Turkish cuisine has found a vibrant home in Cardiff, with its rich flavours, aromatic spices, and communal dining culture perfectly suited to the city’s love of good food and great company. From sizzling kebabs and velvety hummus to syrup-soaked baklava and traditional Turkish tea, the culinary offerings transport you straight to the bustling streets of Istanbul.
Whether you're craving a casual meze feast or a brunch featuring spicy sausages and perfectly poached eggs, Cardiff’s Turkish restaurants offer something for every palate.
Cardiff's Top Turkish Restaurants
Lezzet Turkish Kitchen
When you dine at Lezzet Turkish Kitchen in Cardiff, your tastebuds will be transported to Turkey via the tomatoey flavours of the Mediterranean. The eatery was co-founded by Hakan Sir who, in 1990, joined forces with his business partner and friend Bulent Eroglu to open it.
It boasts over 30 years of exceptional service and authentic dishes that can be shared or devoured alone. The menu spans everything from yaprak sama or falafel and houmous to start, followed by kuzu shish (marinated lamb) from the grill, and silky, rich layers of moussaka.
You'll find this Turkish restaurant in Cardiff on St Mary Street, packing flavour.
Saray
Saray is a Turkish restaurant on City Road, Cardiff, whose name comes from the Persian word sarāy, which means 'palace'. Sarays have also always been a place where various cuisines have been honoured over the years, and the eatery uses this as inspiration to serve a large selection of historical plates.
The dining destination has been open since 2015, fronting blue leather furnishings, dark wooden tables and a friendly atmosphere. You can expect to begin with zesty helpings of tabouleh or a cold meze mix before moving on to mains like chicken kofte, lamb doner, and coban kavurma (a traditional lamb casserole) to name a few.
The best halal Turkish restaurant in Cardiff? We think so.
The Sultan
You'll love The Sultan, not only for its scrumptious food but for its striking location. Housed within an 1882 Grade II-listed building, it was once a restaurant headed by chef Abel Magneron in World War II. Since then, it's become a beloved Turkish and Mediterranean eatery, serving classic and innovative plates.
Soak up the gorgeous arched windows as you wolf down ortu kebab (sauteed lamb with vegetables, covered with thin bread and baked in the oven), pistachio lamb chops, marinated monkfish, and homemade baklava topped with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Shish: Check out the towering ceilings and walls filled with history.
Longa
If you're a fan of brunch and Turkish food, then you'll be thrilled to discover Longa, an eatery that marries the two to create fabulous, fresh dishes. Think traditional pastries (baked daily), beek kheema with eggs, and ultimate platters filled with halloumi, feta, cream cheese with grapes, and spiced beef sausages.
Co-founded by Simge and Gizem, Longa's name translates as a musical note that appears in Turkish music. It's often difficult to perform but adds a distinct sound and is the ultimate combination of modern and classic, a theme that is reflected in the restaurant's food. Swing by for breakfast, lunch or dinner at its Whitchurch Road and Park Palace locations and make yourself at home among snug interiors.
Brunch never looked so good.
SEN BBQ
What SEN BBQ lacks in space it makes up for in flavour. If you wish to dine in there's a little area out back surrounded by a mix of exposed brick, quirky tiles and rugs where you can wolf down sharing selections of flame-licked meats.
Nestled in Canton, this Turkish smokehouse focuses on tender grills of lamb and chicken marinated in olive oil and cooked lovingly, infused with a healthy amount of smoke. Pull apart fluffy Turkish naan bread and use it to soak up the sauces or a load of houmous, that is, after beginning with its signature spring rolls.
Cafe Yakamoz
Perched in the heart of Cardiff, Café Yakamoz is a hidden gem that brings a slice of Turkey to Wales. Its name, Yakamoz, translates to the poetic glow of moonlight on water, and this café lives up to its enchanting title. Step inside, and you'll find an inviting atmosphere where warm lighting, traditional Turkish décor, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee set the stage for a memorable experience.
Whether you're here for a comforting breakfast with some Turkish tea, a hearty lunch, or a casual coffee catch-up, the laid-back eatery offers something for every craving. Their menu boasts a delightful fusion of flavours - think Marmara breakfasts (featuring olives, cheese, tzatziki and sausage), halloumi wraps, and rolled boreks. Don’t skip their baklava, a sticky-sweet finale that’ll have you dreaming of Istanbul.
If you're on the hunt for Turkish restaurants in Cardiff city centre, stop off at this gem for lunch.
SEN Bros
On Cowbridge Road is SEN Bros, a Turkish grill that, surprisingly, has nothing to do with the similarly named SEN BBQ just moments away. You'll find a bright, royal blue sign outside a small cafe beckoning you to get your hands on tasty breakfast and lunch dishes, cooked in a homely environment.
Various types of shish make up a large section of the menu (including wraps), plus there are omelettes and chips to kick-start your day in the food department.
Troy Meze Bar
Troy Meze Bar in Cardiff is where ancient Anatolian flavours meet modern dining vibes. Inspired by the legendary city of Troy, this vibrant eatery has been around for over 14 years and invites you on a culinary journey through Turkey’s rich gastronomic heritage. The atmosphere here is electric yet cosy, with traditional motifs adorning the walls and a friendly hum of conversation filling the air.
It's the perfect spot for sharing good food and even better company. The menu is a meze lover’s paradise, offering a tantalizing selection of small plates like creamy hummus, stuffed vine leaves, and succulent shish kebabs, all designed to be shared and savoured.
You'll be going mad for meze at this spot.
Hungry for more? Check out our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Cardiff.
