain), cevizli (walnut), fıstıklı (pistachio), badem (almond) or roze (rose water). There are other branches in Beyoğlu and Kadıköy. HAFIZ MUSTAFA ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-513 3610; www.hafizmustafa.com; Hamidiye Caddesi 84, Eminönü; h 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, 9am-8pm Sun; j Eminönü) S Located opposite Ali Muhıddin Hacı Bekir, Hafız Mustafa sells excellent lokum . (They’ve been creating sweet concoctions for more than 150 years, so they certainly know what they’re doing!) You can buy a small bag of freshly made treats to sample, plus gift boxes to take home. Best of all, staff are happy to let you taste before buying (within reason, of course). There are other branches in Sirkeci and Sultanahmet. NIL BAHARAT ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-527 0187; www.nilbaharat.com; Asmaaltı Büyükbaş Sokak 1, Eminönü; h 7am-6pm Mon-Sat; j Eminönü) There are plenty of spices sold in the nearby Mısır Çarşısı (Spice Bazaar), a two-minute walk or so away, but those sold at this shop on the western side of FOOD FOOD SPICES