Mangal Ocakbasi Restaurant in Hackney

Not sure how this place got such high rating. This place isn't for those who are looking for typical flavours of Turkish food. Service: not sure if the guy woke up on the wrong side of bed or something but he was really annoyed to serve us. Asked for bread 3 times and only got it once I asked another waiter. The tables were dirty, the whole place stank of alcohol. The glass had limescale marks all over. The food arrive and we have ordered adana kebab with yoghurt over bread, very bland and only have 5-6 piece of cuded up bread in the dish. The salad came but I think they forgot to season it, not even some sumac on it, just cut up veg slapped on the plate which the waiter then slapped it on the table. Asked for some sauce (chilli and garlic) and they said no garlic only chilli, now not sure who that chilli sauce was made for but it was just chilli flakes as a sauce, just pure chilli flakes and that's all, that was the only thing giving some sort of flavour to the dish, that and the warm freshly baked bread, which to be honest was the highlight of the night. Never again

Turkish-style barbecue, the mutton does not have any fishy smell, which is acceptable even for me who is very afraid of mutton smell. The CP value is very high in terms of portion and quality. We recommend the mixed platter, lamb ribs, grilled chicken wings and grilled eggplant salad. The store does not provide alcoholic beverages, but you can bring your own, or go to the off-license store opposite to buy them and drink them in the store. You can't get a location, and you usually have to queue up during meal times. The waiting time is not necessarily long, but the small tables turn over quickly, so the wait won't be exaggerated. The seats in the store are a bit too large and too small, but it also has a very Turkish feel.

Chicken and lamb wrap is all you need, I believe it’s number 31 on the menu it’s like £9.50, I went back and got a second one immediately

Classic old Mangal 1 started in 1991, very Traditional classic Turkish hidden gem. Warm staff. Simple service and great food. Nothing much to talk action and food talks about itself.

Just another Turkish restaurant. Queue is never that bad but the food is as good as any other London Turkish . Bit of a hype place and I’m not sure why . Don’t bring Efes in or they get mega offended no idea why

Best Turkish food I’ve ever eaten. Really tasty food, big portions, lovely staff.

some of the food tastes good other parts were mixed. like the chilli sauce and the non existent garlic sauce portion size a conundrum, because even when you order 4 mains it’s only enough for 1 man and a gal at best. so we were still hungry. so if you like to be hungry but like to taste nice food, come here!

Very tasty, meat great, mezze great and staff very friendly.

I’ve ordered through Uber eats It’s not worth the price £24 for 100g of meat ? Are you guys serious ?

Very good. Good price. Recommend :)

No frills dining experience with flavoursome dish and a very fast and friendly service. We had the bread, lahmacun and the mangal platter for two which included lamb chops, ribs, chicken wings and much more. Was more than enough for two people Note that you can’t pre-book a table, it’s walk ins only

Nice I enjoy fesh tesy yes I buy again.

Really good food, great service- came with my boyfriend who is Turkish and he said he’s not eaten Turkish food like this in a while! Best baklava I’ve had too 😊 thank you!

It’s a great place with nice environment and kind waiters/waitresses

we live nearby and try to go every week — best restaurant in London

ordered food from Uber eats and the state of the food was disgusting wouldn’t even feed my dog this I am very ashamed of this service had to throw all this in the bin and I do NOT RECCOMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE.

The worst kebab I've ever eaten in my life. The kebab we ordered at home was for four people. It was supposed to contain salad, two types of rice and a mixed kebab. The kebabs were not cooked at all, the meat turned into gum as we chewed it, it was not possible to eat the chicken meat in it, it was not cooked, we were afraid of poisoning, we did not eat it anyway, the rice was a spoonful for each of us, the salad was still the same. Small portion for one person. This is what it means to pay money and starve. I do not recommend it to anyone. If we had eaten at the restaurant, it would have been appreciated. The home service is terrible.

Saw a rat in the kitchen when ordering and walked straight out. Wouldn't go near the place

They don't take reservations, only walk-ins. There's usually a queue out the door, but it moves quickly. I think the reason the queue moves so fast is that the service inside is very efficient. You can bring your own alcohol, as they don’t sell it on the premises. If you want to enjoy your meal comfortably, I do not recommend coming here; it's more of a 'eat quickly and leave' kind of place. As a Turkish person, I found the food to be quite good. The Adana kebab was excellent, and I definitely recommend it.

