Anatolia

This has to be one of the best kebabs restaurants. The food is amazing and I never leave here disappointed. Everything is cooked how it should be, and the rice with your kebabs is just what makes it. Vibe is casual but great. And the staff is good.

This place is utterly incredible! The food is delicious, fresh and dirt cheap. My friend and I stuffed ourselves on Lamb Kofte (minced meat with herbs chargrilled on a skewer) with rice, huge side salad, chilli and garlic dips, breads and imam baylidli (a delicious aubergine and tomato dish). We couldn’t finish what we’d ordered and it came to less than £8 each.
All of the food looked delicious, the service was good and very speedy and the outside tables are good for people watching. Plus it’s BYOB. I would literally travel across London for this place.
Only minor niggles: interior décor not great and outside tables on a slope.

I went to anotolia after a friend recommended it to me, i could say its one of the best turkish restaurants i have been too, from the quality of the food to the quailty of service fantastic.

My boyfriend raved about this place every time we passed by it on the bus. «Oh we have to go there. It’s my favourite Turkish place in London.» We put it off for a long time because the opportunity just never came up.
So finally we passed it just as we were ready for lunch. He’d discovered it many many years ago when he was playing a gig at the Hackney Empire and was walking around in search of dinner. For £5 apiece, we had a flavourful veggie stew, salad and rice. We both got the same thing. I made sure that if he’d been raving about it, I was getting exactly what he was raving about. It was so filling that neither of us even finished it. They also offered bread (really really good bread) for free. The service was excellent, the food was delicious and great value. I don’t know if it’s the BEST, but it’s pretty damn good.

Very good food here, freshly made, great bread, not as good as the one at the end of Well St but still totally worth it if you’re in the area.

In a word — YUM. I stopped by one day last week for a late lunch and was surprised and pleased by the quality — and quantity — of food that appeared before me. The halloumi started seemed a little steeply priced at £4.50 but when six thick slices of perfectly griddled cheese appeared along with crunchy lettuce and fresh tomato I was pleased I’d gone for it.
The vegetable moussaka came in a likewise generous portion, soft and creamy and delicious — the menu had described it as «caressed with cheese» which was a spot on description — and came with a side plate of that lovely big white rice I can never remember the name of and some salad. I did my best to clear my plates but had to admit defeat three quarters of the way through — maybe no starter next time.

Unfortunately for Unilocal,but not me, I bought a new bike the day after my leaving do, so I’ve been hooning it around London and surrounding counties, Here’s the delayed review. What an interesting place, it’s got funkiness, it’s got cocktails, it’s got Sisha’s, live DJ’s (weekends only) and Turkish food. Really enjoyed the evening here, obviously helped by some good company, excellent cocktails, and the setting. Everyone who came, commented on how different and pleasant this pub, in the middle of Hackney, was. Quite a find, quite an evening. Food, drinkies, lots of jibber jabber, and dancing. Marvellous. I’d suggest if you’re in the area, and fancy something a bit different, then this would be a great place to visit. The outdoor area has tables n chairs, but also a Turkish style sisha smoking area, with cushions and floor mats. Indoors has a cool vibe to it. Definitely not the norm. Staff were very welcoming, and produced some excellent cocktails. The mezze we had was tasty and traditional — no surprise as the food comes from Anatolia restaurant next door. Overall, if around the area, worth visiting.

Where were you when you learned that Michael Jackson died? You’re bound to get this question from this day forward, so you’d better juice up your answer!
I was enjoying a late night (drunken, let’s be honest) meal with three, come four fantastic friends, devouring a £12 bottle of white wine, (someone get this girl a straw!) and shoving hummus and lamb shish kebabs in my face at dangerous speeds.
3D glasses were involved, as were some incriminating photos with some overly powdered Turkish delight. I think quotes like «That’s what she said» and «your mom» may have slipped in among my infamous Scottish and Irish accents. (They’re truly amazing, you should hear me say «Carrrrehmel» juxtaposed with «They’re magically delicious!» This also launched a few references to Toucan Sam, which were equally enjoyed by the Irish, Scottish and American group.
Nearing the end of our hummus, haloumi, cack and kebab, Evelyn received the ominous text «Michael Jackson Died…» to which, logically, we decided to confirm by asking the waitstaff who had been trying to usher us out for the past 20 minutes. The only things confirmed at the meal were that #1.Anatolia Ocakbasi was indeed magically delicious and cheap, and that #2. If MJ did die, we blame the boogie.
Bottle of white wine £12
Order of hummus, haloumi, cack and lamb kebab: £19
Having an amazing answer (and shocking photo evidence) to the question: «Where were you when you found out Michael Jackson died?»
Priceless.

I have been using this restaurant for the past few years, it has always been a decent eatery. however i have been having grave misgivings about this place in recent months. This has culminated in my trip there tonight. I was there for a take out, as i had work to finish in doors. I arrived but there were 5 others beofre me, and a relatively full restaurant. 3 peoiple obviously had ordered butr seemed to keep looking up when anything was prepared eventually 3 were served and went away, possibly with that about time look on their face. we however waited yet again and still never were asked what we wanted. They wrere too busy with seated punters. finally the guy after me asked if anyone wwas serving, only to be told to wait his turn. sorry but that is no way to treat your customers, especially loyal ones. I will not be using this place again, because of their attitude. And if you are of a like mind you will avoid it as much as you can. They love you when they need customers, but that all changes when they have bums on seats.

