The Best Turkish Restaurants In London
As well as serving delicious food, Turkish restaurants are one of London‘s great community centres. Some, like in Dalston and on Green Lane, have been around for years and are woven into the fabric of their areas. But some are also pushing the boundaries of food innovation in the city. From the best doner kebab in London to the iconic Mangal 2, here are the best Turkish restaurants in London.
Mangal 2
Possibly the most sought-after Turkish restaurant in London, Mangal 2 – named after the Anatolian term for open charcoal fire used for cooking – is a true local favourite. Opened by Ali Dirik in 1994, and now run by his son Ferhat, it has been named in the Top 50 by the National Restaurant Awards. Set amid a host of Turkish establishments in Dalston, it combines modernity and innovation with a healthy respect for the heritage of Turkish cuisine.
where; 4 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 7XN
mangal2.com
Leydi
If you’re into chic interiors and great food, you’re going to want to add Leydi to your list. Opening in September, the new all-day restaurant, created in collaboration with renowned chef Selin Kiazim, features generous, celebratory Turkish food meant to be shared. Our top picks include the sucuk, along with the atom and atom dips to start, followed by the house-made döner.
Our top picks include the sucuk, along with the atom and atom dips to start, followed by the house-made döner.
where: 15 Old Bailey, London, United Kingdom EC4M 7EF
Website: www.hydehotels.com
Zahter
Since opening in Soho in 2022, Zahter has quickly become one of the city’s best Turkish restaurants. Led by chef Escra Muslu, it showcases the rich and vibrant flavours of Istanbulite cuisine, mainly based around a wood and charcoal oven.
The menu is continually changed subject to seasonal product availability but is usually a mixture of artichokes, olive oil dishes, appetisers and seafood.
where: 30 – 32 Foubert’s Pl, Carnaby, London W1F 7PS
Website: www.zahter.co.uk
Gökyüzü
Since 1999, Gökyüzü has been bringing a delicious stream of fresh flavours, succulent meat, and freshly baked bread from the Mediterranean to London.
Starting with its Harringay branch, such was the success of the place they now have five London branches, including spots in Finchley, Kentish Town and Park Royale.
Gökyüzü has been bringing a delicious stream of fresh flavour from the Mediterranean to London for 25 years
where: across London
Website: www,gokyuzurestaurant.co.uk
FM Mangal
Not related to Mangal 1 or Mangal 2, apart from the cuisine and quality. This Camberwell spot serves up perfectly spiced kebab and beautifully smoked stuffed aubergine, but it’s the bread that is the real star. Incredibly fresh and painted with a secret spicy rub, it’s enough on its own to make you take a trip.
where: 54 Camberwell Church St, London SE5 8QZ
Website: www.fmmangal.co.uk
Köfteci Metin
When visiting restaurants, are you often crippled by an often overwhelming amount of choice? This might be the restaurant for you. It is pretty much entirely based around meatballs, or kofta (the name literally translates as ‘meatball-maker Metin’).
For the main course, you can go for either the plain meatball or the meatball with cheese – it’s the sides where choice comes into it, an array of sauces, breads and salads.
The menu is pretty much entirely based around meatballs, or kofta (the name literally translates as ‘meatball-maker Metin’).
where: 53 Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, London N8 0RL
Website: www.kofcetimetin.co.uk
Antepelier
Another Green Lanes gem, Antepelier has earned the tag as one of the best doner kebabs in London. We don’t disagree, but there is also much more to this place.
As well as serving a great takeaway kebab, which comes with yoghurt and fresh tomato sauce, it also has a limited seating area in the back where the menu expands in all sorts of delicious ways.
Another Green Lanes gem, Antepliler has earned the tag as one of the best doner kebabs in London
where: 43 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, London N4 1AQ
Ruya
For better or worse, Ruya tries to be something different. While most Turkish restaurants pride themselves on history and longevity, Ruya burst onto the scene with an untypical glamourous veneer. Creative cocktails, wagyu, and dramatic interiors adorn this Anatolian spot, which aims for a definitely modern vibe. Nonetheless, the food is great, from their flatbreads to the börek.
where: 30 Upper Grosvenor St, London W1K 7PH
Website: www.ruyarestaurants.com
The Mantl
The Mantl is a fine-dining Turkish restaurant in the heart of Knightsbridge, aiming to reimagine Turkish hospitality in the city.
Featuring traditional cooking over hot coals and a modern twist on the classics, like their pistachio lamb, and don’t miss out on their giant baklava for dessert.
The Mantl is a fine-dining Turkish restaurant in the heart of Knightsbridge, aiming to reimagine Turkish hospitality in the city
where: 142 Brompton Rd, London SW3 1HY
Website: www.themantl.com
Mangal 1
The older, more casual brother of Mangal 2, Alin Dirik opened Mangal 1 (or Mangal Ocakbaşı) in 1991. Ocakbaşı means a traditional grill restaurant with an open fire, which is what this place made a name for itself doing, the first of its kind in London. It quickly became a fan favourite and has barely changed in 30 years.
Take advantage of its BYOB policy and order as many grilled meats as you and your group can fit.
where: 10 Arcola St, London E8 2DN