Great food, big portions, nice staff. Would recommend.

The best place for food in London. Without doubt.

Banging buzzing and cheap. Legends. How anyone can ever give this place a bad rewiew is beyond me.

Approaching Mangal 1 in Stoke Newington, you’re greeted by a theatrical plume of smoke, glowing in the evening light like a signal from the chef himself. The air hums with the crackle of coals and the rhythmic hiss of sizzling fat, as rows of skewers rotate under the watchful eyes of chefs who could probably grill in their sleep. Passing through the fragrant curtain of spiced smoke, you step into a dining room that feels like a love letter to an alternative Turkey. The walls are adorned with surreal, crass, and wonderfully crude collages, like a mishmash of kitsch postcards and fever dreams. It’s art that teeters between bad taste and brilliance, but somehow, it charms you. It’s unpolished, unapologetic, and perfectly at home. The food? Dishes flow seamlessly from the grill, carrying with them the unmistakable scent of flame and smoke. No frills, no unnecessary embellishments—just honest, vulnerable food that tells its story straight. Each bite feels like an embrace, transporting me to the small open-grill barbecues of Karpaz, a Turkish village where the scent of charred meat mingles with the sea breeze. And the service? It’s as if you’ve wandered into the family home of a relative you didn’t know you had, and they’re determined to make sure you never leave hungry. The staff glide between tables with an ease that’s both comforting and unobtrusive, making sure everyone feels looked after, no matter how busy it gets. Sitting amid the hum of chatter and clinking glasses, Mangal 1 offers honest food, soulful service and walls full of cheeky art.

Best turkish food in hackney im going there nearly 15 years

Can’t go wrong with this place!

Gone downhill massively, probably chef management change. bread comes burnt they don’t see it and you can’t ask for replacement because you fear your going to get charged extra….

Es un gran restaurante con buena comida y la opción de traer sus propias bebidas que hicimos. Lamentablemente, cuando llegó el proyecto de ley se añadió erróneamente. Además de eso, intentaron cargar más dinero en la máquina de tarjetas que la factura correcta. Creo que esto ha pasado muchas veces quizás la propiedad piense que cuando los clientes que traen sus propias bebidas y tienen demasiado alcohol no se molestan en ver sus facturas. Pero se olvidan de que la mayoría de los clientes en estos días traen un 0% de bebidas alcohólicas como nosotros. Así que tenga cuidado con la facturación en este restaurante como lo estaremos en el futuro.

Chef Rahim Cicek is the best Turkish chef in the world. I found the taste that I couldn't find in Turkey at Ocakbaşı Mangal 1 restaurant. Thank you for your effort and heart, Master Rahim and his staff. IF HE CAN DO IT, RAHIM CHEF WILL DO IT.

I love the taste of meat every time. Greetings from Germany.

So good, great prices. The restaurant is ran like a well oiled machine

Over cooked meat (not the first time of late) however, what I noticed prior to taking my overcooked order. Cross contamination still goes on at this restaurant. I’ve been living in Dalston for over 10 years & the Mangal food has declined in my opinion in the last few years. Dry, burnt . Average at best.

Delicious food, well priced, great flavours!

Mangal 1 is my favourite Turkish restaurant in town. Food, environment and Services are superb. BYOB is always welcome. Highly recommended

Good best juicy meat Ordered at 11.40 Service was served with a smile AAA++

We have been going here regularly for the last 4 years. It was a place where we enjoyed eating with our family or friends. The last two times we went, we were really disappointed. The indifference of the waiters, the lack of service, the fact that they even brought the salad by asking for it, and unfortunately the high difference between the price on the menu and the bill received. It is a shame. I hope they will fix it. It is very sad that when we ask for the bill with certain prices on it, they write different prices on the paper and bring it back., the food we eat is 3, Adana, 2, lokma, 2, ayran, 1 water, the bill we receive is 120, pounds.

Definitely the best Turkish I’ve ever tasted, couldn’t quite believe how flavoursome and succulent everything was. A really iconic restaurant and perfect for a special occasion.

