Ali Baba

The highlight at this midtown stalwart is the divine yogurtlu kebabs, juicy lamb served with a tangy tomato, garlic and yogurt sauce. Kebabs are accompanied by rice, pickled cabbage, spiced red onion and a fiery, charred fresh chili. Cool it by downing a glass of salgam, a tart red carrot juice not often found outside Turkey. Warm homemade pide (flatbread with black and white sesame seeds) partners perfectly with labna (a thick yogurt dip of walnuts, garlic and dill) or with piyaz (white beans and onion dressed in a zippy lemon vinaigrette).