One Hatted restaurant established in recent years, 2016 – focussed on turkish cuisine. I was so lucky that my dear friend C took me here for my birthday! I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to do a post on Tulum. Off the busy street in Balaclava. Tulum is quite dim when you walk in, the most lit area is the bar and the light reflecting on the beautiful brick walls of the restaurant. Cosy dining area but enough for just a bit of privacy…
Highly recommend as a date night venue, perfect for sharing and slowly enjoying. We had a handful of meze dishes, I especially enjoyed the borek it was so tasty. Make sure to ask the waiters for wine recommendations!
Joanne | Melbournecitay
+4
There were some clear highlights in our 7-course degustation meal (which costs about $100pp excl. cocktails):
BREAD: Tulum’s warm and crispy bread was so addictive that I had to stop myself from finishing more. They mentioned something about the customised butter there - the description escapes my memory!
SEAFOOD: Tulum executes seafood well. The oysters were paired with watermelon foam and pickled juice was an innovative and refreshing combination. The octopus dish was also my absolute favourite - I really enjoyed the flavours and texture.
LAMB: The lamb rump was topped with a little too much oregano, but was otherwise tender and paired well with the eggplant puree. Loved every bite of the kibbeh kofte too.
DESSERT: Even though it’s been 2 years, I still remember enjoying the rice pudding dessert that Tulum had. Just an absolute winner!! Unfortunately, this time we were served something else - I loved how palate cleansing the wild thyme cream was, and the bread pudding was delicious, but the texture of the candied pumpkin didn’t quite work for me.
Where the meal experience fell a bit short of expectations was in the service. We felt a bit rushed to finish the meal before the next seating, even though it was the kitchen that took a long time to prepare the dishes (rather than us being slow in finishing our courses). It will be helpful for the restaurant to understand the general duration of a 7-course degustation meal and adjust their booking slots accordingly so that everyone has a good dining experience. Towards the end of our meal, the waitresses seemed a bit rushed and did not explain the dishes we were having. Given that this was a birthday celebration, I expected more from Tulum! I have, however, been here for a Xmas dinner, and my experience then was much better.
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ambience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Had a great first experience here. They really brought the flavours of Turkey to Melbourne! A fine dining experience everyone has to experience at least once in their life. Will be back for sure!
Another to add to the stable of contemporary takes on cuisine from the Middle East, Tulum is adventurous in its offerings. The menu is broad, and there’s a range of raki and Turkish wines available too. Staff are friendly and attentive. Food is good
Decent Turkish restaurant, reasonably priced.
Read a lot about this place in the usual places and thought we’d take advantage of The Fork deal. The food is very presentable and Instagrammable and a modern take on Turkish food. The Turkish bread with dips was full of flavour but it was the Tulum cheese starter served with lavosh that rocked our world. The fava bean pate was odd but interesting and the octopus dish was amazing (this dish wasn’t covered by The Fork deal). Our meat dishes were the chicken which reminded us of rilette and the beef which was presented as a pie and was delish. Service was good but a little hap-hazard. We waited 20 minutes for bread to mop up the sauce. It’s definitely somewhere worth trying for the experience.
Cute little restaurant with a nice vibe and really unique menu. Whilst I wasn’t necessarily blown away by the food it was all tasty. Between two we had the Turkish cheese with olive lavosh, the kingfish, the lamb borek, the fried egg dish, the beef short rib and the spinach and capsicum side. The kingfish and the egg dish were the big standouts for me. The beef short rib was also perfectly cooked. Very rich though so I would recommend going for a fresh salad side to accompany it. We also dined using a special offer through the fork website so we received 50% off the bill. An excellent saving!
Food and drinks were really good. We had a selection of couple entrees and mains. They were all really tasty. Our favorite was the calamari but the kibbeh was also delicious. First time trying turkish wines and we had a really good experience as well as the cocktails. The older guy, possibly the manager recommended what drinks we should order and he made our first turkish wine experience worthy. Service was incredible. Staff were helpful and friendly. We will visit again.
