Where To Eat Turkish In London, According To Murat Kilic

Don’t expect to dine on traditional Turkish fare at one of Murat Kilic’s restaurants. The chef behind Amber – the Aldgate restaurant known for its Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired dishes – is part of a growing wave in London’s food scene led by chefs unafraid to move beyond heritage, who are blending classic techniques with freer, more borderless cooking. Kilic’s next project, Ara, opening in May, takes that philosophy even further.

“With Ara, I’m removing boundaries altogether, creating a space and menu where global flavours can meet, evolve and be celebrated without labels,” he says. “No borders – just flavours.”

Interiors at Ara | Credit: Burak Can Aksit, Oh Gravy! Media

Kilic is Turkish, but his restaurants are not. “With Amber, I introduced a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired menu that takes influence from far beyond its roots,” he says. “To get there, I think we as a community need to come out of our shells, be curious and borrow techniques and ideas from other cuisines. That’s how we grow.”

Still, his respect for London’s old-school Turkish joints runs deep. “London has no shortage of authentic Turkish ocakbaşı restaurants,” Kilic says, “and I hope they stay exactly as they are. But we also need more places like Mangal 2, where there’s room to experiment and evolve.”

Murat Kilic, left, and dining at Ara | Credit: Burak Can Aksit, Oh Gravy! Media

From garlicky paça soup to properly charred lamb liver, here are Kilic’s go-to spots for Turkish food in the capital.

1. Enfes Ocakbaşı, Enfield

Best for charcoal-grill delights

A proper ocakbaşi, with staff that know their way around a grill – especially when it comes to liver, which, as Kilic points out, is a rare thing. “Their lamb liver is perfectly charred, tender, never overdone. It’s hard to get it just right, but they do.” He notes that the prices are also very reasonable for the quality.

224 Hertford Rd, EN3 5BH; enfesocakbasi.co.uk

2. Cirrik 19 Numara Bos, Dalston

Best for old-school vibes

“I always order lamb ribs with grilled onion salad here,” says Kilic of this Dalston institution. “It’s a classic, old-school spot that’s been around for years.” The decor recently had a refresh – a move Kilic isn’t entirely sold on (“I preferred the original look”) – but the food remains firmly on point.

34 Stoke Newington Rd, N16 7XJ; cirrik.co.uk

Details at Ara | Credit: Burak Can Aksit, Oh Gravy! Media

3. Antepliler, Haringey

Best for authenticity

Opened in 1993, Antepliler draws on the culinary traditions of the Gaziantep region known as “Antep”. Found in Turkey’s south-east, it’s famed for its rich, spice-laden cooking. “If I’m craving İskender [kebab], this is the place I go,” says Kilic. The dish – thin slices of döner draped over torn bread, drenched in tomato sauce, butter and yoghurt – is a comfort-food classic.

45-46 Green Lanes, N4 1AG; anteplilerlondon.co.uk

4. Diyarbakir Kitchen, Haringey

Best for a late-night snack

Open until 1am, this Green Lanes go-to is where Kilic heads when the night’s run long. “This one’s all about the paça soup,” he says. “We usually go late at night, especially after a few drinks – it’s the ultimate [hangover] cure. It’s garlicky, rich and comes with plenty of pickles and bread on the side.”

52-53 Grande Parade, Green Lanes, N4 1AG; diyarbakir.co.uk

5. Mangal 2, Dalston

Best for a refined meal

“For something more refined, Mangal 2 is the one,” says Kilic. Opened in 1994 by Ali Dirik, the Dalston restaurant is now helmed by Dirik’s sons Ferhat and Sertaç, whose bold, boundary-pushing menus have redefined modern Turkish cuisine in London. Think: whole grilled mackerel with samphire and bone butter; cull yaw köftes with apple purée. “It’s not trying to be an ‘authentic Turkish restaurant’,” says Kilic, “and that’s exactly what I love about it. There’s a sense of curiosity and confidence... If I were to open a Turkish restaurant, this is the kind of direction I’d want to explore.”

4 Stoke Newington Rd, N16 7XN; mangal2.com