London’s best Turkish restaurants

What is it? A cult classic in Camberwell. 

Why we love it: This longstanding Camberwell favourite is famous across the city for the most simple of dishes; bread. But FM Mangal’s bread isn't any old bread, it’s bread that’s been sitting underneath the grill, soaking up all those magnificent meat juices. It’s served alongside their special onion dip, a bowl of rosy pink, pomegranate and sumac-infused god-tier liquid. Kofte, kebabs, moussaka are all excellent too, but it’s the bread you’ll go home dreaming about. 

Time Out tip: There’s a little balcony upstairs if you fancy munching your meat juice-soaked bread alongside views of lively Camberwell Church Street.

Address: 54 Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell, SE5 8QZ.

Opening times: 12pm-12am every day.

Expect to pay: Cold meze from £6, hot meze from £7.50, mains £20-25. 

What is it? A deeply cool Dalston restaurant with elevated Turkish dishes.

Why we love it: A refined yet endlessly satisfying dining experience in the heart of Hackney. A few years ago, Mangal II was given a menu makeover by Sertaç Dirik – son of owner Ali – who put his heart into saving the spot from possible closure. Sertaç, winner of Time Out’s hottest chef award, has since moved on to his own joint (Kid in Soho), but many of his dishes remain, and the restaurant is a prime example of the many nuanced flavours Turkish cuisine is made up of. Kick your meal off with sourdough pide and cultured kaymak butter or cull yaw kofte with grilled apple. Majestic mains such as ımam bayıldı or lamb neck with bulgur and smoked yoghurt alongside a great list of natural wines, make this a very contemporary take on Turkish cuisine. 

Time Out tip: Sing by on Thursday and Friday lunch for a special £25 set menu (and add on the rose sorbet with grilled blood orange, rose petals and piṣmaniye for an extra £9.

Address: 4 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XN.

Opening times: Mon 5.30–11 pm, Tue closed, Wed-Thu 5:30–11 pm, Fri-Sat 12–3 pm & 5.30–11 pm, Sun closed.

Expect to pay: Starters are around £10, mains are between £20 and £28, with a standout beef rib for £67. 

What is it? No-frills Turkish street food on a Haringey side street.

Why we love it: This spot proves you don’t need bells and whistles when it comes to decor - if the food is this good then it quickly becomes the stuff of legend. Slightly off the smokey streets of Green Lanes and its back-to-back mangal restaurants is Durak Tantuni. For over two decades this small and mighty late-night spot has served up just two simple things – well, one thing but in two different types of bread. Spiced lamb mince cooks in the middle of a wide silver pan and you can choose from a wrap or chunkier bread, making it more of a sandwich. Neither disappoint. Served with sumac onions and a wedge of lemon, it’s food simplicity royalty and a midnight meal that you won’t regret in the morning. 

Time Out tip: Double up on the wrap for an extra 50p in order to be truly satisfied.

Address: 390 West Green Road, Haringey, N15 3PX.

Opening hours: Every day 12pm-2am.

Expect to pay: £4.50 for a single wrap, £5 for a double and £9 in bread.

What is it? Amongst Green Lanes’ hub of Turkish restaurants, superstar Hala is an undeniable leader.

Why we love it: This family-run spot has stood the test of time since opening in 2002, with mouth-watering recipes and outstanding service. It’s hard to go wrong with a menu this great, but fan favourites include lahmacun (colloquially known as Turkish pizza), mantı, and ali nazik with lamb, featuring a smoked aubergine puree and a buttery yoghurt dressing. Their beloved hand-rolled-to-order gözlemes (crispy, golden pastry dishes that come with various meat and veggie fillings) are also a must.

Time Out tip: Gözleme is only available between 8am and 4pm, but if you order one, your first cup of Turkish tea is on the house.

Address: 29-31 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, Harringay, N4 1LG.

Opening times: Mon-Fri 10am-2am, Sat-Sun 9am-2am.