This people they are stupid they told us you have half an hour when the food is coming didn’t tell us beginning that’s why they are rip off

The food quality was not good, made me feel very sick after having it. The liver was awful. Would warn you all to avoid this place!!

Worst restaurant experience we have had, after only just starting to eat we were approached with a time limit of 30 minutes to order anything else and finish our meal. The value for food was not good, overall put a major downer on our evening.

Always nice, the best, been going there for years. We travel more than 1 hour to go there because it's worth it

visited again. Just as good, but busier on am early Friday evening.

Turkish restaurant with outstanding traditional Turkish dishes. I wish I had taken photos before eating but hunger got the better of me. I got the Patlcian salata and Pirzola...Delicious! Also had the Aryan yoghurt drink, it was intriguing in a good way. It would be nice to have if there was anything spicy. I wish the ceiling vents were cleaned though only my imagination knows how much dust was floating through there.

Probably the best Turkish restaurant in London! Nobody does grill meat like they do! I've been their client since 10 years ago. 5 *

Absolutamente auténtica comida turca de restaurante familiar. Efectivo solo para llevar, pero tarjetas OK para el restaurante. Lejos de la "elegancia" como se puede obtener, pero excelente comida. sirven refrescos y aparentemente algo de cerveza turca y vino tinto, pero la mayoría de la gente trae su propia. Toma una botella de raki turco de una de las tiendas locales.

I think my favorite restaurant in London. The food if your a carnivore is unreal. The staff are beyond kind and welcoming . Great Turkish off licence close by re good wines . A 10/10 experience

Quick and efficient , love the flavors and love the people … one of the best spots for friendly dinners without being to intense in Dalston .

Food arrived quickly and was piping hot. We ordered 3 mains between 4 people and a few cold starters and paid approx £20 each. Would definitely recommend everything but especially the yogurt tavuk (chicken)

Best restaurant in London bar none. Taken everyone worthy of knowing me to this place. Only negative... Considering I've been there 20 times this year bringing all people... Personally think I'm deserved of a free meal but would rather pay for a meal at mangal 1 over a free meal anywhere else

Been coming here for years and their Adana Kebab is just the best, so good! The staff are great and service top notch and as its a BYO drink we came in with a couple of bottles of beer from a store on the high street, no problem! A total London icon, you just can't not come back for more!

Always a nice treat! Best Turkish place in London

We go here at least once a week. Food is always delicious and the people nice.

Used to really like this restaurant, went back for the first time in years and it’s really gone downhill. Ordered the beyti kebab, the bread was pappy, the chilli sauce it came with was clearly the cheap stuff you get out of a bottle normally only used by the worst kebab shops. When I asked for a little pot of the yoghurt sauce that seems fairly standard in London Turkish restaurants, they put down a massive plate of cacık, and walked off. I found out at the end that I’d been charged £4.50 for this. Staff were surly and refused to take it off the bill. Won’t be coming back.

Turkish Grills in London Manfgal 1 is a spot for anyone craving authentic Turkish cuisine in London. This no-frills eatery offers a vibrant atmosphere that is lively, though it can get a bit noisy and crowded. The buzz of conversation and the sizzle of the grill add to the energy, but if you're after a quiet meal, it might not be the best choice. What sets Mangal 1 apart is its excellent charcoal-grilled meats. The flavors are rich, smoky, and perfectly seasoned, making every bite a joy. The homemade breads are a perfect complement, warm and fresh, ideal for soaking up every last drop of the flavorful juices. Service is quick even when the place is packed, which it often is. The staff are friendly and attentive, ensuring you never have to wait too long, despite the rush. One thing to note is that they don’t serve alcohol. Mangal 1 is affordable and cheerful, making it a great option for a casual meal out without breaking the bank. If you're looking for excellent Turkish grill in a bustling, lively setting, this is the place to go.

Delicious! Lamb sis is full of flavour, same with the beyti. Salads very fresh too.

Amazing food, speedy service, big portions, incredible prices!!!

