
Akarsu Turkish Restaurant & Grill
Experience authentic Turkish flavors with charcoal-grilled meats and vibrant mezze in a cozy setting offering stunning riverside views.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Akarsu Turkish Restaurant & Grill

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience authentic Turkish flavors with charcoal-grilled meats and vibrant mezze in a cozy setting offering stunning riverside views.
"The best Turkish restaurant in Durham, full of flavor, freshly made, with friendly staff and a lovely atmosphere."
Try the Sharing Board
Highly recommended by reviewers, the sharing board with a side of hummus is a flavorful and plentiful option.
Avoid Peak Busyness
Visit during off-peak hours to ensure a more relaxed dining experience and avoid potential crowds.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Turkish
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+44 191 250 8465
Address
21 Silver St, Durham, DH1 3RB, United Kingdom
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Turkish Grill & Mezze
Savor freshly made Turkish cuisine with charcoal-grilled meats and flavorful mezze in a cozy, eclectic setting.

Stunning Riverside Views
Dine with picturesque views of Framwellgate Bridge and the river, offering a charming backdrop to your meal.

Generous Portions & Value
Experience hearty, delicious meals with impressively large portions that offer excellent value for money.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Sharing Board
Highly recommended by reviewers, the sharing board with a side of hummus is a flavorful and plentiful option.
Avoid Peak Busyness
Visit during off-peak hours to ensure a more relaxed dining experience and avoid potential crowds.
Seating Choice Matters
If you prefer less breeze, consider requesting a table away from the entrance area.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Sharing Board
Highly recommended by reviewers, the sharing board with a side of hummus is a flavorful and plentiful option.
Avoid Peak Busyness
Visit during off-peak hours to ensure a more relaxed dining experience and avoid potential crowds.
Seating Choice Matters
If you prefer less breeze, consider requesting a table away from the entrance area.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Akarsu Turkish Restaurant & Grill is highly praised for its authentic and delicious Turkish cuisine, with many reviewers highlighting the generous portion sizes and excellent value for money. The warm and welcoming service, along with the cozy atmosphere and beautiful river views, contribute to a positive dining experience. While most experiences are overwhelmingly positive, some guests have noted slow service when requesting the bill and occasional inconsistencies with certain dishes.
"We visited as a group of friends and honestly had a great experience. The food was absolutely delicious full of flavour and freshly made. The staff were friendly and welcoming, the atmosphere was lovely, and the service was excellent from start to finish The restaurant was clean, comfortable, and even had great air conditioning, which made the experience even more enjoyable. We truly loved our time there and will definitely be coming back.
I’ve already recommended this place to others it’s easily the best Turkish restaurant in Durham. Highly recommended ❤️❤️
Best wishes"
Shada Alsull
"The staff were very warm and welcoming. The food was delicious and offered excellent value. I highly recommend the sharing board with a side of hummus. The venue was very clean and tidy, although it could be a little breezy if seated near the entrance."
Andrew H
"Very busy and clearly sought after food in Akarsu.
Was very busy inside with diners on both levels.
The front of house staff were very good and friendly.
Lots to go at on the menu too, real good quality authentic food too.
Great location with views over the bridge and to the water.
Very well decorated internally on all levels.
All in all impressed by all aspects of the visit, the food was delicious.
If your in town or considering a visit I'd call in here for food."
Richard Hall
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Akarsu serves authentic traditional Turkish cuisine, featuring charcoal-grilled meats, a variety of mezze, salads, and vegetarian dishes.
Yes, Akarsu offers excellent vegetarian and adaptable vegan options on their menu.
Reviewers highly recommend the sharing board with a side of hummus, the kebab dishes, and the meat feast for its generous portions.
The restaurant offers great views of the river and Framwellgate Bridge, particularly from window seats.
The restaurant can get very busy, especially during peak times. Visiting during off-peak hours is advised to avoid crowds.
Portion sizes are generally described as huge and brilliant for the price, offering excellent value.
Yes, guests have mentioned receiving complimentary evil eye logo pins as souvenirs.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Best Restaurants in Durham (Updated 2024)
With a wide array of flavoursome delicacies, there are some of the best Asian restaurants in Durham that reflect the rich diversity of Asian culinary traditions. From the bold spices of Thai curries to the delicate flavours of Japanese sushi, there’s something to satisfy every international student away from their home country. Check out some of the amazing Asian restaurant near to your student accommodation in Durham that promises to provide an authentic taste of your home country.
Best Vegan Restaurants in Durham for Amazing Plant-Based Food
If you’re seeking the vibrant flavours of Turkish cuisine with excellent vegetarian (and adaptable vegan) options, Akarsu is worth exploring. While their charcoal-grilled meats are at the heart of the menu, they offer a good selection of mezze, salads, and vegetable-based dishes for plant-based diners. Expect fresh ingredients, classic Turkish flavours infused with fragrant spices, and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
The best dinner restaurants in Durham, according to Tripadvisor
This authentic Turkish restaurant serves up Middle Eastern dishes against the backdrop of a 1600's grade 2 listed building. With meals full of Mediterranean and Turkish flavours, you can expect anything from lamb chops to stuffed vine leaves or halloumi fries. Customers can also find vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.
The 15 Best Places to Eat in Durham's City Centre [2025]
Akarsu is the original Turkish restaurant in Durham and, thankfully, you’ve now got two fantastic choices if you fancy traditional Turkish cuisine. We only visited Akarsu for the first time in 2025 in its brand new and very accessible location on Framwellgate Bridge.
20 Best Food Restaurants In Durham
Turkish Food Restaurants In Durham is one of my favorite cuisines. I lived in Istanbul for six months, and it quickly became a core part of my diet. I used to visit Akarsu Turkish Restaurant & Grill when I was in Turkey, and they have a location in Durham now.
The best places to eat in Durham according to TripAdvisor reviewers
For Turkish food in Durham, Akarsu is rated the highest by TripAdvisor. Akansu claims to be the only authentic Turkish in Durham city. Its menu consists of hot and cold small plate meze, as well as big main course dishes barbecued on Akarsu's grill.
8 of the Best Restaurants in Durham, United Kingdom
Akarsu Turkish Restaurant & Grill is another one of the best restaurants in Durham. At this restaurant, you can order great traditional Turkish food. The goal of the restaurant is to bring a taste of authentic Turkey to Durham.
Durham - what to do? And where to eat?
Had Turkish coffee at the end that came with Turkish delight but I’d already had baclava so couldn’t even look at it.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit