Lianri Swanepoel Maritz
+4
Oh amazing
The complete cultural experience.
After entering the super impressive castle we were transported to another world.
Finest attention to detail.
Warm welcome.
Several different seating options.
The food were outstanding.
Best tapas I ever had. It was eye openign to be introduced to Turkish/Lebanese meat styles.
The belly dancers produced wonderful entertainment (just not they charge R30 p.p for entertainment on on the bill).
Service was good en very "regular", maby a bit too regular (also note 10% service fee is also already added to the bill).
Highly recommended if you are looking for a complete experience filled with gorgeous food and amazing entertainment
Amazing decor and plenty spacers to enjoy the beautiful setting. Food was amazing but service a tad slow. Definitely recommended for an exotic, one of a kind experience
It’s a beautiful place. Magnificent ”palace” Great food. Belly dancing fun. Lovely vibrant atmosphere.
Wow, I knew I expected to be overwhelmed but obviously the sun always shines on TV, like pics and comments and stuff on the web. So, on wifey's bday I decided to bring the family in celebration as it is very close to home as well.
So we arrived. From the gate guard right up to being seated the ambience inculated. What a great venue. This created an expectation, a very high one of the service and tastes to come.
Words do not address the impression. After a small misunderstanding we met Liberty, the shift manager who immediately stepped up the Ala Turka impression game. All of a sudden we were easing into a very comfortable silence while experiencing a new experience full of surprizes and taste explosions.
The ambience and service impressed upon my mind. The food blew me from a dizzy height.
A surely must try for the soul who appreciates new horizons. Surely loosing my Ala Turka virginity was only the beginning of several visits to come.
Tired of the same old restaurant ...
Try this restaurant for a difference...
Service was excellent, food lamb shank best I have had in a long time.
Ambience / entertainment perfect
Blend.
Will be back...
Wow! What a great experience! We visited with friends and had sharing platters. We loved everything and that we got to sample cuisines foreign to us. Portions were huge and relatively good value for money. This venue will do great for romantic evenings out or to celebrate special occasions
I had my birthday dinner here, overall experience was great! The food was AMAZING; my friends and I still talk about it! The entertainment was just as fun!
Will definitely be going back soon!
Visited twice already and it’s a favourite. The dishes are all unique and delicious. It’s best to get a platter to explore the Turkish flavours and round it off with a delightful treat.
We visited this establishment previously and it has always been a favorite.
Tonight we were very disappointed at first. The service started out very good just to deteriorate to zero and then Stanley came to the rescue.
The food was brilliant as always.
Thank you Stanley. You made sure that we will return to this wonderful restaurant.
This Turkish delight situated in the beautiful Yadah Castle provides a majestic Turkish experience. With both the A'la Turka restaurant and the Hammam day spa one is sure to have a full belly and relaxed body. Experiencing the belly dancers moving to Turkish music while licking our fingers over the delicious tapas this was definitely an enjoyable day. The only down side was that the waiters were not very geared up to handle our big crowd so service was a little slow and not to forget the spa was quite pricey compared to other day spa's. Other then that this is definitely a venue I would visit again.
This is an amazing location, beautifully decorated. Looks like an actual Turkish Castle. The bf took me here for date night, as i was craving Turkish food. The food was amazing, i had baklava for desert it was heavenly, one of the best I've had in South Africa. Great overall experience. Perfect for date night, special occasions or if you just want to feel like royalty and go to a castle :)
Wow the food is absolutely delicious. Beautiful restaurant, I love that it’s in a castle , makes you feel like you are sitting somewhere in a Turkish palace . I really enjoyed everything about it
Fantastic atmosphere. Great food (truly brilliant - enjoyed Emperors set menu). Fantastic service. The staff are extremely well trained. Thank you to Maureen, our Ethiopian origin hostess. You were brilliant.
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Wow.. its got such amazing atmosphere. The place is beautiful and intriguing.
There's gardens and little private rooms dotted around the place and persian things all over.
Cushions and lounging booths and stuffs.
We were there for a year end function so can't really rate the service, suffice to say it was enthusiastic but untrained. I got an uncomfortable lapdance from a waiter while clearing the table, not great bru. Also they made it very difficult for the belly dancer who was working under kak circumstances and really tight space to start with, simply not being cognisant or considerate of her needs and just barging past.