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Loved my experience at Tulum. Yummy cocktails, and all the dishes bring something new to the pallet. Highly recommend for a night out with your loved one.
A Maze ING! Tulum Restaurant appeared on my Facebook page again again, I think Mark was trying to tell me something, so I did what he wanted and booked in to Tulum. The best decision I have made in a while. Food was spot on!
Every dish was beautifully presented and flavoursome. Both of us enjoyed all 7 dishes very much. Even a vegetarian dish was outstanding. The fish was one of my favourite. Two desserts too! I will recommend to all my friends.
We were pleasantly surprised by now much we enjoyed our dinner here. We came with a group of 5, and were guided by the friendly staff as to how much we should order. The food was all delicious, it had had a Turkish twist, the presentation was amazing and the flavour combinations were something else. If you love Turkish food, this place is a must. The standouts were the beef ribs, the calamari, the lamb tartare and the lentil kofte. But honestly everything was packed with flavour, and we will most definitely be returning. Shout out to the staff, we had constant water refills and they were some of the most friendly waitresses we have ever experienced.
A lovely venue inside and out. From the moment you walk in the door it's like you have left the streets of balaclava and warped into a cosy fine dining restaurant in Turkey. The food is very authentic and makes your taste buds wanting more and more. Take your partner here for a special night out, 100% worth it. The awards they have received matched our experience.
Came here for a special occasion and the whole experience exceeded my expectations. We ordered a variety of mezze dishes, including meat, fish & vegetarian options. The plating was just beautiful and the dishes tasted just as amazing as they looked. Ordered the Tahini Ice-cream to finish and I only wish I could have taken a tub of it home with me. Decor is simple, staff very pleasant.
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Will come back for:
+ Cilbir (Smoked yogurt, chicken skin, burned butter)
+ Eriste (calamari)
+ Lamb tartare
+ Kuzu (lamb)
+ Tahini ice cream
Came here for dinner on a Saturday night, not expecting much and left impressed by the modern interpretation of traditional Turkish flavors. Each dish was presented nicely but the familiarTurkish flavors still ring through loud and clear. The smoked yogurt was a great dip to kick off the meal with some Turkish bread (smokey, tangy, and deliciously silky). The calamari was super tender and satisfyingly moorish. And the lamb tartare was surprising light served wrapped in baby cos leaves. The lamb was tender and flavoursome, and the tahini ice cream a great way to round off the meal with that smokey aftertone, lightness and sweetness. Serving sizes were not big, but we left the meal totally satisfied. Service was attentive and friendly. Each waiter knowing their dishes intimately. And the place had a nice romantic feel to it. Prices are above average but worth it for what you get. Will definitely be back.
Modern Turkish cuisine at its best. Chef Coskun Uysal's restaurant embodies his idea of modern Turkish cuisine with an array of dishes that one can't help but to admire in both taste and presentation.The ambiance of the restaurant is one of a kind and service is great. Make sure to make a booking in advance for the best possible experience.
Great Modern Turkish restaurant in Balaclava. Introducing a new spin on Turkish food in an upmarket setting. Service was great, food was fantastic and the atmosphere was really nice. Can't ask for much more. Great job to the team at Tulum.
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It’s a solid 4 out of 5.
Tullum is an impressive modern Turkish restaurant. We enjoyed our lunch here today. It’s upmarket and it works. We started with the calamari with harissa, walnut and breadcrumbs. It was our dish of the meal as it had delicious flavour and texture. The lentil kofta with molasses and nasturtium was a good dish too as were the sardines with bay leaves, tarator and cucumber. Probably the weakest dish but by no means a bad one were the beef dumplings with maras pepper, yoghurt and burnt butter. The finishing savoury dish was a beauty though - beef ribs with labneh, date, tahini, celeriac purée. The combination was a beauty. We concluded with tahini and eggplant ice cream which was most unusual but really delicious.
We had Turkish wines today with our which were OK. I’ve never quite seen eye to eye with Turkish wines, either here or in Turkey itself. I find them a bit eccentric. When I come here again I think I’ll go for non Turkish wines.
