Doner or shish kebabs, kofte, delectable spices, olive oil and lots of eggplants… if hearing all these ingredients was enough to get you hungry for some ‘yaprak dolma’ or ‘baklava’, then we have just the thing! The city of London offers a plethora of the best cuisines in the world – including Turkish – and we’re truly spoilt for choice. Here’s the list of seven of the best Turkish restaurants in London that will really help satiate that craving:
1. Cyprus House
Head over to Harringay for one of London’s best selection of authentic Turkish restaurants. One that sticks out for its popularity and mouth-watering food is Cyprus House, an unassuming hotspot that’s undoubtedly one of London’s favourites.
Specialising in Cypriot cuisine, expect Turkish classics like the Lamb Seftali to lesser-known delicacies like spicy Pulao. We recommend heading here on Friday or Saturday for their famed meze nights, however, the restaurant is open Monday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, boasting an extensive menu, no matter the time.
📌 You’ll find Cyprus House at 630 Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, N8 0SD.
🚇 Nearest station is Harringay Green Lanes.
2. Liman Restaurant
Sticking North, but heading down to Angel, you feel Berivan and Niyazi’s hospitality from the moment you step into their ‘home’ at Liman – which translates to ‘port’ in Turkish. You truly do feel comfortable and at ease, as they really welcome you in for some top-notch Turkish grub.
They source most of the fresh ingredients daily, though some of their specialities like dried apples, tart pomegranate molasses, local pepper flakes, and pistachios from Antep are brought directly from their homeland, Turkey. Liman’s level of commitment is rewarded with repeat customers and accolades that they have collected for the quality of their food.
While you await your main course, try their calamari and hummus, the king prawns with homemade spicy sauce, or any lamb kebab – all of the above are a great way to kick-start to any meal. Finally, their homemade baklava will blow your mind – it’s considered some of the best in the city by many.
📌 You’ll find Liman at 60 Penton Street, N1 9PZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Angel
3. Tower Mangal
They started their journey as Tower Kebab House in 1997 and changed their brand name to Tower Mangal in 2019. They’ve served authentic Turkish flavours near Tower Bridge for over two decades, and also offer Mediterranean and healthier options every day from 11 am all the way until midnight.
Foodies love them for their excellent food served in overly generous portions, their atmosphere with classy décor and truly courteous staff. You’ll often hear their name when people discuss the best Turkish restaurants in London.
When you’re here, don’t miss the ‘lamb shish’ or the ‘lamb doner’ with plentiful salad and sauce. Plus, you get delicious side dishes served alongside the main course, which are all very filling. Although their super-friendly staff and superb service might be alone to pull you back, their affordable prices add another reason to the list.
📌 You’ll find Tower Mangal at 55 – 57 Tower Bridge Road, SE1 4TL.
🚇 Nearest stations are Borough and London Bridge.
4. Gökyüzü
Even today, their family recipes handed down from older generations are running the spectacular show at Gökyüzü. Another Harringay gem, they serve a wide array of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, including traditional kahvalti cooked in a woodfire oven, alongside some lovely meze platters.
What’s more, they’re famous for their mint tea, using freshly-picked leaves. If you’re looking to start your day perfectly, go for the signature ‘Gökyüzü breakfast’ with a steaming pot of Turkish coffee. It’ll really sets you up for the day ahead in the most mouth-watering way!
Besides all this, their affordable rates and cosy ambience will keep pulling you back. They can serve both ravenous meat-lovers and vegetarians equally well and their speciality is the massive sharing platters. Plus, you can never go wrong when ordering any version of their ‘adana hebabs’.
📌 You’ll find You’ll find Gökyüzü at the 26–28 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, N4 1LG. There are other locations too and you can find our more here.
🚇 Nearest station is Harringay Green Lanes.
5. E. Mono
Although we’ve only mentioned a handful of hotspots, it seems like North London is winning when it comes to fantastic Turkish cuisine. Make your way to Kentish Town for this no-nonsense eatery that’s beloved by the local community.
