Turkish kebabs and desserts in Hyderabad

When the decision to dine at a place is based on its location, travel time and availability of parking, Kebapci in Banjara Hills in Hyderabad should fit the bill. It is an eatery that promises to serve Turkish-style kebabs, mandi and a wide range of house-made breads.

However, if you are unsure and want to take the staff’s suggestions, then you will be left with choices that range from mandi to adana rice kebab or a Turkish platter with rice.

Cheese pide
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

Irrespective of how much you love rice, at Kebapci, try all things beyond the favourite staple. Start with the range of flatbreads like pita to variations of Lahmacun and pide.

Lahmacun and pide are types of Turkish pizza. They are not too doughy, and come without the uniform- tasting tomato sauce, and, most importantly, they look different. Pides look like boats with their elongated shape and raised edges. The distinct flavour comes from the use of onion seed of kaljeera. For the flavour reference, pide tastes like mathri with cheese and soft texture.

Lahmacuns are round, soft breads. The toppings range from Turkish spice dust to bell pepper spread. I prefer pide, because spice-rubbed toppings is not my thing.

Kebapci began in Chennai as a humble four-seater diner. Now it is a multi-city culinary brand. The menu features signature dishes like charcoal-grilled Adana kebaps, Urfa-spiced Mutton Biber Mandi, Turkish lentil soup, and house-made baklava.

Kebapci also offers exclusives created for Hyderabad, available only on select days or by pre-booking.

As the restaurant manager started recommending everything with rice, I requested him to let me decide my food. As a norm, I asked for hummus with flat pita, which came in a jiffy. That was a good start to my meal. I also took a sip of the insanely sweet Turkish tea. That ruled out dessert quota.

Chicken Cihan Kebab
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

I went on to choose dishes that looked new to Hyderabad. First was the cichan kebab. Turns out that this kebab is safe for toddlers and elders. It needs minimal chewing and is flavourful, yet, has no spice whatsoever. Cheese-burst meat patty would be a simple way to explain it.

If you are one of those eaters who only want meats that are fried and spicy with chilli powder and oil, look elsewhere. Maybe, the Sultana Adana kebab. Or the flat sheek kebab that was juicy, meaty, greasily satisfying and somewhat spicy.

To be inclusive, the menu has a few Indian non-vegetarian gravy dishes and vegetarian specials like mushroom melody and cream of paneer. I stuck to my kebabs and pide.

Prices at Kebapci start from ₹250 onwards.