Mangal II

If you’ve got memories of playing pool at Efes in Dalston than you more than likely have memories of dinner in Mangal II as well. Part of the old school of N16 Turkish restaurants, ever since the Dirik brothers revamped their father’s restaurant in 2020, we’ve watched (and chewed) with interest. Both close-up, inside, chicken wing in hand. Or from afar, stuffing mackerel pide into our mouths pavement-side. It can be hard sometimes, reconciling warm and fuzzy feelings of the old with new and bold approaches, but the new Mangal II is very much in its groove. Deep-fried chicken livers, handmade mushroom manti, and ocakbasi-grilled razor clams are all essentials.