E. Mono are masters of their craft, specialising in the staple shawarma and doner kebabs. However, there’s a diverse selection of Turkish and takeaway classics available so everyone’s satisfied and catered for. You can even order for pick-up or delivery if you’re in the local area and feeling a little lazy,
When it comes to their food, we suggest trying one of their wraps. The falafel has become a favourite for vegetarians and vegans, stuffed with the freshest ingredients that are jam-packed with flavour. We’re totally obsessed with their firey hot sauce, and it’s why we keep on going back for more!
📌 You’ll find E. Mono at 285, Kentish Town Road, NW5 2JS.
🚇 Nearest station is Kentish Town.
6. F.K.A.B.A.M
Formerly known as Black Axe Mangal, F.K.A.B.A.M are a hot contender for being one of the best Turkish restaurants in London. However, given their limited opening hours in the evening from Wednesday to Friday, we highly recommend making a reservation before going.
Their menu can seem very different from usual Turkish restaurants in the capital, but it’s highly raved about by hardcore meat-loving Londoners. They serve quirky dishes like oxtail bone marrow, crispy rabbit and squid ink or lamb offal flatbread, as well as firm favourites like octopus and bam bacon skewers. Rock music complements the intense flavours on your plate, so it’ll give you a pretty solid ambience for a fantastic evening meal. They are also famed for switching up their menu, so keep an eye on their Instagram account for updates.
📌 You’ll find F.K.A.B.A.M at 156 Canonbury Road, N1 2UP.
🚇 Nearest station is Highbury and Islington.
7. Hala Restaurant
Next up, we’ve got some more culinary magic from Harringay and it’s none other than Hala Restaurant, your one-stop-shop for a diverse Turkish feast. Their menu is impressive, with an extensive selection of regional delicacies from across Turkey.
From the perfect Turkish pizzas to incredible Chef’s specials, each bite is as delicious as the last, and we recommend bringing some friends to sample as much off the menu as physically possible. You can’t leave this place without trying a cocktail (or two), especially one of their signature cocktails like the Hayat, a vodka creation with watermelon, strawberry and fresh mint.
📌 You’ll find Hala Restaurant at 29-31 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, Harringay, N4 1LG.
🚇 Nearest station is Harringay Green Lanes.
8. The Counter
This chef-driven restaurant specialising in open-fire charcoal grilling is the ultimate restaurant for fans of Turkish cuisine. The Counter boasts some fantastic vibes and a seasonal menu to match, elevating those Turkish classics to new heights thanks to the refined dishes and immersive atmosphere.
The menu is filled to the brim with alluring options that take inspiration from Anatolia, a large region in Turkey that’s the most populated, and makes up most of the country geographically. Speaking of the menu, we recommend ordering a few of their fabulous small plates to get a truly varied taste of Turkish cuisine. And thanks to their focus on seasonal ingredients, their drool-worthy options are always evolving.
📌 You’ll find The Counter at 108 Golborne Road, W10 5PS
🚇 Nearest stations are Westbourne Park and Ladbroke Grove.
9. Kibele
Go for their lively ambience combined with live music and some belly dancing, and come back stuffed after a sumptuous meal. Kibele is another one of the best Turkish restaurants in London, and rightfully so.
If you’re looking for simplicity, begin with chicken shish, which will keep you hooked until the main course arrives. Plus, their spicy chicken skewers served with salad and rice, and the borek and lamb chops are all bloody fantastic. Despite being based in central London, it won’t put a dent in your wallet. We’ll cheers to that.
📌 You’ll find Kibele at 175-177 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Great Portland Street.
10. Antepliler
Another famous Turkish restaurant based on Harringay Green Lanes, Antepliler is among the best Turkish restaurants in London. It gained popularity over the years and expanded to the next three shops in the lane to serve delectable doners, baklava and kunefe. Their menu is focused on the traditional dishes from Gaziantep, a Turkish city that boasts rich, succulent and spicy cuisine.
