ALA ANTIOCH Turkish Cuisine — Restaurant in Vaughan

Review of Ala Antioch Turkish Cuisine

Nestled in a vibrant corner of the GTA Ala Antioch Turkish Cuisine offers a remarkable dive into the rich flavors and culture of southern Turkey. With a name that pays homage to the historical Antioch (modern-day Antakya), the restaurant brings the bold, diverse tastes of this ancient region to life in a way that’s both authentic and exciting.

Ambiance The interior of Ala Antioch immediately sets a warm, inviting tone, with rustic wooden tables, traditional Turkish ceramics, and earthy tones that create a cozy, comfortable vibe. There’s an undeniable charm in the restaurant’s unpretentious, family-style setting, which makes it feel like a home away from home. The ambient music and subtle lighting contribute to a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal.

Food The menu is an absolute highlight. True to its roots, Ala Antioch focuses on dishes from the Antakya region, offering a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. For starters, the Meze Platter is a perfect way to explore the depth of Turkish appetizers. The Muhammara (a smoky red pepper dip) and Hummus are particularly noteworthy, rich and velvety, with the right balance of spices.

For the main course, Ala Antioch shines with its Kebab offerings. The Adana Kebab is a standout, with perfectly spiced minced lamb, grilled to a juicy, smoky finish. The Iskender Kebab, a regional specialty, is another highlight, with succulent lamb served over warm, soft pita, drenched in a tangy tomato sauce, and topped with a generous dollop of yogurt. Each dish is a harmonious blend of spices, textures, and aromas.

The Kunefe, a Turkish dessert made from shredded filo dough soaked in sweet syrup and layered with melted cheese, is the perfect finish. It’s a delightful, indulgent treat that’s both crispy and gooey, with the perfect balance of sweetness.

Service The service at Ala Antioch is both warm and efficient. Our waiter mustafa was attentive without being overbearing, knowledgeable about the menu, and eager to offer recommendations based on your preferences. he was happy to share insights into the history behind certain dishes, making the dining experience feel more personal and immersive. The timing of the courses was also spot on, allowing for a leisurely meal without feeling rushed, and he also included some complementary appitizers. Overall the...

This was my first time dining at a Turkish restaurant, and Ala Antioch truly made it a memorable experience. From the moment we walked in, our server Mustafa made us feel warmly welcomed. He was polite, friendly, and attentive throughout the evening—even though it seemed like he was the only server working at the time. Despite that, he managed to be both fast and efficient without compromising on service quality.

My wife and I shared the kebab platter for two along with Kunefe for dessert. The platter featured five to six different types of meat, all perfectly seasoned, juicy, and full of flavor. My wife, who’s more familiar with Turkish cuisine, also commented on how authentic and well-balanced the seasonings were. The platter came with two types of rice, grilled tomato and green pepper, and a delicious seasoned bread (I can’t remember the name, but it was fantastic). Everything complemented the meats beautifully.

The Kunefe was a standout—it was hands down the best I’ve had so far. It was perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and not overly sweet like some versions I’ve tried elsewhere. While it was on the pricier side, the quality made it absolutely worth it.

A nice surprise came when Mustafa brought us a small sample of two appetizers along with some bread, since we hadn’t ordered any. After tasting them, I’m already looking forward to coming back just to explore the appetizers—they were that good.

The restaurant itself was clean and welcoming, with plenty of comfortable seating. Although I didn’t visit the washroom, the overall cleanliness of the dining area gives me confidence that it would be well maintained. Parking was also plentiful and convenient, which is always a bonus.

In summary, Ala Antioch Turkish Cuisine offers excellent food, outstanding service, and a clean, comfortable environment. It may be on the pricier side, but for the quality and experience, it’s well worth it. We’ll definitely...

First time going today. My dad recommended the place after he went with his coworkers. The atmosphere was amazing and the place is really pretty from the inside. Our server was Berkan/Belkan (not sure if I’m remembering correctly or spelling it right), but he was super nice and attentive to what we wanted. He gave really good recommendations. My sister and I got the Chicken skewer as well as the boneless chicken chops and it was absolutely delicious and very flavourful. My dad got the beef skewer (Bonefile?) which was also really good! The portion sizes were great. The fresh pita/bread was amazing too! We also ordered the mezze platter (mixed appetizers) to eat with the pita. My favourite was the yogurt with red pepper and the baba ganoush. The server also brought us Lahmacun and honestly I think it’s the best one I’ve tried yet (not even exaggerating). Their milk cake (Tres leche) was DELICIOUS!! and the portion size was really good. Our server also recommended this yogurt drink which is kind of like a Lassi (if you’re south asian you’ll know what I mean), it was nice and had a salty kick to it. The turkish tea was a nice way to end the meal with the milk cake :) Also their menu selection IS HUGE, they have so many options (haven’t usually seen this much at other places)!! In the past we’ve usually gone to Efendi but Ala Antioch was amazing and will be our new go to spot as a family. Not only was the food delicious, the service was superb which is super important to us!! Wish I got better...