Efendi's Turkish Restaurant
282 Given Tce
Paddington
Brisbane
Daily 11-2.30, 5-10
BYO
3310 4753

In fitting Ottoman style Efendi continues to expand its empire from Victoria Point to the Valley and now to Paddington. Yet this is no ordinary chain although the menu largely comprises the usual Turkish suspects – dips, mezze and char grill platters, pide, shish, guvec (clay pot) and salads.

For starters everything, including the dips, bread, pide, pastries and desserts is made on fresh daily on site and everything carefully presented with attention to detail. Standouts include the Turkish pizzas, salads and shish, which is cooked traditionally over hot open coals.

The restaurant itself is devoid of rugs and the standard Turkish trimmings, instead a sleek modern space with stunning decorative fretwork along one wall and, out back a terrace with Turkish lanterns, murals and city glimpses.

In between sittings for lunch and dinner Efendi's stays open to serve Turkish coffee, apple tea or a range of Turkish mineral water and sodas and on Friday and Saturday nights belly dancing and live music are on the menu.

There's also a child's menu of chicken or lamb shish or lamb cutlets all served with rice and salad or mini Turkish pizzas.

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