Elegant Turkish dining at Saray, Jesmond

By Ania Askwith

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Saray, 46 Osborne Rd, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 2AL

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Saray Turkish Restaurant on Osborne Road, Jesmond, is one of those places where you immediately feel welcome. They say on their website that they believe that dining is not just about the food—it’s about creating an experience, and I think they nailed it. I feel like they blend the traditional Turkish cuisine with a more refined, elevated atmosphere.

The authentic, yet elevated food

We were excited to explore their menu, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

I started with the Hellim, which was a perfect introduction to Turkish flavours. The grilled halloumi had that satisfying crispy edge; I love halloumi as it is simple yet delicious, and the starter was just that. The Vine Leaves were another highlight—a traditional dish that’s done so well here. These homemade vine leaves were stuffed with a lovely mix of rice, onion, and herbs, and paired with a side of creamy (tzatziki style) yogurt dip to balance out the richness. We also had some freshly baked bread with sesame seeds on top and it was absolutely gorgeous. I make no secret of the fact that I love bread of any kind, but when it comes freshly baked and still warm – you just can’t beat that. It was a perfect start to the meal.

For the mains, we went for two incredible dishes. The Pan Fried King Prawns had my attention from the beginning and I am so glad I went for this dish! Cooked in a rich, creamy tomato sauce with onions, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic, it was quite a new flavour profile to what I am used to with seafood dishes. Definitely on a richer side, but the chunkiness and juiciness of the king prawns allowed for the sauce to be this rich without overpowering the seafood. It was GORGEOUS! Served with fluffy rice and another side of bread – this time flatbread (we can’t say no to fresh Turkish bread, don’t judge) it was just delicious. Scroll through to see the bubbles on top as it arrived at our table piping hot – just how I like it!

The Saray Mixed Grill was the other main which was a super hearty selection of marinated lamb and chicken breast cubes, lamb chops, lamb ribs, and adana (minced lamb). Each meat was grilled, perfectly tender, and full of smoky, charred flavour that is so specific to Turkish cuisine. The tortilla bread, rice, salad, and chili sauce that came with it were the ideal accompaniments. I actually stole some of Ryan’s salad and chilli sauce as it was divine; I know that whatever I am ordering here next time we visit, I will be asking for a side of that chilli dip.

And of course, no Turkish meal would be complete without dessert. The Triangle Baklava was everything you want from a baklava—crispy, buttery, and soaked in sweet syrup, with the perfect amount of pistachios (and by that I mean LOADED with pistachios).

The Katmer, made with super delicate pastry, pistachios, and milk skin, was another treat we couldn’t resist. Neither of us actually had this dish before (and we eat a lot of Turkish food) but it was one I’ll happily have again. A nostalgic taste of milk skin is something else.

And of course we had to pair it with Turkish coffee (always got for medium sweet), which we both adore.

If you enjoy Turkish food, I would definitely recommend you give this place a go. Either takeaway or sit in, the food is faultless.

Location
Saray Turkish Restaurant is located at 46 Osborne Rd, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 2AL, right in the heart of Jesmond.

Tips for Visiting:

• Book in advance, especially on weekends when it gets busy. We went on a Monday night and it was nicely lively.
• Great for group bookings or date nights. The restaurant is really spacious and they can easily accommodate large parties. If you go as a couple – book the table by the window; we went for that as it was lovely being able to people watch from the inside of a cozy restaurant.
• Ask for recommendations. The menu is quite large so if you’re unsure what to go for, the staff will happily recommend a dish you may like. That’s how we found out about the dessert which is so unusual we’ve not had it before.
• If you like Turkish meats with a side of theatre, go for their Mixed Grill Sharing Platter. Available for 2 or 4 people, this dish is full to the brim with steaming hot food served in a most theatrical way. You need to check it out for yourself because I don’t want to spoil it for you! Would be perfect to impress a date!
• Parking can be an issue in Jesmond with a lot of streets being permit only, but restaurant visitors can use the hotel’s parking at the back of the building which is super convenient, and free.
• Takeaway is also available and you get 10% discount on collection (we will definitely be taking advantage of that!)
• Toon fan? You may even bump into some Newcastle United players who are known to frequent this spot!

Reviews
Saray Turkish Restaurant holds a strong reputation with guests praising the authentic flavours, friendly staff, and top-quality food. It actually holds a super **impressive 5-star rating** from over a thousand reviews on TripAdvisor, and a very respectful Google rating of 4.6 stars based on over 500 reviews.

Website:

For current deals, new menus, or just to look at the stunning photos of their food before you visit, check out their website here.

Best For:
Authentic Turkish cuisine, sharing platters, family-style dining, large parties, Jesmond dining, places to eat in Jesmond, date night

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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