Feast Like A Sultan At 8 Of Brisbane’s Best Turkish Restaurants

 

Full of bold spices and smoky flavour, Turkish food is one of life’s greatest comforts. Whether you’re throwing hands to get the last scoop of hummus on the meze spread or digging into a slow-roasted kebab decked in herby yogurt, Turkish restaurants are also known for their vibrant details and generous hospitality—making them worth a regular visit whenever your cravings strike. 

Lucky for us, Brisbane/Meanjin is home to a plethora of Turkish restaurants that never fail to hit the spot so when the mood calls for pide, köfte and heavenly Turkish Delight, we’ve found the best spots in town you need to visit:

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Downtown Istanbul

276 Hawthorne Road, Hawthorne

Turkish with a twist—that’s what you can expect at Downtown Istanbul. Think of all the vibes of a classic Turkish bazaar with contemporary flavours melting in your mouth. Zucchini and carrot fritters,  pan-roasted barramundi, and melty, spinach and cheese pides. Their menu is a delight to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. And if saving for that Euro summer has your bank account looking more sad than happy, fear not—dinner here won’t break the bank.

Olive Thyme

293 Sandgate Road, Albion

Founded by two passionate Turkish immigrants, Olive Thyme is authentic cuisine at its finest. As a result, you’ll find dishes here missing from the menus of many other Turkish spots. Tuck into some mercimek kofte (lentil meatballs), begendi (eggplant and lamb stew), and ahtapot (octopus). Not saving room for their dessert is practically a criminal offence. Pistachio gelato, sweet sticky semolina cakes (sekerpare), and stuffed figs… we’re sat. 

Caravanserai

1 Dornoch Terrace, West End

Image credit: Caravanserai | Instagram

“Our treats are dangerously addictive, please approach with caution”is an accurate warning from the chefs at Caravanserai in West End. One bite of their Turkish spiced meatballs will have you begging for more. The cheery and intimate atmosphere makes it the perfect place for a romantic date night, but if that isn’t for you, their large booths are ideal for group catch-ups too. At this licensed venue, you can order a glass of wine or just bring your own and take advantage of their BYO set-up. Don’t leave without trying their famous Turkish lemonade.

Mado Turkish Restaurant

1-3/15 Tribune Street, South Bank

Cancel your flights to Turkiye right now and book a table at Mado Turkish Restaurant—same feel, way cheaper. With belly dancers, a gift shop, and a kids' table, it’s fun for the whole family. Colourful tablecloths, mosaic lamps, and walls adorned with various ceramics and paintings give the restaurant a homey and comforting feel. With booths that can seat up to 18 people, bring the whole gang and share some lahmacun, kebabs, and vegetable casserole, all while sipping your favourite wine. 

Istanbul 1923

385 Gympie Road, Kedron

If you just want classic, delicious Turkish food without the pomp, head down to the Kedron-local favourite, Istanbul 1923. The lamb iskender is something that simply cannot be missed. Think thin slices of charcoal-roasted lamb placed lovingly on a bed of diced pita bread and slathered in tomato sauce, yoghurt and butter. Top it off with an ice-cold Efes (beer) and you’ll struggle to remember that you’re not actually sitting in a lokanta on the Turkish Riviera after an afternoon of soaking in the Aegean Sea.

Ahmet’s

Shop 10/168 Grey Street, South Bank

Image credit: Ahmet’s | Instagram

A staple for QPAC-goers, Ahmet’s is the place to be before hitting up your favourite musical. Grab your pals, book in for a show, and head to Ahmet’s for dinner worthy of being the main event. Their menu is designed to be shared, so order a few pides, chuck some lamb dumplings and chicken gozleme on the bill, and have yourselves a spread like no other. But, if you’re after an unbuttoning-of-the-pants-style feast, why not order the appropriately named King’s Feast banquet?

A La Turk

Shop 1/742 Creek Rd, Mount Gravatt East

The HSP pizza at A La Turk has brought us back from the dead many times. Juicy mixed kebab meat, fresh hot chips, stringy mozzarella cheese and their holy trinity sauce (garlic, BBQ, hot chilli). Not traditional Turkish fare by any means, but an absolutely perfect hangover feed and an inclusion we couldn’t complete this list without. Try the San Sebastien cheesecake for dessert if, like us, you want to recreate the vibes of sitting in the Turkish sun on the streets of Istanbul with the city’s most iconic dessert.

Pera Kitchen

Shop 5/1 Park Road, Milton

Ever wondered if there is a Turkish restaurant in Brisbane where you can sit and have a view of the Eiffel Tower? Not really, actually, but it’s exactly what you can expect at Pera Kitchen. The menu is designed for sharing, but our pick? The smoky eggplant blended walnut and capsicum dips served with their house-made Turkish bread. Couple this with their delicious roasted cauliflower and a couple of pides, and you’ve got yourself a meal fit for a Sultan. And, of course, we think it goes without saying that a stop at Pera without sampling the Turkish Delight ice cream isn’t really a stop at Pera at all. 

Looking to eat your way around the world? You might also like:

• Brisbane’s Best Indian Restaurants
• Brisbane’s Best Japanese Restaurants
• Brisbane’s Best Italian Restaurants

Main image credit: Downtown Istanbul | Instagram