Meze Mangal

A few years ago this family-run Turkish diner beat  some of the capital’s most expensive restaurants to be named one of London’s favourites on TripAdvisor. Nestling in the top ten, it even beat  the Ritz.

Although it can’t compete with The Ritz on opulence, its delicious good value dishes, friendly, attentive staff and lively atmosphere sure make up for it.

“Everything on the menu is made in the kitchen, even the pitta bread,” says Sahin Gok, who co-owns it with his brother Ahmet, and who both originate from Kastamonu in northern Turkey. When they first came to London, they worked in a Wimpy Bar in Kingston-upon-Thames and saw that the reputation of Turkish food was due a makeover.

“When we opened in 2000 it was the first Turkish restaurant in southeast London,” says Sahin, a chef himself, and who is at the restaurant most days.“Most of our chefs have been here 10 or 15 years.”

After a selection of tasty starters (£2.50-5.00) including Imam Bayildi (aubergine stuffed with onions and tomato), Acili Ezme (tomato, peppers, onions and parsley in lemon juice, tomato puree and herbs) and lahmacum (Turkish pizza topped with minced meat), the mains, Adana Kofte (spicy  minced lamb kebab, £14.50) and Bildircin (grilled quails, £11.50) had a special and distinct flavour, courtesy of the big wood oven in the corner. 

It’s clear from the first mouthful that great care is taken over the cooking: for example, the 100-150 shoulders of lamb the restaurant gets through each week are marinated for 48 hours alone.

The atmosphere is great, too: with the Turkish music playing in the background and shish kebabs sizzling on the charcoal grill, you’re almost transported to Istanbul.

Meze Mangal, 245 Lewisham Way, SE4 1XF; 020 8694 8099; mezemangal.co.uk