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Mangal II

4 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BH Full details & map

Restaurant: Turkish

Mangal II - © Rob Greig

Time Out says 1 Users say 5/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Oct 27 2011

In business for more than 20 years, Mangal II is the unflagging granddaddy of ocakbasi - with its very own celebrity diners-in-residence, Gilbert & George, still a nightly fixture. It's lasted well, considering it faces stiff competition in this Turkish heartland, notably from its slightly cheaper (unrelated) rival round the corner, Mangal Ocakbasi, which is still full to bursting despite a recent expansion. Mangal II also appears to have lost its tablecloths and with them any comfort advantage over the competition.

But it's easy to see why G&G never cook at home. The menu is long enough to offer different choices every night of the week, and at lunchtime there are meaty, beany stews too. Meze, though well presented, aren't the main attraction (halloumi a bit rubbery, calamares with salad-creamy dip, dinky dolmas, iceberg lettuce). The siren call emanates from the ocakbasi barbecue trough at the back, which is expertly tended by guys crouching over the coals. This is the source of the irresistible grilled meats - including sweetbreads, liver, kidney, quail and the usual sis, spicy beyti and succulent lamb chops - or veg speared on metal skewers. Plates overflow with colourful, crunchy salad and there's warm absorbent bread for the smoky juices.

Pudding choices are minimal, but few make it that far. Service was swift and tables are turned as fast as the hipsters pack in.

Tags: Middle Eastern, Turkish, Hip factor, North East, Dalston, Budget, Restaurant

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Mangal II details

Address

Mangal II

4 Stoke Newington Road N16 8BH

Transport Dalston Kingsland rail or 76, 149, 243 bus

Telephone

020 7254 7888

Mangal II website

Meals served noon-1am Mon-Sat; noon-midnight Sun

Main courses £8.45-£14.45

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Babies and children welcome ( high chairs ), Booking advisable ( weekends ), Takeaway service

Mangal II map

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Comments & ratings 5/5 (Average of 1 rating)

By Tom Andrews - Mar 10 2012

Just come back from a truly appalling meal at the Mangal 2 [the one with Gilbert & George, you know...that one]. Long'ish wait to be seated, loud and uncomfortable lighting, crushed to capacity to get as many in as possible - awful. Our starters were bland, the main courses took ages to arive, my wife's arrived 10 minutes after ours [the Mangal special?], it was cold and sloppy. our two plates of chips didn't even turn up. Ignorant waiters who simply couldn't give a toss just so long as there restaurant is heaving with Dalstonites eager to get a glimpse of G&G. A terrible meal - we will never return and we wanted to warn those queuing not to bother. Avoid like the plague......................

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By Chris - Feb 2 2012

5/5

Well, I'm a regular here and for good reason.
The meat is always succulent, flavoursome and in very generous portions.
The staff are often friendly and attentive, though admittedly during the weekends it does become heavily packed.
I have tried many other local places and Mangal 2 seems to have the right consistency going.
I strongly recommend the reasonable Set Meal which has a bit of everything.

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By Loz - Jan 22 2012

Over rated, overpriced. You can find the same grilled meat at any nearby restaurant with lower prices. Vegetarian main dishes are not even edible, full of salt and oil. Very unfriendly waiters. Dalston has cheaper and better Turkish/Kurdish restaurants just around.

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By L Ozcagatay - Jan 20 2012

Overpriced, over rated. Do you see Turkish people eating there? No. Do not touch the vegetarian options. Try the other Turkish and Kurdish restaurants in Dalston for more authentic food, friendly staff and lower prices.

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By Mike - Nov 2 2011

"But it's easy to see why G&G never cook at home. The menu is long enough to offer different choices every night of the week"

Except G&G eat the same dish every night for 3 months and then change.

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By Sertac Siavash - Jan 30 2011

Just returned from a great night at Mangal 2..
Had a short wait to get in, it was really busy, but it was worth the wait. Love the waiters and the family feel, and the food is Turkish at its finest. The meat was cooked perfectly, recommended for meat lovers like myself.
Saw Peaches Geldof in there as well, what a result.

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By CBizz - Dec 21 2010

You don't know about Turkish food until you've been to Mangal II.
If you're a noob like me, ask the waiters for a selection of their best dishes and they will rustle something up. The service is the best thing about this place. The food suited my Englishness, but there were also many Turkish customers when I visited who seemed happy munching away. Great night out at Mangal II..highly recommended

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By Edith - Oct 31 2010

I love Mangal II (not be confused with other Mangals in the area). At first look its a generic Turkish restaurant, but its actually the best Turkish I've ever been to. The atmosphere warmed up about 8pm, got crowded really quickly but the waiting time wasnt too long for those scrambling to get in. I happened to be dining alongside pop star Plan B on one occasion, and I hear other celebs have been spotted.
The food was just right. Friends and I ordered a selection of starters - the patlican soslu (aubergine dish) was amazing, as was Musga Boregi (feta pastry dish). For mains we ordered different meats, all of them flavoursome but the Iskender was especially impressive.
Friendly and unobtrusive service, and if you like good looking Turkish men, its the place for you. Overall really good experience. I dont usually comment on these sites but just had to point out Mangal II.