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8 great affordable Turkish restaurants and cafes in Canberra

Putting the spotlight on Canberra's affordable Turkish eateries.

Elias Hallaj

Yaprak dolma from the Turkish Pide House Restaurant, Jamison.
Yaprak dolma from the Turkish Pide House Restaurant, Jamison.Graham Tidy

When I heard that The Canberra Times was about to put the spotlight on Turkish food in Canberra, I leapt at the opportunity to give my arteries a workout and explore the capital's kebab joints.

The following is by no means meant to be a comprehensive list, just a short collection of places I am familiar with. We know that Canberra, as well as being the best place to live in Australia (in the world according to some), has great seasons, little traffic and the joys of a healthy lifestyle in Australia's bush capital.

However, I reckon we might have Australia's best kebabs, too. Top of the list has to be Turkish Halal Pide House in Yarralumla. This little gem is famous all over the world thanks to Canberra's diplomatic community and their intelligence reports. I challenge anyone to find a better-tasting lamb or chicken kebab for only $10.50.

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Turkish Halal Pide House

Location: 47 Novar Street, Yarralumla

Opening hours: Monday, 9am-8.30pm; Tuesday to Sunday, open for lunch and dinner

Elias' recommendation: $10.50 lamb or chicken kebab, possibly the best in Australia.

Charnwood Turkish Pide

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Location: Charnwood Shops (next to the bottle shop, how convenient).

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-9pm; closed Mondays.

Elias' recommendation: The $9.50 kebabs, pide, freshly baked Turkish bread and the $22 banquets.

Turkish Pide House Restaurant

Location: 2 Lawry Place, Jamison (behind the Salvos)

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Opening hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days

Elias' recommendation: The kebab platter for two people for $25

Turkish Delight

Location: 5 Weedon Close, Belconnen

Opening hours: Lunch, Monday to Friday; dinner, seven days a week.

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Elias' recommendation: Head to the restaurant on Saturday nights for a spot of belly dancing with your dinner. It's also Canberra's first Turkish restaurant (since 1981).

Honourable mentions

These restaurants and cafes may not be strictly Turkish but are also worth a visit.

Taze Mediterranean Cuisine

Location: ATO Building, Genge Street, Civic.

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Opening hours: Breakfast, lunch & dinner, Monday to Thursday, 8am-9pm; Friday, 8am-10pm; Saturday noon-10pm; closed on Sundays.

Recommended: Multi-award-winning Turkish restaurant that also has great lunch specials. Worth visiting for special occasions as well as affordable lunches.

Ali Baba

Location: 7 Gartside Street, Erindale (and many other locations around Canberra)

Opening hours: 7 days, 10am-9pm.

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Recommended: The $10 beef kebab meal, which includes kebab, chips and a drink.

Kabul Kebab House

Location: Manuka Arcade, (above Coles)

Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 10am-9pm; Thursday to Saturday, 10am-10pm.

Recommended: Chicken, lamb or vegetarian rolls, all for just $9.

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Turkish Grill Restaurant

Location: 9a/20 Gartside Street, Erindale

Opening hours: Lunch Tuesday to Sunday, noon-2.30pm; dinner, Monday to Sunday, 5-9pm.

Recommended: The $9.50 lunchbox specials that include small pizza, meat sides, rice, salad.

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