Service was good here today. The staff were up and about and pleasant and responsive. we were given very good explanations of the key dishes. It’s a good restaurant. I’d happily return anytime.
The place is lovely however a little more attention to detail from staff is required. I think it was the manager he spilled hot liquid from an entree dish. Which was melted butter onto my partners pants and never apologised or offered to bring some napkins. The staff seemed really rushed, friendly but rushed. We were also reminded upon arrival that we needed to leave by 8pm so my partner and I ensured that occurred and then toward the end the service dropped off and there was no further urgency for us to leave. The food on the hand was delightful. Some dishes I liked more then others. Must try are: Cilbir - which is poached egg, smoked yogurt, burnt butter and crispy skin chicken served with warm bread was insanely good. The beef short ribs were beautiful also. Avoid the calamari not great and slimy texture. Oh and don’t bother with the Turkish wine the cocktails looked better
We have dined at Tulum on 15th of August and left %100 satisfied. Really good food and very professional service. I highly recoommend this place.
An exceptional find for us, a true gem. Delicious and elegant dishes (at a very reasonable price considering the quality and overall ambience). The romantic lighting set a beautiful scene for our date-night. We had a bottle of Chardonnay and enjoyed the Peynir (a must!) the manti (delicious Turkish beef dumplings) and Balik (the swordfish). We will be back!!! Such an exciting find for us.
Swisho venue, long, skinny, welcoming and warm. We decided on the 6 course degustation option although I’m sure an extra course or two arrived. It was food heaven. Great spices, herb dusts and culinary heaven. It was fabulously filling. I so wish there wasn’t a but. But, even though the ceiling had been modified to attenuate noise, it was noisy which made conversation hard and the wait staffs description of the dishes tricky. Warmly recommend.
An exceptional dining experience. My husband and I dined here last week and put this experience on par with dining at Dinner by Heston. Very unique and interesting food (the presentation is outstanding), 10/10 hospitality and service.
Being new to Anatolian cuisine, we were guided by some helpful suggestions from the staff. The standout was the lamb kibbeh dish, which had a beautifully seasoned lamb mince filling. Simply fantastic.
For a dinner that is different to anything else in Melbourne and exceptional service, I would highly recommend Tulum.
I love Turkish food but this was a whole new experience! Each and every dish was prepared and plated with so much care and detail. Very unique but the flavor was very authentic! It's a very modern version of the traditional cuisine.
My recommendations are the lamb rump, beef ribs and Kavun for dessert!
Very friendly and attentive staff. Great place for fine dining!
Fairly good food, with a passionate and friendly chef - be sure to show him support! The dishes are unique, and clearly each dish has been given a whole lot of thought and love.
I have to say though, the service was unfortunately quit slow and lack attentiveness. :(
We have been to Tulum many times now and it never disappoints. The menu changes frequently depending on the region of Turkey that is highlighted. The owner Coskum is always helpful in explaining the food. The set menu courses are definitely worth a try. It is certainly worth it’s one star rating. Can’t wait to go back. One of the best kept secrets in Melbourne.
The food here is simply brilliant. It is interesting confounding different and most importantly delicious. We had ordered the 7 course tasting menu and were delighted when the waitress allowed us to tweak it to accommodate our preference for sides over desserts. All Staff were enthusiastic and attentive. An error on the bill was fixed immediately. A Delightful evening.
Having not been familiarised with Turkish Cuisine, I went in unknowing of what to expect!
My Partner and I simply asked the Waiter what they would suggest we eat, and thats what we ordered!
What proceeded was a banquet of delicious meals of varying meats and flavours!
I highly recommend the Ordek, duck breast, It's plump and juicy and is prepared medium!
A taste sensation, to coin a phrase. Classic Turkish flavours and textures in a 'mod' context. Plus some genuine innovation in each dish. Eg beef with a selection of sauces from tart fruit to smokey eggplant. You might finish up less than full, but your taste buds will thank you for the experience.
