Turkish Restaurant Experience in Kazan: Anatolian Grill
It has been six months since I moved to Kazan, and the first Turkish restaurant I visited here was Anatolian Grill. My first visit was in September 2024. At that time, the restaurant had an outdated design, but the food was decent considering the conditions abroad.
Until today (February 1, 2025), I have had the opportunity to explore many Turkish restaurants and businesses in Kazan. Since I heard that Anatolian Grill had been "renovated," I decided to visit it again with my family. Indeed, the place has been refreshed—restrooms, tables, and the general layout look much better now. However, the entrance has two thresholds, which are quite problematic. Both children and adults can easily trip over them.
Ventilation Issue
After returning home from the restaurant, we realized that our clothes smelled heavily due to poor ventilation. Unfortunately, this is a significant downside.
Food Quality and Presentation
Now, let's talk about the most important part: the food. As you can see in the attached photos, the grilled dishes were undercooked. The outside was burnt, but the inside was almost raw and barely warm. Some dishes were even completely cold. I definitely do not recommend the mixed grill platter. The restaurant was crowded, which might have contributed to this issue, but it is not an excuse. It is one of their most expensive dishes, and it should have at least been served warm.
The lahmacun was acceptable, but the Coke cans were too small, and there were no larger sizes available. The waitress assisting us also mentioned that local beverage options were not available.
Appetizers and Desserts
The appetizers were average, but to be fair, they were adequate considering the conditions abroad. However, I was disappointed with the desserts. On my previous visit, I had carrot slice baklava with ice cream, but neither the ice cream tasted like real ice cream nor did the dessert have the expected flavor. As far as I know, their sister company, Anatolian Baklava, provides the desserts. Today, I decided to try the fıstık sarma (pistachio roll baklava). As you can see in the photo, its appearance was disappointing. While the taste wasn’t bad, it had a rather unusual flavor.
Service and Overall Experience
The best thing at the table was the tea. The waiters were polite and helpful, but the service was quite slow. The restaurant isn’t particularly large, and I even noticed the owner assisting the staff, yet there was still an apparent issue with service efficiency.
In conclusion, as someone with considerable experience in food, I gave this restaurant a second chance, but it still does not justify the price we paid. However, I believe the main reason it remains busy is Kazan locals’ love for Turkish culture and cuisine.
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Show business's response
Mekhmud N.
Level 6 Local Expert
October 14, 2024
Delicious Turkish food
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Show business's response
Юлия Филимонова
Level 8 Local Expert
January 18
Были в ресторане с семьей в выходной, приехали на обед, были приятно удивлены новым интерьером после ремонта, стало просторно и светло. Очень приветливый персонал, вкусная колоритная кухня, а чай, кофе и десерты это отдельная турецкая песня песня! Однозначно рекомендую это место!
Ресторан халяль и не подают алкоголь, нам и не нужно, но если для кого-то принципиально,то имейте ввиду.
Отдельная благодарность за внимани и любезное отношение к гостям управляющему Нариману!