IN SEARCH of some top-tier baklava in London? Look no further than Hafiz Mustafa 1864.
Having just opened its Knightsbridge flagship store in September 2024, the Turkish patisserie’s popularity is hard to deny. With people lining up to try some of the brand’s sweet treats every day, we decided to venture to Hafiz Mustafa 1864 to see if the confectionery truly lives up to the hype.
Located just across the road from the Harrods store, Hafiz Mustafa 1864 celebrates its Istanbul heritage through its decadent décor and traditional offerings. In comparison to the dreary, overcast London weather outside, the inside of Hafiz Mustafa 1864 exudes warmth and vibrancy.
Upon entering the store, visitors will delight upon seeing rows and rows of hand-crafted baklava, traditional milk pudding, and Turkish delight, which have been carefully set against a backdrop of glossy marble interiors and hand-painted tiles.
Interior of Hafiz Mustafa 1864
Having been established in 1864, the Turkish patisserie takes much pride in its esteemed history. In the past, Hafiz Mustafa’s delicacies have been enjoyed by rulers in the Ottoman Palace and went on to win the entrepreneur 11 medals across Europe for his culinary skills between 1926 and 1938.
To this day, the original baker’s formula is still used. Favouring sugar cane instead of glucose, natural fruit essences instead of colorants, and fresh ingredients instead of artificial counterparts, Hafiz Mustafa 1864 continues to craft its confectionary with astute attention to detail.
Interior of Hafiz Mustafa 1864
During our visit, we learned that the confectioner’s baklava have been carefully constructed with 48 layers of almost-transparent pastry sheets, whereas the Turkish delight has been expertly imbued with 40 different spices.
As the Turkish patisserie’s twentieth store internationally and its first in the UK, the Knightsbridge location marks a new chapter for the brand. Maintained by a 3,000 square-meter kitchen in Enfield, fresh treats are delivered twice daily to keep up with the location’s ever-growing demand.
However, Hafiz Mustafa 1864 doesn’t limit itself to sugary delights. On the weekends, visitors can enjoy a Turkish breakfast menu, where one can truly savour the historic flavours of Istanbul.
Interior of Hafiz Mustafa 1864
With such an array of culinary ensembles on offer, it’s clear that Hafiz Mustafa 1864’s London flagship store is a great location to experience authentic, artisanal Turkish confectionary.
by Sophie Richardson
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