Crowd-pleasing Turkish fare with standout grills and pide in lively Newtown; good value for portion and quality, but service speed and consistency can vary at busy times.
Taste of Turkey delivers solid neighborhood dining with strong food quality anchored by well-executed grills and traditional meze that earn consistent praise. However, inconsistent execution during busy periods—cold dishes, staggered service, and occasional dryness—prevents the restaurant from reaching higher territory. The vibrant Enmore Road location and generous portions appeal to groups and families, but service pacing remains a limiting factor for reliability.
On Enmore Road, Taste of Turkey feels warm and bustling, the kind of spot where platters land hot and plates quickly fill with meze and bread. Service is often friendly and welcoming, and one diner noted the team "made us feel looked after from the start." At peak hours, that lively buzz can tilt noisy, and a few guests experienced slower pacing when rooms are full. The cooking leans classic Anatolian: smoky Adana, tender lamb over silky eggplant, Beyti under cool yoghurt, and crisp-edged pide from the wood-fire. It is traditional and hearty rather than showy, best enjoyed family-style so you can mix dips, grills, and a warm bread refill. Portions are generous, prices sensible for Newtown, and the menu suits both first-timers and Turkish food fans who crave the staples. Families are well covered with a dedicated kids list (nuggets and chips, junior cheese pide, chicken shish) plus simple sides like fries and rice. If you have dietary needs, staff can often guide choices from the many vegetarian and vegan meze, though not every dish is customizable. Expect crowd-pleasing options that most kids will happily eat.
Area vibe: Creative inner-west strip with nightlife, street art, and a young, diverse crowd; lively evenings and weekend buzz.
Safety: Generally safe with heavy foot traffic; typical inner-city noise and late-night activity; well-lit main road.
What's nearby: On Enmore Rd near theatres, bars, and cafes; easy walk to Newtown/Stanmore stations; limited street parking.