Food is essential to the people of Türkiye. It is a central part of daily life. The Turkish are warm and friendly and love to sit around chatting with friends and family over coffee or a meal. It is understandable why the Turkish are proud of their cuisine. They have a vast country with a diverse landscape and climate, which makes for a wonderful abundance of seasonal ingredients.
Türkiey’s position on the famous Silk Route influenced the introduction of exciting flavours, spices, and fresh herbs, developing a highly nutritious cuisine full of flavour and fresh tasting. Fortunately, many Turkish restaurants in London serve authentic Turkish cuisine beyond the late-night kebab. Here is our guide to some of the best Turkish restaurants and the gastronomical delights of Türkiye, including the classic Turkish breakfast.
The Best Turkish Restaurants in London
As we look for some of the best Turkish restaurants in London, we discover a cuisine filled with an array of nuts, fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat. The food is flavourful with a bit of spice. So check out our guide to Turkish restaurants in London.
1. Tower Mangal – Specialist Turkish Restaurant in Central London
The owners of Tower Mangal started their restaurant journey in 1997 as the Tower Kebab Shop. However, in 2019, they decided to spread their wings and broaden their brand to Tower Mangal. They bring diners the best of Turkish flavours in pure, authentic Turkish cuisine.
Tower Mangal is incredibly welcoming restaurant and family-friendly. When you arrive, you receive a complimentary salad platter, just enough to whet your appetite before enjoying the mouthwatering main dishes.
- The Adana Kebab comes highly recommended at £17.00.
- The Mix Kebab is succulent at £17.00.
- There is a fantastic range of vegetarian dishes, such as Veggie Pide, for £12.00 and a Veggie Skewer at £14.50.
At Tower Mangal, you receive a warm and genuine welcome, dine in a restaurant with a laid-back atmosphere, and enjoy perfectly cooked meat and delicious vegetarian options. Tower Mangal has to be one of the best Turkish restaurants in London.
Address: 55-57 Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 4TL, United Kingdom
Telephone: 020 7357 6853
2. Coco Grill and Lounge – Anatolian Flavours Near London Bridge
Coco Gril and Lounge serve dishes from the Anatolian Peninsula. Historically is known as Asian Minor as it forms the western extremities of Asia. The restaurant uses seasonal ingredients and certified halal meats.
Coco Grill is in a fantastic position with amazing views over Tower Bridge. There is an outside terrace to appreciate the sights of the River Thames. The interior is beautiful, and the ambience is amazing. The staff are exceptionally friendly and genuinely want to help and ensure you enjoy your meal.
Some of the menu’s highlights include,
- Tender Asado lamb Shank, at £27.00.
- There are grilled chicken wings for £20.00.
- A mixed Coco Shish for £35.00.
The restaurant serves a breakfast and brunch menu at the weekends, which includes Coco Sultan with beef sujuk for £15.50.
It is worth noting that Coco Grill and Lounge is entirely alcohol-free, but they have an exciting menu of Redemption Cocktails and Wines. The Coco Martini at £12.50 is popular, and the Mango Mojito is a favourite for £10.00.
Coco Grill is a relaxed restaurant with a fine-dining vibe, so prices are slightly higher. However, the food is gorgeous, the staff are very attentive, and the location is superb for a Turkish restaurant near London Bridge.
Address: 34a Shad Thames, London, SE1 2YG
Telephone: 020 7407 7999
3. Kibele Restaurant – Classical Halal Turkish Cuisine
Dining at Kibele Restaurant takes you on an intricate journey of flavours and aromas, experiencing some of the finest traditional Turkish cuisines. Some dishes have a contemporary flair with a focus on seasonal ingredients.
Kibele comes from Cybele, an ancient Phyragian Mother of Gods, linked with motherhood, fertility, and nature.
Diners can enjoy Chicken Shish grilled to perfection over real charcoal flames for £19.90.
The Groups Platters are delicious with various flavours and textures, with a selection of meats, salad, rice, and bulgur. Platters come in two sizes.
- Just the Two of Us, for £54.90, is perfect for sharing between two.
- The Big One, for £99.90, is ideal for groups of four to five.
Vegetarians can enjoy a Moussaka at £17.90, while vegans can delight in an Imam Bayildi, an aubergine boat filled with seasonal vegetables and pinenuts, for £17.90.
The portions are generous, but you can take home a doggy bag.
The meat is all halal, and Kibele has cut out the middleman and sources their products direct from the farm.
