Discover the best Turkish Restaurants in London: A Culinary Journey

Discover London's tastiest Turkish treasures, where kebabs are an art and baklava is a sweet sonnet...

By Rex Adams | Updated Jun 4 2024

Skewers of grilled meat, a green pepper, and a bread piece are being cooked over a bed of hot coals. A wok pan is visible in the background with sparks flying, creating a lively grilling scene. — Baraka

London's Turkish restaurants offer a wide range of delicious foods. From traditional grills to modern eateries, you can enjoy authentic kebabs, mezze platters and sweet treats like baklava.

These restaurants mix traditional recipes with new cooking styles to bring out the best flavors of Turkish cuisine. Whether you want the familiar taste of kebabs or something more unique, London's Turkish restaurants provide a memorable dining experience. They not only serve great food but also evoke the warm hospitality and rich culture of Turkey.

Here's our take on the best Turkish restaurants across London.

The Counter

A top view of a wooden table set with assorted dishes: a plate with sausage, sliced bread, tomatoes, herbs, and a dollop of sauce; a tortilla with minced filling; a bowl of pickled vegetables; a beverage with a frothy top; and a dish with cooked meat and green beans. — TheCaterer.com

Multiple locations

Straying from tradition, this restuarant in the heart of the city's culinary scene takes Turkish cuisine to new heights, infusing unexpected elements like chocolate into classic dishes, making even the skeptics raise an eyebrow in delight.

The live-fire grill steals the show, churning out dishes that will leave your taste buds doing a happy dance. Drawing inspiration from the Southeastern Anatolia Region, The Counter is a flavorful journey through the Balkans' cultural heritage.

The menu, a product-oriented and seasonal delight, showcases the prowess of the chefs, who skillfully master various grilling methods from the Middle East.

Gokyuzu

A collage of various dishes from the restaurant Gökyüzü. Featured are a baked dish in a clay pot, interior view of the restaurant, a plate of lamb chops, pide with vegetables, a mixed appetizer plate, a main dish with meat and rice, kebabs, and baklava. — Gokyuzu via Facebook

339 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2TJ

Hailing from a small village near Gaziantep in Turkey, this family brings a taste of authentic Turkish dining to London. The journey started with a longing for true Turkish flavors, and today, Gökyüzü is a celebration of freshness, quality ingredients, and expertly char-grilled succulent meats.

The restaurant's warm and welcoming atmosphere reflects the Yavuz family's commitment to making every guest feel at home. The menu is a tantalizing journey through the Southeastern Anatolia Region, offering delights like the "Full Platter," a communal feast featuring lamb shish, chicken shish, adana kebab, lamb ribs, chicken and lamb doner, chicken wings, rice, and bulgur.

Mangal 2

A smiling person stands behind a kitchen counter, holding a plate with food and offering it towards the camera. A pan filled with sliced meat and vegetables is in the foreground. The person wears a white t-shirt and the background features a tiled wall. — mangal2.com

4 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 7XN

Once the local haunt of artists Gilbert and George, Mangal 2 has undergone a glow-up, now helmed by Ali Dirik's sons, Ferhat and Sertaç.

The revamped menu boasts creative and flavorsome plates, including aubergine söğürme with almonds and grilled mackerel with bulgur, pistachios, and white peaches.

Recently crowned the 35th best restaurant in the UK, Mangal 2 offers a refined dining experience influenced by its rich history and the innovative spirit of its chefs.

So, if you're ready to trade the mundane for the extraordinary, step through those royal blue doors and let Mangal 2's burst of flavors paint your palate in vibrant hues.

Kibele

A white rectangular plate with a variety of grilled meats, including lamb chops, chicken pieces, and skewered vegetables, garnished with herbs and served with a side of cherry tomatoes. — kibelerestaurant.co.uk

175-177 Great Portland St, London W1W 5PJ

Craving a Turkish feast fit for a sultan in the heart of Westminster? Look no further than Kibele, where traditional lunch and dinner offerings come with a side of modern flair and inclusivity.

This halal haven caters to every palate with a vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menu, ensuring everyone gets a taste of Turkey. The spicy chicken skewers, a personal favorite, dance on your taste buds alongside fragrant rice and crisp salad.

But Kibele isn't just about the food; it also has a lower ground floor lounge featuring Turkish dancers, musicians, singers, and DJs.

Yeni

Three plates of braised meat with vegetables are displayed on a countertop. The meat appears to be topped with a red sauce and is served on a bed of greens. The background includes metallic kitchen utensils and a dimly lit setting, creating a warm ambiance. — yeni.london

55 Beak St, Carnaby, London W1F 9SH

Head to Yeni—the crème de la crème of Michelin-star Turkish restaurants in London. Tucked away in Soho, Yeni brings a laid-back vibe to its two-story haven of gastronomic delights.

Helmed by Chef Civan Er, a maestro trained at Leith’s, the menu is a canvas of ever-changing, award-winning dishes crafted over an open fire using the finest local ingredients. Standouts include the manti beef dumplings and the irresistible duck breast sharing platter.

Antepliler

A white plate with grilled lamb chops served with rice and sautéed greens, garnished with a grilled green pepper on a marble surface. Surrounding the plate are three small dishes, one with hummus, another with a spicy sauce, and one with mixed greens and cheese. — Antepliler via Facebook

Grand Parade, 45-46 Green Lanes, Harringey, London N4 1AG

This gem commands attention, claiming a significant presence with its restaurant on one side and an inviting cafe on the other. Renowned as a beloved institution, Antepliler delivers an authentic taste of Gaziantep, transporting diners to the heart of Turkish culinary excellence.

From impeccably grilled kebabs to the irresistible allure of baklava, each dish unfolds like a chapter in Gaziantep's gastronomic saga.

Ev

A spacious, stylishly designed restaurant interior with wooden flooring, an arched ceiling featuring blue accents, and a variety of seating including upholstered and wooden chairs and tables. The walls have a mix of exposed brick and contemporary elements. — evrestaurant.co.uk

The Arches, 98 Isabella St, London SE1 8DD

Ev Restaurant effortlessly combines luxury with affordability, making it a standout Turkish dining experience. The ambiance exudes sophistication, making it an ideal choice for a date night, and with a generous 10% discount for theatregoers, it's even more enticing.

The menu showcases a delightful fusion of Turkish and Mediterranean flavors, with standout dishes like the lamb kofte with bulgur wheat and salad or the perfectly grilled salmon accompanied by a medley of veggies.

While Ev excels in meat-centric main courses, their vegetarian options in mezzes, soups, and sides are hailed as some of the finest Turkish offerings in London.

Meze Mangal

A platter featuring a variety of Mediterranean dishes such as hummus, tzatziki, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), tabbouleh, and various fresh vegetables including tomato slices, cucumber slices, and lettuce. The items are garnished with fresh herbs. — mezemangalrestaurant.co.uk

245 Lewisham Way, London SE4 1XF

The beating heart of this restaurant is the charcoal ocakbasi, a traditional Turkish grill, where culinary enchantment unfolds with dishes like sizzling lamb kebabs, succulent chicken skewers, and exquisitely grilled sea bass and swordfish.

Meze Mangal showcases its prowess in Turkish-style pizzas, the famed Pides, adorned with delectable toppings like minced lamb, Turkish sausages, and vibrant peppers – all without denting your wallet.