The starter was humus, banaganouche, chopped salad, roast veg bits, dolmades and tzatziki, all served with these great flatbreads, not pita, sort of thick rotis. Delicious, and fun to eat. But there was lots of it so when mains arrived we were all stuffed, staring in despair at the mountains of chicken and beef skewers cooked and spiced to perfection, lamb koftas, spanakopitas, roasted veg, and those rice in cabbage things.... we were uncomfortably full. Tge food was excellent. Dessert was fruit thank the Lord, and those honey nut rollup jobs, meh, didn't care, couldn't eat more.
So belly dancers... i mean she was good and all, but is it necessary? Or is it just awkward in that setting?
A warm atmosphere. ALL the food is made deliciously and definitely worth it. Great entertainment while seated. The décor makes you feel like you are in another place.
Its not often that i rate as a 5 but then its not often I eat such a meal .. met by friendly guards .. met friendly hostess and waiters .. served a stunning meal .. there was nothing to fault ..
What a BEAUTIFUL place with wonderful food!! Me and my husband decided to celebrate our 7th wedding aniversary at the beautiful Castle. The staff was very friendly, Givemore was our waiter and Stanley, the manager, also helped us with a smile. The food was delicious! We cant wait to plan our next visit!!
Ambience is great, it is an experience with family and friends!
Food was well explained by the waiter staff, quick and precise when looking after us! Knowledge of what to recommend was exceptional
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A notice: 'no photos allowed' caught my eye ... I should have asked the staff since I saw pictures of food taken ... you'll just have to read my review, book a seat and visit A la Turka yourself.
From the outside, the 'icing covered castle' looks okay ... turrets and stuff, but not real 'castle-like'.
You park and walk through these gigantic doors and enter ... a different world. Lush garden spreads out, tiny round metal tables and chairs are dotted here and there, lights twinkle between trees, shrubs and along the paths.
A big welcoming lounge area opens up in front of you ... you sip a shot of juice and drink in the decor ... gold-painted chaise lounges upholstered in red velvet, carpets and mirrors and you think ... I should yank off my clothes and dress into silk pants, jewel-encrusted silk top and soft-sole slipper shoes. My cropped hair is too short ... give me some extensions ... rub my arms with rosewater and slip heavy silver-turquoise rings on my fingers ...
Walking up a ramp you find a few different seating areas. A 'normal' area with 'normal' tables and chairs. Our big table was on a covered patio ... not too low coffee table-like with ostrich covered bench with jewel-colored scatter cushions. Some seats have lower coffee tables where you can sit on big pillows.
Background music (Cafe del Mar?) are a tad too loud, but perfect ambience. What look like crayfish traps have been transformed into light shades.
The lights are dimmed and a belly dancer slowly danced around with ... a lighted candle candelabra on her head!!!!!! Wow, that was quite impressive! Throughout the evening a few different belly dancers entertained us with their swinging hips, long hair and gauzy clothes. One had a long sword that she even balanced on her hip .. Another grab our hands and showed us a few dance tricks. Only thing? The cost of R30 per person for the belly dancers is added onto your bill ... so just be aware of that.
The menu is extensive although for me personally the set menu's of about R300 per person sounded a bit much. Hein and I decided on a Hot Emperors Delight Platter for 2 (R350). A few other people also ordered it. Wow! It is a heaping platter of yumminess!!!! 2 Crisp spring rolls filled with spinach (and probably feta). Crispy baked Falafel rounds, beef kebabs (so tender), chicken kebabs (oooooh sooo yum), pita triangles, 2 cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and mince, swimming in a tomato-ish sauce, meatballs and in the centre a heap of fabulously lightly-fried potato pieces.
In-between sips of not-so-cheap bottles of red wine, sparkling grape juices and water, we chewed, tasted and savoured our bites of food ... but still had to ask for a 'doggy bag'.
Dessert? Of course yes! Only a few options, but some ordered the traditional baklava (served in cigar-forms) on a plate with fresh watermelon cubes and melon.
