Some of the best food finds in North Carolina hide in plain sight, tucked into strip centers you would normally drive right past. I walked into one expecting a quick grocery stop and walked out with a bag of sweets, a tin of coffee, and a new favorite place.
The shelves smelled like spices and fresh pastry, and someone offered me a warm cup of tea before I even found the baklava. If you love small, family-run spots with a story behind every jar, keep reading.
A Turkish Corner Store on Harrison Avenue
Tucked into a shopping center at 329 N Harrison Ave in Cary, Turkuaz Market looks modest from the parking lot. Step inside, though, and the place opens up like a little passport stamp to Turkey.
Officially, it is listed as a grocery store. In practice, visitors describe it as part pantry, part pastry counter, part coffee hangout, and part gift shop.
Shelves hold Turkish and Mediterranean staples, Middle Eastern products, international goods, frozen foods, spices, and plenty of sweets.
Finding it is easy, since the market now sits right next to Bosphorus, a restaurant many Triangle diners already know. Longtime shoppers remember an earlier spot just up the road before the move.
For North Carolina explorers who love an unassuming find close to home, the market checks every box. It is affordable, welcoming, and packed with things you will not spot at a big-box supermarket.
Family Roots Since 2017
Behind every great neighborhood shop, there is usually a family. Here, that family has been serving the Cary community since 2017, and regulars say you can feel it the moment you walk in.
Shoppers often mention the owner, Erol, by name. When he is not around, his son Emare is usually there to help.
Reviews describe them as kind, patient, and genuinely happy to chat about the products on their shelves.
The owners have shared that they are immigrants themselves, and they speak proudly about treating customers of every background with respect. Visitors frequently use words like locally owned and family owned when they talk about the place.
That personal touch matters. In a world of self-checkout lanes, a store where the owner remembers your face and asks what you are cooking feels rare, and maybe a little old-fashioned in the best way.
Pistachio Baklava Worth the Drive
Flaky, sticky, and shining with syrup, baklava is the treat that keeps people circling back to the pastry case. One visitor called it the best, freshest baklava around and said it was a must-try dessert.
Fun fact: baklava is built from many paper-thin sheets of dough, brushed and stacked, then filled with nuts and soaked in sweet syrup. The pistachio versions are especially loved for their bright green crunch and rich, buttery bite.
Pastries come up often when shoppers talk about the market, so it pays to peek at what is fresh that day. A small box makes an easy gift for a neighbor, a host, or yourself on the drive home.
Pro tip: grab one piece to eat right away and a few more for later. Trust me, the first one disappears faster than you planned.
Simit, the Sesame Ring of Turkish Mornings
Picture a bagel that took a trip to Istanbul and came back with a sesame tan. That is simit, a twisted bread ring that many people in Turkey eat on the go for breakfast.
Shoppers have mentioned simit as one of the treats worth finding here. Its crust is crunchy and nutty from the sesame seeds, while the inside stays soft and slightly chewy.
Back in Turkey, simit is often paired with cheese, olives, and a glass of hot tea. Luckily, this market sells all of those, so you can build a classic Turkish breakfast without leaving the store.
Try tearing a warm simit in half and spreading it with labneh or a slice of white cheese. It is simple, filling, and surprisingly satisfying, which is exactly why it has been a street-food favorite for generations.
Turkish Coffee at the Back Bar
Walk past the shelves toward the back, and you will find something few grocery stores offer: a coffee bar. Several visitors urge newcomers to order a Turkish coffee right there.
Thick, rich, and served in a tiny cup, Turkish coffee is brewed slowly in a small pot called a cezve. The grounds settle at the bottom, so sip gently and stop before the last gulp.
Tea is on the menu too, along with herbal teas for anyone skipping caffeine. Years ago, one shopper wrote that the family would greet guests with a free cup of tea or coffee, and they loved being able to shop with a warm drink in hand.
Even if you only planned to buy rice, a cup here can turn a quick errand into a relaxing little break from the day.
Spice Shelves and Pantry Staples
Home cooks, get ready to slow down. The aisles here are stocked with the building blocks of Turkish and Mediterranean cooking.
Shoppers list rice, bulgur, butter, pastry leaves, pepper paste, and a long lineup of spices. One longtime customer said they keep coming back because the quality of the olives, pepper paste, and spices has stayed consistent for years.
Pastry leaves, by the way, are the thin sheets used for making your own baklava or savory pies at home. Bulgur works beautifully in salads and pilafs, and pepper paste adds a deep, smoky warmth to stews.
The prices are often called very reasonable, which makes experimenting less scary. Pick up a jar of something new, ask how to use it, and you might discover your next weeknight favorite.
Your spice rack will thank you.
Cheese, Olives, and Creamy Labneh
Ask a regular what to buy, and there is a good chance cheese comes up first. Visitors looking for quality cheeses, labneh, and olives say this is a spot that does not disappoint.