Expect to pay: Gozleme around £7, starters around £10, main kebabs around £25.

What is it? A modern Turkish restaurant with great, experimental dishes. 

Why we love it: An independent Soho restaurant with a well-deserved mention in the Michelin Guide, Yeni offers modern sharing plates cooked over an open fire, elevating Turkish recipes and cooking techniques to create contemporary, experimental flavour. As you’d expect from a spin-off of famed Istanbul restaurant Yeni Lokanta, prices aren’t the cheapest, but you’ll be taken on a serious culinary journey. Must-try dishes include the mantı offerings (dried aubergine or beef with double fermented yoghurt)  and the oak-roasted organic salt marsh cut of lamb with wild samphire and chilli. 

Time Out tip: Don't skip the excellent starter of tava bread with spicy carrot and walnut tarator.

Address: 55 Beak Street, Soho, W1F 9SH.

Opening times: Mon closed, Tue-Thu 12-2.45pm & 5.30-10pm, Fri 12-2.45pm & 5.30-10.30pm, Sat 1-10.30pm, Sun 1-9pm.

Expect to pay: Starters range from £15 to £29, and mains are between £25 and £44. 

What is it? Some of the finest Turkish meatballs you’ll ever eat.

Why we love it: Köfteci Metin, which translates to ‘meatball-maker Metin’ as a nod to the owner’s storied reputation, knows what it’s good at. If you’re the kind of person who gets overwhelmed by massive menus, then this might be the perfect place. The only mains are plain köfte and köfte with kaşar cheese. The sides are where you get to make proceedings more personal. Piyaz, made from white beans, onions and parsley, is a must when you’re having köfte in Turkey. If you have space for it, the çoban salad with tomatoes, parsley, cucumber, and onion, and the chef’s cacık also go amazingly with the juicy meatballs.

Time Out tip: Make sure to try the humble yet delicious Turkish soft drink, Gazoz. It’s a beloved carbonated, sweetened lemonade.

Address: 553 Green Lanes, Haringay, N8 0RL.

Opening times: Mon 12pm-10pm, Tues-Sun 12pm-11pm.

Expect to pay: Standard kofte £15, sides around £7.

What is it? Styled as a ‘meyhane’ - the raki-soaked Turkish equivalent of a provincial British gastropub with good food, good drinks, and the strong likelihood of banter - Kismet is the latest in a long line of impressive residencies upstairs at Borough Market’s Globe pub.

Why we love it: It bridges the gap between London’s old school Turkish institutions and the chichi Euro small-plates scene. Which makes sense, as it’s run by Dom Hamdy of the Bistro Freddie and Crispin coterie of restaurants alongside former Bibi and Harwood Arms chef Keiran Mustafa, who was recently cooking at nearby Oma, the UK's first Michelin-starred Greek restaurant. The menu leans more Cypriot than most mangals (Mustafa’s family moved here from Cyprus in 1964 and the year is imprinted on neat branded plates) with fresh and herby, Levantine flavours. 

Time Out tip: The set menu (£48 a head) seems to be the best and easiest way to go. It does however come with constant warnings not to fill up too early, and to definitely not add anything extra. It’s the opposite of upselling and we’re here for it. 

Address: The Globe Tavern, 8 Bedale Street, Borough, SE1 9AL.

Opening hours: Mon closed, Tue 5-9.30pm, Wed 12.30-2.30pm & 5-9.30pm, Thu-Sat 12.30-2.30pm & 5-10pm, Sun 12-4pm.

Expect to pay: Set menu £48, meze £6-9, meats from the mangal £22-30.

What is it? A Michelin Guide-approved affair, established by chef Esra Muslu.

