Empires

A lovely small restaurant with a delicious selection of small meze style dishes. A great place to come with a group of friends as the “all you can eat” selection for groups of 4 or more will certainly have you full by the end of the night. They have a BYOB policy so you can bring plenty of your own drinks to go with the meal, which is reasonably priced as well. Definitely worth going to and if you do go with a group of friends then try book out the upstairs area.

The last time I went to empire was years ago, before their refit. I enjoyed the food but couldn't enjoy myself because of how cold it was. Post refit, it is brilliant. Loads of veggie/vegan options for me but enough meat to satisfy the other half.
The service provided by the two girls was genuine and friendly, and they kept a good (but not intrusive) eye on us for whenever we might run out of water/bread.
They ran live music half way through out meal which was fitting and not too loud. Will defo be going back!!
If you're hungry.. Go for the 5 piece mezze.. We got one each (big eaters) and we were pleasantly stuffed

A Turkish Gem. A SMALL ENTRANCE ON ST MARY'S STREET REVEALS THIS COSY, NARROW RESTAURANT. THE INTERIOR HAS WOODEN FLOORS, WALLS AND FURNITURE, TRADITIONAL TURKISH TEXTILES AND CERAMICS ADORN THE WALLS AND ORBS OF COLOURFUL LIGHT GLOW FROM NUMEROUS LAMPS. THERE IS A MEZZANINE FLOOR WITH SURROUND SEATING FOR DINERS OR PRIVATE PARTIES UP TO SIXTEEN. IT IS SO ATMPOSPHERIC THAT WHEN MR BITE AND I OCCUPY THE WINDOW BOOTH ONE FRIDAY EVENING I IMAGINE A BLUE BOSPHORUS OUTSIDE RATHER THAN THE DARK, EDINBURGH STREET.

The menu comprises of meze (£3.95 each, served with pitta and salad) a few main dishes such as moussaka, teas and desserts. It is BYOB with corkage of £3 for wine and 50p for beer.

We order meze whilst Osman, the affable owner, explains to us that it is traditionally food to be eaten whilst drinking. Our choices are spread on the table and I am entranced by the feast of colour and texture. There are two dips: tarator i.e. crushed walnuts, lemon, virgin olive oil and spices, and haydani, char-grilled aubergines, whizzed with garlic, lemon, oil and spices. Also sucuk, Turkish garlic sausage which has the richness of chorizo but is softer and easier to chew; gul borek, a fresh spinach-filled filo; kiremit, beef and herb meatballs in a rich, tomato sauce and hellim, slow-grilled Cypriot goats milk cheese and, some zingy artichokes. I am hard-pressed to pick a favourite but love the feta peppers, slices of red and yellow spread with a paste of mashed feta, chilli flakes and dill.

Predominant in the meze dishes is the mix of fresh, fragrant herbs, virgin olive oil, lemon, garlic and various spices. The salty and the sour, the hot and the cool, mix to excite the palate. A modest Osman confides that this is very simple food but created with the very best ingredients. For example, the virgin olive oil comes direct from a small olive grove in Crete and it is unique; almost lime green in colour, aromatic, grassy, floral and very light.

I can't think of a better place for socializing. Empires encourages, chat, grazing and relaxation. Just add wine and the live world music and you are virtually on holiday.

What a wonderful night at the empires bistro! The cooking what very good (especially the desert 🤩) and the service very kind and lovely. Thank you so much!

This is a really special place, I often choose to come here on my birthday or when there is something big to celebrate! It's a small middle eastern/Turkish restaurant with a cosy and intimate atmosphere. They have a huge menu with all the dishes served tapas style, and designed to share. Absolutely everything on the menu is incredibly delicious, my own personal favourites are the lamb moussaka and the baklava. It's BYOB so make sure to bring a bottle of wine or two with you - and also bring cash because very often they're not able to accept payment by card. The staff are super friendly and very helpful with food recommendations. I can't wait to return!

Loved this place. Stopped here during the festival. Amazing, great food, top notch perfect coffee (seriously great job). Loved the classic decor, nice atmosphere, very relaxed. Be aware there is limited seating here, in sure at dinner time this place must be jumping.

We got a dish of five different selections and enjoyed them all. The food was very good and we'd happily dine here again - provided they fix the following issues we experienced during our visit: There was a very strong smell of some sort of cleaner in the opening of the restaurant when we arrived but it dissipated quickly enough. Whether this was a case of bad timing or not, this is never an odor one should encounter in an eating place. Also the employees started messing with the sound system while we were there, so we had multiple changes in types of music played and a few times where they made some mistake that just about deafened us. Don't mess with the sound system when you've got customers in the restaurant!

Such a gorgeous little treasure on St Mary’s Street. Amidst all the bars are a few tourist traps, this is an absolute gem with a great atmosphere, amazing service and delicious food. It’s also BYO wine and beers (£3 corkage for win & 50p for beer). Will definitely go back and would highly recommend.