The Turkish Delight Ice Cream had my name on ... served in a small sundae glass and with 2 spoons (did the waiter think I wouldn't be able to eat it all??) and also fresh fruit. Yes, okay, I shared with Hein ... and the ice cream was deeelicious!!!!!!!! I would order it again ... and again.
At the downstairs bar area they have boxes of different kinds of Turkish Delights ... I bought a flat box of chocolate-looking Turkish Delights with double pistachios. No taste of rosewater anywhere. Not too sweet and really quite addictive.
Our eyes started to droop, so we paid the bill (a 10% tip is also automatically added to each bill) and slowly walked downstairs and into the night.
Visit A la Turka as a group ... or as a couple ... but visit you must!!!!
If you haven't been to A'la Turka, put it on your list! It definitely is a unique restaurant with a cultural experience.
The restaurant is set in a castle and from the moment you drive in you know it's not just another meal.
On the weekends there are belly and fire dancers which lends for a great atmosphere. You can even get up and dance with them. For a birthday or any other celebration, this is fantastic. My only crit to this would be that you automatically have to pay for this whether you asked for it or not. This should rather be a value add from the restaurant.
Luckily the space lends itself to various experiences and is also great for a romantic date.
The food is tapas style, definitely not cheap. Try the baklava which is absolutely divine! As well as the rose water - so yummy.
My fiancé and I love going to A'la Turka for their amazing food! The atmosphere is always fun and yet relaxed, the prices are more upscale but well worth the food and portions that you recieve, food is always freshly prepared and the wine list compliments the different meals nicely. There is a wide variety of food and wine to choose from and the entertainment is lovely to watch!
What an absolute pleasure to visit this Great destination venue with it's exquisite food!
I lived in Turkey for a year where I was part of the top structure management and have to give the chef a standing ovation!
The staff are well trained )unlike most restaurants in SA where they rudely interrupt conversation) and you can feel there's a great team spirit among the staff.
Great ambiance! Awesome Location! Perfect Theme Decor!
Bravo!
What an amazing experience!! Perfect, perfect, perfect, from the word go!
Friendly reception, amazing service, the best food ever, beautiful setting! Can't wait to go back there. Absolutely loved it
Me and my wife went here for our Valentine's Day when we entered the place it felt like we were in a different country we were directed to our booth where we sat on pillows with this massive brass tray with us, then the wine and the food came we chose one of their speciality menus which was a full 3 course diner but a really amazing Turkish experience food was great service was great we were treated like kings in our booths eating amazing food and enjoying a nice ambience will definitely go here again
Hidden gem with great ambience, palatial space and authentic, aromatic and flavorful food. We went for lunch with combination of vegetarian and non-vegetarian folks. Both came out very happy. Went for lunch and therefore missed on the entertainment which happens on weekend nights. Will come again
Oom Wag 'n Biedtjie
+4.5
They are literary are the just around the corner,and what fantastic food they have. I prefer the a-la-carte to the platters menu. Lamb shank fantastic. Great for lazy Sunday lunches with a few bottles of wine
Unique place with great food and a lovely atmosphere. You feel as though you are transformed into another country, the decor also makes a big difference to the feel of the restaurant. We ordered a platter and it was very delicious, the only thing was that they do not charge corkage thus you are no allowed to bring your own wine and have to choose from their list.
I will definitely return, we had a great evening with friends and enjoyed good good in a relaxing environment.
I really love the food here - it is the most authentic Turkish food I have had outside of Turkey. The servings are massive so we always order a few items and share. An afternoon lounging around at Yadah Castle is truly the best way to end off any weekend!
The best turkish cuisine this part of the country... And the deco and atmosphere is brilliant ... Its like one has magically stepped onto turkish soil ...
Nicole Melissa Brooks
+4.5
Date night at A'la Turka transported us to Turkey for the evening. Beautiful architecture and friendly staff as we entered the grounds welcomed with a drink and a open fire on a winters night. My boyfriend and I had the Sultan's set menu. Delicious variety and huge portions. Excellent service from all the waiters. The belly dancing made the evening more enjoyable. Thank you to the staff for alerting us that my boyfriend forgot his cellphone as we exited the venue. Will definitely return with friends and family.
