Meriden, Turkish Restaurant Guide

“Delicious sharing plates” of Turkish food that is “so much more than you’d expect” (for instance, meat is sourced from the organic Rhug Estate in Wales) draws a steady crowd to this 10-year-old St Albans outfit and its spin-offs in Harpenden and Berkhamsted. “It gets really full and buzzy on a Saturday night – probably one to book well in advance”. Top Tip – “the staff cater brilliantly for allergens”.

“The jewel of Cockfosters” at the northern end of the Piccadilly Line – this vibey self-styled ‘Anatolian with attitude’ serves “posh Turkish food” in a “great atmosphere” (“like you’re in a central London restaurant”, according to fans). The grilled meat is “very good”, and “on Saturday night there’s a DJ and people really dress up”. There’s a second branch at The Grove spa hotel near Watford and also (as of July 2025) an outpost in the West End (inside the Horizons Casino in Leicester Square).

“Always a hit” for its “excellent lamb ribs and chargrilled bread”, this Crouch End “favourite” has built a strong local reputation over a decade for “very well prepared and presented Turkish staples”. Top Tip: – “go on Monday to Thursday: it gets frantically busy on Friday and Saturday nights”.

“Always a pleasure to eat” at this “buzzing, brilliant local” in Ladbroke Grove that may be “cramped, crowded and noisy”, but “can’t be beaten for flavoursome, proper Turkish grills” – “BYO is an added bonus”.

2023 Review: The “exquisite kebabs” at this family-run Turk in Kentish Town (which takes its name from the original Victorian sign above the door) have “set the standard in north London for years”. Don’t be put off by the “limited menu and basic amenities (more like a local chippy)” – the food is “fresh, good quality and delicious”, while “service is cheerful”.

An upmarket take on Anatolian cuisine – with an “intriguing selection of food, including the expected Turkish dishes plus plenty of others” – wins praise for this “friendly local restaurant” in Marylebone, which also provides “interesting” Turkish wines on the international list. Top Tip – “really good-value set menu” served until 6pm.

“Fantastic Greek and Turkish dishes, including unusual items, create a memorable meal” (buoyed up by wine from Turkey, Greece Georgia and Armenia) at this “very popular and buzzy (if also crowded and noisy)” two-year-old ocakbasi near the top of the Portobello Road from chef Kemal Demirasal. In April 2024, he opened a sequel in Soho’s Kingly Street (with an ‘Under the Counter’ basement bar), where a variety of cuisines from around the Eastern Mediterranean are the inspiration.