2 editor-picked turkish restaurants across 2 cities.
A guide to turkish restaurants worth a trip, by city. We list operators, signature dishes, and the rooms locals book first.
esra opened in 2024 on the Oostelijke Eilanden, the Amsterdam room running modern Turkish: house manti, slow-braised lamb shoulder, a mezze table to start.
Signature: Manti, Lamb shoulder, Mezze spread
Order: The full mezze for the table, then the lamb shoulder to share.
Tip: Book at least a week ahead. The terrace is the move in summer.
Ali Baba on East 34th has run Turkish charcoal-grilled lamb in Midtown, New York City since 2000. Iskender on yoghurt, octopus salad, sumac onions.
Signature: Iskender kebab, Lamb adana
Order: Iskender kebab over pita with yoghurt and tomato sauce.
Tip: Lunch buffet at $18 is the value play. Order extra grilled bread; one basket is never enough.
More cities are in research. Want turkish covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.