Sip of Joy Café & Bakery — Restaurant in Boston

A cozy corner of simple Turkish delights in South End.

While there are many Turkish bakery and coffee shops in Boston, South End and South Boston doesn’t have a lot of options. Sip of Joy filled this niche and brought a much-needed splash of Turkish goods to the neighborhood.

On my recent visit around their opening hour on a Sunday, I found the shop nice and quiet. As the first customer of the day, I was greeted by the owner, Matt, who provided a comprehensive rundown of their pastry selection. Though not extensive, the cafe provided a well-curated mix of sweet and savory Turkish pastries, and Matt’s emphasis on providing more savory options set Sip of Joy apart from other Turkish bakeries in the city.

Along with some of the pastries, I got a cup of traditional Turkish coffee that came out in a gorgeous cup. The coffee was well-balanced, and I liked how it didn’t have too much tart residue at the bottom.

Some of my favorite pastries were the cheese & dill Turkish bread and the Quiche of the day. Both were served warm, and the insides were soft and fluffy. The sweet selections like the pistachio cookies were also solid.

Sip of Joy might not have an exhaustive list of pastries, but overall, it offers a charming and authentic Turkish cafe experience. Highly recommend giving them a try if you’re looking for traditional Turkish treats and a cozy,...

Checked out Sip of Joy on a cold Boston morning. At 7 AM, there was still plenty of street parking. Inside had a cozy feel, like someone's dining room.

I got a Turkish coffee with light sugar, baklava (which came as a pair), and a simit (Turkish bagel) with Laughing Cow cheese. The person working, Matt, was very friendly and gave me Turkish knowledge drops on all of the different pastries and Turkish coffee.

The Turkish coffee was hot, as it was freshly brewed. I did not taste any bitterness even with only light sugar, so I probably would do no sugar next time, as I don't mind bitterness, and no sugar is more traditional. It was just what I needed to warm me up early in the morning. It also came with a pistachio flavored Turkish delight.

The baklava was pretty good. A bit on the sweeter side, but I liked the chewiness and nuttiness. It was also cold.

The simit was too thick/tough for my liking, but I was happy to have tried it for the first time.

My total came out to be almost $20, so it was a bit expensive. However, I enjoyed my visit overall, and my conversation with Matt is what...

If you're in Boston's South End and looking for a cozy spot that blends Turkish and American flavors, Sip of Joy Café & Bakery is a must-visit. Located at 661 Tremont Street, this family-run café, opened in July 2023 by owners Matt and Burju Sari, offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. ​

One of the highlights is their traditional Turkish coffee, brewed slowly to perfection and served in charming mugs adorned with scenes from Istanbul. Pair it with their milk baklava, a creamy twist on the classic pastry filled with pistachios and topped with cocoa powder-dusted whipped cream. ​

The pastry counter boasts a variety of treats, from savory börek (flaky phyllo pastry) to rich walnut brownies and tart lemon bars. On Sundays, they offer a traditional Turkish breakfast buffet featuring fresh bread, olives, cheeses, tomatoes, and cucumbers—a delightful way to...