We hadn’t visited Tulum since their interior classy, rustic makeover and we loved it, what a great atmosphere! As expected we thoroughly enjoyed an outstanding Turkish dining experience having chosen their seven course Taste of Tulum. The textures and flavours were quite amazing and impossible to choose a favourite dish! Zomato Rating 4.5
An absolute gem of a venue. The food, the vibe, and even the drinks are outstanding. I always wanted to try a HATTED restaurant and this is the first one I have tried, it definitely won't be the last! Loved every bit and highly recommend!
We came to tulum for dinner on a Tuesday night where they were having a special on the 7 course tasting menu. At half price for what we had it was a bargain. My fav dish had to be the Smokey eggplant mousse with tahini ice cream and cumin caramel. So interesting. Overall I enjoyed the experience and would return. Service was good though one waiting was amazing and other (who looked like the owner) didn’t seem like a happy chap and just a bit short. Not a big issue but service really does change how u experience the meal. Just thought should shout out to waiter with epic handlebar moustache .
Taste Of Tulum 7 Course Degustation was an unexplainable experience, one MUST try.
I walked in with the intention of trying anything that came my way (being a fairly picky eater), and boy was I blown away.
Each dish was so exoticly flavored, with an explotion of tantalizing flavours with each and every mouthful.
Being of Turkish background and familiar with specialties of different cities, even I was left speachless... So much so, I had to stop by the kitchen to personaly thank the chef and his team.
Service was thorough and attentive by one individual inparticular, which added a positive ambiance, to a space so warm and prettyful.
Highly recommend and will most certainly be back to enjoy a whole new journey ( or even the same!). 😊
Had a family dinner here the other night, and the plating of each dish is just wow, you can see that they put so much effort into the plating of each dish, you can tell the chef is extremely passionate about what he does, and the flavour. Wow. This place is up there with the best, service was attentive and food was amazing. top place.
Outstanding food, spectacular drinks and great friendly service. Make sure you order the lamb rump and the swordfish and try a Raki Sour to drink
Excellent tasting menu, the food was absolutely delicious, specially the smoked lamb and the granita. Service wise there is space for improvement, one guy was very friendly and explained the dishes as they came but can't say the same about the rest of the staff.
The food was amazing we got the 7 course meal and if you book with dimmi you get 50% off. Value and meals were of high standard, very gourmet and fine dining reminded me of a great winery. Highly recommend
A perfect restaurant to celebrate all occasions! Taste of Tulum for $95.00 pp is what we tried and every item was just delicious. Service was attentive and friendly! Will be back!
Very interesting and unique Turkish restaurant . A little pricy and definetly not somewhere to go if you are starving . If you are looking for a different way to experience Turkish food then go Tulum .
This was our second time back here and we brought our Turkish friends with as we had raved how great it was... felt slightly different this time round and didn’t seem as polished compared to our first visit... a little disappointed when we were told they were not making cocktails that night (even though they were on the drinks menu)... food was delicious and each dish beautifully presented and very tasty . The restaurant works on a set banquet only menu which was fine since we were a table of 9. Overall a great night out although did feel the portions were not enough and slightly overpriced. So make sure you are not starving and expecting to be served huge portions of food. A nice modern twist on Turkish food
This is one of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne. Great food and the service has always been great. Love the cocktails and the tea is really, really good as well. Great place for a date or a classy, fun night out with friends. The courtyard out the back is really cute as well.
Delicious food. Fine dining. Very good quality Turkish ingredients with creative influence. Very friendly staff, introducing every plate. Chef comes to your table and make sure you enjoy the food. Try white vine called “Kınalı Yapıncak” , perfect taste.
Delicious, interesting food with beautiful presentation and service. You are served a set menu with 5-6 courses which means you don’t need to think about anything but exploring flavours and dishes you might never have thought to order if you had the choice. Great restaurant- congratulations for doing so well and not being predictable. It totally works. Wines were fabulous too.
I have been so much Turkish restaurant all around the world and i can say Tulum is one of the best one. They are mixing traditional Turkish food with modern cuisine.
