Once upon a time, if you had a meze craving, you would venture to Auburn for wood-fired pide, dukkah-crusted meats, and crispy falafels. Now, Sydney’s Turkish fare scene can be found in almost every neighbourhood from Newtown to North Sydney.
For a taste of Istanbul to Izmir, we’ve put together a list of the best Turkish restaurants in Sydney.
Stanbuli
Enmore
This hole-in-the-wall won’t break the bank but will spoil you with authentic Turkish cuisine—with a heavy focus on high-end bar food. Expect unique meze and sofra menus packed with freshly baked bread, charcoaled meats, salads, and condiments. The kind of stuff that steers away from the stereotypical shish or pide. They also offer great vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Turka Cafe Meze Bar
Crows Nest
Turka Cafe is another no-frills Turkish restaurant, serving the local Crows Nest community, and anyone else looking for quality Turkish fare. The restaurant won the 2020 Restaurant and Catering award in NSW, so you know it’s good food. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring homemade dips, chargrilled meats, street rolls, and soft, buttery gozleme.
Hakiki Turkish Ice Cream and Baklava
Newtown
It’s not always about the savoury, Turkish ice cream deserves a spot on this list, and there’s no better place than Hakiki. Here, they serve traditional Turkish ice cream, which for those who haven’t tried it before, has a nougat-like texture. It’s chewy and delicious. You will also find baklava, old school Turkish delight, and other sweets, as well as Turkish coffee.
Above Par
CBD
Enjoy lofty Middle Eastern share plates in an airy glass-walled space in the middle of the city. Whether you’re looking for a late-night pit stop or tasty lunch, Above Par, offers every kind of Turkish dish possible, and indoor or outdoor seating for those balmy summer afternoons. Their ‘puffy’ bread is light, fluffy and the perfect starter, paired with their Kibbeh and Köfte. Pair any dish with a punchy cocktail, including their signature pours or a classic gina and tonic.
Babylon Rooftop
CBD
Babylon is home to Sydney’s largest outdoor rooftop and some impressive Turkish fare. Here, you’ll find a Levantine-inspired venue, with a restaurant, bar, and private dining space, but the bar is the place to be. The cocktail list takes its cues from flavours and spices of the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, plus there’s a whisky list (250+) and more than 400 bottles of international and Australian spirits. The 300 bottles strong wine list is a mix of old and new world wines.
Gözleme King
CBD, Bankstown, and Rhodes
You will find most Gozleme King’s in Westfield shopping centres, but don’t overlook it. This little shop serves up some of the best gozleme in Sydney available in several flavours including classic spinach and feta. You will also find breakfast wraps, kunufe, baklava, and more. It’s a great option if you’re shopping or nearby and want to grab something quick and tasty.
Anason
Barangaroo
This Award-winning restaurant and bar are inspired by the seaside meyhanes of Istanbul. Enjoy the waterfront views, while contemplating which dishes to order, from the contemporary Turkish menu. The food here is designed to expand your tastes, so prepare to travel with your tastebuds. True to its Turkish roots, the drinks menu is just as good as the food. Sample traditional Turkish Raki, sip your way through the wine regions of Turkey or celebrate life with signature cocktails.
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