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Gigibaba

Gigibaba Article Lead - narrow
Gigibaba Article Lead - narrowSupplied

14.5/20

Turkish

Tiny no-bookings Gigibaba is as buzzy as the Bosphorous on a summer's afternoon, so prepare to share. There are half a dozen tables, but backless stools at the white marble bar are a sweet spot, where casual yet cluey staff keep things ticking to a retro '60s-'70s-inspired soundtrack, despite rising noise levels and peak-hour queues. Around 20 neat dishes start small, perhaps with smoky flame-grilled eggplant swirled through tahini and yoghurt, bejewelled with pomegranate seeds. Golden grilled hellim cheese handmade locally is pillowy perfection. There are barbecue-kissed minced lamb kebabs, steamed eggplant-swaddled prawns, and nubs of lusciously salty roast goat on hummus. A Guide user-review rightfully noted of side dishes: 'if all vegetables tasted like this there'd be more vegetarians'. Exhibit A: tender broad beans tossed with white balsamic, olive oil, coriander and roast garlic - you'll mop the nana's china-style plate with bottomless Dench sourdough. Limited desserts might simply be almond baklava, best washed down with a fragrant brew of fresh mint tea.

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