Southampton is officially home to the best Middle Eastern in the UK.
Popular Turkish eatery Ottoman Kitchen, on the High Street, has scooped the coveted award for a second time at the glamorous 2023 Asian Curry Awards in London.
The restaurant, also a double Asian Restaurant Awards winner, beat off stiff competition from celebrated Liman, Sofra, Tas Bloomsbury and The Palomar, all in the capital.
READ MORE: Southampton restaurant owner wins first food industry award
The prestigious award was presented in front of over 1000 restaurateurs, the London Mayor, MPs and celebrities at a special ceremony.
The night began at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane with an introductory speech from guest of honour, Sadiq Khan, who also presented trophies to the winners.
Ottoman Kitchen owner Owner Niyazi Kaya said: “This is testament to the hard work the chefs and team have put in. It’s a great honour to be bringing the best restaurant award back to Southampton.
"We hope many people will come and try our restaurant experience as it is a little bit different from the usual restaurants in Southampton. We are a restaurant where people come to have fun and this should be a great thing for the city."
Judges, who visited the venue under cover earlier this year, noted that the food at Ottoman Kitchen is 'expertly cooked' and 'stand out' and the 19th Century setting is 'impressive'.
Situated next to the ruins of the historic Holyrood Church, now a memorial to merchant sailors and Titanic victims, the 100-seat restaurant was opened in June 2019 following a six-month refurbishment on the site of the former Ferryman & Firkin pub.
Last year, Ottoman Kitchen added a private dining room for up to 50 guests. It hosts regular live music as well as charity fundraising nights and is also renowned for its cocktail list.
The menu, based on traditional Turkish family recipes handed down through the generations. features hot and cold meze, meat cooked over a charcoal grill and freshly baked Baklava.
To celebrate the award, Ottoman Kitchen will host a celebratory three course gourmet dinner with Turkish entertainment on Wednesday December 13.
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