Beautiful venue, great food. The set menus are fantastic if you are a group you get to try a lot of the food and everything was delicious truly a great evening
A'la Turka is in the stunning Yadah Castle, the setting is decorated beautifully, you feel like you are right there in Turkey. This is a wonderful place if you want to try something different, however it is a bit on the expensive side. The food was delicious and presented on large platters which made it great for sharing and getting to try a little bit of everything on offer. The staff was very friendly and helpful. There is also ample parking.
Excellent food in a great atmosphere. R2550 for 7 people including wine. Would certainly go there again. Pontsho the waitress was attentive and gave great service - thank you
Wow, what an experience! Welcomed by the friendliest staff, welcome drinks, waiters who know the menu by heart and are more than willing to help you decide. Dinner and a show! Belly dancers showing their skills every few hours. Such a treat! Massive portions too.
Amazing dinner experience!! Food was great and the atmosphere with belly dancing as entertainment, made for an awesome celebration. We wanted to show my brother from Cape Town something different and this place was perfect!!
Spur of the moment, we decided to try out A'la Turka and wow was it amazing.
When you enter the security guard thingy is so kind and friendly which already tells you it's going to be a good night. This restaurant is actually inside a castle so that was pretty cool.
As soon as we entered the belly dancers were already up in action. I must say the belly dancers make the experience so amazing. Especially after service where they grab everyone and join in the belly dancing fun.
Let's talk about food... The food was really nice, I had the Moroccan chicken salad, the home made baklava and some of the Turkish apple chai tea.. All in all, the food was really good. Service was a bit slow but I guess u have so much fun from the belly dancing and stuff that it evens it out..
If you're keen, order a shisha and enjoy smoking some hubbly in the beautiful garden with a view of the castle.. Epic :)
Will definitely be here again :)
This is a unique experience if you looking for a change! The road driving up the the castle created an anxious feeling, but the castle was beautiful and the decor inside created a middle eastern vibe. Staff are friendly. My friend and I chose the set menu and was really.impressed with the flavours of the meze starter! The main course consisted a combination of kebabs. This was a bit of a downfall after the amazing starter. Definitely enjoyed the turkish delight ice cream for dessert!
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Rich, textured Turkish ambience of a castle stolen from another place that exudes security and warmth from the very beaming welcome right from the gate, through the guided parking and a grand entrance to the honey tea at reception. The 'mud 'n iron' authenticity hints at food that will be just as exciting, all reinforced by a broad variety of seating arrangements, nooks and crannies filled with cushions, low chairs and almost a smoky low lighting..... The perfect place to treat someone or have a party. The sultry belly dancers entertain with skill and fire. Magical.
The food works wonders in the setting. Slow, relaxed conversational eating over a variety of hot and cold meze... Dolmades, humus and warm pita among the many flavours sampled... We selected the Ottoman set menu with almost too many starters that was followed by superb spicy kebabs, slivers of heavenly lamb and a baklava dessert that is so good it almost instantly turns you into a hot blooded Greek.
I am going to look for excuses to make the journey out to Doringkloof again. If the accommodation does become a reality, I will enjoy more of that delicious Chocoholic and stay over. For sure!
Anastasia Natasha Trataris-Rebisz
+5
The food takes you on a journey to the middle east via the Mediterranean! When you drive into the yadah castle venue you are transported to a different world! One of opulence and hedonistic pleasures reserved for old world kings and beautiful bellydancing mistresses! It is the most perfect venue for romance and passion! Everything about ala turka is about pleasure from the dolmathes to the turkish delight ice cream!
I remember when A'la Turka was a small restaurant in Garsfontein, it has now grown to a massive venue. Had a lovely time here. The food is really delicious and sooo filling. Also the belly dancers just adds to the overall feel. The best is to sit on one of the low seats after dinner and have some turkish coffee. Only reason for not giving a four is that the personal touch feels a bit lost in the massive venue.
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What a venue, absolutely stunning, has it all when it comes to Romance.
