The traditional Turkish dessert Antakya künefe has claimed the number one spot on TasteAtlas’s World’s 100 Best Desserts list, standing out for its unique preparation and its use of a cheese protected by geographical indication.
The ranking is based on 97,422 evaluations compiled for the 2025 list, in which 2,274 desserts from around the world competed. Antakya künefe secured first place with an average score of 4.51. On the newly announced list, it was followed by various ice cream varieties from the United Kingdom and Italy. TasteAtlas is a global platform dedicated to documenting local dishes, beverages, desserts and restaurants.
Antakya künefe originates from Hatay, Turkey’s southernmost province, which borders the Mediterranean to the west. The dessert is prepared by layering unsalted, stretchy cheese between fine strands of shredded kadayif pastry. It is fried on both sides in butter and served hot, topped with sugar syrup. Künefe can also be enjoyed à la mode, accompanied by ice cream.
The dessert’s distinctive character lies largely in its cheese, which itself received geographical indication registration four years ago. Antakya künefe, considered the signature dessert of Hatay, was granted its own geographical indication registration certificate in 2008. The city is also part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for gastronomy.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), 26-year-old künefe maker Abdulkadir Mısırlı said he continues the craft with passion after starting as an apprentice years ago in the historic city of Antakya. He noted that hand-cut kadayif and cooking with butter give künefe its distinctive flavor, but emphasized that the most important ingredient is the special unsalted cheese. According to Mısırlı, they sell around 10 trays on weekdays, with sales rising to more than 30 trays on weekends.
Local resident Necmettin Berberoğlu, 64, expressed pride in seeing a regional delicacy gain worldwide recognition. “Because künefe is a local dessert that perfectly suits our palate, we have been doing our best to promote it for years,” he told AA. “In every home in Antakya, künefe is definitely served as dessert.”
Source: Daily Sabah
