Özikizler’s History
People have been happily sinking their teeth into kanafeh for centuries.
Özikizler Künefe, in continuing to breath new life into that tradition, invites you and your taste
buds to devour kanafeh like you’ve never had before.
Özikizler takes its name from the twin sons of master pastry chef Mehmet Durmaz, Hasan and Hüseyin, born in 1986. The business humbly began in Urfa’s Birecik district as a wee 50 square metre shop lined with no more than a few tables.
We are proud to have grown from a tiny shop into nine separate franchises that are filled
to the brim with satisfied customers! Years of hard work have deliciously paid off.
The Özikizler brand, too, has flourished owing largely to the successful efforts of my three sons. There’s no doubt in my
mind that will carry this inheritance all the way to the stars and beyond.
I simply cannot believe how fast time has flown by. It was only yesterday that we were running around in diapers. Today, thousands adore us! We began working in this sector very much in love with it. Now, we’re proudly marching forwards. We currently have nine locations, and our taste is consistent right across the board. We hope to expand even further in the coming years! I cannot thank our customers, staff, family, and friends enough for their loyalty. It is they who make us who we are!
We walk in the footsteps of a legendary master pastry chef! First and foremost, I owe my biggest gratitude to our father, Mehmet Durmaz, who has left us with this massive inheritance that has carried well into the 21st century. We work day and night in order to produce the very best. Secondly, I wish to thank you, our valued customers, alongside our beloved friends, as you have supported us unconditionally along this journey. We will continue to strive to expand and become a world-renowned name!
The world shall know our kanafeh!
Currently, one and only goal is to grow and chart new territory internationally. Not only will we continue to whip up new
desserts, we’ll also maintain our father’s legacy of being a company built on honesty and sound ethics. We wish to thank our
magnificent guests and staff, who both define who we are.
Only at Özikizler
Cheese, walnuts, harlequin kadayıf, colostrum, pistachios & clotted cream – Six different toppings side by side!
A cheese & crushed pistachio filling, topped with roasted whole pistachios – A flavour that’s simply to die for!
A whole walnut kernel filling that will make your mouth sing!
A delectable rainbow where crispy shredded & clotted cream meets the pistachio supreme!
Raves & Reviews
“Everything here outstanding – the service, the appetizers. As for the kanafeh: the best in all of Istanbul!”
“One of the few places whose kanafeh that I like – and this is coming from a native of Hatay. I personally like the cheese-filled one. The presentation, the service, and the speed are all top notch. Oh, and did I forget to say that the place was immaculate? ”
“Their kanafeh is done just the way I like it: lots of syrup but without being sickly sweet. The more I eat, the more I want more. 😁”
“The kanafeh is just fantastic!”
“The most beautiful kanafeh that I’ve ever laid eyes upon and delved head first into! Life’s too short to let it pass by.”
“The kanafeh is out of this world. 👍”
“I savoured every last bite despite the weather being a scorcher. It is my first time eating it, and I’ve no regrets. 2. Kez gittiğimde lezzet ve tat aynı olursa paylasirim sizlerle”
“I must say that this is the best kanafeh shop in all of Ankara, both in terms of space and experience. The one topped with harlequin kadayıf was particularly good. Both the appetizers and the dessert are sure to fill you. Do drop by if you’re ever in Ankara! İkramlarıyla birlikte tatlıya doyuyorsunuz. Ankara’ya geldiğinizde künefe yemek için tavsiye edilir”
Blog Posts from the Master of Kanafeh
A common story is that the dish was created, and prescribed by doctors, to satisfy the hunger of caliphs during Ramadan. The story is variously said to have happened in Fatimid Egypt, or in the Ummayad Caliphate in Syria. It is also reported to have been mentioned in writing as early as the 10th century, and to be of Fatimid origin. However, dishes mentioned in historical texts are not necessarily the same as the modern versions of kanafeh.
READAn enchanting story that starts as a itsy bitsy seed nestled in the soil of these lovely lands… Each and every tree patiently waits months, and even years to one day dazzle Özikizler’s quality and taste. Millions of the best of the best Gaziantep pistachios are hand picked right from the branch, sent to our modern processing plant for de-shelling, inspected one by one, selected, and shipped to our various locations through the country. They reach their ‘sweetest’ point the moment they pass through the kanafeh master’s hands.
WATCH OUR STORY