(mado.com.tr) – Edirne, Turkey

How I heard of this place: Upon arriving in Edirne, we decided to take a sunset walk through the main street in town, pedestrians only (except for the occasional polis car). Not more than one block away, we came across a bustling establishment with a patio extending out into the middle of the pedestrian street. Full. We knew it was a place worth visiting, nay, frequenting. 

Type of cuisine: Sweets to your hearts content. Everything from gelato to waffles, salep, cay, kahve, baklava to decadent cakes and pastries which will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Ambiance: A popular gathering space for many, MADO on Edirne’s main drag: Saraclar Cd. offers elegant indoor and extensive outdoor, patio seating under a covered balcony and on a cobblestone path at street level. The amber-glow of chandeliers inside create a warm and inviting space through MADOs floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the stretch along Saraclar Cd. The balcony upstairs, the same size as the space below offers a removed and cozy space away from the people rushing through the cobblestone pedestrian walk below. Small, circular, wooden tables outside are numbered for ease of food delivery to parties sitting at the cream- and burgundy-colored latticed chairs. The cobbled square outside leads to a marbled, intricately tiled interior, where dozens of pastries, cookies, cakes and homemade ice cream flavors can be found. The amber glow becomes more prominent as it complements the cream-colored walls, and chocolate-brown ceiling doning the exquisite gold chandeliers.  “Mado Cafes where pleasant moments are shared at the warmness of home are the sincere spaces where traditional tastes are offered with the new forms. It is privilege to eat Mado tastes at Mado cafes.”

What I ordered: We walked in, knowing that ice cream would be our dinner, and were immediately struck by the sign for a Waffle; the photo enticingly presenting a thin, flower-shaped, laced waffle topped with white chocolate ganache, slices of fresh fruit (banana, strawberry, kiwi) and a dollop of ice cream (we chose a chocolate and sweet cream mix), all drizzled in fresh, house-made strawberry sauce. Our second order, seeing as how one would just not be enough, was for the banana split. A small, glass dish presented with three scoops of ice cream: chocolate, vanilla, and dulce de leche, accompanied by the halved banana, a fresh, halved strawberry, chocolate sauce and crushed almonds.

What I loved: I loved the simplicity and minimalism of the banana split, but the marrying of flavors in the waffle dish was the true love of our dessert extravaganza.

Why I loved it: I love finding the places where the locals go, and it is not difficult to do in Edirne, a mini version of a large European city where everyone feels at home and like a local. I love the conversations had with neighboring tables and staff when they find out we are not Turkish (Chris) and Italian (me), and the stories and laughs we share with our new friends across the globe.

Cost: Average to high (8-12TL per dessert plate)