Halikarnas Turkish Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

Came here for my sisters birthday party, very disappointed with the food.It was $65 per head. Started off with very stale bread served with dips , then the appetisers came out which was a measly amount of chicken wings (probably enough for one wing per person). The chicken was cold, dry and lacked anything resembling flavour. Seriously not sure how rhey considered this good enough to bring out. Imagine bland cold chicken

Disappointed but was hopeful for the main meal which again was a shared mix grilled platter. Once again not enough food for everyone. The platter was empty in one minute. When it came time for my wife and I to get our portion, so i asked if more food was coming. Waiter advised me that that was it. I told them i hadnt eaten so they grudgingly bought out another platter that was smaller and lacking pita bread that the original platter had. The mix grill was lacking any flavour or salt(and im not a person that likes salty food) on all the meats, turkish kofte was undercooked and pink( everyone on the table noticed the same with their kofte). Everyone was disappointed with how cold the food came out and how it lacked flavour. So it wasnt designated to our platter only.

I spoke to the owner about our grievances. He was very defensive and offended stating his food is good and offered no apology. He asked if i didn't want to pay for my meal, insinuating i was a cheap skate. I told him everyone was disappointed with the food, and it just wasnt me

I then returned to my table for the food that had only just been placed being taken away, likely in spite.

He then later on pulled me from my chair and asked me to speak with him in the kitchen where he plopped a half frozen pack of meat in my hands and said we only use quality meat. I told him that doesnt change the fact that the food was lacking flavour and seasoning.

They then bought out the desert, baklava once again me and my wife were left without any desert as they left our side of the table with two missing dishes.

--- EDIT--- Replying to the reply.

Wings were cold, ask anybody on the table. Flavorless.

I never called their backstrap lamb 'liver" honestly never even had liver before lol.

Owner claims we ate desert and has footage of me and my wife eating it. I welcome him to upload the footage and add it to his reply and ill gladly eat my words, which wont happen, because we never got enough desert.

He claims i was rude towards staff, i never once done anything that would be considered remotely rude. i even helped the waiters gather the plates and cutlery on table. It literally boggles me that he even put that in his reply, everyone on the table can attest to this. I use to work in a kitchen so i sympathize with their workers.

He is literally trying to make himself look like the victim of a sham review which this is not. Owner even asked the the my sisters husband for people not to leave negative reviews. Got sent this text after leaving.

Owner also claims fruit was bought out which never happened.

Left hungry and with a hefty bill. Very disappointed. Avoid the set menu.

To the owner, feel free to contact me and ill gladly put u in contact with everyone at the party to...

Service overall was fantastic, however the food on the other hand was debatable. We all ordered the banquet between the 4 of us. First we received the trio of dips and bread. The dips could have used more salt and the bread could have been more fresh, as it tasted like it had been microwaved. The hummus from woolworths tasted much better in my opinion. Further, I would love to have seen fresh bread out of the oven. We then received 4 calamari rings that tasted off, and 6 small packet prawns which were not seasoned or anything, on a hot plate of canned tomato, herb and garlic sauce. The only thing good about that dish was the sauce. I would have loved to have seen fresh chargrilled Tiger prawns and a generous amount of calamari since the theme of your restaurant is a beach vibe. We all agreed the seafood did not cut it. Lastly, the meat had arrived and that was the only dish that saved me from the overall disappointment.

Overall: $60 per person banquet gives you..

Dips and bread 1 calamari ring 2 small prawns 1 lamb cutlet, 1 kofte, 1 lamb shish and 1 chicken shish.

We could have all been better off getting 1 main course and saved all the dissapointment.

I am writing this review so the owner can acknowledge where he can improve as I would love to come back one day.

If your theme is "beach" emphasise on fresh market fish, because from what I had seen from the prawns and calamari, it was enough not to try any...

Absolutely! Here's a 5-star review for a Turkish restaurant:

An extraordinary dining experience awaits you at this Turkish gem! From the moment you step inside, you are warmly welcomed by the friendly staff, making you feel like a part of their extended family. The ambiance is charming, with beautiful decor that transports you to the heart of Turkey. Now, let's talk about the food! Oh, it's a culinary delight! The menu boasts a fantastic selection of authentic Turkish dishes that burst with flavor and freshness. Whether you're a meat lover or a vegetarian, there's something to satisfy every palate. Don't miss the succulent Mixed Grill and the heavenly baklava for dessert. Each dish is prepared with care and attention to detail, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of Turkey. The ingredients are top-notch, and you can taste the authenticity in every bite. To complement the fantastic food, they offer an impressive array of beverages, including traditional Turkish tea and coffee. The service is impeccable; the staff is knowledgeable and eager to provide recommendations if you're unsure what to order. It's not just a meal; it's an unforgettable journey through Turkish flavors and traditions. Dining here is an experience you'll want to relive time and time again. If you're in search of an extraordinary culinary adventure, look no further. This Turkish restaurant is a true gem, deserving of every one of its...