13 Unbeatable Restaurants for Turkish Cuisine
Jessica McNamara
| Last Updated: March 2024 Let’s be honest: the only thing more confusing than traffic signs is navigating Auckland’s Turkish restaurant scene. One minute you’re drowning in pide perfection, and the next you’re left kebab-ing for flavour.
Fear not, fellow foodies! After a quest that involved more baklava than strictly necessary (don’t judge, it was research!), I’ve emerged victorious, armed with a list of Auckland’s top Turkish restaurants. And now I’ll share my findings with you.
1. Paasha Turkish Kitchen
Address: 261 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10:30 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +64 9 600 1131
Paasha Turkish Kitchen uses fresh, high-quality ingredients imported from Turkiye and cooks everything over an open fire (ocakbasi) for that traditional smoky taste.
They have all the Turkish classics you know and love, like wraps, hummus, pita pockets, shish kebabs, and pide.
But they also have some unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else, like the Iskender kebab, which is thinly sliced döner meat served on a bed of pide bread with tomato sauce, yoghurt, and butter.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to ease yourself into Turkish food, you can’t go wrong with their lamb doner pita or their beef shawarma.
2. Cafe Midnight Express
Address: 59 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Hours:
- Lunch – Tuesday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
- Dinner – Tuesday to Sunday 5 PM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +64 9 303 0312
Cafe Midnight Express is a Turkish restaurant that serves up some of the most authentic and delicious Turkish cuisine you’ll find in the city.
From melt-in-your-mouth pide (Turkish pizzas) to lamb moussaka, everything here is worth trying at least once. The decor is warm and inviting, with traditional Turkish music playing in the background (and sometimes you’ll see dancers).
If you’re looking for a fun and unique dining experience, be sure to try the midnight mix. This is a great way to sample a variety of Turkish dishes, like roasted lamb, kofte, and more.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to BYO wine or champagne! There’s a 10 NZD corkage fee, but it’s definitely worth it to enjoy your favourite bottle with your meal. And there’s free parking in the nearby car park if you spend over 50 NZD.
3. A la Turca
Address: 2 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead, Auckland 0626, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday- 10:30 AM to 9 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 10:30 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +64 9 480 9999
A La Turca ain’t your average kebab joint (although their kebabs are *chef’s kiss*). Here they have homemade gozleme that’ll make you swoon.
Warm, pillowy flatbread with melty cheese, fresh spinach, and tangy feta. That’s the magic of their gozleme, handmade with love and guaranteed to satisfy your inner foodaholic.
And their fish on rice is anything but fishy. It’s light, it’s flavorful, and it’s the perfect lunch option for a healthy-ish indulgence (we all deserve a treat sometimes!).
Pro Tip: No Turkish feast is complete without the perfect dips, and A La Turca delivers. Their hummus is smooth, creamy, and oh-so-addictive, while the garlic yoghurt sauce is like a flavour party in your mouth.
4. Izmir Kebab & Grill
Address: 64A Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9 AM to 11 PM
- Friday – 9 AM to 3 AM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 3 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +64 9 600 3515
Izmir Kebab & Grill uses only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to create authentic Turkish dishes that are bursting with flavour.
Their kebabs are marinated to perfection and cooked to juicy tenderness. The wraps are generously filled with fresh salad, creamy hummus, and their signature sauces.
Veggie lovers should get the falafel rice—falafel balls nestled on a bed of fluffy rice, drizzled with a secret sauce that’ll have you begging for more. And their mixed Iskandar is popular too, for that lamb and chicken combo like no other.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the mixed snack pack. It’s a mountain of deliciousness, featuring chicken, lamb, chips, cheese, and all the sauces you can dream of. Perfect for sharing (or not, we won’t tell).
5. Constantinople Cafe & Restaurant
Constantinople Cafe & Restaurant
Address: 7/28 The Avenue, Albany, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Tuesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Phone: +64 9 414 7424
Constantinople Cafe & Restaurant is one of Auckland’s top spots for authentic Turkish cuisine. Let me tell you, this place is like a magic carpet ride straight to Istanbul, minus the jet lag.
Here, your taste buds will tango with spices like paprika, cumin, and sumac. And you won’t be able to get enough of their juicy kebabs, creamy hummus, and vegetable dolma stuffed with goodness.
Whether you’re a meat-lover or even a falafel fanatic, Constantinople has your fix. Their menu is full of Turkish classics, from Apollo’s beef cheek (slow-cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection) to the Constantinople feast—a meaty medley that’ll leave you feeling like royalty.
Pro Tip: Give their Dafne’s nuts dolma a try if you’re in the mood for a good appetiser!
6. Woodspirit Turkish Pride
Address: 20 Broadway, Papakura, Auckland 2110, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
Phone: +64 21 205 0288’
Woodspirit Turkish Pide, where two adventurous Turkish chefs have brought their global flavors to your backyard. These guys are serving up artisan Turkish Pide made fresh from scratch.
Wood-fired flatbread loaded with deliciousness like tender beef eye fillet, smoky chicken, and even authentic Turkish chorizo. Plus, they’ve got options for the veggie lovers out there too, so nobody gets left out of the fun.
Pro Tip: Woodspirit brings its food truck to street events, festivals, and even private parties. So, keep your eyes peeled, because you never know when you might stumble upon a chance to devour their delicious Pide goodness.
7. Galata Kebabs & Grill
Address: 23/35 Albert Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +64 9 218 9617
If you’re on the hunt for Turkish kebabs that’ll tantalise your taste buds and leave you grinning like a Cheshire cat, look no further than Galata Kebabs & Grill. Galata’s kebabs are juicy masterpieces.
Their lamb souvlaki kebabs are tender, marinated lamb skewers sizzling hot, kissed with smoke and spices. And definitely drool-worthy.
