If you think that finding Turkish restaurants in Jeddah is difficult then I will make the hunt easier for you. I have been wandering around Jeddah for years and know a thing or two about the Turkish food here.
The food scene in this city has fully embraced the grilled kebabs, Turkish breakfast spreads, and the strong aroma of Turkish coffee.
Don’t worry!
You will get your hands on that sweet baklava and delicious doner in Jeddah at these restaurants.
After trying over 23 different Turkish restaurants in Jeddah I have shortlisted three of my favorites which are:
- Turkuoise
- Khayal
- Konak by Cengiz
And its not only about the food here I have considered ambiance, service and taste while picking these places and they will be worth it for sure.
So?
Let’s begin shall we?
1. Turkuoise – Classy, Chill, and Purely Turkish
Turkuoise had me at the turquoise lights no kidding.
This is one of those restaurants where not only the food but the ambiance also feels Turkish. The dining area is specious, bright and full of natural light.
The high ceilings make it feel more open and relaxing.
Your Instagram stories will pop thanks to the colorful interior design. I loved how they have a mix of red and cream chairs, and patterned walls.
The Turkish art is something you don’t see a lot in Saudi Arabia so make sure you get a few snaps of those.
I went during the afternoon, and it wasn’t crowded, which made it even better. Service was quick, the place was spotless, and you could actually hear the soft music over your meal.
My Favorite Turkish Dishes
The menu is huge and if you have never tried Turkish food you might feel overwhelmed.
No worries!
Let me tell you about my favorite dishes and you might love some of those too.
Fistikli Kebab: These are pistachio-infused kebab (yes, pistachios in kebab) and somehow the combination works perfectly. Its definitely something different from your usual meals.
Lahmajune: This isn’t your ordinary bread. You get a think flatbread that crispy and is topped with spiced minced meat. Simple, but addictive. I could’ve eaten three.
Gavurdag Salad Fresh, tangy, and just the right amount of crunch. It’s the kind of salad that doesn’t feel like a side.
2. Khayal – Best Turkish Restaurant In Jeddah
When you step inside this restaurant you will realize that this place was perfectly planned with big families in mind.
I loved the rustic vibes here along with wooden everything, soft lighting, and just enough greenery to make it feel fresh.
The juice station is colorful and has more color than a fruit market. you will see fruit baskets all around the restaurant which gives it that healthy and fresh feel.
This place knows its crowd. Big tables, fast service, and portions that could probably feed your table… and the one next to you.
Must-Try Dishes at Khayal
They have everything starting from breakfast all the way to dinner, coffee and juices. I have been to this place quite a few times and my favorite dishes are:
- Khayal Mix Grill: This platter has almost all the grilled Turkish food on the menu including lamb chops, kofta and chicken. Its perfect if you want to try the whole menu in one go.
- Spicy Potato Cubes: A side dish but definitely worth it. Its crispy, hot and has a unique flavor to it.
- Muhammara: Slightly sweet, smoky, and rich this dip with warm bread? Dangerous combo.
- Baklava Cheesecake: This is a unique combo. Baklava is a famous Turkish sweet and cheesecake? Well you know it. This combo is amazing and will satisfy your sweet tooth for sure.
3. Konak by Cengiz
This is the place where the ambiance and the food both look amazing. You will get to see industrial ceiling pipes, dark wood furniture, warm yellow lighting under the counters, and greenery hanging like it’s getting paid to look aesthetic.
The thing I really liked about konak restaurant is that the dining hall is specious. You wont be hearing conversations from the table behind you and yeah you wont bump into other people either.
The music is relaxing and calm which makes you feel like you just escaped the busy life of Jeddah for a moment.
3 Must-Try Dishes at Konak by Cengiz
The waiter was kind enough to suggest some good dishes because it was my first time and I didn’t want to make any mistakes.
Konak Fistikli Kebab: Pistachios and kebab are a combo I didn’t even know worked. The taste was nutty and definitely worth trying.
Alinazik: This is a big meal and includes grilled lamb served on some eggplant yogurt.
Katmer: A dessert stuffed with pistachio and cream, served warm. I didn’t share. Don’t plan to.