Labneh is a thick, tangy strained yogurt that spreads like cream cheese. Drizzle it with olive oil, sprinkle a pinch of spice, and scoop it up with bread for an easy snack.
The olive selection gets plenty of love, with shoppers noting different kinds to choose from. Pair a few varieties with some white cheese, and you have a ready-made platter for guests.
Sujuk, a seasoned Turkish sausage, also shows up on shopper lists. Slice it into a hot pan with eggs for a hearty breakfast.
Few things beat a table full of salty, creamy, savory bites on a lazy weekend morning.
Chocolates, Delight, and Sweet Surprises
Sweet tooth alert. Beyond the bakery case, the market carries a whole world of candies, biscuits, and chocolate bars.
Turkish delight, known as lokum, is a chewy, powdered treat often flavored with rose or studded with nuts. It has been enjoyed for centuries and makes a lovely little gift.
Chocolate fans will find plenty too. Visitors rave about the variety of Turkish chocolates, and one shopper loves the selection of German chocolate tucked among the treats.
Another said the lineup of chocolates and snacks was simply amazing.
Kids especially tend to light up in these aisles, with bright wrappers and unfamiliar flavors begging to be tried. Grab a few to sample on the ride home and keep a stash for movie night.
Comparing favorites with your family could easily become a fun little tradition.
Teas, Soaps, and Little Gift Finds
Holiday shoppers, take note. One visitor stumbled onto exotic teas here and decided they would make perfect stocking stuffers for Christmas.
That same shopper found scented soaps priced so reasonably they were stunned. Shelves also hold Turkish trinkets, so the market doubles as a charming spot to pick up small gifts with personality.
Think about it. A box of loose tea, a fragrant bar of soap, and a little decorative charm wrapped together feels thoughtful without costing a fortune.
It is the kind of present that sparks a conversation.
Winter is a great season to visit for this reason, but birthdays, teacher gifts, and hostess thank-yous work any time of year. Wander the aisles slowly, because the best finds are often tucked between the coffee tins and the spice jars.
Cooking Lessons from the Owner
Here is the part that surprises first-timers most. Buying ingredients often comes with free advice from someone who truly knows how to use them.
One couple purchased Turkish coffee and a small pot, and the owner took time to show them exactly how to brew it. He also walked them through using the spices they had picked out.
Another family said the owner spent more than 30 minutes explaining how to cook Turkish entrees with their purchases. He even pulled up YouTube videos to guide them, and they planned to return for more recipes.
As one shopper put it, this is not just grocery shopping, it is an experience. If you are nervous about cooking something unfamiliar, just ask.
Chances are you will leave with a full bag and a whole lot more confidence in the kitchen.
Cozy Seats, a Piano, and Spotless Aisles
Cleanliness is one of the most common things shoppers praise, and you will notice it right away. Aisles are described again and again as tidy, fresh, and well organized.
The store has also added room to gather. There is a seating area near the coffee bar where you can relax with friends or quietly think about your next purchase.
And yes, there is a piano. One visitor happily mentioned that guests can play it, which gives the space an unexpected, homey charm.
The atmosphere often gets called cozy, and it suits all kinds of visitors. Home cooks, curious foodies, families with kids, and people missing a taste of Turkey all seem to feel at ease.
One shopper even recalled the owner gifting their daughter a small toy, a sweet gesture that says plenty about the warm spirit inside.
Hours, Prices, and Planning Your Visit
Good news for busy schedules: the market is open seven days a week. Hours run 10 AM to 7 PM Sunday through Thursday, with later closing at 8 PM on Friday and Saturday.
You will find it at 329 N Harrison Ave, Suite E, in Cary, right beside Bosphorus restaurant. Call 919-455-1890 with questions, or browse their website at turkuazmarketusa.com before you go.
Prices are frequently described as very reasonable, which makes this an easy, budget-friendly outing. A coffee, a pastry, and a few pantry items can turn into a fun afternoon without draining your wallet.
Planning tip: pair your stop with a meal next door for a full Turkish-themed day. Bring a reusable bag too, since extra plastic bags are not free.
Weekday afternoons tend to be relaxed if you want time to chat.
Why You Will Want to Come Back
Leaving empty-handed is nearly impossible. Between the baklava, the simit, the coffee, and those irresistible chocolates, your bag fills up fast.
What really lingers, though, is the feeling. Shoppers talk about kind owners, spotless shelves, and the joy of discovering ingredients and treats they did not even know they needed.
One Turkish visitor described it as groceries from the homeland, while newcomers call it an amazing find. That mix says a lot.
The market feels authentic to those who grew up with these flavors and welcoming to anyone tasting them for the first time.
So next time you are near Cary, swing by for a coffee and a sweet bite. Ask a question, try something new, and let the family share a little piece of Turkey with you.
Odds are good you will be planning your return trip before you reach the car.
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