We tasted Aegean region of Turkey and we are so keen to see Mediterranean one :)
Dined here last night for a birthday celebration. This restaurant gives great value for money relative to other degustation menus- quality and quantity- everything is really tasty and presented and served in a casual fine dining way. The service is friendly and you can tell all staff take pride in the experience they deliver. We will come back here.
Amazing super talented passionate chef with 10/10 food and experience. We had the set menu of seven courses and it was wonderful - mary and peter
Awesome addition to the area, modern take on traditional Turkish food. Pretty much always packed at weekends, service efficient and nice atmosphere
Turkish food is not all kebabs, dips and mixed grills. Tulum brings together traditional dishes and blends it with modern techniques. Every dish took me back to my childhood and past visits to the motherland.
Down to earth, knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Loved the place and was so proud and happy to introduce my girlfriend to proper turkish cuisine.
Thank you team Tulum for a wonderful experience. Best Turkish restaurant outside Turkey.
Very satisfying experience! The atmosphere was warm and lively.The service was sufficient and not over the top. The food was... wow! All the dishes were complex in flavour and texture (and not just complex for the sake of it), interesting but never pretentious. The food here reminds me of that at Yotam Ottolenghi's restaurants. Happy days!
Steven Alexander Connors
+5
My girlfriend and I went in for dinner on a Thursday night. It was quiet when we arrived and we were seated at a table with a chair that was a bit wobbly and when we asked to move we got shifted to a much better table with no drama - win.
The service was a great mix of friendly, professional and authentic. The chef came out from time to time to check how things were going and explain dishes to us, which was a nice touch. The wine list was super approachable, and had half bottles available (it was a school night).
The food! We went with the tasting menu, which flowed from the super-rich, up-front punch of the egg with butter crumb, to the silky leeks, through sardines, lamb and beef. The real highlight (and I never say this) was the dessert - chicken. Yes. Chicken. Amazing. Go there.
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Tulum is a hidden gem in a rough neighbourhood. Though Tulum appears to be named after a city in Mexico, it is actually a Turkish restaurant. Make a booking as it gets pretty busy on a Friday evening.
Free street parking available after 5pm on a Friday night.
The menu offers small and large mezze with all dishes designed for sharing. Don't let the word mezze fool you. You don't receive a platter. Dishes are small and tapas sized - even the mains. So I recommend going for the 6 courses menu.
Between us, we had the following
1. Kuzu lamb - slow cooked Lamb with smoked aubergine under grilled capsicum - smoky in flavour and delicate lamb
2. Fava bean - two squares of almost cheesecake textured fava bean conditions topped with berries, peas and some herb. Very heavy flavoured. Unique.
3. Pilaf with mussels - two small mounds of deliciously flavoured Rice with mussels in some oily souplike substance. Quite buttery
4. Barramundi in yoghurt sauce. - who knew barramundi went well with yoghurt. And safrron flavoured too. Yummmmm.
The food was so good that we had to try dessert. We went for the Jerusalem artichoke crumble with plum. Tasted like a cinnamon rice flavoured pudding with crumble. Some many flavours and white sweet.
The Turkish coffee is quite strong and comes with some dark smooth Turkish chocolate.
Service is great. Each dish is introduced and explained when it arrives. Food is served quickly. Each dish comes out at a time giving you time to enjoy each dish. Plates are cleared after every dish. So you can enjoy the new unique flavours of each dish.
Split billing provided.
For bigger heavier portions I think next time my friend and I will go for the Turkish pide or the cheese dish.
Fancy venue. The cocktails look delectable with great attention to detail. Definitely a great place for a date. Definitely expensive so be prepared to spend 70-80 per person excluding drinks.
The food was nice but a bit overpriced, would be good to see more things on the menu. Service was great but sorry won't be going back for seconds.
Food was fresh, beautiful and delicious! Very creative and modern Turkish food which was a lovely surprise. I was expecting something a little more traditional but was not disappointed. Will be back!
Thank you to Tulane restaurant for a beautiful birthday dinner.
We had the 8 course chefs selection and the waitress was happily able to cater to our dietary requirements - this so rarely happens (with a smile!)
The chef came out to personally introduce some of the courses which was a special touch.
