I had to go over twenty different restaurants to create a list of the top 3 best Turkish restaurants in Riyadh.
Finding the perfect Turkish restaurant with authentic food can be challenging, as every restaurant claims to offer authentic Turkish cuisine.
Over the last few years, Turkish food has become popular in Riyadh and people from all over the world enjoy this cuisine. Known for its flavorful kebabs and delicious Pides and who can forget the sweet baklava?
In this blog, we will look at three of the best Turkish restaurants in Riyadh which are:
Turkish cuisine is incredibly versatile, so whether you’re craving a protein-packed meal like grilled meat or just a light salad, you’ll find it at these restaurants.
Let’s not wait anymore and explore these Turkish food places individually.
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Sultan Steakhouse Turkish Restaurant
This restaurant started in Jeddah and after success, it opened its branch in Riyadh in 2016.
This is one of the most premium Turkish restaurants in Riyadh known for its meat-heavy dishes.
Specializing in steaks and kebabs this restaurant is for you if you want to enjoy steaks in a premium setting with top-notch ambiance.
Location:
This restaurant is located in The Boulevard Riyadh which is a popular spot for tourists when they visit Riyadh. Their 2nd branch is located at Prince Saud Al Faisal, Ar Rawdah, Jeddah 23431, Saudi Arabia.
Must Try Dishes At This Turkish Restaurant In Riyadh
I have to warn you the prices are quite high but the food is worth it for sure.
- Sultan’s Special (538 SR): A special cut fillet cooked in butter, this is one of the most luxurious items on the menu.
- Half Meter Kebab (240 SR): Authentic Turkish-style kebabs.
- Tomahawk Steak (753 SR): A massive cut of beef, for steak enthusiasts.
- Sucuk Burger (113 SR): A flavorful burger featuring delicious sausage slices.
- Kunefe (91 SR): A traditional Turkish dessert made with cheese and pistachio.
Positive Review About Sultan Steakhouse
This Turkish restaurant has over seven thousand reviews on Google. Positive reviews are all about their steaks and their Turkish desserts.
People mentioned that the restaurant has a nice cozy environment with huge outdoor space which is really attractive especially when the weather is good.
Customers loved their steaks and most of the praise was for their Asado meat and their set menu which contains steaks and slow-cooked beef.
Their Turkish ice cream especially the baklava ice cream also got a lot of praise in the positive reviews and most customers mentioned that they would visit the restaurant again.
Negative Reviews About Sultan Steakhouse
You won’t find any negative reviews related to their food but two important aspects are mentioned in almost every negative review which is their price and their service.
While some people in the positive reviews mentioned that this Turkish restaurant has fast service the negative reviews mention that the waiters are not really polite and won’t listen to you.
They usually don’t take instructions really well and will cook like they always do.
Another thing is that their prices are just too high compared to the same kind of Turkish restaurants in Riyadh. Almost all the menu items are over SAR 100 which is just not affordable for most of the people in the city.
My Experience At Sultan Steakhouse
I visited the restaurant’s Boulevard branch, and with the pleasant weather, I chose to sit outside. The outdoor seating area is spacious and not overcrowded, providing a peaceful and undisturbed dining experience.
The waiter was kind and gave his suggestions regarding the best items on the menu and I went with the Sultan’s special and Half Meter Kebab.
The food tasted really good but I told them that I wanted my meat to be medium but it wasn’t medium at all.
The waiters seemed like they were in a rush and not listening to me really. To end the meal I tried their baklava ice cream and all my disappointment just went away. This is probably the best ice cream I have tried in years and I would come back for that for sure.
Overall I would rate this restaurant 7 out of 10 for its service and 9 out of 10 for its ambience and food.
TopKapi Turkish Restaurant
Named after the famous Ottoman palace Topkapi offers the best and most authentic Turkish food in Riyadh. Unlike other restaurants, you won’t find anything else other than Turkish food on their menu.
Their menu also offers vegetarian options and a dedicated section for a kid’s meal.
This restaurant has dishes that trace back to the time of the Ottoman Empire like Ekmek bread, Turkish kebabs, and a huge collection of different flavors of baklava.
The restaurant’s exterior and interior are both designed in the same traditional ottoman architecture which gives a peaceful and vintage feeling.
Location:
This restaurant is located at: التحليه مع الملك فهد, طريق الامير محمد بن عبدالعزيز Riyadh Saudi Arabia.
