Melis — Restaurant in Central Milton Keynes

Food is absolutely amazing. Signature starter of pan fried liver is out of this world. Grilled ribs and mixed sheesh was on par with the best middle eastern restaurants that we have been to. The ambience makes for a great Saturday night and the belly dancer is great. That is unfortunately where it stops becoming a place worthy of spending your hard earned cash. We have been there several times, and each time it has been pretty similar and so not a one off. The service and attitude right up to management is amateurish and just plane rude. You have to almost beg to get served (a busy Saturday night but not all tables filled). The waiting staff never catch your eye as they are running around in chaos. Drinks arrived long after we started eating, and they forgot the water after which two different waiters arrived with water. Starter plates weren't cleared before the mains came and so there was no space on the table and we had to clear it for the waiter. Weren't asked about pudding, coffees etc. Managed to flag a waiter in a rush down to order final cocktails. 25 minutes passed and it hadn't arrived. Walked over to get assistant manager; no apology but said he would chase. 5 more minutes and didn't arrive so got bill at the till which, to no surprise, had the missing cocktail on it. The manager, to his credit, instantly took it off. However, the waiter that we had then came rushing over, snatched the bill and then tried to argue and tell the manager that all 4 cocktails had been delivered; except that we had ordered 5 :) He was so adamant we were wrong that we couldn't get a word into his argument and just at that point the missing cocktail was delivered to the till after having waited ~30 mins which was really funny. Paid the bill and left never to return. I have never had an experience where a waiter tried to argue. There are many good reviews and as said, the food is amazing so I have no doubt that they will just keep going like this given its spot in the town, but there are just far far better restaurants in MK where the service is outstanding (like the Olive Tree) and so we won't...

We were in the area for a weekend and decided to book Melis looking at reviews and being walking distance to the hotel.

We booked at 7:30 thinking that's adequate time to do iftar(open my fast), how wrong I was.

We got in earlier and the atmosphere was great, lively and felt like being in Turkey. We were seated at 7:20 and ordered food not long after and I advised I can wait till Iftar opens(at 7.53) however can they put a note for the food to come as soon as for my kids and wife, as they are young (5 and 2) and hungry and my wife is expecting.

A number of tables came after us and were being served food one by one as we patiently sat. 8pm arrived and I asked the waiter to check on the food and when it will come. He advised, it will be 5 mins. Still more tables were being served and nothing. Kids were starting to drift asleep and eventually food arrived at 8:15.

Food was good but small and rice was just boiled and had no flavour or seasoning.

The kids were so tired, they didn't end up eating and I had to get them out to get fresh air to wake them up and get food elsewhere as I didn't want them to go hungry. The music was very loud and you couldn't have a conversation or hear yourself think!

When it was raised to the waiter and waitress, there was no customer service or compassion. It was blamed on the lack of kitchen staff which didn't make sense as others were getting there food all around us. That was bought to their attention and there was no response.

A manager was called and he didn't apologise, just offered a free dessert which is something but we needed to get back as the kids were tired. It felt like the tables with more customers and the ones that were drinking alcohol were prioritised while we were completely disregarded. It's very disappointing to receive very bad customer service considering the positive reviews. I won't be returning and would advise not to bring kids as prices are expensive for three pieces of chicken and...

This large mediterranean restaurant looks a bit sad from outside at the moment. The terrace area appears to be awaiting some sort of refurbishment, so instead of the lively space it usually is, it’s all a bit forlorn.

Don’t let that put you off though, the restaurant inside is open for business - a large space with a semi-open kitchen to your left.

Visited on a Wednesday evening and seated straight away, the restaurant was moderately busy. Colourful lamps, some big booths to the right. Service was quick and attentive - order for drinks taken (the beer was Peroni, a good choice) and free lavash bread with dips for the table.

The menu itself is fulsome, with a good choice of hot and cold mezze to start, including all of the classics. Opted for some Sigar Borek - I love those little tubes of feta and mint. Always a good choice. For a main, I opted for the Sarma Beyti - good sized portion, served with rice, a little bulgar and a side-salad. Weird addition of five pieces of corn into the rice - I hate corn - but with so few, I could pick them out. Food itself was all freshly cooked and delicious, well on a par with some of the best mediterranean dishes I’ve had.

The Adana also looked very good - two big skewers of delicious lamb. I would have had that with chips though - I think sometimes you just want chips.

In addition to the street entrance the restaurant appeared to have a door onto the little shopping precinct next door, although that all looked a bit lifeless, so perhaps it is no longer open.

Overall a good experience and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area - plenty of parking outside, which may even be...