Ala Turca — Restaurant in Kaipātiki

▢ Food Quality The lamb, unfortunately, did not live up to expectations. The meat was dry and had an unpleasantly aged taste, making it a disappointing choice. While the sauce was passable, it did little to elevate the overall dish. On the plus side, the bread was fresh, providing a slight reprieve from the otherwise underwhelming meal.

▢ Portion Size The portion sizes left much to be desired. Despite the reasonable pricing, the serving was insufficient, prompting the need for an additional order to feel satisfied. This diminished the value of the meal.

▢ Presentation Though the food's flavor didn’t impress, the presentation was visually appealing, offering a more refined look than its taste could support.

▢ Ambiance The space is decent but lacks some essentials, such as a toilet, which could be inconvenient for diners. The atmosphere is pleasant enough for a sit-down meal, but it doesn’t quite make up for the shortcomings in the food. Parking was pain

▢ Service The staff were friendly, and the hospitality was commendable. Despite the food’s shortcomings, the service added a positive note to the experience, making guests feel welcomed and...

We were in North Shore and had no idea where to eat, so I checked out some restaurant recommendations on Reddit. That’s how we discovered Ala Turca, a Turkish gem in Birkenhead. I was craving a good salad, and Turkish salads I've had in the past were always light and refreshing. Ala Turca took it to the next level – their salad not only looked amazing but tasted even better! The portions were generous; a medium plate was more than enough.

As Asians, we have high standards for rice, and their rice exceeded our expectations. It was cooked with some unique ingredients we couldn’t quite figure out, but it was absolutely delicious – so much so that we ordered more! We also tried their Turkish coffee, which was beautifully presented alongside some traditional Turkish candies. The coffee was rich and flavorful – a perfect way to end the meal.

The restaurant was spotless, and I’m guessing the friendly people behind the counter were the owners. They made us feel so welcome. Reddit was absolutely right about checking out the eateries in Birkenhead, and Ala Turca is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be back the next time we’re...

We came for lunch and ordered three large meat on chips. The order took about 20 minutes to make, which would’ve been fine if the food was worth the wait, but unfortunately, it wasn’t.

On the drive home, we realised our two baklavas were missing. When we went back to get them, the staff insisted we’d only ordered one. We checked the receipt and saw they’d only charged us for one even though we’d asked for two. We just left it at that, but it was already frustrating.

When we got home and opened our food, the portions were really disappointing. The container was only half filled with fries and the other half with meat. We’re regular customers here and usually the box is packed full, chips on the bottom with meat on top, but this time it felt stingy, especially for a large size.

Overall, not worth the money at all. Really dissatisfied with the quality and consistency. We won’t be coming back after...