Lezzet Newcastle – the Turkish dining experience that keeps us coming back

By Ania Askwith

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Lezzet, Front Street, Four Lane Ends, Benton, NE7 7XE

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Best For: Turkish food, special night out, family dining, fine Turkish cuisine, Turkish restaurant Benton

When I say we keep going back to places we really love—Lezzet is definitely one of those. You can read about our previous visit here.

And last week, we had a little date night enjoying some of our favourite dishes, trying more of their menu, and of course, catching up with Izzet!

Our menu highlights

Starters

We started with our go-to—Assorted Mix Platter. It includes Sucuk, Falafel, Muska Böreği, Hummus, Beetroot Salad, Cacik, and Olives. It’s such a great combo! Their hummus is amazing, and we’re also huge fans of the beetroot salad, which we actually tried for the first time on our previous visit. Now, we get it every time we visit! Such great value for money, everything tastes like you could actually be in Turkey, and the presentation is beautiful.

Mains

For mains, we went with something new:

• Mix Grill – This combines Adana, chicken shish, lamb shish, and a lamb chop with salad, rice, and chili sauce. It’s a huge portion, perfect if you’ve got a big appetite! Everything is sooo fresh and the char on the meat is gorgeous.

• King Prawn Casserole – Large prawns cooked with cream, garlic, tomato sauce, peppers, and onions, served with rice. I had their seafood casserole here before and said at the time that I’d be getting the king prawn option next time. And true to my word, I did. It was just as delicious—the prawns were huge, super flavoursome, and went beautifully with all the veggies they were cooked with. The sauce was stunning—rich in flavour but subtle enough not to overpower the delicate prawns.

• We also had a side of their Shepherd Salad, which is a mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and onions, dressed with olive oil and lemon. It was lovely! I really appreciate how fresh the ingredients were, and the tangy, unmistakably Turkish lemon dressing was beautiful. I love a nice salad, and I could easily have this as a main dish with a side of their fresh bread—so delicious.

• We also couldn’t say no to their homemade chips. Since we had their fries last time, it was only fair to give the chips a go! They were perfect, especially dipped in their stunning chili sauce. (If you read my previous review, you might remember how much I raved about their chili sauce. Turkish chili sauce is just something else, and they absolutely nail it here. Too good to miss!)

• And a very generous portion of fresh Turkish yogurt. Super rich and silky smooth, it was great alongside the dishes we went for.

• Not to mention their homemade Turkish bread—it is soooo good, it’s impossible to visit without having some. I actually forgot how delicious it was until I had it again—warm and fresh, with sesame seeds that add a bit of earthy sweetness. My jam!

Desserts

I applaud you if you can come to a Turkish restaurant and have enough willpower not to order baklava—because we simply can’t say no!

So, of course, we had to go for a little dessert.

• We tried their stunning triangle baklava. I love how they prepare it at the table, adding Turkish ice cream (which was UNREAL) and a very generous portion of pistachios before serving a beautiful plate of this dessert. I’m all about a bit of food theatre, and this was lovely! We actually got stopped on the way out by other diners who asked what we had because they wanted to experience it for themselves too!

• And since Bayram was on Sunday, we also tried their limited editionbaklava. It was gorgeous—absolutely stuffed full of pistachios, beautifully presented, and super moreish!

• To top it all off, we had Turkish tea and coffee—the perfect way to end the meal.

• We also ordered some of their chocolate cake—it looked beautiful, but after all that baklava, we just had to take it home. Defeated by the generous portions, but we absolutely loved it the next day! It was still super moist and rich, I am definitely ordering it again next time we visit!

Such a lovely evening—the food, the atmosphere, the friendly staff—of course, we’ll be back! We’re tempted to try their breakfast next time because it looks delicious.

If you’re looking for authentic Turkish Food in the North East…

You have to check out Lezzet Turkish Restaurant in Benton. Fine dining vibes but with a friendly, relaxed feel—perfect for both a casual meal and a special night out.

Location

Lezzet is located at Front Street, Four Lane Ends, Benton, NE7 7XE, and has its own free car park. It’s a lovely building—you won’t miss it.

Tips for Visiting

• Lezzet is open every day – Mon-Sat: 12:00–22:00, Sunday: 12:00–21:00. So if you’re looking to go out on a Monday, this is one of the few places you can pop into!

• Book ahead to avoid disappointment – It’s that good! Izzet told us they had over 350 bookings for Sunday, meaning they’d be non-stop from open to close. This is what I mean when I say these guys are popular—so definitely make a reservation.

• Don’t expect the usual – Lezzet offers a refined twist on Turkish food, so go in with an open mind and try something new. We did, we loved it, and we’ll be back again to try even more of their menu.

• Whatever you order—you NEED to try the chili sauce. It’s made from around 15 different ingredients and is INSANELY delicious. Oh, and their bread. And their baklava. I could go on and on—can you tell I’m a super fan of this place?!

• If you’re after a spot that combines amazing food, great service, and a cool atmosphere, Lezzet is a must-visit. You’ll definitely be coming back for more—just like we will!

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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