Its 15 years of service make Gallipoli an old timer on Upper Street, where competition is fierce. The Aladdin's Cave decor and easy-going atmosphere are both reasons to return, but it's the menu that most encourages repeat visits. Turkish and Lebanese cuisines combine in flavour-packed plates of spankingly fresh food. Main course-sized dishes are available (mostly grilled meats on pitta with yoghurt and the restaurant's 'special sauce'), but the best tip is to order a tableful of the inexpensive and delicious mezze – spicy Turkish sausage, börek (pastries stuffed with minced beef and pine kernels, or potato and leek), imam bayildi (melt-in-the-mouth stuffed aubergine) and creamy hoummos with baskets of fresh Turkish bread. To drink, there's a gluggable house red at £11.95, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape for only £24.95, or Turkish Efes Pilsen.
Been here before and thought it was great but can't bad believe it was tonight. Frozen pees and sweetcorn in the imam bayuldi. Calamari really tough with frozen broccoli and carrots on the side. Iskander ok but lamb but somewhat tough and fatty and not much bread. Really really disappointed.
This is not the first time that I have been treated to (by far) the best Turkish food this side of London, because I am what you can say a habitue at the Gallipoli. This restaurant is so popular with Londoners that they have opened 2 more, also in Upper Street. So as not to confuse you where to go, the Galiipoli I am reviewing is Gallipoli 1. I have their number in my mobile in case I need to make a quick reservation which I had to do today after having been to Oxford showing my sister around as part of her 3rd UK visit. Their meze menu is to die for but we skipped ordering it and went to order the main course. Pardon me but I totally forgot what they called these. They were both succulent lamb dishes though. For a 2-course meal without wine, it'll cost you about £15 ppn, for a 3-course meal around £20-25 plus gratuities.