Turkish Restaurants in Adelaide That Had Us Hooked from the First Bite
If you aren’t willing to sacrifice your diet for mouthwatering kebabs and baklavas, you might want to sit this one out. We’re listing Turkish restaurants in Adelaide that gave us belly swells and cravings even our dreams couldn’t shake off.
Much to our trainers’ dismay, we know more spots even a hardcore WeightWatcher subscriber won’t pass up!
Saray Kebab House
Address: 174 Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville
Contact Details: (08) 8352 2621
Operating Hours: Daily – 4 pm to 12 am
Simple, welcoming, and intimate, Saray Kebab House is a taste of homely Ankara restaurants. Wraps and charcoal-cooked bites are their usual servings, but they also have a specific selection of Turkish food.
We had the spiced and savory iskender, a heavenly plate of thinly sliced lamb, chicken, or both, smothered in rich tomato paste, Turkish bread, yogurt, and butter.
Unsurprisingly, their dessert pièce de resistance is baklava. The one they served us had layers of flaky pastry, dripping with honey, and stuffed with everything, from ice cream to walnuts.
Tip: You have to book to secure your spot. The booking process can be done on the first page of their website above.
Sofra Kebab House
Address: Unit 3/60 West Terrace
Contact Details: (08) 7001 6343
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 11 am to 12 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11 am to 1 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 12 am
Sofra Kebab House keeps it casual design-wise, but its traditional, sophisticated Turkish dishes paint a different picture.
From the tender, juicy meat in their yiros wraps to the charred essence of their kebabs, each bite is a reminder of the smoky and spice-infused flavors Turkish food is iconic for.
If it were up to us though, the AB pack would top all their other offerings. This best-seller hooked our teammates with its succulent lamb and chicken slices that drip in Sofra’s specialty sauces.
Tip: Daily specials are special for drool-worthy reasons. Check Sofra’s current featured dish by calling the number above.
Yiros Central
Address: Adelaide Central Plaza, Shop 19/100 Rundle Mall
Contact Details: 0459 269 422
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 10:30 am to 4 pm
- Fri – 10:30 am to 7:30 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10:30 am to 4 pm
The moment Yiros Central wrapped our taste buds, we knew we couldn’t resist Turkish flavors anymore.
Our team will always sing them praises for not messing around with frozen and B-grade meat. Their wraps, from the yiros to falafels, only pack fresh, hand-marinated lamb and chicken infused with a secret blend of herbs and spices.
Lately, their borek, a savory pastry, has been stealing the spotlight too. On our recent visit, we savored its delicate dough and the medley of ingredients such as cheese, minced meat, spinach, and potatoes.
Tip: If the market hubbub isn’t for you, visit Yiros’ other branch at 258 Rundle St.
Hatun Cafe
Address: City Cross, 32 James Pl
Contact Details: 0413 398 707
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7 am to 5:30 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 2:30 pm
Perched on the silent corner of James Pl, the inviting and laidback Hatun Cafe offers seconds of solitude and Turkey’s own spin on brunch meals.
We aren’t early birds but their organic brews and Turkish platter make our mornings bearable.
The latter boasts plates loaded with scrambled eggs, bread, olives, feta cheese, honey, and more fixings that’ll energize you for the entire day—Mondays included.
If a platter sounds too heavy, you can opt for their other traditional Turkish egg dishes. Menemen is a popular pick, as its scrambled eggs ooze with farm-to-table aromatics and veggies, offering a satisfying yet light option for any appetite.
Tip: Hiring Hatun Cafe as caterers might be the secret sauce for an epic bash. They have different options catering to all sorts of shindigs.
The Ottoman Grill
Address: 168C Jetty Rd, Glenelg
Contact Details: 0466 934 788
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 5 pm to 11 pm
- Wed to Fri – 12 pm to 5:30 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm
- Sat to Sun – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm
When good old ‘za starts to taste ordinary, it might be time to swing by The Ottoman Grill. This spot spiced up our top pizza list with its healthy, smoky Turkish-style pizza that even our top carb-watchers couldn’t resist.
The Tavuklu pide was the first one we indulged in; its mix of roasted chicken bits and lightly seasoned cheese was the perfect way to start the flavor feast. However, it was the lamb and capsicum-topped Kiymali pide that took things up a notch.
For the non-pizza heavy hitters, the marinated lamb and chicken skewers are by far the most delectable choices. But, if meat isn’t your jam, follow our vegetarian teammates’ route and try the char-grilled mushrooms with salad.
Tip: Driving to Glenelg can be a head-scratcher sometimes. You can order online if you want to avoid this problem.
