I remember visiting Akdeniz on East Road nearly a decade ago. From the outside, it looked like a run-of-the-mill kebab shop, so I wasn’t expecting much.

I was pleasantly surprised, however, by the exceptional quality of the food and the hidden dining area at the back that was decorated in a traditional style with a beautiful blue sky light. It felt like a true find, hiding in plain sight.

In the present…

Fast forward to today and Akdeniz is still open, yet rarely discussed in the Cambridge Foodies group. It is high time I revisited this often-overlooked Mediterranean Turkish restaurant to see how it is faring!

I returned on a humid July afternoon and the heat was unbearable. Stepping inside, I found everything exactly as it had been all those years ago. The charcoal grill still greeted us with the satisfying sizzle of meat and a rich, smoky aroma hanging in the air. I was delighted to learn that since my last visit, they had even constructed a makeshift garden that leads onto the Adam & Eve Street car park.

OK, so it won’t win any awards for style but in that heat, it felt like absolute paradise. We settled at a proper table, enjoying a lovely cool breeze that drifted through the garden and into the restaurant.
As we browsed the menu, we were truly spoilt for choice. There was such a wide array of classics, from kofta and kebabs to pide and meze platters.

A colossal dish immediately caught my eye – the “sharer platter for two” – offering an irresistible sample of everything. This was no ordinary platter as it also came with a generous starter selection. It featured some incredibly thick, soft pita bread and a vibrant cabbage-heavy salad, served alongside creamy hummus, tzatziki, and a spicy chilli dip.

The platter was an impressive sight made from a large plate absolutely piled high with a diverse selection of chicken and lamb, each prepared in a different style. All of this rested atop a generous bed of rice and chips, freshly cooked on their charcoal grill.

The chicken was superbly cooked, clearly by a team who have honed their craft over decades. It was succulent, juicy, and infused with a smoky flavour that truly brought the charcoal grill to life. The lamb, too, was well-prepared, offering a tougher, meatier texture. Amidst this feast, I discovered some doner meat that was incredibly clean and light. It was a far cry from the greasy, “trashy” Saturday night kebab often associated with it. this was a significant step up.

I was disappointed not to find cous cous on the platter, as the rice was a little bland by itself but I couldn’t fault the chips that were light and crispy.

As with the starter selection, we were treated to a plate of baklava at no extra charge, this was not mentioned on the menu but was likely just included in the shared platter experience. This was the ideal sweet sign off for a heavy and savoury meal.

Akdeniz Mediterranean BBQ remains wonderfully unchanged since my last visit, and that’s genuinely a good thing. This cosy, unassuming Turkish restaurant stands as an excellent testament to the magic of a charcoal grill, all without breaking the bank. The staff were exceptionally friendly, truly going above and beyond to ensure our comfort. And the garden was a lovely little touch, offering convenient access straight from the car park.

I won’t be leaving it for so long next time!

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