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A classic red London bus has been given a cultural makeover by historic Turkish confectionery brand Hafiz Mustafa 1864, which turned the iconic vehicle into a mobile Turkish tea room as part of a unique cultural initiative.
The event offered a reimagining of the quintessential British afternoon tea experience by replacing English tea and cakes with Turkish tea, baklava, and Turkish delight. Inside the refurbished double-decker bus, passengers were treated to authentic Turkish refreshments served in traditional tulip-shaped glasses and ornate copperware.
Accompanied by live oud music, guests toured central London, passing landmarks such as Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. Staff dressed in custom Hafiz Mustafa uniforms completed the immersive cultural experience.
The event coincided with the launch of Hafiz Mustafa’s new branch in Knightsbridge and the opening of a 3,500-square-meter production facility in North London. Founded in Istanbul in 1864 during the final decades of the Ottoman Empire, the company is globally renowned for its handcrafted sweets and desserts, including baklava, lokum (Turkish delight) and kunefe.
Alongside tea and desserts, guests on the bus were also offered rose water and fresh pistachios, highlighting Türkiye’s rich culinary heritage.
Initially planned as a one-time promotional activity, the mobile tea room attracted considerable interest from both London locals and tourists. The strong reception has prompted the company to consider making the bus tour a recurring event.
Hafiz Mustafa has seen rapid international growth in recent years amid a surge of global interest in Turkish sweets. The company is currently constructing a 45,000-square-meter factory in Istanbul and has plans to open new outlets on Oxford Street in London and at Souk Madinat in Dubai.
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