With Yeni opening in Soho, we round up the best of Turkish food in the capital
Opening of the week: Yeni
Usually we wouldn’t condone eating Turkish food in London outside of Hackney or Harringay, but we’ll make an exception for Yeni, the new restaurant by Istanbul chef Civan Er. The Leith’s-trained chef’s first restaurant in London, Yeni will be opening its doors in Soho this week, getting 2019 off to a delicious start. Civan’s restaurant over in Turkey, Yeni Lokanta, has been the toast of Istanbul’s foodie scene for several years now, and at its second incarnation promises treats just as imaginative. Blending the modern with the traditional, the menu boasts such treats as "aubergine-filled manti with goats’ yoghurt or ribs with isot pepper on sourdough with cracked wheat, sour cherries and sumac molasses". If that sweet main hasn’t satisfied your sweet tooth, desserts include "kadajifi covered custard fritters with smoked buffalo milk ice cream". The restaurant will open all day Saturday, as well as lunch and dinner slots Monday-Friday with a short close between. The space will also feature a central communal dining table which will be reserved for walk-ins, so no need to fret about getting a reservation if you happen to be wandering Soho of an evening.
55 Beak St, London W1F 9SH. Open from 21 January.
Local Recommendations
What?Somine
Where? Kingsland Road in Dalston
Why? It’s lucky that Somine stays open so late - you might be in with a chance of actually finishing off whichever award-winning dish you choose
What?TAD
Where? Dead in the middle of Hackney Central
Why? Deceptively simple with dishes that will knock your socks off
What?Diyarbakir
Where? The Harringay end of Green Lanes
Why? It’s hard to pick a favourite out of the wealth of good Turkish restaurants on this stretch of road, but Diyarbakkir’s pides are in a class of their own
What?FM Mangal
Where? Our only South London entry - Camberwell
Why? If it has to be just one reason, go for the famed dipping bread covered in spices - rumour has its incredible taste is ‘something to do with pomegranates’