Why we love it: This Istanbulite eatery was founded by Esra Muslu, who made a name for herself at Ottolenghi Spitalfields and Istanbul’s Soho House. As a reflection of the restaurant’s commitment to using nothing but totally fresh produce, the menu changes often, though almost all items on the menu carry the aroma of fire thanks to the charcoal and wood-burning grills. Zahter’s enginar çiçeği, a whole artichoke filled with spiced rice, almonds, and pomegranate is nothing less than divine, while the freshly made baklava is up there with the best in town.

Time Out tip: You can take Zahter’s fresh flavours away with you and buy a selection of their homemade jams; chilli is a personal favourite.

Address: 30-32 Foubert’s Place, Soho, W1F 7PS.

Opening times: Tue-Sat 11.30am-10.30pm.

Expect to pay: Starters £10-15, mains around £25 or £25-60 for larger sharing dishes.

What is it? A lionheart of a restaurant serving divine dishes for affordable prices.

Why we love it: Yamabahçe sits between Marylebone and Mayfair and, despite its premium location, is surprisingly soft on the wallet. Owner Alan Yau – the restaurateur who also founded Wagamama and Hakkasan – is said to have picked the name as a homage to his and his wife Jale Eventok’s heritage (Yama means mountain in Japanese and bahçe means garden in Turkish). Most people head for indulgent pide flatbreads with sumptuous toppings but the tandır (slow-roasted lamb shoulder with pilav), and mantı (Turkish dumplings with beef, lamb, yoghurt, and butter) are absolute dreamboats, too.

Time Out tip: Yamabahçe is extremely popular, but doesn’t take reservations and only accepts walk-ins.

Address: 26 James Street, Marylebone, W1U 1EN.

Opening times: Daily 10am-10pm.

Expect to pay: Pide flatbreads around £10, mantı £12.

What is it? A cosy Hoxton space for supper clubs and pop-up dinner experiences headed up by esteemed Turkish chefs.

Why we love it: Dükkan isn’t your traditional Turkish restaurant. Based in Hoxton, it’s only open on certain days of the month, when they throw their doors wide for an array of guest chefs. A recent series saw Turkish-Cypriot chef and author Meliz Berg pitching up for a series of evening dinners, while others have included a seafood-centric menu from Turkey’s Horasan Balik, and a Mediterranean tour with Mehmet Ali Börtücene. Keep your eyes peeled for their next collabs, and book early as they sell out.

Time Out tip: They advertise events through social media and the only way to RSVP is through Instagram.

Address: 227-229 Hoxton St, Hoxton, N1 5LG.

Opening times: Dependent on event.

Expect to pay: Again, it depends on the event but their supper club with Meliz was £70 a head.

What is it? A Knightsbridge hotspot showcasing tradition and innovation on the same plate.

Why we love it: Themed around families gathering around the welcoming warmth of a fireplace and mantlepiece, The Mantl glows with amber-hued light pouring from glass lamps. Kick off the meal with zesty cranberry kısır, fresh tabbouleh, and velvety mantl dumplings. For mains, you can’t go wrong with juicy pistachio lamb cutlets or the reimagined iskender made from charred tenderloin slices. The perde pilav (rice with blackcurrant, almonds, and pine nuts housed in filo pastry) is a rare dish to find in London, and gives the perfect balance between sweet and savoury.

Time Out tip: The milk kadayıf is a smooth and creamy treat and the perfect ending to a meal.

Address: 142 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW3 1HY

Opening times: Daily 12pm-10.45pm

Expect to pay: Starters £10-20, mantl skewers around £25, set lunch £25 for two courses.

What is it? A classy and contemporary spot for date nights and big celebration meals.

Why we love it: Haz is pleasing on the eye as well as the tastebuds - in fact, it’s so pretty that their redesign bagged a Restaurant Bar Design Award a few years back. Inspired by Turkish coffee, there are burnt cocoa and cream hues throughout and dark and wavy wooden slats across the ceiling to represent the ripples in a cup of the good stuff. Aside from their hearty meat dishes, impeccably seasoned seafood, and mouthwatering mezes, there are rarer Turkish dishes; the sauteed lamb’s liver with sumac, pickled red onions, and a buttery sauce is full of flavour, and the sea samphire with pine nuts (aka börülce) is a triumph.

