• Choose from many Turkish restaurants in Melbourne.Middle Eastern dish image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  With its incredible ethnic diversity, world-renowned restaurants and thriving arts scene, Melbourne is an important cultural center in Australia. Hundreds of different ethnicities are represented here, many from Asian and the Middle Eastern countries. Melbourne is home to thousands of ethnic restaurants, and Turkish cuisine is especially well represented. Stroll down Sydney Road in Brunswick and you'll see the high concentration of Turkish restaurants offering traditional recipes and atmosphere. Whether you're looking for an intimate evening out or a wild belly dancing show, Melbourne's many Turkish restaurants have you covered.
  
  

The Kilim

• Billing itself as "a little piece of Turkey in the heart of Richmond," this convivial Melbourne restaurant provides a traditional tent atmosphere with cushion seating, Persian rugs and live belly dancing shows every weekend. Shish kebabs, kofte beef croquettes, baked eggplant with yoghurt sauce, homestyle red kidney beans and falafel are just some of the traditional foods you'll find in this popular Turkish eatery. On weekends the Kilim offers four-course set meals for large groups who want to enjoy the belly dancing or rent out one of the private rooms. Vegetarian set meals are also available.
  
  The Kilim
  366 Victoria St., Richmond
  Melbourne VIC 3121
  Australia
  011 (+61) 3 9428-5982
  www.thekilim.com.au
  
  

Marmara

• This authentic Turkish restaurant in Windsor is named after the Marmara region of Turkey, which is famous for its Iskender kebabs. Established in 1980, Marmara is one of the oldest Turkish restaurants in Melbourne. Choose from a variety of typical Turkish kebabs, mixed grills, vegetarian dishes, feta cheese pizzas and side dishes. Marmara also offers a number of popular Turkish beverages, including the yogurt-based ayran, Turkish lemonade, Turkish coffee, Efe's Premium Pilsner Beer and raki, an anise-flavored non-sweet alcohol widely consumed in the region. Marmara is also available for take out.
  
  Marmara
  68 Chapel St., Windsor
  Melbourne VIC 3181
  Australia
  011 (+61) 3 9510 6944
  www.marmara.net.au
  
  

Alasya

• Over the last thirty years, Alasya has gone from being a tiny Turkish eatery to a multidimensional business venture including a wholesale bakery, retail butcher and full dine-in restaurant. This restaurant prepares both traditional and contemporary meals reflecting the diversity of the modern Turkish kitchen. Alasya offers dozens of different meze, small appetizers served before the meal, including pancar, hummus, pumpkin dip, tahini, tabbuli, avocado and rice pilaf. Five different set tasting menus let you customize your meal and experience the wealth of meat, seafood and vegetarian options. Alasya also does a number of pides, Turkish-style pizzas topped with feta, ricotta, spicy sausage, spinach, egg and minced meat.
  
  Alasya
  555 Sydney Road, Brunswick
  Melbourne VIC 3056
  Australia
  011 (+61) 3 9387 0713
  www.alasya.com.au