The food was delicious - good produce shone through with non fussy modern takes on Turkish family style dishes. Cocktails were also delicious!
They even put a candle in the dessert to surprise the birthday boy.
Restaurant has the quality service of a fine dining restaurant but a more intimate atmosphere compared with some larger restaurants.
I would not hesitate to recommend this place to our family and friends.
We came here last night on a whim with no booking and even though the place was full we were seated fairly quickly. We chose three share plates and one main (though the suggestion was two mains) and we were so pleased with the flavours! Everything tasted amazing. We had the lentil meat balls (incredible flavours to start), the crab dolma (again just spot on), the mackerel (cooked to perfection) and the main we chose was the lamb which was juicy and tender and to die for we also chose the first and last desserts on the menu which were the perfect way to end the delicious meal. The only reason I didn't give five stars was because they did forget to send out the mackerel but I know that this is probably just teething problems. All amazing and also excellent service! Thanks again, we will be telling our friends about this place.
Upon arrival at this restaurant, the person working at the bar ignored us and kept working despite us trying to get his attention. We waited a few minutes before one of the busy wait staff finally came and showed us to our seats. Not a great start with the service.
We chose to order a la carte and were happy with the choices we made. There were three of us at dinner, so the chef cleverly split up all the share plates into servings of three, which many other restaurants fail to do.
All of the food was very well cooked and flavoured and it made for an enjoyable feed. The only downside is that this restaurant is quite small and has very little noise attenuation so when busy it's hard to keep up a conversation.
The lamb as the main was very tasty, but a little tough in places.
The chocolate dessert was one of the best desserts i'd had in a long time!
Will return.
This was the most exciting meal the four us had experienced in a very long time. We went with the chefs selection which was a brilliant idea as most of the menus dishes and ingredients were all new to us. Every plate just topped the one before, every plate an absolute flavour bomb. We loved it. Bravo Coskun! Can't wait to go back and highly recommend it.
Tulum has fabulous food. Unusual and creative Turkish (without a kebab in sight) food done really really well. The floor staff are friendly and attentive.
For me the gloss of all this is taken away by the cramped and distractingly noisy room. At times it's hard to hear across the table. Some noise abatement in a quite bare room wouldn't go astray. The seats are very close together and I mean too close.
But if it's all about the food, then Tulum scores top marks.
Came in for a midweek dinner, and were promptly met at the door. The food was good, an interesting modern take on Turkish cuisine. Good atmosphere and we enjoyed their playlist. The staff were great, however perhaps they needed another person, as we ordered some Turkish coffee espresso martinis and they took a long time to arrive. We were willing to wait, it just seemed that the two waitstaff would have benefited from another set of hands. The chef/owner came out to check if everything was alright and made the effort to speak with every table which I thought was a nice touch. Would recommend the meatballs and the pirasa (surprisingly delicious leek dish).Although we almost walked right past the place (the sign on the door isn't very obvious) it was all in all a rather pleasant dining experience.
Fantastic flavours. Unique flavour combinations never tasted before and hope to taste again. Presentation at levels only seen in five star restaurants.
Wow super super food unbelievable taste , will definitely come back , such an intreating menu ,
Great attitude and care for the food, love it
We ate here a few hours ago and it was fantastic! Really unique and delicious flavours, reasonably priced and the staff (including the chef who spent quite a while chatting with us) were all lovely. I'd recommend going for more small dishes and fewer mains to get a better selection. And try the artichoke rice pudding -- it sounds strange but was awesome. I will definitely be coming back!
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First things first: The food is sensational.
We tried quite a few dishes, chosen after much squabbling and indecision in the group because everything on the menu sounded so delicious. Order the meatballs, they were stunning in ways I couldn't have imagined prior (and I love the humble meatball). The egg dish with crispy chicken skin was also adored. The beef cheek, came with an insanely delicious rice salad (as an aside, I am relieved Melbourne restaurants have developed another idea apart from red-wine stewed beef cheek). The lamb rump was also very good. There were many other dishes on the menu I'd love to try and I am grateful to live locally.
Sadly, we did not stay for dessert. The noise levels, even for a Saturday night was very high, and quite uncomfortable. Perhaps some efforts could be made to dampen noise levels somewhat? It was not helped by the fact we were seated next to a group of inconsiderate, boisterous diners, who were shrieking loudly the entire time, which made conversation, and a pleasant evening absolutely impossible. I don't begrudge people having a good time, but we mustn't confuse restaurants for pubs and behave accordingly.
Service was polite, but a little naive at times. When prompted for for guidance about how much to oder, and about some of the wines on the (interesting, with some lovely Turkish wines) wine list, we were met with a committal shrug and a "I'm sorry, I don't know and we're very busy tonight".
Despite these little bumps, I am determined to return, perhaps on a weeknight and eat my way round the menu.
Great modern Turkish restaurant. Lots of interesting combinations that you will not find elsewhere. Very friendly staff the chef even came out to explain inspiration behind a couple of dishes. This place was totally full on a wet cold Thursday night so you can tell the locals realise how good this is.
Phillipos Firat Senol
+4.5
This restaurant is off to an excellent start. The Turkish influence is very prominent in the food; the use of the eggplant puree with the lamb was inspired. The Kalecik wine was a pleasant surprise as well!
The olives with roasted coffee were an interesting dish. I've never had anything like it. With the fresh bread it was a perfect palate opener.
The lamb sharing plate was a magnificent medley of flavours. I enjoyed it a bit too much. I hope my grunts of joy as a demolished it didn't put off other guests.
I had the sutlac; while radically different from the Turkish norm it was a good winter dish.
Service was perfect. They were attentive, quick, and well mannered.
The only negative was the Turkish coffee at the end. One of those Beko machines might be a good investment.
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I've just checked the other reviews. The rating calculator is definitely faulty. Three 5's, one 4.5 and and one 3 averages 4.5 not 2.8. Anyway that's besides the point.
This is a restaurant you would go to experience some wonderful taste combinations. Chefs Coskun and Murat make some brave choices and almost every time they work. Coskun's enthusiasm can be felt in every dish you taste.
The menu is small but it comprises a good variety. So is the wine list.
I wouldn't say it is expensive when you consider the quality of the produce used and effort which goes into preparing the dishes.
Like all mezze/tapas style restaurants it is definitely more enjoyable as group of 5+ so you can taste bigger variety of dishes.
This is a Turkish cousine themed restaurant (yes it is a conscious effort that I am not calling it a Turkish Restaurant because it is much more than that) Melbourne has deserved for so long. I would say the late and very much missed Gigi Baba was the only one which came close despite being rather different in style.
I must add the service is very friendly and efficient and the atmosphere is warm and comfortable.
We will be back, again and again and again...
Wow! A beautiful array of flavours I have never experienced before. So refreshing! This place is going to take off... Get in before everyone else realises this is a hidden gem.
Absolutely amazing. Tasty food, attentive, friendly, warm, genuinely warm service. Front house/behind bar Murat is an asset, very pleasant and genuine human being. You made my wife's birthday dinner a very memorable experience. Thank you, Tulum.
We had a wonderful dinner at Tulum last night. Managed to try everything on the menu. Great flavours. Turkish food with a twist . So happy and proud as a Turk to see our cuisine well represented in a modern way.
Tulum is like that relationship you have been searching for. The food is reinvented. Designed by a genius. The owner chef's complete involvement in the entirely of the experience means you have his full attention when you are there. Every dish is an expression of himself and the pride and respect for his heritage. The attention to detail, the dedication to authentic flavours and the reinvention of this cuisine takes you by surprise and takes your breathe away. I left the restaurant with a determination to continue with this new love affair.
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We finally got a chance to try @tulumrestaurant and this restaurant serves amazing modern Turkish cuisine 😍
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We tried: 7-course degustation menu (thanks to @theforkau, we received 50% discount on our reservation of their website)
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Some of the highlights were:
The bread and date butter which we really like a lot 😋 - the date butter was brilliant - it was super smooth… and the sweetness from date really comes through.
