If you are celebrating a birthday and you fancy getting up on your chair and dancing while pots and pans are bashed by the waiters, this is the place to do it. The Turkish food is fresh and full of flavour and the portions are very generous. Go for the set meals and book in advance as all the Gallipolis (there are now three of them) fill up.
The Observer
"Just superb. I have been coming here for years from West London and still haven't found any Turkish restaurant that competes. Fantastic quality food and always reasonable. Boring as it sounds, I will usually order the same dishes from the menu that I always have-favourites have to be the aubergine starter and the infamous hareem kebab. Just mouthwatering. Long may Gallipoli continue - even better - could they open a 3rd restaurant in Ealing!!"
Hilary 13/2/04 myislington.co.uk
"I have to agree with both Pamela & Gemma there, this restaurant is excellent. But I should add that this place also does a mouth-watering all-day breakfast (Turkish & English) for less than ?4 including drinks, and is perfect for that lazy, hungover Sunday afternoon stroll along Upper Street. And there's two of them! So if one restaurant is full, try the other a few doors away!"
Emma Hall 8/9/03 myislington.co.uk
"From Islington to Istanbul. Gallipoli's tables are always crowded for a reason -- great food at great prices. The menu is expansive, offering a myriad of starters and main courses. And the decor and staff make you feel as if you've traveled to Turkey -- well, almost. The fact that Turkish friends said Gallipoli is the only Turkish restaurant they visit in London proves that the restaurant offers good, authentic dishes. The vegeterian mezze platter is a great starter -- with the variety of hot and cold dishes, you're able to try a little of everything. Especially tasty is the borek, a filo pastry filled with feta cheese. The only problem is that after sharing the mezze platter, there's no appetite for the main course, which would be a shame given the lamb and chicken grills. At the end of the meal, we're usually given apricots or baklava for dessert, which is an amazing finish to the meal."
Pamela Steinik 27/8/03 myislington.co.uk
"Gallipoli is a fantastic place to grab an informal dinner. The interior is dark, with candles and olives at every table. The staff are quick, efficient and friendly, whilst the food is fantastic. Whether you are looking for meze or a full on meal, this place has a good selection of authentic Turkish cuisine. I had a dish consisting of diced and griddled chicken, on a bed on pitta, yoghurt and salsa topped off with a rich tomato sauce. As long as you don't mind intimate seating arrangements and a fairly loud environment (which I personally feel adds to the atmosphere), then this is definitely a safe bet. It is recommended that you book a table - I went on a Tuesday evening and they only just managed to squeeze us in - if you do find that they're full, there is Gallipoli II just a few doors down."
Gemma 01/02 myislington.co.uk
