Mehmet Kitchen — Restaurant in Portsmouth

A Culinary Gem in Portsmouth: Mehmet Kitchen Mehmet Kitchen isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience that transports you straight to the heart of Turkey. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere, with the tantalizing aromas of expertly grilled meats and fragrant spices filling the air. The Food: A Symphony of Flavors The star of the show at Mehmet Kitchen is undoubtedly the food. The menu boasts a wide array of authentic Turkish dishes, from succulent kebabs cooked to perfection over an open flame to flavorful mezes bursting with freshness. Kebabs: Whether you opt for the classic lamb shish, the tender chicken doner, or the Adana kebab with its subtle spicy kick, the quality of the meat is exceptional. Each skewer is grilled with precision, resulting in juicy and flavorful bites. The accompanying rice is fluffy and fragrant, and the fresh salads provide a delightful contrast. Mezes: The cold and hot meze selection is a fantastic way to start your culinary journey. The creamy hummus, the smoky baba ghanoush, and the vibrant stuffed vine leaves are just a few highlights. These small plates are perfect for sharing and offer a diverse taste of Turkish cuisine. Pides: These Turkish-style pizzas are another must-try. The dough is perfectly crisp, and the toppings range from traditional minced lamb and vegetables to moreish cheese and Turkish sausage. Chef's Specials: Don't miss the chef's special dishes, which often showcase regional specialties and seasonal ingredients. Dishes like Karniyarik (aubergine stuffed with minced lamb) offer a comforting and authentic taste of home-style Turkish cooking. The Service: Warmth and Hospitality Beyond the exceptional food, what truly sets Mehmet Kitchen apart is the genuine warmth and hospitality of the staff. You are made to feel like a valued guest from the moment you arrive. The service is attentive and friendly, with staff always happy to offer recommendations or answer any questions you may have about the menu. Many reviewers specifically mention the friendly and welcoming nature of the owner and the team, creating a truly enjoyable dining experience. Atmosphere and Ambiance The restaurant itself has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it perfect for a casual meal with family and friends or a more intimate dinner. While the focus is clearly on the delicious food, the comfortable setting enhances the overall experience. Value for Money Mehmet Kitchen offers excellent value for money. The portion sizes are generous, and the quality of the ingredients is evident in every dish. You can enjoy a satisfying and flavorful meal without breaking the bank. In Conclusion Mehmet Kitchen is a true gem in Portsmouth's culinary scene. It offers an authentic taste of Turkey with exceptional food, warm hospitality, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Turkish cuisine or new to its delights, Mehmet Kitchen is a must-visit. Be prepared to leave feeling satisfied and eager to return. Address: 175 - 177 Copnor Road,...

This is the most special hidden gem we have ever found! Nestled away from the city centre of Portsmouth is the most authentic Turkish food you will eat, Mehmet's kitchen really ticks every box.

Not only was the food incredible, Nikki and Mehmet were the most welcoming hosts and you could tell they just loved serving their wonderful food and bringing smiles to people's faces. It's worth noting that they do not serve alcohol so everyone can really enjoy their food to it's full extent - we tried some of the mocktails and they were delicious!

We wished we could try everything on the menu but we walked out so full we could've burst!

We tried both the mixed hot and cold meze platters both of which were outstanding and so fresh, particularly their traditional Lavash bread which was so light and airy and went perfectly to dip into the cold meze. The highlight from the hot meze was the signature Turkish lahmacun (the original pizza) which was a thinly baked pastry with a minced lamb mixture on, a must try!

For main course we had a mixture of meat dishes with sides of rice and salad, including chicken shish, lamb chops and the special recommendation of sarma kuzu beyti (a marinated lamb wrapped in lavash bread in tomato sauce and butter). Every single thing was marinated to perfection, nothing was dry and it was the most flavoursome food we've ever had!

As if that wasn't enough we then sampled the two traditional desserts baklava and rice pudding (served cold) and we were honestly blown away. All of us said they were the best desserts we'd tasted, the baklava had the perfect mix of nuttiness and sweetness from the syrup and the rice pudding, wow, just so creamy and moreish.

We washed this down with some complimentary Turkish tea to help us digest the vast amounts of food.

*The only small drawback of this place is it is on street parking only, even though it is free parking, it can be tricky to find a space... But totally worth it in my eyes.

We left with full bellies and happy faces and will 100% be back, thank you team, keep up the amazing work! ✨

MIXED COLD MEZE: Humus, Ali Nazik, Cacik, Kisir, Mixed Olives

MIXED HOT MEZE Lahmacun, Hellim, Sucuk & Sigara Borek

TAVUK SIS (Chicken Shish)

SARMA KUZU BEYTI(Marinated minced lamb, seasoned in garlic and chargrilled, wrapped in a lavash bread and topped with tomato sauce, then drizzled with butter)

KUZU PIRZOLA (LAMB CHOPS)

BAKLAVA Rich and sweet homemade dessert made with layers of filo pastry filled with pistachio nuts, sweetened with syrup and served with whipped cream or ice cream.

HOMEMADE SUTLUC Homemade Turkish style oven baked...

Absolutely fantastic all-round. A extended family group of us all went to visit family in Portsmouth. Searched for local halal food options and decided on Mehmet Kitchen. We arrived and the restaurant was very busy. We were prepared to wait (best decision) and soon given tables together to accommodate us all. We all come from London where a huge choice of Turkish restaurants exist, so the competition is fierce. I did not expect anything too different to what we were used to in London. But we were so pleasantly surprised to be thrilled by the taste of the food here. The seasoning and spices were so tasty and cooked to perfection. All the meats were so juicy, succulent, full of flavour, and even the doner meats were juicy - not dry like most restaurants. Accompanying fresh salad and sauces were also so tasty. I can confidently state everyone of us enjoyed the food at this Turkish restaurant beyond expectation. The portions were also very large, lots of meats cooked perfectly. We could not finish all the food although there was 13 of us, and they happily packed a takeaway box of the unfinished food which was my lunch the very next day.

Service was wonderful. The owner, Mehmet, his wife, and all their staff members so attentive and lovely to have conversation with. We finally finished by ordering some Turkish teas, and when the bill arrived, I saw they did not charge us for the teas! Prices were so reasonable and value for money. So please do consider 'tipping' to help them out. Honestly could not fault this restaurant and wish they were nearer to us in London - they would have become our regular Turkish food destination. I think we will need to make more effort to visit friends and family living in Portsmouth just as an incentive to dine at this wonderful Turkish restaurant again and again. Will be extremely tuff to enjoy Turkish food at our regular ones here in London after having discovered this gem.

Thank you to all at Mehmet Kitchen, we thoroughly had a brilliant finish to our day before driving back to London. We shall most certainly be back when...