The beautiful lamps at Teras restaurant
We have been poked and prompted to go and check out Teras restaurant on Wood Street since it opened – but it’s only been open 8 days and there is such a stir, what are they doing!? We decided to go as soon as possible – which turned out to be ‘tired-on-a-Tuesday’ this week.
Bold branding on the front makes the place look like any other E17 kebab shop. However on entering we slipped back to the ocakbasi BBQ restaurants in Istanbul. The takeaway counter is dominant at the front, but beyond that it is a small, friendly local restaurant, beautifully decorated with lanterns imported directly from Turkey by the owners. This former cafe was owned by the same guy for 15 years until he retired and his family have transformed it into a Turkish BBQ restaurant.
Working the BBQ grill
Unfortunately they had run out of the red mullet barbunya pilaki, apparently it’s made daily and we missed out. We ordered a couple of hot meze instead – arnavut cigari (grilled liver with onions) and karides (prawns with peppers.) Both dishes were fresh and well cooked, the olives, fresh bread, homemade chilli and garlic sauces arrived without asking too. The sumac sprinkled around the prawns was astounding – I’ve read about this spice being an alternative to fresh lemons but never realized why until we tasted this – the owners import it fresh directly from Turkey in small batches and it was amazing!
Arnavut cigari
For the mains we’d ordered, ali nazik – grilled chicken served on a bed of roasted aubergines with a yoghurt sauce, and sarma beyti – a spicy minced lamb kebab wrapped in bread and served sliced on chilli and yoghurt sauces with orzo rice – beautifully presented. We had to remind them about the salad which was our only criticism of the meal.
Lamb sarma beyti
Teras is especially good value at the moment with a BYOB until they get a drinks license. We had 2 courses and a coffee each for less than £30. It’s lovely food, cooked freshly to order. The staff, of which there were many, were friendly and welcoming. The owners are new to the restaurant business and keen to build up a local following – with food this good it won’t be difficult. Verdict – a great new local Wood Street restaurant which transports you to a night out in Istanbul – while a lot cheaper than a trip on Easyjet, enjoy!
Teras Turkish BBQ Restaurant, 117 Wood Street, London, E17 3LL
Twitter: @TerasBarbuku
walthamstowfoodies 
I know Feast17 are heading there tonight. Sorry I’m going to miss out on it now!
LikeLike
Worth a visit – lovely food.
LikeLike
The review above is correct food great welcoming staff great only problem when you are there with a large family and some kids natural noise will occur the staff telling you to keep a one year old quiet however does not really lend itself to a family atmosphere!!!!
LikeLike
Thanks for this comment. Will mention it to them.
LikeLike
The Mrs and I went there for lunch on Saturday. Good food, nice atmospehere and friendly staff; will be going back on a regular now we have moved to Wood Street!
LikeLike
Enjoy – wood street has some lovely local shops.
LikeLike
went there on sunday and had a lovely meal. the staff were very nice and the food excellent. A lovely Restaurant – J and G
LikeLike
It is actually turning into one of our favs! pleased you also had a fab meal.
LikeLike
We were hoping for the standard that you find in Turkish restaurants in Hackney and Haringay and it didn’t reach that standard, which was disappointing so not worth travelling too, but fine if you live locally. Had to ask for sauce to go with Adana Kebab, given garlic sauce not offered the chilli sauce, and the cold meze for 2 as a starter quite poor, a bit of houmous, tacik, coleslaw, cous cous salad, fried aubergine and pepper.
LikeLike
Very very nice ribs
LikeLike
i went and eat there today, we had lamb kebabs ,small portions ,all the dips were not fresh,,they were from ready made tubs they buy from there supplier,the salad wasn’t fresh at all .ive lived in the area for 22 years,,that was the first visit at teras,,and the last,,sorry
LikeLike
Sorry to hear about your experience. We really like Teras and have had really lovely food and good service.
LikeLike
Can’t agree this place is excellent good food friendly staff I will go again and again. X.
LikeLike
good to hear! thanks for your comment.
LikeLike
Teras is the taste
LikeLike
Lovely food great service in the restaurant and even when waiting for a takeaway..
Amazing
LikeLike
The best food in London !!!!!!!
LikeLike