Ilbays – authentic Turkish cuisine in the heart of Gateshead

By Ania Askwith

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Ilbays, 565a Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5EY

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We both love Turkish food and our recent visit to Ilbays left us impressed with their STUNNING, authentic dishes.

A Feast of homemade flavours

First, we had a cold sharing platter which included a very generous selection of the most delicious hummus, tzatziki, olives and breads.

They actually make everything in house – even the bread – and you really can tell that everything is super fresh and soooo flavoursome.

For the main we had a salad which was absolutely gorgeous, tangy and fresh.

We also shared a hot platter (on recommendation of the chef) which did not disappoint;  everything was beautifully cooked and super tasty.

Chilli Sauce Revelation

A surprising little addition was their chilli sauce. It is a must try – it was absolutely gorgeous and we actually took 3 little pots home because it was divine! It was like a mixture of chili sauce and salsa; fresh, perfectly spicy, and it just elevated the dishes to another level. Stunning!

Sweet Treats and Turkish Coffee

And of course it wouldn’t be a Turkish feast without baklava and Turkish coffee for dessert!

My favourite was the chocolate baklava which is something I’ve not had before (and as Ryan is a huge baklava fan, we have tried many, many different types).

Warm Hospitality

The staff were also super friendly, very attentive and informative; our waiter knew everything about the dishes and told us all about each thing we tasted, which really added to this lovely culinary experience.

Every single thing we tasted was delicious and with it being right on our doorstep, we’ll be back very soon!

Check out their menu – it’s absolutely worth a try.

Location

Ilbays is located at 565A Durham Rd, Gateshead NE9 5EY, just 1.9 miles from central Gateshead and right in the heart of Low Fell. There is plenty of parking available nearby.

Website

For more details, visit their website here or check their social media pages.

Tips for Visiting:

• Try the chili sauce – it’s a must! I love spicy food but you don’t need to be a fan of hot food to appreciate this sauce; it is a DIVINE flavour bomb that can be used for everything and anything, not just Turkish food. Ask for a pot to take away.
• Book in advance, especially on weekends; it is not a huge place and can get busy.
• Check out their happy hour deals, offering great value.
• Ask for recommendations. The staff here are so friendly and really know everything about the food they serve.
• Come HUNGRY. And I mean H U N G R Y. The portions are huuuuge, I love nothing more than a big portion of delicious food, but I had to take a doggy bag home because there was just so much food. (It was delish, reheated the next day too!)

Reviews

Ilbays holds a strong 4.7-star rating on Google Reviews, with guests praising the quality of the food, friendly staff, and the authentic flavours. It’s quickly becoming a local favourite for Turkish cuisine lovers​: Sluurpy reviews

Best For:

• Authentic Turkish cuisine
• Sharing platters
• Friendly, family-style dining atmosphere
• Huge portions
• In the heart of Low Fell

Check out their menu online and book a table for your next visit!

Enjoyed this post? If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram @ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!

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