Time Out tip: While it’s not on the menu, those in the know can ask for chilli lavash bread (a thin, Middle Eastern flatbread) to accompany their meal.

Address: 6 Mincing Lane, City, EC3M 3BD.

Opening times: Daily 11.30am-11.30pm.

Expect to pay: Most starters are £9.50, koftes and shish £23-26.

What is it? A legendary, multi-site restaurant and bakery on Green Lanes in Harringey. 

Why we love it: Antepliler is another Green Lanes mainstay, and synonymous with Turkish cuisine in the capital. It started as a bakery in 1993, with owner Ahmet Üstünsürmeli bringing the art of authentic baklava-making to London. That same year, Üstünsürmeli went on to open an adjoining restaurant. Since then, Antepliler has become so extraordinarily popular that it’s opened more side-by-side locations to meet demand. One specialises in döner dishes, the second in baklava and other sweet treats, and the third is a restaurant that offers pides, kebabs, seafood, mezes and more. It’s the perfect edible ‘choose your own adventure’. Antepliler, which means ‘those from Antep’, stands out with its local specialities from the gastronomic capital of Türkiye: Gaziantep. Some hard-to-come-by bits to consider ordering include çiğ köfte (cured lamb meatballs with bulgur, spices, and veggies), zeytinyağlı patlıcan dolma (rice and veg stuffed dried aubergines), and soğan kebab (chargrilled lamb köftes with shallots in a pomegranate sauce). 

Time Out tip: Antepliler is renowned for serving London’s best künefe, a cheese-filled syrupy dessert made with spun pastry and served with clotted cream and pistachios.

Address: 43-47 Green Lanes, N4 1AQ.

Opening times: Varies based on outlet – the main restaurant is temporarily closed for refurbishments but is reopening soon. 

Expect to pay: Mezze items around £8.50, koftes and shish range from £16.50-£29.

What is it? A hotspot for grilled fish to remember. 

Why we love it: A relaxed, cafe-style spot with branches in Mayfair and Ladbroke Grove, Fez Mangal is home to proudly displayed clay ovens, where most dishes are cooked. While the chefs here are absolute geniuses with all things meat, their grilled whole fish offerings are also pretty dreamy. It’s an easygoing kind of place, so expect a busy atmosphere and speedy service. The Mayfair branch is slightly more expensive (for the same dishes), so head to their Ladbroke Grove restaurant instead.

Time Out tip: Pair your meal with a Turkish drink; nothing beats raki, but refreshing and salty yoghurt-based ayran is the best non-alcoholic option.

Address: 104 Ladbroke Grove, W11 1PY and 3 Shepherd Market, Mayfair, W1J 7PB.

Opening times: 12-11.30pm daily at Ladbroke Grove and 12-11pm at Mayfair.

Expect to pay: Pides from £14 to £18.50, and kebabs around £20 at the Ladbroke Grove location. Prices are slightly higher in Mayfair. 

What is it? A well-established favourite in the Turkish dining scene with locations across London, including Green Lanes. 

Why we love it: Gökyüzü has remained a crowd-pleaser for lovers of Turkish food since it was established on Green Lanes in 1999. Expect generous portions of classic, hearty dishes like ali nazik (lamb or chicken shish with chargrilled aubergines and yoghurt) and kavurmali pide, featuring lamb cutlets, mozzarella and egg. The eatery has also made a name for itself with its welcoming staff. There are now five branches of Gökyüzü dotted across London. While it is always wise to make a reservation, it is very rare for Gökyüzü to not have a table available for walk-ins.

Time Out tip: If you’re hungry but on a tight budget, the lahmacun is delicious, filling and only £7.50.

Address: 26-28 Grand Parade, Harringey, N4 1LG.

