recently had the opportunity to dine at Mevlana Turkish Kitchen in Shirley, Southampton and wanted to share my experience. Overall, my initial impression of the restaurant was quite positive. The warm welcome and the extra complimentary appetizer set a great tone for the evening. The order-taking process was also efficient, and both the appetizers and drinks were delicious. However, I must admit that the main course did not live up to the high standard set by the appetizers, which were clearly prepared in the restaurant's kitchen. The lamb shank, in particular, could have been slightly more roasted, and the potatoes could have been cooked or roasted but should be served wit souce not with water. The consistency of the potatoes was neither a sauce nor boiled water, which was a bit disappointing. Another dish called "Stew with rice" deviated significantly from the photo and description on the menu, as it appeared more like a watery, mildly warm rice with unseasoned meat. The slightly overcooked meat on the bones did not match our expectations based on the picture (it's worth checking this with the menu). Regarding the service, there is room for improvement in terms of customer interaction. However, despite these issues, I would consider returning to Mevlana Turkish Kitchen, but only for their signature dishes mentioned on their menu. It seems that the takeaway section of the kitchen may have prepared the main dishes that was different from what we expected, resembling an item from an open buffet (watery, slightly warm rice and unseasoned meat). The meat falling off the bones (we have seen mainly bones on plate) was different from the picture, so it's worth verifying the accuracy with the menu. To enhance the overall dining experience, I believe it would be beneficial for the restaurant to focus on a shorter menu, offering a smaller selection of dishes, but presenting them in a beautiful and refined manner. The passion for serving outstanding cuisine truly shines through at Mevlana Turkish Kitchen. Additionally, the inclusion of the swing and mini waterfall adds a nice touch to the ambiance. In conclusion, Mevlana Turkish Kitchen provided a pleasant dining experience, although there is room for improvement. I recommend concentrating on the signature dishes from the menu and continuing to refine the service. I wish the restaurant success in enhancing the quality and delivering a consistently exceptional experience

Brilliant! Can’t believe the prices!!! I mean really with £20 for 2 people you can have a brilliant dinner and 2 cocktails. We got the mix grill just to experience the food as it was for the first time. And will return. The only problem is the ordering system. Do not order in advance the main course! You will not finish the starter or soup and they will bring it.. send it back first time but the second I just give up… and that was disappointing.. the staff communication and understanding. But, now we know and you will know as well. Great great place to eat!

what a wonderful place, lots of space & beautiful decor with options to dine inside & outside, we went for the lunchtime option, two people £25, inc a drink, can’t go wrong, full marks, will be back. Another trip to Mevlana Southampton today, much improvement to the outdoor area to the front which is now a conservatory meaning it’s lovely and warm, lots of helpful staff at hand, we were a group of ten including children & were accommodated pretty quickly. Place has lovely decor, and fairly vibrant, good churn if customers also, until the next time… sharing some pics from the current visit. Returned with some friends place is even more fantastic. More pics added.

Best food I have had in years!!! The service was excellent, the food, 😋😋😋😋 I couldn't recommend this place enough!!!! I had food coma after the visit, but I do not regret it. I would do it all over again ☺️

Mevlana platter consisted of chicken and lamb kebabs, mixed doner, bulgar rice, chicken wings and lamb chops. My relatives ordered two platters that fed nine people and all meats parts of the platter was cooked freshly and tasted immensely gratifying and healthy MaShaAllah. Before being served the main we was welcomed with complimentary Turkish bread and Turkish salad as a starter which was accompanied by two sauces as we waited for our food which was being cooked across the table from us on a grill. These complimentary starters was again very good. Presentation of the overall food looked very wholesome and inviting. The restaurant is spacious and is well accommodated for small and large families as well as if you was to go dine in by yourself. If you ask the servers they can move tables around to suit however many people that would like to sit together. The servers are humble, friendly and accommodating. I was unaware but I believe one of my relatives had asked the servers to surprise one of their children’s for their birthday with a slice of their cake. The restaurant had played happy birthday on speaker and served the cake slice with a candle that created a lovely vibe for customers in the restaurant, I found this act of kindness from them very thoughtful. There’s a swinging chair you can pose with inside the restaurant to take photographs. The mocktails which we ordered was A couple of Blue Lagoons & a Strawberry Daiquiri, the Strawberry Daiquiri is immensely sweet which is good for the people with a sweet tooth. The Blue Lagoon was my preferred drink, it was great and I really enjoyed it as did my relatives. All in all I rate this restaurant 9/10 I hope to visit again and I suggest anyone reading to visit and have a taste of the Turkish Cuisine from the Turkish Kitchen of Mevlana’s itself.

It was good and first experience to have Turkish breakfast in South. Prices were high for such but it was rather clean place, waiters were patient and professionals and hygiene was absolutely great. So yeah, 5 stars for overall experience. Taste and portion sizes were okay but I’d expect more of stuff other than vegetables and fresh fruits. Yeah, surprise me! Lol. Good job, guys.

Excellent food here in a great venue. Really enjoyed a varied menu with everything there that anyone could want. All good certainly seemed to be cooked fresh and stored in good condition. Excellent display of salads, meats, skewers, bread etc as you walk in too. Drink selection is good, if a bit overpriced for them. Food however excellent and great value. The portions are good - you won't go hungry. Excellent team here too, very welcoming and explained some of the dishes at ordering which came exactly as described. 👍 Won't be in the area for a few months, but will definitely be back here.