If you’re interested in kebabs, go for the ‘yogurtlu tavuk kebab’ – a yoghurt chicken dipped in spicy tomato sauce – or the ‘icli kofte’, which are equally as good. Finally, try the ‘ayran’ from the drinks menu and the sweet kunefe dessert to really complete the meal. They also serve many complimentary side dishes like bread, hummus, and salad, so order accordingly!
📌 You’ll find Antepliler at 45-46 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, N4 1AG.
🚇 Nearest station is Harringay Green Lanes.
11. Mangal II
From the refined artistry of their dishes to the snug interiors, Mangal II has become one of Dalston’s hottest restaurants since its foundations. Fabulous for date night or a food-focused celebration with friends, be sure to check out this must-visit restaurant if you’re a lover of Turkish cuisine.
The innovative ‘ocakbaşı’ restaurant, known for their charcoal cooking methods, was one of the first in London. That tradition reigns true today, with a more refined and experimental approach, unafraid to reference the capital’s global influences seen throughout our culinary scene.
📌 You’ll find Mangal II at 4 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XN.
🚇 Nearest stations are Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction.
12. Iznik
The brick walls at Iznik are decorated with Islamic crafts that welcome every foodie, and they cater as much for vegetarians and vegans as they do for meat-lovers here. You’ll love their ‘meze tasting plates’, ‘dolma platters’, lamb shanks and lamb chops too.
We recommend ordering the ultimate ‘sutlac’ rice pudding to end the lip-smackingly good meal. Overall, Iznik is known for its outstanding food, amazing prices, exceptional customer service and great location – so see what all the fuss is about!
📌 You’ll find Iznik at 19 Highbury Park, N5 1QJ.
🚇 Nearest stations are Arsenal, Highbury and Islington, and Canonbury.
13. Zahter
This Soho gem beautifully blends different Turkish cuisines, taking major influence from the capital Istanbul. Zahter is nestled just off Carnaby Street, and it has stylish, cosy interiors to coincide with its location.
The restaurant shines a spotlight on authentic Istanbulite cuisine, with a menu that’s full of flavour and diverse dishes. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we suggest stopping by Soho in the morning to fuel up on their marvellous egg dishes. The Ispanakli Yumurta is wood oven‐baked eggs, served with spinach, chilli, and a scrummy smoked yogurt.
📌 You’ll find Zahter at 30-32 Foubert’s Pl, W1F 7PS.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
14. Yeni
Sticking with Soho, Yeni is one of the many Michelin-star restaurants here in London, specialising in open-fire cooking and sharing plates.
The funky interiors with exposed brick and contemporary artworks make it the perfect place to indulge in modern Turkish cuisine. Owner, Yeni Lokanta, is one of the most critically acclaimed chefs in Turkey after opening his first restaurant in Istanbul back in 2013, catapulting his career across international waters thanks to this highly recommended eatery in the heart of London’s West End.
📌 You’ll find Yeni at 55 Beak Street, W1F 9SH.
🚇 Nearest stations are Picadilly Circus and Oxford Street.
15. Kazan Restaurant
Relax and unwind at this beloved Turkish restaurant in the bustling centre of the capital, by enjoying some of the stellar dishes and delicacies on offer at Kazan. From their reasonable prices to the excellent customer service, locals rave about this restaurant’s commitment to providing a memorable dining experience.
As for the food, we suggest checking out their fantastic set menus for a varied taste of what this restaurant offers. And if you like what you have, you can even order their pre-marinated skewers straight to your home, ready to cook as you please.
📌 You’ll find Kazan Restaurant at 93-94 Wilton Road, SW1V 1DW
🚇 Nearest station is Victoria.
To conclude, a good Turkish meal consists of excellent starters, filling sides, succulent meats, and sweet delicacies that feel like heaven. So, to get an authentic experience, you’ve got to try out some (or all) of the offerings from this list of the best Turkish restaurants in London.