The best Turkish restaurants in Singapore

Helmed by Moroccan Chef-owner Jamal Hajjaji, Deli Moroccan offers the rustic and old charm of authentic Moroccan and Turkish cuisine. Best sellers include the array of Couscous with Seven Vegetables (from $15), Tagine Kofta ($15) for meatballs simmered in a spiced tomato sauce, as well as the signature Andalusia Mixed Meat Platter ($24) for a mix of chicken, lamb and beef skewered kebabs. Note that the rice specialities are available only from noon to 4pm, and popular favourites include the Moroccan Arab Biryani ($14), and the traditional upside-down Maklouba Rice ($15) with layers of meat and yoghurt in a special sauce that is typically served during Levant (available only on Fridays and weekends). Also don’t miss the chef-recommended Lamb Ribs ($30 for 3-4pax) in a saffron pilaf (requires a 1-day advance reservation). 

Founded by Lebanese Master Chef Mohamad Slim, Byblos Grill is inspired by his cross-cultural culinary adventures around the world and offers separate Lebanese and Turkish menus. A signature is the Byblos Mixed Grilled ($46.90) for a hearty combination of lamb kofta, lahem mashwi (grilled lamb cubes), chicken kofta, shish tawouk (chicken skewers) and lamb chops. Other popular meat options include the Lamb Kofta ($26.90) served with grilled vegetables and Lebanese rice, and Byblos Beef Steak ($29.90) with baked potato and vegetables.

Probably not found anywhere else in Singapore is the Lebanese stew, Kibbeh Labhn ($26.50), for marinated minced lamb with pine nuts cooked in fresh tomato and coriander sauce, served with vermicelli rice and salad. There are plenty of vegetarian options too, including the Lebanese Moussaka ($21.90) with eggplant and chickpeas, and the moreish Borek ($15.90) for filo pastry stuffed with feta cheese.

Established in 2006, Istanbul Turkish Restaurant has been a pioneer in authentic Ottoman Turkish cuisine in Singapore, with its signature charcoal grill kitchen. Start the feasting with the Istanbul Meze Tebagi ($33.90) for the popular assorted cold meze and dip platter comprising hummus, baba ganoush, salsa, eggplant salad and cacik (yoghurt dip with finely chopped cucumbers), which is best eaten with Turkish pide or lavash. Equally indulgent is the classic Sigara Boregi ($15.90) for deep-fried pastry cigars filled with feta cheese. For mains, the highlights here are the grilled meats, offering a selection of doner kebabs, koftes, and more kebabs. Finish on the must-have Turkish coffee ($8) or Turkish Apple Tea ($13.90) with the Istanbul Special ($17.90) for baklava and Turkish ice cream. The restaurant also claims to have the biggest and cheesiest XXL Kunefe in town, large enough for 6 people ($32.90). 

Ayasofya Restaurant promises 100 percent authentic Turkish cuisine prepared by genuine Turkish chefs from Turkey. Traditional dishes include the Ayasofya Veggie Kebab ($24.90), the classic baked bread filled with eggplant, walnut, tomatoes and cheese; and the Lahmacun ($21.50), a round piece of dough topped with minced meat and vegetables. Also order up the Sultan Kebab ($26.90), a mildly spiced lamb served with baked cheese and mashed potato; and the Hunkar Begendi ($27.90) for lamb stew served over babaganoush. For an Anatolian speciality, the flaming Pottery Kebab ($64.90/2 pax) is made with lamb and vegetables, baked inside a clay pot and cracked open tableside. A definite must-try! 

Alaturka has been serving classic Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine since May 2005 and was awarded the Michelin Guide Singapore Bib Gourmand in 2016 for its excellent Turkish fare. Sample Turkish heritage and culture through classic dishes such as the Meze Tabagi (from $25), a sharing platter of Alaturka's specialities like hummus, babaganoush, shakshuka (eggplant ragout), yumurta salata (egg salad), and more. Don't miss the pide flatbreads – we favour the popular topping of spinach and cheese as well as beef salami, egg and cheese. Alaturka's charcoal-grilled meats are also a must-try: the Alaturka Platter (from $79 for two) brings all the favourite ones on one sharing platter

Named after the traditional low dining table yer sofrasi, Sofra has been serving authentic Turkish cuisine since 1999, with dishes such as the Lahmacun ($19.50) flatbread with minced lamb, which dates back to 5,000 years; and the Sultan’s Delight, Hunkar Begendi ($27.50) an old Turkish eggplant and lamb recipe that goes back a few hundred years to the time of the Ottoman Empire. Of course, the hearty Kebab Platter ($107.50 for 4) is a must-have for everything kebab, served with bulgur and Turkish pilav. For something different, Sofra’s Turkish High Tea ($47 for 2 pax) is also very popular, featuring signature Turkish delicacies and desserts, such as the classic Baklava and Cezerye, the latter being a traditional dessert of caramelised carrots, shredded coconut and roasted nuts. 

You know you’re in good hands when your restaurant has three specialist Turkish chefs with a combined experience of 55 years between them. We like that the menu has a Super Traditional section and a Simply Traditional section for classic Turkish dishes. From the former, try the Ali Nazak from Antep ($26.90) for roasted smoked eggplant served with grilled lamb cubes and freshly baked Turkish bread ekmek. And from the latter section, try the Bamiya Lamb ($29.90) for traditional lady fingers and lamb gravy, and the Sac Kavurma Kebab ($29.90 also) sliced lamb in Turkey’s most popular gravy, also served with ekmek or pilav rice. 

Located in its new premises in bustling Bussorah Street since March 2022, Cappadocia Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant is a familiar name when it comes to Turkish food. A popular treat to start the meal has to be the Meze Tabagi ($32.90), the hearty sharing platter brimming with the usual suspects such as hummus, babaganoush, shakshouka, moutabal and mixed coban salata, served with lavash bread. Traditional dishes include the ample kebab platters: Tas Kebab ($32.90) for oven-baked beef stew served with mashed potatoes; and Karides güveç ($24.90) for sliced meat or seafood in hot tomato sauce over pita bread. There’s even Makarna, Turkish-style pasta (from $22.90). Finish on the fırın sütlaç ($14.90), a creamy rice pudding. 

Enjoy the best of both Lebanese and Turkish cuisines under one roof at Hummus & Tandoor, located in the heart of Arab Street. Apart from the usual spread of hot and cold mezze, other popular favourites include wraps such as the Halloumi Wrap ($18.90) for grilled Cypriot halloumi wrapped with salad & sauce, served with fries; and the meaty Mixed Shawarma ($15.90) or the Chicken Kofta Wrap ($17.90), both also with fries. Another house favourite is the Mixed Grill (from $55/2pax), brimming with charcoal grilled minced lamb, lamb tenderloin cubes, chicken cubes and minced chicken kebabs, served with traditional Mandi rice. Don’t miss the restaurant’s authentic slow-cooked dishes cooked in a testi or sealed clay jug, such as the classic Testi Kebab Lamb ($44.90) or Testi Kebab Chicken ($41), both served with Mandi rice also. For dessert, try the Mouhalabia ($13.90), a popular Middle Eastern milk and semolina rice pudding.