If you want a Turkish restaurant in London, Kibele is a beautiful restaurant. The service is superb, and the food is fantastic.
Address: 175 – 177 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5PJ
Telephone: 020 7436 0600
4. Gökyüzü – Heavenly Food in East London
Gökyüzü means sky in Turkish, and the restaurant describes their food as heavenly, with its inspiring flavours. Gökyüzü uses recipes passed down through generations and family members enjoyed in their grandparent’s kitchen in Türkiye. The family-owned restaurant prides itself on Turkish hospitality and welcomes guests in true Turkish style at its five restaurants in London.
Gökyüzü Harringay opens at 8 am daily, and between 9 am and 4 pm, they serve one of the best Turkish breakfasts in London. Options include,
Up to three people can enjoy a Sharing Platter, priced at £39.50. It includes fried eggs, cheeses, grilled spicy beef sausage, filo pastries, mushrooms, pickles, honey, Nutella, tahin pekmez, bread, and seasonal fruits.
Consistently done to a high standard, the food is fantastic, the ingredients are fresh, and the service is excellent.
The restaurant serves a variety of popular mezes, as people love a tapas-style meal. Options available include,
- A small mixed meze for two to three people, at £15.50. A larger version for four to five people to share is £18.50.
- A Hot Mixed Meze is £20.50.
- For dessert, the Künefe is good at £7.50.
Gökyüzü offers a genuine, authentic Turkish restaurant in London where you can enjoy Turkish food and hospitality at its best. Add this superb restaurant to your list for a delicious Turkish breakfast in London.
Address: 26 – 28 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, London, N4 1LG
Telephone: 020 8211 8406
5. Antalya Restaurant – Culinary Landmark
Antalya Restaurant in London combines Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine that embraces today’s gastronomic diversity. It is an exceptional restaurant which provides a peaceful haven in a busy part of the capital.
Recommended starters include Falafel and Borek, both at £7.25, and Babaganoush at £7.30.
The Adana Kebabi is perfectly cooked, tender, and moist for a main dish for £17.95.
The Iskender Chicken, at £18.50, is full of flavour, colour, and texture.
Freshly decorated, Antalya has a bright and airy feel. The staff are welcoming, attentive, and family-friendly, and the restaurant is in a perfect location.
Address: 103 105 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 4HH
Telephone: 020 7580 5355
6. Efes Restaurant – One of the Seven Wonders
Named after the historical city and one of the seven wonders, Ephesus, Efes opened in 2021. However, it is not chef Kazim’s first venture into the restaurant business. He opened his first London restaurant in 1975. Efes prepares its meals from scratch using the finest and freshest ingredients.
Efes restaurant in London is a vibrant and lively restaurant with friendly staff serving dishes bursting with flavour and beautifully presented.
- The lamb kebabs are incredibly tasty at £15.50, and the Chicken Iskender is delicious at £18.00.
- Several delicious vegetarian options include a Moussaka at £16.00 and a Sebze Sote at £17.00.
If you want an authentic Turkish restaurant in London is an excellent restaurant with high-quality food and fabulous service.
Address: 56 Maple Street, London, W1T 6HN
Telephone: 020 7636 1953
7. Likya – Golders Green
Likya Golders Green is an authentic Turkish restaurant. It is a fantastic restaurant with an extensive menu offering reasonably priced food.
There is an array of Turkish starters, including,
- An appetiser of Tarama, a fish roe paste, at £5.45.
- Yaprak Sarma stuffed vine leaves for £5.45.
- Hot starter choices include Lahmacun, a Turkish pizza topped with mince, at £3.50.
The Lamb Beyti is tender, tasty, and freshly prepared for a main course for £13.95.
Likya Golders Green is a busy Turkish restaurant in London. The staff are polite, and the food is fresh.
Address: 68 – 70 Golders Green Road, London, NW11 8LN
Telephone: 020 8455 7171
Tips for Eating at a Turkish Restaurant in London
- What are popular Turkish dishes? Türkiye has several popular dishes. Some you might have heard about, such as Baklava. It is an iconic sweet pastry, and over the years, I have spoken to many Turkish people, and it is a dish that reminds them of home. Other favourites include the Pide, a Turkish flatbread topped with meat, cheeses, and vegetables.
- What is a typical Turkish breakfast? Tomatoes, cucumber, eggs, olives, and bread.
- What drinks are popular in Türkiye? Coffee is a part of daily life in Türkiye, so much so it was added to Türkiye’s intangible heritage list by UNESCO in 2013.