And the Istanbul kebab is a top contender—lamb and chicken nestled with crispy fries and melted cheese, all wrapped in warm pita bread.
While their kebabs are pretty legendary here, you can’t go wrong with their lamb satay on rice and peanut sauce.
Pro Tip: Garlic pita bread. Trust me. Get it. The warm, garlicky goodness takes everything to the next level.
8. Lokanta Aegean Eating House & Bar
Lokanta Aegean Eating House & Bar
Address: 137A Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to late
Phone: +64 9 360 6355
Lokanta Aegean Eating House & Bar takes you to the shores of the Aegean Sea with its authentic Turkish cuisine.
Craving chicken? Get their grilled lemon chicken skewers: marinated in lemon and herbs, grilled to perfection, and served with hummus, tahini, tzatziki, tabbouleh, and grilled flatbread.
Or, get the papoutsakia—a hearty vegetarian dish with eggplant, Turkish green beans, potato, and chickpea base, topped with rocket and parmesan.
Feeling daring? Try their Aegean Island goat. This braised-roasted goat is served with barley risotto and caramelised carrot, and it’s quite juicy.
Pro Tip: If you’ve got a craving for dessert, you can’t go wrong with their coconut and almond baklava.
9. Titirangi Village Kebab
Address: 423 Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Auckland 0604, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +64 9 817 1275
Titirangi Village Kebab is where kebab dreams become reality. Forget those sad, limp kebabs you see elsewhere. Here, they’re the real deal: juicy, marinated meats, piled high with fresh veggies and homemade sauces.
Sure, they’ve got kebabs that’ll satisfy your deepest döner desires, but Titirangi Village Kebab goes above and beyond. Get their lamb curry, a fragrant explosion of spices that’ll warm your soul.
Craving something veggie? The moussaka is for you. It’ll make you forget meat even exists (okay, maybe not entirely, but it’s pretty darn good).
Chicken fan? The ataturk chicken is your new best friend.
Pro Tip: Don’t sleep on the spinach borek. It’s a savoury pastry hug filled with goodness: crispy on the outside, cheesy, and spinachy on the inside. Perfection in every bite.
10. Feriza’s
Address: 7/12 Jellicoe Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +64 9 600 2088
Feriza’s is one of Auckland’s hottest spots for authentic Turkish cuisine. Feriza’s dishes are packed with punchy spices, fresh ingredients, and cooking techniques that have been perfected over generations.
Whether you’re a hard-core carnivore, a veggie enthusiast, or just love trying new things, Feriza’s menu has you covered.
Forget boring fish! Their crispy salmon comes with a squid-ink aioli that sounds crazy but tastes divine. Plus, the roasted baby potatoes and balsamic glaze add a sweet and savoury touch.
And their sizzling halloumi guvech is a halloumi dream come true. It’s vegetarian comfort food at its finest.
Pro Tip: Feeling adventurous? Get the tagine chicken. Don’t forget the tzatziki and aromatic rice to soak up all that deliciousness.
11. Turkish Cafe Ponsonby
Website: Turkish Cafe Ponsonby
Address: 294 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday – 11 AM to 8:30 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11 AM to late
- Sunday – 4 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +64 9 360 0468
Turkish Cafe Ponsonby is a popular restaurant in Auckland that serves a wide variety of authentic Turkish dishes on the menu.
Give their tavuk soute a go. It’s a famous Turkish dish of diced chicken with capsicum, mushrooms, garlic, tomatoes, and traditional spices, served with rice, salad, and, of course, pita.
Their Afghan mixed plate is also good to get if you like slow-cooked tender lamb shank and izmir kofteh. And the karishik kebab is for those with big appetites.
Pro Tip: For couples or small groups, get the boss’s special house platter. It’s a combination of marinated slow-cooked lamb shank, pirzolah kebab, grilled chicken breast, calamari, smoked chicken, and king prawns, with a fresh leaf and choban salad.
12. Taksim Turkish Kitchen & Bar
Address: 404 Beach Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 4 PM to 9 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +64 9 478 4080
Taksim Turkish Kitchen is like stepping into a cosy Turkish grandma’s kitchen, except way cooler (and with less chance of accidentally setting off the fire alarm with your overenthusiastic baklava baking, just sayin’).
And for their menu alone, Taksim deserves a gold medal in the Turkish Eats Olympics. With Taksim’s Taksim mixed grill platter, you’ll get marinated chicken, lamb, and Adana kebab, all served with pillowy pide bread, creamy hummus, refreshing tzatziki, and salads.
If you want lamb, their lamb shank is so tender, it’ll give you the wobbles. It’s nestled on a bed of creamy polenta and surrounded by grilled veggies and tangy salsa verde. This dish is so good, you might need to lie down afterwards (in a good way, obviously).
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the saffron rice and tabbouleh. They’re the perfect sidekicks to soak up all the deliciousness and add an extra layer of flavour to your feast.
13. Adanaa Turkish Takeaway
Address: 3120 Great North Road, New Lynn, Auckland 0600, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 4 PM
- Sunday- 12 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +64 9 825 0625
Who says Turkish food can’t have pizza? Adanaa’s got you covered with unique and delicious pizza creations. We’re talking falafel, sucuk (a spicy Turkish sausage), and even Adana meat king pizzas—drool-worthy!
They use top-notch, high-quality ingredients, so you know you’re getting the good stuff. Plus, their pide breads are made fresh daily!
And the portions are generous enough to satisfy even the hungriest of bellies. You won’t leave this place feeling like you need to raid the fridge later.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the Adana chicken shish pizza! Grilled chicken, veggies, and melty cheese—it’s a crowd-pleaser, for sure.