Must Try Dishes
Kuzu Pirzola: Grilled lamb chops prepared in a traditional Turkish style.
Kağit Kebap: Minced meat cooked with vegetables and spices.
Shish Fish Meal: A delightful meal featuring fish shish, accompanied by Topkapi salad, hummus, and baklava.
Turkish Baklava: A sweet treat made from pastry filled with nuts and sweetened with syrup.
Positive Review About Topkapi
These reviews were mostly about the food and the ambiance of the restaurant. Turkish people mentioned that the food in restaurants reminded them of their hometowns in Turkey.
On the menu section, people really loved their traditional bread and the red Turkish tea. Customers mentioned that the restaurant is quiet and not really overcrowded making it a good place for calm family dinners and gatherings with friends.
Their humus, beetroot humus, mutabbal, baba ghanou were mentioned in most of the positive reviews so I would say these should be tried.
Negative Reviews
Negative reviews in my opinion were not really negative. Turkish food is not salty usually and people frequently mention that the food does not have any salt.
I guess most people haven’t really tried authentic Turkish food so they expect something else when coming here.
One aspect that was mentioned is that the waiters do not have any knowledge of the menu and do not know proper English or Arabic so the communication is really difficult.
Our Experience
When I reached the location I was really impressed with the exterior design of the restaurant. The design is unique and stands out from the rest of the restaurants in Riyadh.
The ambiance inside was welcoming, simple yet really attractive. The quiet atmosphere is something really relaxing because you can easily conversate with your friends or family.
I started with the traditional Turkish Ekmek and red tea and I would say it was no less than the food I tried when I visited Turkey.
The tea is actually prepared with authentic Turkish tea and the bread recipe is the same as that in Turkey.
I then tried the hummus and the baba ghanouj was not only tasty but also smelled fresh.
I would say that the dishes I tried were exactly or almost identical to the food I tried in Turkey. The waiters were polite and I didn’t have any communication issues with them.
Overall I would rate this place 9.5 out of 10 for its ambiance, food, and service.
Beyzade Turkish Food In Riyadh
This restaurant started its operations in 1991 and has been serving Turkish food ever since. They have the most detailed menu out of all the restaurants on this list.
Their menu has everything from soft Turkish Doners, kebabs, and steaks to creamy and sweet desserts like Kadayif and Baklava.
The restaurant combines traditional Turkish food with modern cuisine and gives it new flavors that are worth a try for sure.
The restaurant ambiance is designed like a palace and everything in there seems huge and luxurious. If you want to visit a modern, classic, and traditional place all in one then this place is definitely for you.
Location:
Dist, Anas Ibn Malik Rd, Al Malqa, Riyadh 13524, Saudi Arabia.
Must Try Menu Items:
The menu is extremely detailed so you will need plenty of visits to try out all the dishes but I would recommend:
- Turkish breakfast
- mixed grill
- Bey Kebab
- Pistachio Kebab
- Turkish meze platters
Positive Reviews
People mentioned that the staff is really polite and helpful. They explain each dish in detail and recommend the best dish for you according to your taste.
While I did not have this experience some customers mentioned that they got a complementary Turkish tea when they arrived.
WHERE IS MY TEA?
Unlike other restaurants, people thought that the flavors were authentic and the food was cooked extremely well.
Negative Reviews
Negative reviews were mostly about the slow service and high prices.
Due to high prices, you will never see this place fully occupied but the customers mentioned that a simple salad took over half an hour to prepare.
Many people mentioned that while the food is good it’s not something unique for the price you pay for it.
You can find the same type of food in almost any other Turkish restaurant.
My Experience
My experience at this Turkish food restaurant in Riyadh was amazing. The moment I entered I knew I was getting premium service. The staff was polite and helpful and helped us decide on the best dishes.
We went for the Turkish breakfast along with Bey kebab and pistachio kebab and both of them were nothing less than best. The flavors felt authentic yet unique and the kebab was cooked just right.
The service was slow and the prices were on the higher end but I think the food, ambiance, and the staff made up for that.
Overall I would rate this place a solid 9.5 out of 10 for its service, ambiance, and food.
Conclusion
If you are looking for the best Turkish restaurant in Riyadh then these three restaurants should be on top of your list.
Each restaurant brings Turkish flavors in a unique way and you will want to visit them again at least once.
So what are you waiting for? Visit these restaurants and let me know how they were.