Istanbul Cafe

LOCATION
In the old CWA heritage building on Knuckey St, Darwin Central

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Turkish dining has finally made it to the Top End! With the recent opening of Istanbul Cafe, Darwinites can now sample homemade Turkish cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Owners Nilufer and Nikitas Kavouklis, have transformed the formerly run-down Country Women’s Association heritage building into a light, bright, airy space scented with bowls of fresh flowers and coloured with exotic cushions, candles and lamps. Spotting a begging-to-be-filled niche among the mostly Asian eateries in town, their restaurant has been a hit from the start. Turkish music adds to the ambience (piped live on Turkish television), and the specially imported carved furnishings create an Eastern look. The menu is Turkish to a tee, with Turkish chefs ensuring the flavours are authentic, by creating the meals with enthusiasm and care.

Istanbul Cafe specialises in classic Turkish kebabs, char grills, pides, dips and antipasto platters. Pick a table indoors or outside next to the park, and begin with a glass of iced water. The selection of dishes is simple, healthy, fresh and tasty. A platter of salad vegies is a tempting cavalcade of reds, oranges and pinks – carrot, roast capsicum, kidney beans, pickled cabbage – with fresh pide bread, falafel, artichoke, a mound of warm fragrant couscous, and delicious dips. Each dish is flavoured with spices and fresh herbs. Kebab fillings are deliciously complemented with crunchy lettuce, warm, crisp flatbread, and a dip of your choice. The desserts are gorgeous to look at and homemade. It’s particularly hard to pass up on the baklava with its flaky pastry and nutty sweetness. Turkish coffee is available and has been specially brought in by the owners. And, if you don’t want to experience to end (or simply want a treat), take a creamy rice pudding, cream-filled pastry or a selection of beautiful Turkish delight home with you.

Merridy Anne Pugh