Meyhane restaurant review: Casual Turkish fare
A full Turkish selection is on offer in this impressively dynamic eatery
It’s impossible to miss Meyhane’s massive murals that wrap around two floors on the corner of Hope and West Regent streets. One side depicts Efes beer-branded hot-air balloons over Cappadocia; the other is a tribute to Glasgow’s cone-topped duke alongside an oversized, slightly intimidating Scottie dog. This sister venue to Türkiye Efes in Merchant City is named after the taverns or ‘wine houses’ of Turkey (informal bars for raki and mezze). Meyhane mimics their casual informality, with thoughtful service and a smart café feel, dominated by blues and whites, and flashes of Islamic geometry in tiles and upholstery.
Booths at the big windows are great for watching Glasgow’s goings-on while looking over a solid drinks menu, which includes a few varieties of aniseed-flavoured raki available by the glass, or half-bottle and bottle if you’re getting serious. A glass of Yeni Raki rather coolly comes with a water jug, (branded) ice bucket and tongs to prep the cloudy concoction yourself. Cocktails include classics, spritzes and frozen Daiquiris; not surprisingly, Efes is also on draught. There are several Turkish wines, too: a fast-improving region that warrants sampling.
The hot and cold mezze take up a sizeable chunk of the expertly delivered, reasonably priced menu, covering everything from hummus and tabbouleh to sucuk and enjoyable Turkish börek: crispy-to-soft filo rolls filled with feta cheese and parsley. The specials include regional favourite manti: addictive wee lamb dumplings doused in yoghurt and chilli butter. While there are a few oven-baked pide, plus big salads, the charcoal grill is king, dishing out kebabs, shish, kofte, steaks and seafood. The lamb (kuzu) shish is delicious: chunks of tender marinated meat with a nicely chargrilled exterior, served with rice, an impressive salad, and bowls of mild chilli sauce and garlicky yoghurt.
Meyhane, 88 West Regent Street, Glasgow; average price £20 for two courses.