Opening times: Depends on the location 

Expect to pay: Cold meze around £6.50, hot meze around £7.50, mains from £15-20. 

What is it? A moody, evocative experience which will transport you to Ottoman-era kitchens. 

Why we love it: Ishtar, named after the ancient Sumero-Babylonian goddess of fertility, love, and light, can be found in the heart of Marylebone. While the entrance level, accented with emerald and burgundy hues, offers standard seating options, the basement is far more atmospheric, with dim lighting and booths tucked into arches. Aside from classic Turkish fare such as sucuk and hellim, dolma, and charcoal grills, they also offer some pretty decent Ottoman-inspired dishes. The signature dish, meyveli kuzu (tender, slow-cooked lamb with pears and apricots served with bulgur wheat) showcases the Ottoman tradition of cooking meats with the sweet nectar of fresh fruit. 

Time Out tip: While it’s not featured on the menu, Ishtar offers kısır (spicy bulgur wheat salad), and ali nazik (smoked eggplant puree with lamb) to those in the know.

Address: 10-12 Crawford St, Marylebone, W1U 6AZ

Opening times: Sun-Thu 12-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: Mains average around £24, with a few dishes like the beef fillet and lobster tail breaking past £40. 

What is it? An affordable spot for smoky dishes. 

Why we love it: When you’re walking up to Notting Hill’s Lokkanta, the first thing you’ll notice is the intricate wall art depicting Adile Naşit, one of Türkiye’s most beloved actors. Inside, you’ll be welcomed by more iconic faces, including actor Şener Şen and musician Müslüm Gürses. Thanks to an open barbecue, the restaurant is filled with inspiring aromas, and prices are incredibly affordable with cold mezes going for £7.50 and hot mezes costing £9.50. The mains range from £16.50 to £30.50, and the best of the bunch are the lamb shish, tavuk kanat (marinated chicken wings), and pirzola (lamb chops). 

Time Out tip: If you’re getting meze, the Lokkanta Special Grill for One is generous enough to be shared among two, and gives you the chance to try a bit of everything.

Address: 31 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, W2 4UA.

Opening times: Daily 11.30am-11pm.

Expect to pay: Kebabs from £17.50, or a meze platter for 2 for £22.50. 

What is it? A friendly spot in Wembley.  

Why we love it: Located right by Wembley Park station, this great Turkish spot is ideal for a pre-concert or pre-match feast. In keeping with Turkish tradition, every customer is welcomed with complimentary starters, such as a zesty salad, some warm bread, and a couple of saucy Turkish dips. As the name suggests, the restaurant specialises in comforting mezes and fire-grilled kebabs, but their seabass and salmon are also firm favourites. At the end of the meal they’ll often surprise you with Turkish delight.

Time Out tip: Check what the complimentary starters are before ordering your mezes, in order to avoid ending up with double portions of the same dish.

Address: 131 Wembley Park Drive, Wembley Park, HA9 8HQ.

Opening times: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-1am.

Expect to pay: Cold meze around £6.50, hot meze around £7.50, mains from £15-20. 

What is it? High-end Turkish dishes in the middle of town.  

Why we love it: Named after the ancient goddess of fertility and spring, expect beautiful plating practices, atmospheric design, and attentive service at Kibele. While the Great Portland Street restaurant’s menu is heavily Turkish-inspired, options like the wagyu burger colour outside the lines. The most popular dishes include the mantı, sea bass, salmon, and the mixed grill. If you’re looking for somewhere you can head to as a large group, this is the perfect spot as the staff has mastered the art of speedy hospitality.

Time Out tip: You can have the Kibele experience for cheap if you stop by for a weekday lunch. A two-course meal will cost you £20 or you can upgrade to three courses for and extra £5.

Address: 175-177 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PJ

Opening times: Mon-Thu 12-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12-10.30pm.

Expect to pay: Light mains £20, grills £25-30, steaks and signatures £29-46.