Naya Turkish Restaurant

Naya Turkish Restaurant is on King Faisal Road in the As Sih district of central Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and serves kebabs and flatbreads in the style of Turkey. It is one of several Turkish restaurants in the city, reflecting the long historical links between Madinah and the Ottoman Empire, which administered and invested heavily in the city until the early twentieth century, as well as the many Turkish pilgrims who visit today. The kitchen has no Michelin recognition or celebrity-chef lineage; it is a casual grill restaurant. The signature dishes are the Adana kebab, a spiced minced-lamb skewer grilled over charcoal and priced around SAR 40-70 (about $11-19), and lahmacun, the thin Turkish flatbread topped with minced meat and herbs, at roughly SAR 15-28 (about $4-7). Lahmacun is typically rolled with salad and lemon and eaten by hand, and works as a starter or light meal. Adana is served with bread, grilled tomato and pepper and salad. The dining room is casual and unhurried, with grill aromas, tables for families and groups and a moderate noise level; the atmosphere is closer to a neighbourhood kebab house than a formal restaurant. Modest everyday dress is appropriate. No alcohol is served in Saudi Arabia, so ayran, Turkish tea, soft drinks and juices are the usual drinks. Reservations are not needed and walk-in is standard, though large groups may want to call ahead at weekends and in Ramadan. Expect to spend about SAR 35-80 (about $9-21) per person, estimated. King Faisal Road is central, within reach of the Prophet's Mosque by a short taxi or ride-hailing trip, so the restaurant is convenient for pilgrims staying near the Haram who want a change from Arab and South Asian menus. It pairs well with a visit to nearby sights in the central district.