On the plus side, it’s open later than a lot of other places, and it’s BYOB. In the minus side, the food isn’t as good as a lot of other places (eg lamb beyti) and can actually be pretty pricey (eg pirzola / lamb chops), and you don’t get much in the way of freebies on arrival (just a bit of bread) or after your meal (nothing!). Don’t mind coming here when I’m visiting the Arcola theatre but places like FM Mangal in Camberwell blow it out of the water.

Fresh food, friendly service and super fast! My friend said the meat was smoky and succulent and recommend the lamb! Banaganoush and stuffed vine leaves were standouts for me! Remember to byob 🍷

absolutely delicious food - the grilled meat is a must have as well as the grilled onions with pomegranate molasses - absolutely divine - staff is friendly and service is fast - atmosphere is very casual - but the food is just iconic

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo peng. What the hell!!!! The food was insanely yummy, the complemtary bread, turskish delight and Turkish tea was too hard.

Excellent, good food and service.

I haven't eaten such delicious meat in a long time. Everything tasted just right. The portion was definitely filling. Price performance was very good. We ordered the mixed grill for 2 people. We had a hard time finishing it. The price is £49. A very reasonable price for this taste.

Mangal has gone downhill considerably over the last few years. My previous two visits were lacklustre, and I won’t visit again. The food was average, and the service was hurried and poor. They wanted to take our food order before we’d even properly sat down at the table - I get the sense they want to get people in and out as quickly as possible, above all other considerations. Given that there are now plenty of other good (and reasonably priced) Turkish restaurants in London, I recommend people take their custom elsewhere.

We dined in and do at least once a week. The food is amazing. You bring your own alcoholic drinks. Would definitely recommend.

Ive heard many times how good and authentic this area off London is for Turkish food, and wow those recommendations were not wrong! Having spent time living in Turkey I love the cuisine and hunt out good food, and this really is good. The Kebabs are amazing, tender and juicy and full of flavour. There's a great hectic buzz, much to do with the huge popularity of the place. I can't wait to return. Tesekur ederim.

The food was good and fresh, good for a casual dinner. Not particularly interesting to be honest despite the reviews on here and the amount I’ve heard about it / the price. The only thing I’d say is my table was uncomfortably close to the people next to us and it made me feel uncomfortable to be honest, might as well have been sitting with them 😂

A legendary spot for Turkish food in Dalston. The Adana kebab is full of flavour and moist. It comes served with bread, chili sauce and salad. We ordered tabouleh to come with it. Great service as well.

Fantastic restaurant with super quick service! Cannot express how smooth the turnover is. Friendly and accommodating staff. If you're after quick, delicious and filling it’s the spot to choose! Check out their sister.

Based on the reviews i expected alot but to be honest it was overpriced. We got platter for 2 which was basically a mixed grill for one person and first time iv ever seen no rice served with the platter in a turkish restaraunt. Food was average and well cooked but not worth going back to be honest

Lively, lovely place. Fantastic food at great prices. BYOB we love it!

Consistently great Turkish food. Fresh and delicious. BYOB too! Great late night spot

No complaints. The food is fresh and perfectly cooked. The portion sizes are very generous (be careful not fill up on starters and salady bits before the main). The service is very good and the reasonably priced food. It’s a little gem.

This place serves very good adana kebap—perfect after a Saturday night of drinking. They serve it with salad. The portion is pretty big so it’s filling.

Most tender and tasty lamb and chicken ever. Whole meal was delicious

Efficient, friendly and tasty restaurant. A hidden gem in this area. Price is reasonable. Portion size is big. We enjoyed our lunch very much. I have lived in Istanbul for more than a year. I can say this restaurant is a good Turkish restaurant.

The Adana Kebab is the best kept secret in Dalston… until now! Amazing salad, warm fresh bread and delicious food.

Great place for grilled platter! Comes with fresh warm bread and large plate of salad. Everything is fresh and meat is grilled on actual coal for that flavour. Greatly recommend the large platter for 2, barely able to finish.

Third time here and i’ll keep coming back! Just great value for money and a good atmosphere. Veggie Mussaka was lovely, run don’t walk!

Unpopular opinion - too much legacy and rush to really care for the quality anymore. - average !

The best meat in London! Been to this place more than 10 times now and the meat is always 10 out of 10

Very good service and great food

Incredible food! Crowded but worth it.

