Restaurants

This popular little restaurant, set on the busy main drag, needs to get its door fixed so it stops swinging open – but there isn’t much else to criticise here. Izgara soƒan, grilled onion with pomegranate sauce, is served as a complimentary starter and remains a house speciality. A plate of onion with chilli also appeared soon after we arrived, and a salad. There’s a perfectly decent range of meze available in addition to these dishes, should you be ravenous. Reliefs depicting ancient Mediterranean empires decorate the walls. The small interior was very crowded on our visit, populated by fans of the exceptional grills. The outstanding adana kebab with fresh spices, sumac and cumin, shows what all the fuss is about. Cirrik’s success has led to the opening of a number of branches, but this original remains our favourite. Just occasionally dishes have been less than 100% perfect and it’s possible that the business may be spreading itself a little thinly, but everything was fine on this visit.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009