The Best Turkish Restaurants in Melbourne for Smoke, Spice and Storytelling

Melbourne might be known for pasta alle vongole and ramen with a cult following — but if you’ve yet to dive fork-first into the city’s Turkish dining scene, you’re seriously missing out. Rich with history and wrapped in ritual, Turkish cuisine is one of the most generous and soul-stirring expressions of culture you’ll find. Think fire-licked meats cooked over charcoal, pillowy pide fresh from the oven, and mezze that keeps on coming.

It’s a cuisine built on balance — spice and sweetness, texture and tenderness — and Melbourne’s best Turkish restaurants bring it all with heart, heritage and serious finesse. From elegant Anatolian degustations to no-frills joints where the gözleme hits like a hug, these are the spots that truly capture the magic.

Bodrum

A trip to Bodrum (no passport required). This moody Essendon mainstay has been serving Turkish fare for over 30 years, and now, under new management and a new head chef, it’s entered a delicious new era. They’re slowly adding new items to the menu, one that reads like a love letter to Anatolia — from warm clay pot olives and golden, crispy saganaki to the standout slow-cooked kuzu tandir and smoky Ali Nazik kebab.

Gather your crew for the banquet, stacked with all the favourites, and don’t leave without trying the kunefe — cheese-filled, syrup-soaked, and pistachio-dusted bliss. One bite and you’ll know: Bodrum is the real deal.

51 Fletcher Street, Essendon

Nicosia Turkish Restaurant

Nicosia Turkish Restaurant in Malvern radiates warmth, flavour and Turkish-Cypriot charm on Glenferrie Road. This beloved family-run spot is all about generosity — from pillowy Turkish bread (including gluten-free pita) and vibrant house-made dips (twelve, to be exact) to charcoal-grilled meats and slow-cooked lamb that melts in the mouth. Vegetarians are just as spoilt, with golden falafel, grilled halloumi, patlican kizartma, spinach and fetta borek, and fragrant dolma. The menu is expansive, the energy joyful — bring a crew and come hungry.

Don’t leave without trying the honey-soaked or Nutella-filled chocolate baklava. Total delight!

250 Glenferrie Road, Malvern

Yakamoz

Ali Atay’s Yakamoz offers an inspired reinterpretation of Turkish cuisine, infused with rich Mediterranean influences. The share-friendly menu showcases dishes like fried eggplant with creamy labneh and chilli, zucchini fritters with sun-dried tomato, charcoal Turkish chicken wings, and halloumi glazed in brown butter, honey and walnuts. Cauliflower with cream, capers, and Reggiano, alongside charcoal lamb and chicken shish, served with zhoug, adds layers of flavour, and seafood gets a look in with charcoal-grilled Fremantle octopus and Mooloolaba king prawns. Drawing from the diverse flavours of Greece, Morocco, North Africa and Spain, Yakamoz celebrates bold contrasts and a dynamic drinks list that completes the experience.

Our hot Sitchu tip? Sunday lunch is a must. Indulge in wood-fired breads alongside a thoughtfully curated selection of seasonal cold meze — from smoky eggplant with labneh and chilli to zucchini fritters and halloumi glazed with brown butter, wild honey and walnuts. Charcoal-grilled highlights like beef oyster blade shish and Fremantle octopus deliver depth, while comforting mains such as crispy chicken cotoletta with potato salad and a decadent double cheeseburger with truffle aioli satisfy every craving. Round off with silky tiramisu and Turkish coffee, or return to the oven for pide in flavoursome varieties like sucuk, three cheese, spiced beef and pastrami.

74 Lygon Street, Brunswick East 

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Gozleme Pide and Sweet House

Gozleme Pide and Sweet House is a laid-back Flemington restaurant serving up all the comforting flavours of classic Turkish cuisine. This no-fuss spot dishes out everything from warm, freshly baked simit to indulgent baklava, all day long. Our favourite? Sliding in for a casual falafel or manti dinner on a Friday night — the perfect, satisfying pick-me-up after a long week. Simple, delicious, and utterly comforting, it’s the kind of place that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

311 Racecourse Road, Flemington

Lezzet

Lezzet is where Turkish and Middle Eastern flavours collide with bold Anatolian passion. Come hungry — you’ll want to dive straight into the Chef’s meze, a delicious spread that sets the stage for the feast ahead. From the signature meat and seafood platters to smoky Adana kebabs and tender stuffed calamari, each dish bursts with layers of expertly crafted flavour. The culinary precision is undeniable, making Lezzet essential for those seeking authentic Turkish fare with a sophisticated edge. And for the grand finale? House-made baklava, flaky, sticky, and utterly irresistible.

81 Brighton Road, Elwood

Marmara

This is tradition perfected. Mamara isn’t just another Turkish restaurant in Melbourne — it’s a full-on sensory journey straight to the bustling streets of Istanbul. From the moment you walk in, the air is alive with the scent of sizzling meats, fragrant spices, and freshly baked bread. Their menu overflows with cherished classics — from creamy dips to juicy kebab wraps and fresh seafood. Celebrating? The banquet is non-negotiable. Generous portions mean you’ll leave utterly satisfied — and maybe ready for a nap.

68 Chapel Street, Windsor

Tulum

Tulum flips Anatolian cuisine into something truly unforgettable. Helmed by Istanbul-born chef Coskun Uysal, this intimate and imaginative dining destination reimagines Turkish classics with emotion, elegance and contemporary flair. The vibe strikes a balance between laidback and elevated, with warm interiors and artfully plated dishes that celebrate Turkey’s diverse culinary regions through a modern lens. Uysal’s menus — both à la carte and seasonal degustations — read like stories, where Australian produce meets time-honoured technique. The Bursa, with its perfect interplay of char and cream, is a particular highlight. Tulum’s personal approach to Turkish cuisine has earned praise from the likes of Yotam Ottolenghi and Nigella Lawson — and rightly so. This is Turkish dining, redefined — inventive, heartfelt, and deeply memorable.

217 Carlisle Street, Balaclava

Chef Sofra

In the heart of Essendon, Chef Sofra brings the spirit of Anatolian hospitality to life. This elegant Turkish restaurant offers a menu rich in provincial flavours, featuring dishes like char-grilled kofta, lamb shish, and mezze platters designed for sharing. The ambience is warm and inviting, reflecting the traditional concept of ‘sofra’ — a communal table where friends and family gather to connect over food. With its commitment to authentic cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere, Chef Sofra provides a dining experience that celebrates the essence of Turkish culture.

1021-1023 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon

Nefes

While Lygon Street is famed for its Italian flair, Nefes is the Turkish delight breaking the mould. This refined Anatolian restaurant brings smoky skewers, charred lamb cutlets, and vibrant mezze to the table — all wrapped in a sleek, sophisticated setting. It’s where tradition meets polish, with luxe shisha service and standout cocktails sealing the deal. If you thought Lygon was all pasta and pizza, think again — Nefes is your reason to mix it up and stay a little longer.

174-178 Lygon Street, Carlton

Pehlivan

Hidden away in Hadfield, Pehlivan proves that big flavour often comes from the humblest of places. This tiny, family-run spot is beloved for its smoky Adana wraps, perfectly charred lamb shish, and pillowy pides that hit just right. Generous portions, heartfelt hospitality, and a vibe that feels like home — it’s no wonder locals return time and again.

142 Middle Street, Hadfield

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