Uncovering a Turkish hidden gem in Hackney

A good kebab has always been fashionable – vegeterian or meat, in your pyjamas or out with friends, chips or no chips. The quest to find ‘the one’ is often a struggle, with lots of field research and countless disappointments involved. It’s not unusual to hear Londoners discussing their local and comparing their own mission to find a place that ticks all the boxes (seriously, that’s all I hear on the tube). The answer? Kuzu Shish on Hackney’s Well Street.

Unassuming from the outside and easy to miss, you’re welcomed by the friendly staff and incredible smell of onions and garlic. Boasting a mouthwatering selection of traditional turkish food, big plates and small, there’s something to settle every level of hunger. It’s the kind of place you could order a feast with friends – picking and choosing between the various spicy delights.

The food is fresh, powerful and truly authentic. Everything is cooked in front of you above smouldering hot coals, adding a taste that you can’t quite achieve in your own kitchen. It’s fast food, but in the best possible way.

Get a little bit of everything: Juicy, tender lamb on a bed of fluffy rice; crunchy falafel with a side of hummus (trust me); cool and creamy yoghurt dip; smokey baba ghanoush and mop everything up with the garlic flatbread.  Or go for the “5 mezes of the day in a plate” for a mixed starter.

Whatever you choose to order, Kuzu Shish will quickly become your staple Turkish spot in East London.