Looking for a yummy Turkish meal near you?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Turkish spots around Pittsburgh, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture when cravings strike.
1. Turkish Grille
Topping the list is Oakland's Turkish Grille, situated at 272 Melwood Ave. With five stars out of 66 reviews on Yelp, it's the highest rated Turkish restaurant in Pittsburgh.
Noteworthy menu items include the borek appetizer (phyllo dough stuffed with feta, spinach or potato), marinated baby lamb chops, grilled branzino and the chicken adana with spiced ground beef filling and layers of eggplant, zucchini and potato. While the drinks menu is limited to coffee, tea, turnip juice and ayran (yogurt drink), you may bring your own alcohol.
2. Alihan's Mediterranean Cuisine
Downtown's Alihan's Mediterranean Cuisine, located at 124 Sixth St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving it 4.5 stars out of 175 reviews. Turkish, Greek, Italian and other Mediterranean cuisines are represented on the menu.
There's a rustic Turkish soup made with red lentils, carrots, butter, onions and potatoes, chargrilled salmon served over seafood ravioli, and numerous sautés (shrimp, lamb, vegetarian) served over rice. You can bring your own wine to Alihan's as well.
3. Turkish Kebab House
Next is Turkish Kebab House in Squirrel Hill. Skewered and grilled meats dominate, from the spicy adana kebab to grilled and sliced lamb served in a pita. Grilled seafood and soups are also available. Wash it all down with Turkish tea or coffee. It's another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 128 Yelp reviews. Head over to 5819 Forbes Ave. to see for yourself.
4. Pasha Cafe Lounge
Finally, over in Shadyside, check out Pasha Cafe Lounge, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 94 reviews on Yelp. Many of the Turkish standards are here, from tabbouleh to shish kebab to grilled vegetables. There are a handful of salads, among them the shepherd's salad, made with tomatoes, cucumbers and onions, and flavored with parsley, sumac, lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil. Pasha Cafe Lounge is also BYOB. You can find it at 808 Ivy St.