Simply the best Turkish restaurant in London. I spent 6 months in Istanbul and did not find food this good. It is now my go to restaurant since discovering it 3 years ago. Portions are generous and free freshly baked bread is given. You can also bring your own alcohol, they even give wine glasses and open the bottles for you. Yes it is brisk and you have to leave soon after finishing, tables are in high demand. It’s cheap and works on high turnover. Some commentators suggest there is overcharging, which has happened to me. However they have undercharged me on many occasions so I suggest these mistakes result from the pressure they are under. There are hundreds of Turkish restaurants along the A10, yet Mangal is the only one with daily queues outside the door, that makes a statement. A tip, order a side dish of Bulgar Wheat, it is to die for.

Don't let the outside appearance put you off. Great food and service

Food was really delicious. We order the Grilled Lamb Spare Ribs, Moussaka and Tabbuleh, everything was really great and spot on. The service was fast and efficient, unfortunately, there was some toxic masculinity lingering in the air in the way I was addressed by some of the waiters. Most Turkish places offered something complimentary, like a dip as a starter or something small, not here. I guess recession has hit hard the business.

Pretty good. Very good. Would come again. Nice and affordable home cooking. Tastes excellent

Been a loyal customer of the restaurant for years - love the food! However, yesterday's service was lacking! Requested a specific table ( the restaurant was almost empty), but was told it was reserved for a large group. literally 5 minutes later, the same table was given to a party of two. This inconsistency and lack of communication are concerning! Hope you guys can improve waitstaff training to ensure a consistently positive experience for all customers.

The best of Turkish restaurants in London I back and I back to eat 7 years now and is always same consistency amazing

Excellent 👌 lamb kofte wrap grilled fresh. Very tasty wrap with chili sauce. Well executed. The price is starting to get up there for a wrap, but that's life. 🤷‍♂️ Be warned, cash only for takeaway. Loses a star ✨ for walking the alleys trying to find a cash point late at night in the Dalston alleys.

This place is a scam , never like before. Double check your order with your receipt especially if you had a beer, over charged 25 pounds for nothing.

Would recommend coming here as a pair, it’s easier to get a table of 2. Such great value for money, for 38 we each were filled to the brim. The portion sizes were generous. Vine leafs were the best I’ve had. Falafel was crispy. The lamb shish was divine. Great atmosphere that everyone was just loving the food!

The place is normally busy on the weekends and sometimes you have to wait to be seated. The meat is very tasteful and abundant Good

Great place for Mediterranean food. Casual setting, suitable for family and friends. We got a table in the middle of the restaurant, it was a little cramped. Good service and good food. Platters are good for sharing. We brought our own wine.

A splinter stuck into my throat while eating there. It could be either from a lamb kebab or greenery served alongside. Means that they don’t clean/wash it properly which made me spend 6 hours of my night in a hospital. Never again!

Don't believe the hype! Queues round the block but food is average. Bread is hard and stale, and veggie options are poor. Staff hurrying for you to leave in order to fill up tables with the heaving queue. Better food and service at Petek in Finsbury park or down green lanes

Every time this place hits the SPOT!!! SO fricking good. The beyti is bomb. Just arrived early or you'll have to queue. Worth it though.

My Adana Kebab Wrap was simply perfect. One of the best.

Guy only washed his hands with water after handling raw meat

Busy atmosphere...great service....delicious food. Best turkish place on a budget in london. 5 star food.

Was helped to a table in a busy period with front man looking out for me. Food was tasty and well-priced by London standards. Only shame was getting rushed off the table when my friend and I needed a couple of minutes to finish our drinks. Appreciate the place has got that busy buzz and tables need to be vacated in reasonable time, but it did feel like we weren't wanted as soon as we'd paid up.

The only order you’ll ever need for a table of 6, mixed veggie and meat eaters: 3 4 8 10 11 12 17 19 20 22 28 29 From a mangal 1 veteran. THANK ME LATER!!!!❤️ Also only came to £15ish per head before service, and I left STUFFED as per usual. Food outstanding, no corkage fee always which is pretty sweet. My go-to for unreal Turkish food, look noooo further!!!!