Bodrum Essendon — Restaurant in Melbourne

Really disappointed at the service we received at this restaurant. After my dad paid the bill, he brought the receipt over and my mum had a look at the receipt to make sure everything was okay. This is quite standard for people to do, contrary to the owners response to a previous review (which was not even left by my family) where he made fun of this, and stated we walked out of the restaurant before returning with the bill, which is not true.

We noticed we were charged $14 instead of $8 for the roast potatoes, despite the menu clearly stating it was $8. When we asked about this, we were given a poor excuse by the waiter Ayden, who stated there is no way we would want the small if we are 5 people and it would be embarrassing if we did. When we told him he should ask people first which size they want, he said “I’ve been in this business a long time and no I don’t need to ask people this”. How unprofessional. I’m not sure how you can make such an assumption, especially given your menu does not specify that small or large are available. Contrary to what he thought, we also did not even finish the “large” potatoes. Also, we have been to hundreds of restaurants and they always ask which size you want first.

We were also nothing but polite however he kept talking over us and trying to justify overcharging us by being extremely condescending and defensive, although his explanation made zero sense. He even was not ashamed to be doing this in front of other customers.

The food is also very expensive and overpriced for what you’re getting, and there are much better restaurants in the area that have actual respectable owners and decent quality food. They also bring bottles of water to the table which they charge you for, without asking if this is okay first. Perhaps the restaurant is trying to secretly overcharge people and get away with it.

Especially in this day and age you must always ask customers before you charge them without their knowledge. We did not ask for the $6 back for the money (I think that should be obvious given we paid $250 for sub-par food). However it is the principle and given the current climate it is extremely rude to assume that any amount money does not go a long way for some people. If that doesn’t show you what kind of people own this venue I don’t know what does.

Majority of the night we had a good experience and we even exchanged some laughs with Ayden. For him to then ruin this and lose us as customers over the $6 he supposedly says means nothing, really speaks volumes.

If anything else should deter you from this restaurant and prove the unpleasant experience I had, just look at the manner in which the owner replies to negative reviews. They should look at how reputable owners respond to negative reviews and learn from them. I’m sure the owner will respond by telling me not to return to the establishment. Don’t worry, I decided I won’t on...

Hands down the most authentic Turkish food I’ve had in Melbourne! Wood-fired bread, juicy lamb, Mediterranean vibe, and large size and cheap price!

Must order!!! Wood-fired Turkish Bread – Baked in a real wood-fired oven at the back of the restaurant, smoky and slightly charred on the outside, soft and fluffy inside. Perfect with dips or meat dishes.

Chicken Tandir – Incredibly tender chicken in a slightly sweet, rich secret unique marinade. Think elevated BBQ chicken wings with soft, flavorful potatoes on the side.

Wood-fired Oven Lamb – My favorite!! Slightly crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and full of flavor. Paired with bread, yogurt sauce, chili and herbs — it’s a must-try combo.

Turkish Delight Waffle dessert – super amazing!! Totally different from regular waffles — crispy outside, dense and rich inside, super tasty ice cream, topped with loads of blueberries.

Bodrum Salad + Red Tannin Koftas – great option for vegetarians!! The soy-based koftas are soft and tasty, the salad is super fresh.

Ali Nazik Kebab – Soft lamb over a base of creamy cheese. The grilled peppers served with it aren’t spicy but addictive — really worth having a try!

Sigara Börek – Crispy on the outside, warm and cheesy inside, paired with a dipping sauce. Light, crunchy, and super satisfying.

Pistachio Bark Lava dessert – Lightly sweet, packed with pistachios and cashews, with a crispy texture that’s so satisfying. Great for anyone cutting sugar but still wanting a treat.

Prawn Skewers

Juicy prawns with a mild chili kick, crispy shallots, and tangy pickled onion. Flat bread was perfectly crispy. Great deal for $20.

Saganaki

Golden, crispy cheese outside, soft and creamy inside with a gentle dairy flavour. Delicious even on its own — worth trying.

Oven-Baked Salmon

Tender oven-baked salmon with flat bread, lemon, salad, and roasted tomatoes. Generous portion, very satisfying.

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Kuzu Tandir (Slow-Cooked Lamb)

Slow-cooked over wood fire until melt-in-your-mouth tender. Huge portion with yogurt and warm Turkish bread. My top recommendation.

Chicken Wings Set

Fire-grilled wings — tender inside, crispy outside with smoky BBQ flavour. Comes with Turkish rice, chickpeas, and salad — perfect one-person meal.

Prices are super reasonable — about $20–$40 per person, and you leave feeling full and happy. Cozy vibe with cultural décor and soft music. Warm air-conditioning in winter, clean and quiet bathrooms. Super fast service — dishes arrive in about 5 minutes. Honestly, Bodrum Essendon feels like one of those hidden gems where everything just works: the food, the setting, the vibe, the price. Already planning...

Ok This is my most recent review April 2024: As Bodrum is our favourite restaurant We had to be there to celebrate our 30th anniversary ♥️♥️ We were there with friends and family!! And again we were Welcomed like kings and queens 🙏🏻 The food was so delicious The service was perfect (Unfortunately that night the owner was absent but He chose the right staff to delegate his role .Thank you again for a fabulous night to all.🙏🏻🙏🏻 The following Review is the one I left In 2023: . Omg!! We found a gem💜💜💜💜Where to start??? The owners .. absolutely darling and beautiful people...The restaurant 's ambiance: chic & class....But In the good way as you feel welcomed in a warm atmosphere.The Food, this Turkish food: absolutely de- li- cious.... We ve started by the Classic but unique Babaganoush, Cacik & Hummus dips: All delicate and perfectly balanced, You will be transported to Istanbul with The midye Dolma (stuffed mussels) Then you follow the instructions of Aydin (the adorable boss) how to eat Saganaki sooooo good.. My son choose The unreal GUVEC prawns : a dream, My rockling fish unbelievable, The chicken and the lamb as you never taste before...And the old trad dessert (Kunefe) Everything was Perfect....💚❤️ One conclusion: we'll be back...soon..... My Husband is a French Chef , I am from Paris my family Paris and Australia and we are all foodies.. I promise you , we spent a beautiful...