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 here’s the list of seven of the best Turkish restaurants in London that will really help satiate that craving:
1. Liman Restaurant
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 there as they really welcome you in.
They source most of the fresh ingredients daily, though some of their specialities like dried apples, tart pomegranate molasses, local pepper flakes, pistachios from Antep, sumac and dried rose petals are brought directly from their homeland, Turkey. Liman’s level of commitment is rewarded with repeat customers and accolades that they have won 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 start to any meal. If you’re in the mood for something extraordinary, go for the chef’s special ‘beef vine leaves’ drizzled in a homemade red wine sauce, and you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. Finally, their homemade baklava will blow your mind – it’s the perfect way to finish off any meal.
You’ll find Liman at 60 Penton Street, London, N1 9PZ. Nearest station is Angel.
2. 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’ and the ‘lamb doner’ with salad and sauce. Plus, you get many 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, London, SE1 4TL. Nearest stations are Borough and London Bridge.
3. Gökyüzü
Even today, their family recipes handed down from older generations are running the spectacular show at Gökyüzü. They serve the 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 kickstart your day perfectly, go for the siganture ‘Gökyüzü breakfast’ with a steaming pot of Turkish coffee. It’ll really set you up well for the day ahead!
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 Gökyüzü at the 26–28 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, London, N4 1LG. Nearest station is Harringay Green Lanes. There are other locations too and you can find our more here.
4. F.K.A.B.A.M
Formerly know as Black Axe Mangal, F.K.A.B.A.M really 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 London, but it’s highly raved about by hardcore meat-lovers. 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 also change their menu every Saturday, so keep an eye on their Instagram account for updates.
You’ll find F.K.A.B.A.M at 156 Canonbury Road, London, N1 2UP. Nearest station is Highbury and Islington.
5. 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 pretty bloody fantastic. Despite being based in central London, it won’t not put a dent in your wallet. We’ll cheers to that.
You’ll find Kibele at 175-177 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5PJ. Nearest station is Great Portland Street.
6. 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 serves 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, London, N4 1AG. Nearest station is Harringay Green Lanes.
7. 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, London, N5 1QJ. Nearest stations are Arsenal, Highbury and Islington and Canonbury.
Overall, 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 this list of the best Turkish restaurants in London.