i have been going to Analolia for 2 years. The price of food is reasonable nd generous. My big recommendation instead of for a takeaway for pizza or chicken n chips ORDER THE LAHMACUN.
their lamacun is a healthier and more interesting alternative to your ordinary take out food. flat bread freshly cooked at the open fire with minced meat and their gorgeous salad. i love thier salad its always right. Yes i think my favourite speciality is the lahmacun.
So people when your on ur lunch break or on your way to home order the lahmacun for only £1.20(it cost more if you eat in).its big and really filling.
order the lahmacun
hope you like it love
the lahmacun freak

I eat here a few times a week because the food is so good, cheap and the staff are really friendly! The best food I usually order is the Turkish pizza called Lahmacun which is only £1.20 and is really delicious and filing! The Lahmacum is a wrap of thin bread, around minced meat, with a salad of red cabbage, pickles, onions, tomatoes, peppers and onions; served warm this dish is cheaper than cooking. The other star buy I have discovered is the Cheese Burger, I know it may not sound original but its soooo good! Proper thick burgers, with Turkish Bread cut in circles as the bun, served with the fill range of salad. Its so good that I even have all my flat mates hooked… price £1.30. Talking of which I may get one now!

Whenever I ask my friends what the best take away is in the area, Anatolia is the usual answer. You can eat in as well, and there are plenty of tables and chairs so you won’t have to fight for a seat.
It’s not one of the better restaurants I would want to go to, and being a pescetarian there isn’t a great choice for me. But sometimes a good, substantial, Turkish meal is just what I fancy. Cheap, cheerful, and huge portion sizes, you won’t go away hungry.
And I always like restaurants more when they let you bring your own alcohol.

Anatolia is located on Mare St. in Hackney Central. This particular part of Mare St. is buzzing at night, as there are quite a few restaurants around. It is not so busy in the day time though.
I went to Anatolia with a couple of friends for lunch. I had a lamb shish kebab, with the typically complimentary 3 extra plates of salad. The food was good and was obviously very substantial, as I had to go home for a little sleep afterwards.
The experience was nice overall. The service was great, we were however the only people in there, but sometimes that is when waiters can be complacent. They did a great job though, checking that everything was alright.
The restaurant is B.Y.O and there is an off-​license just across the road.

This is one of the most reliable Turkish spots in the area, although it remains only my second-​choice behind Mangal, just off Kingsland Road. Interestingly, its not the food that lets Anatolia down. I actually prefer the way dishes are served here. But the way that this place is laid out is just not particularly atmospheric, or at least not in the way that Mangal always seems to induce a really raucous meal. Anatolia is still a steady choice though, if you’re in the area, and it definitely beats the other Turkish ocakbasi places on Mare Street.
I almost always get the Patlican, a mixture of grilled, spiced lamb chunks with gooey, blackened aubergine slices, served here in a dish of sizzling hot tomato and onion sauce. There are many other options, including the usual doner and shawarmas, grilled mackerel and chicken. The falafel is also excellent if you want to take something away to eat at home.
Needless to say everything is cooked in front of you on the big spitting charcoal grill. With any main course you receive a basket of bread, a bowl of rice and an onion salad. You can bring your own alcohol (although they do sell Efes Turkish beer which is quite good) and the service is fast and genuinely friendly.

I suggested Anatolia to a mate when we were on lunch-​break from work. For two years, we ate here at least once a week.
Traditional Turkish food at affordable prices. as Andyman says great value. All the usual Kebabs are available, taste great and prepared just how you request. I like my Chicken Doner slightly blackened/​crispy on the edges, and they always remembered this, but would always check, before serving me.
The also do a range of daily specials, pork in a tasty tomato sauce (the fantastic freshly grilled bread, used to mop up), grilled mackerel, lamb shanks/​chops. and so it goes on, each a wonderful and filling meal, every time. Not too hungry? Its possible to make a small meal of the various side dishes.
They have a big traditional charcoal grill (Ocakbasi) where they do fantastic Shish, Kofti, fish and breads.
Vegetarians are well catered for with a variety of rice/​pea/​bean/​salad dishes. They will also skewer some chunky veg and grill them, kebab style.
The restaurant is well staffed with friendly, polite and capable people. They remember their customers and are very hospitable.
There is a lot of seating available and a range of table sizes from 2 to 20 people — if you give them some notice they arrange whatever combination you need. With Hackney council offices, close by — The place is often filled with large groups of council workers.
Often gets busy, especially at lunchtime, however, even if we sat-​in, we never had to rush! With only an hour for lunch, we ordered, ate and chatted at a leisurely pace.
The usual range of soft and alcoholic drinks are available.
A meal with soft drinks for 2 — from £12 to £16 (with starters). Of course its easy to spend a good bit more, depends how hungry or indulgent you are.
Now that neither of us work in the area, we miss Anatolia and remember it with pleasure.

sadly i really enjoy eating out and try lots of diffrent food but i find there is not a lot of special places that make me want to go to .and this is one of them. service not great and food average

this place is amazing, one of the best kebab places around.
i sometimes cry tears of joy when eating here.

How many times have you left an eating place, thinking ‘that could have been better’, or ‘I enjoyed that, but it was a bit pricey’. Compare that to how many times you’ve said, ‘that was great food and what value’
Well, if you start eating at Anatoli Ockabasi, you’ll be saying that every time and I kid ye not. Whether you choose to eat in or take-​away the quality of the food remains and it’s value, there is that word again.
The food is traditional Turkish dishes, with quality meat used, and the salads are delicious. All meals quantities are huge, so make sure you don’t have a snack before going. Friendly, good ‘value’, quality… get down there!