A truly magical experience that lived up to all its raised expectations and adulations posted in the previous reviews. We ordered the mixed grill in which the meats were cooked to a standard of perfection that oozed with pride. Each morsel steak, chicken, chops, wings and Kabab was steeped in its own individual marination to raise it to a state of holistic paragon. The staff were very accommodating, finding us a table at short notice. I cannot tell you how perfectly the chefs here have incapsulated the taste of authentic Turkish food. It is some of the best food I have ever eaten in Southampton, as well as the complimentary salad and flatbread in every meal. Would recommend to anyone looking for authentic Turkish food. If you love Turkish food or want to try Turkish food, then you must go to this restaurant.

Great place to grab some freshly cooked, great quality food. Would recommend

Delicious food,big portion,very good price They bring free starter Salad and dips and fresh bread I highly recommend this place to dine in. Very satisfied!!

I love to dine in , but delivery was awful ,soup that must be served hot came frozen from fridge I would of understand if it was warm ,bread was cold and freezing, chips were oily that you can feel that been recooked many times ,I don’t not recommend it anymore

We have been looking for a exceptional Turkish kebab restaurant for years since moving down from London. I can honestly say that I am so happy to have finally found a restaurant that serves amazing food. Its always fresh and so tasty I can't recommend enough. The service is always with smile and very welcoming. Alcohol is not served here.....but that is not an issue if amazing food what you are after. Enjoy!!

Really nice cosy, chilled atmosphere. Really good service and light food. Not too oily or heavy.

Nice stuff and services. The food is amazing too, you would enjoy the taste. I recommend you shakshukah dish.

As always, this restaurant never disappoints! From the moment you walk in to the moment you walk out, the staff were so so welcoming and would always come and check in to see if everything was ok! And Goran (the manager) was so nice and welcoming! Goran and his team really know how to welcome in customers and truly create such a great atmosphere! And the food was just out of this world! The flavours were amazing and was so so fresh! The waiting time wasn’t even long at all considering the busyness of the restaurant! They all truly made my birthday meal so so special and we all really enjoyed every moment of it and that all comes down to their excellent customer service! Thank you to all the staff, especially Goran! Will definitely be coming back that’s for sure!

Very nice and fresh food. Everything was very delicious and the place so clean!! Highly recommend 🌸

Great from beginning to end, very welcoming people and food is perfect from the little touches to the main event. Do not miss out going here ❤️

Nice starters - brilliant veg rolls😍 5starts for them! Quite good tea (included in the price) Main meal good but not brilliant - we took share plate for 6 ppl. I felt rushed from waitress.

Now, this is a venue that was well thought through and put together - what a wonderful little gem! I've gone passed this venue more times than I can count. I've always thought of it as a bit oddly placed in comparison to its neighbours. I am so pleased I made the time to stop by for a meal today. I think it's the most eye-catching establishment on the high street. However, I learned today that it's not just a pretty face... the staff are so welcoming and the food is tasty too. The ambience is also so warm and relaxing - just what I needed after a very stressful work day. Thank you for the warm welcome and I shall be back again 😊!

We had a lovely gathering for Eid at Mevlana. The atmosphere is really nice. The staff are predominantly nice and welcoming. We had the Aubergine kebab and this was very tasty and fresh. The bread was very fresh and great. Unfortunately, I didn’t like my mixed chicken and lamb shawarma as it didn’t taste fresh at all! The tea was “diluted” and it wasn’t what you would expect in a Turkish restaurant. I would still consider to go again and try other dishes and give this place another chance.

It was an amazing breakfast with good amount of proteins and veg:) There was a little bit of sweetness on the side and all was served on a wooden plate. Really nutritious and beautiful meal. Service was appropriate, not overwhelming as in some places they ask every five minutes how you are, and I am not a great fan of that. The only con was lack of gluten and dairy free options, but it's rather technical thing and people are probably not asking for it very often, hence it's not available. I love the place, the music, the food and service, all superb. Thank you for creating such a colourful tasty and relaxing place, it is needed change in very monotonous scenery!

WOW! this was the best breakfast I ever had thank you so much mevlana turkish kitchen. very kind staff very polite, very family welcomed I recommend to everyone out there!

The food and cocktails were amazing and came quickly even though the restaurant was very busy. Portion size is incredible (we had to take half of each dish home in a takeaway pot). Service and decor is really nice, it’s a classy place to go for a nice dinner/lunch

It’s tasty Turkish dinner. Have to try lunch menu. Nice ambient.

Good quality platter. Though the chops had more fat than actual meat on them and we were charged £3 for just some extra sauce which is not ideal.

Ordered a takeaway super late in the evening and it arrived in less than 30mins which was incredible. The bread was beautifully cooked and the Hummus was tasty too unfortunately the Falafel was very very dry

Nothing special here, drinks were all bland asides from the Blue Hawaiian which tasted nice. The food was alright but nothing too special. What really stood out was the absolutely appalling customer service that we received from the staff. A birthday dinner with my family whom of which all girls wear their scarves and still found a long black hair tangled inside the main dish, we saw it was busy so we calmly addressed the issue. Staff weren’t able to help with anything and eventually got the owner / manager involved who didn’t even apologise or anything of the sort but instead told us that it must be one of ours! Did have high hopes for this restaurant but won’t be coming back here again.

Visited yesterday evening with my partner, very pleased to have found an authentic turkish restaurant in Southampton. Excellent food, great portions, very clean & wonderful polite staff. One small gripe is that no rice came with the stew & had to be ordered separately. Other than that fantastic & we will be regular visitors!

Disappointing experience... fast food on 3 stars restaurant prices. I rated it 2 stars because the portions were big , good cake, the service was fast and some dishes were good BUT half of the food without taste, to many staff close to the table talking between them or on the phone ( on speaker) on different languages....After one hour i knew the story of their life... too loud. Cocktails- just horrible . For the price we paid I will go to a nice restaurant next time