Alasya

For the inebriated, the first glimpse of Alasya’s glowing street sign – multicoloured bulbs twinkling on Brunswick’s northern end of Sydney Road – is as comforting as a hug from your grandma. Hardly anything has changed about this sultan-sized halal Turkish restaurant in decades; not the wood-panelled walls, padded plastic chairs or glass cabinet filled with Turkish delight and baklava. In the small hours, the staff know you’re here for a kebab, which is why the extensive home-style menu reduces after 10pm to the life-giving basics. Sink your teeth into a juicy chicken kebab, the smoky meat marinated in Alasya’s punchy secret herb and spice recipe. You’re not doing it right if garlic sauce isn’t running down your arm – and you’re doing it even better if you sneak a few fat, fresh, chicken salt-sprinkled chips into each bite. If you’re not into food with faces, then the falafel kebab – the house-made beauties achieving the rare feat of not being too dry – is your new favourite midnight feast.