At Zakuska Market and Deli, shoppers can find frozen perogies in the same freezer as boxes of baklava, just steps away from Turkish pistachio paste and Polish pickles.

For years, the Yürek family has run a wholesale baklava company, importing dozens of different types of the sweet, nutty dessert from Turkey for supermarkets and restaurants in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal. One of its clients was the Zakuska Market and Deli, a European grocer that opened in Kanata in 2021.

Beyond the baklava sales, the Yüreks became friendly with Zakuska’s original owners, a Polish-Ukrainian couple. When they mentioned they were looking to sell the shop in 2024, Ömer Yürek was keen to take it on — and bring all the baklava with him.

Given Zakuska’s inception as an Eastern European specialty shop, Yürek has strived to maintain that focus for longtime shoppers while simultaneously adding a plethora of Turkish products.

“We tried to increase the selection,” Yürek says. “People walk in and their eyes [open] wide.”

“Zakuska” in Russian refers to hors d’oeuvres or snacks typically served with a drink. Yürek didn’t contemplate changing the name, in spite of shifting the shop’s focus to feature more Turkish products. “It’s a nice meaning,” he explains, noting that to him, the name encapsulates the sense of hospitality he hopes to share through the store.

Owner Ömer Yürek, top right, welcomes shoppers with Turkish hospitality — often offering a cup of çay or coffee alongside samples of baklava and jewel-toned Turkish Delight. At the deli counter, you can find pastrami and Montreal smoked meat, along with Turkish pastırma — and in the fridge, feta, ayran and Balkan yogurt.

That hospitable spirit is evident as Yürek greets customers, offering a cup of çay or coffee while they browse — or to wash down some of the many sweets Zakuska carries. Along with the abundance of baklava (Yürek’s favourite is a variety with pistachio paste from Antep, a Turkish region renowned for its green nuts), Zakuska provides an eye-catching display of Turkish Delight. Rolls of lokum — the jewel-toned confections with flavours such as rosewater, hazelnuts and pomegranate — can be sliced at the counter to put together custom boxes and gifts or simply for a small takeaway bite.

There are also slices of Euro-style cakes, with layers of chocolate and mousse, and Turkish künefe, a dessert made of thin, shredded phyllo dough with a sweet cheese filling. Next to the cash, there is often a tray of freshly made tulumba — two-bite pieces of fried pastry soaked in syrup. “Like a Turkish Beavertail,” Yürek says with a laugh.

On the savoury side, sandwiches are made to order at the deli counter, and the shop is a popular lunch stop for nearby office workers. Along with Montreal smoked meat and pastrami, Yürek also brings in pastırma, a spiced, salt-cured beef. In the fridge, there are giant containers of feta cheese, Balkan yogurt, fresh Bulgarian-style white cheese, jugs of tangy Turkish ayran and locally made labneh. Packages of çiğ köfte mix — a vegetarian bulgur appetizer — are tucked in next to jars of pickled herring and creamy fish sauce.

Shelves lined with jars of pickles, ajvar, packets of instant borscht, and cans of poppyseed paste for baking can be found near an array of Turkish and European chocolate bars, cookies and other seasonal treats. Yürek says he intends to ensure the shop caters to holidays ranging from Eid to Orthodox Christmas, Easter and New Year’s Eve. A sign on the deli counter advises shoppers to ask for caviar — Yürek keeps the high-end stuff on hand for special occasions.

Zakuska provides a unique fusion of goods, blending Eastern European and Turkish flavours.

“People come in looking for one thing, but then leave with something totally different, too,” Yürek says. Whether shoppers are reaching for borscht or baklava, they’re likely to discover something new — and leave with a taste of both worlds.

Zakuska Market and Deli
101 Schneider Rd., Unit 3, Ottawa
613.668.7335 | zakuskadeli.ca | @zakuskadeli