Rodi Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant

Just a stone’s throw down Morrison Street from Edinburgh’s Haymarket station, the centerpiece of Rodi Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant is obvious from the moment you step across the threshold. Dominated by a huge charcoal grill, Rodi is renowned for its Turkish-style grilled meats and seafood in an eastern Mediterranean style, all given a wonderful charcoal aroma by the piece de resistance of Rodi’s kitchen. Be sure to finish your meal with a piece of traditional baklava and a cup of strong, black Turkish coffee.

Most of the dishes on Rodi’s comprehensive Turkish-Mediterranean menu make some use of the massive charcoal barbecue that dominates this Haymarket restaurant’s open kitchen. Walk by Rodi’s premises on the corner of Morrison Street and Gardner’s Crescent and you’ll be tempted to step inside just because of the delicious fragrance of chargrilled meat, seafood and vegetables we suspect is deliberately pumped onto the street for the express purpose of so-called ‘smell marketing’. Whatever you do, and whatever charcoal-grilled delicacy you have in mind, you’re strongly advised to begin your meal at Edinburgh’s Rodi with a hot or cold mezze platter.

Beyond these wonderful samplers of Turkish and Middle Eastern-Mediterranean cuisines, try the spiced sucuk sausage as an entree, or the many dressed onion salads such as a curious number consisting of burnt shallots and a pomegranate dressing. Hearty mains like the Ottoman special, the patlican kebab, chicken tavuk guvec or beyti pile plates high with succulent meats while Edinburgh’s vegetarians will be gratified to know that there are several non-meat options on the cards. Easily found east of the city centre towards Haymarket, Rodi is a certifiable destination for fans of smoky Turkish and Mediterranean flavours.