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Spiced Lamb Semolina Kibbeh was also very very tasty, even though I am not a big lamb eater, I enjoyed this dish through and through - the flavour was spot on and left me wanting for me. The restaurant also catered for Ony as she doesn’t eat lamb - the replacement dish, Vegetarian Stuffed Eggplant with Tomato & Onion in Spiced Olive oil, was very tasty too and she didn’t feel like missing out.
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Lastly, the dessert - the chicken and milk pudding dessert which was showcased on @masterchefau season 12 last year. Some might find it weird but we truly enjoyed this dessert, we love the playful take of savoury notes into the sweet dessert, very creative.
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Overall, the food here at Tulum was exceptional and the price we paid for the degustation was so worth it and represents a good value. While we are not too familiar with Turkish food, we can say that every meal through this 7-course offering took us to experience different textures and flavors of Turkish cuisine.
BabyChair is really necessary But they could not provide. So even the food is really good, family dinner is not friendly. My one year old baby girl only stayed in the baby pram and looked up at us. A bit poor. But the food is good.
Modern Turkish feast at @tulumrestaurant where the food never cease to impress. The Kuzu (lamb shoulder) and Balik (rainbow trout) were cooked to perfection, and boast amazing flavours. The Icli Kofte (baked cumin lamb kibbeh pie) was an interesting and delicious twist on a traditional kofte, and the Tarak (scallops) showcased a beautiful depth of flavour. The meal would be incomplete without dessert so do give the Tavuk Gogsu (chicken and milk pudding) a try. While I've always found Turkish desserts too sweet for my preference, I can't deny that the desserts here were executed well.
Amazing little restaurant. Great atmosphere, service, decor and most Importantly fresh and delicious food!
I'm not too familiar with Turkish food, but the servers were great at explaining each meal and the ingredients behind it.
Each dish was great in its own, however the scallops were a stand out. Beautifully cooked and fresh with a super savoury lentil Dahl making you come back for more.
Turkish Pinot noir was quite different from Aus wines, very smokey and earthy which I loved, and went well with the food.
Starter sizes were decently generous for a "fine dining" establishment.
Would highly recommend to someone looking for a lovely little date spot or someone a little adventurous and hoping to try some Turkish food!
![5]( "Recensione")
new analotian kitchen
🐟 rainbow trout
🧀 borek
🐑 lamb shoulder
🥧 kamb kibbeh pie
🍆 stuffed eggplant
🏠: @tulumrestaurant
📍: Balaclava
📝: Tulum is known for their representation of New Analotian cuisine. They take classic traditional Ottoman recipes and redefine them by combining with local Melbourne products. Definitely impressed with the flavors here. It’s a place I would 100% recommend if you’re looking to try new dishes that is guaranteed to taste good 😊.
❤️: I absolutely loved all the dishes we got, so I don’t know what to say was my favorite! For starters, we got their Turkish Special Borek topped with black truffle aged cheese emulsion and dried yoghurt shard.
If you’re looking for something different, try the 🥧 Icli Kofte—a delicious slice of baked cumin 🐑 lamb kibbeh pie.
For something cold and light, get the 🍆 Imam Bayildi dish of stuffed eggplant, 🍅 tomato, 🧅 onion and spiced olive oil.
For mains, of the two we ordered, I loved the flavors of the 🐟 Balik—rainbow trout with braised smoke leeks, sultanas, and black tarama butter.
An absolute gem in bustling Carlisle st. Although it says that it is a Turkish restaurant, don’t expect kebabs and dips. Expect delightful and mind blowing dishes inspired by the chef’s interpretation of ottoman cuisine. Each dish are expertly crafted and the awesome service staff will explain it thoroughly. The staff are amazing and you won’t find a better service anywhere. Ala carte is available if the set menu is too much for your liking however you will miss out on the holistic experience. Had a wonderful cocktail which had Raki to complement the experience.
Tip: try the ‘meat’ desert! Fans of MasterChef will know 😀
If you still insist on kebabs and dips; their sister restaurant Lezzet is down the road.
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