Lezizz Restaurant
Address: 108 Melbourne St, North Adelaide
Contact Details: (08) 7006 3887
Operating Hours:
- Wed to Sun – 5:30 pm to 9 pm
With richly patterned ornaments and a warm ambiance courtesy of dim hanging lamps, Lezizz Restaurant is a slice of rustic and romantic Istanbul haunts.
But let’s talk about the real star of this spot—the Turkish food. Our go-to dish is their borani, a delicious blend of sautéed spinach, garlic, and onion mixed with creamy yogurt.
Kotlet is a terrific choice too, especially if meat patties are your guilty pleasure. This dish features ground lamb, potato, capsicum, and aromatics—all coming together in a hearty and savory burger or meatball alternative.
Tip: Change is the only constant thing. This cliche but true saying also applies to Lezziz, so check their Facebook for the latest menu updates.
Istanbul Lounge
Address: 318 Magill Rd, Kensington Park
Contact Details: 0439 820 797
Operating Hours:
- Thu to Sun – 6 pm to 10 pm
Istanbul Lounge is an absolute eye-pleaser, with sharply-colored furniture, anti-evil eye trinkets, kaleidoscopic lamps, and fiery neon lights adding unparalleled character to every corner of the cafe.
As for the grub, Turkish desserts take the cake here. The first one we tried and fell in love with was künefe (or knafeh), a mouthwatering treat made with spun kataifi pastry and a stretchy cheese filling, crowned with syrup and pistachios.
On our second visit, it was the Turkish delight cheesecake that pleased our palates. Topped with Turkish fairy floss and oozing with the flavors of pistachios, orange, and rose, this one took our cake standards to another stratosphere.
Tip: Keep an eye on Istanbul Lounge’s Instagram above for updates on openings. Occasionally, private parties or holidays may temporarily close the cafe.
Munooshi Cafe
Address: 36 East Terrace
Contact Details: (08) 8223 5595
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 10 am to 3 pm
Munooshi Cafe should be your next destination if you’re gunning for Turkish food mixed with other Middle-Eastern flavors.
Their falafel wraps are without a doubt the crowd-pleasers. Each version is enclosed in a freshly baked pita wrap, filled with crisp and golden-brown falafel balls, and accompanied by a mishmash of aromatic spices and creamy hummus or eggplant dip.
Tip: Given Munooshi’s metropolitan location, try to visit during non-peak hours, such as mid-morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays.
Kebab Canteen
Address: 103 Churchill Rd, Prospect
Contact Details: 0421 975 787
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 11:30 am to 8:30 pm
- Sat – 5 pm to 8:30 pm
As the name suggests, Kebab Canteen is a spot for all things kebab-related. And if you’re curious about whether the food falls flat or knocks it out of the park, just check our waistlines for the verdict.
The OG offering here is the falafel kebab—a crispy snack bursting with savory, smoky vegetables drizzled with sauces like BBQ, peri-peri, and tomato.
Then, there’s the expertly marinated and slow-roasted chicken kebab, known to attract foodies with its melt-in-your-mouth filling. Finish this with a slice of baklava and you’ll leave with loosened belts and buttons.
Tip: Be a bold foodie and experiment with different sauce combinations, like garlic with chili or BBQ with peri-peri, to find your favorite flavor profile or discover a new one.
Yumms Restaurant
Address: Unit 1/321 North East Road, Hampstead Gardens
Contact Details: 0492 956 474
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 4:30 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 4:30 pm to 11 pm
- Sun – 4:30 pm to 10 pm
Beyond being a buzzing pizza joint, Yumms Restaurant is a mecca for Turkish food enjoyers.
The last time we were here, we went with the lamb sheesh, a decision we only regret because we can’t stop thinking about it now. This dish flaunts soft, zesty, and garlicky lamb popping with the smoky char from the grill and the kick of paprika.
Yumms’ fasulye is a must-try too, particularly if you live for stew. Hearty, herby, and downright comforting, this bowl of beans, tomato sauce, and diced lamb always hits the spot.
Tip: Be a part of their loyalty program to gain perks like discounts.
Shiraz Restaurant
Address: 585 Tapleys Hill Rd, Fulham
Contact Details: 0469 552 233
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 11 pm
Shiraz Restaurant is a top contender when it comes to Adelaide’s finest Turkish food with Persian roots.
For instance, there’s ghormeh sabzi, a stew that boasts a vibrant green flavor profile, thanks to an array of fresh herbs including parsley and coriander. The dried and bitter fenugreek leaves add depth, complementing the stew’s fragrant saffron rice.
For a heartier and meatier order, ba mahiche is where it’s at. This juice-oozing dish flexes low-braised lamb shank, elevated by aromatic and robust additions like cinnamon, cardamom, lemon juice, and cumin.
Tip: You never know what delicious delights might pop up, so don’t miss out on daily specials. Regularly visit Shiraz’s Facebook above to stay in the loop.