Set in Yadah Castle, which is situated on a hill next to the R21 highway nearby Irene Village Market. The decor is opulent and lavish, and gives the feeling that one is truly in a Turkish castle. I cannot image how much effort and time went into locating and obtaining all the furniture and artifacts. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, from the guard at the gate, to the parking staff, waiters and management. We were given some iced tea to sip in the downstairs waiting area, and then made our way up to the 1st floor where the restaurant is located. For meat-lovers, the menu is excellent and offers a comprehensive array of platter and à la carte options. The meat dishes looked very enticing. I have to mention, however, that there is only one vegetarian option under the main courses, and no fish dishes, so vegetarians and pescatarians, such as ourselves, were slightly disappointed. I opted for 3 starters instead, however the only vegetarian soup listed was also not available. Dessert was great - which, as can be expected, includes original Turkish Delight as well as an ice cream version. There are various different seating arrangements, from tables surrounded by framework and covered with curtains for a more private feel, to open tables as well as tables with floor (cushion) seating. We noticed two cozy private rooms, and thought that this would be an excellent place for a group get-together due. Overall this is definitely a great experience, and would be suggested for romantic dinners or dinner with close friends. Should there ever be fish or more vegetarian options added to the menu, we'll surely be back.
Always fun to go. Feels like you are transported to a different time and space. Just soooo expensive (from my point of view). Great venue for a celebration
One of the most amazing evenings ever! Went with a large group of people to enjoy a night out and some fine food. It did not dissapoint! The service could've been a bit quicker, but in all fairness, the place was packed! Food was tasty and presented on large platters which made for informal dining. Great date-night idea!
One of my most memorable dinners ever! The setting and ambience was beyond expectation, the food was excellent and very generous portions. Will definitely return there again!
Bachelorette dinner... From the first step you feel like you are in another country. Great service, fantastic food, awesome vibe and atmosphere. The belly dancers are very good and add more to the turkish look and feel. What an experience!
Hennie Jansen Van Nieuwenhuizen
+4.5
Always lovely coming here and the staff bend over backwards to accommodate us! Always a treat! The food is always generous and excellently executed.
Loved the setting. It's a castle on the outside hiding jewels inside . The food is amazing and well worth the price. You certainly won't return home with an empty stomach . Good night with a group of friends. Seating arrangements are normal tables or booths with table and Turkish cushions to sit on.
Will certainly return
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I saw a groupon special for a set menu from A’La Turka 2 weeks ago, and since I had an anniversary coming up the week after, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try out this much talked about venue.
What really struck me about the venue is that it is situated in an actual castle. It’s very well maintained and the excellent lighting was just a hint of the Turkish opulence that awaited us.
We were greeted with a welcome drink (Moroccan Tea) in the courtyard, next to a raging bonfire to keep the smokers warm on this chilly winter evening.
We were then escorted through the opulent foyer and upstairs to the front desk/main landing. The staff were very friendly and gave us a gorgeous cushioned four-post booth to dine in (new experience to sit on the floor to eat). The dining room was a bit tight but being a Thursday night, I suspect that they don’t need more space than that. Again, the décor was splendid.
Now down to the food (Ottoman Deluxe set menu):
Starters – A meze of Cacik, Tabouleh, Humus, Kizartma, Dolma and Mixed Pickles, served with hot pita bread. (My favourite was the Kizartma, which was lightly fried veggies with garlic, yogurt, paprika, herbs and olive oil.)
Main – Chef’s choice of Doner Kebab as well as lamb, beef, ground beef and chicken kebabs, served again with hot pita bread and pilav. (My personal favourite, the Doner Kebab which was slices of lamb and beef served on a bed of pita bread with yogurt, topped with a really flavorful sauce.)
The portions were huge so needless to say we asked to wait a while before dessert was served.
Dessert – Platter of fresh fruit, baklava and rice pudding. (Very tasty and an excellent way to end the meal since it wasn’t too rich or sweet)
All in all, the food was really good and our waitress made sure our drinks were full at all times.
A’La Turka is an excellent evening out if you’re looking for a unique dining experience for a special occasion or a night out with friends where the bill can be split. I don’t think I would have gone had it not been for the Groupon special since it can be a bit pricey, but now that I’ve been I will definitely be back…with more people!
Ria Fraser @CityFlavours
+4
I have not been this pleasantly surprised by a restaurant in a long time! The decor is so well done, you really feel as if you have left South Africa. We had Groupon vouchers and thus had a set menu, the food was delicious, full of flavour, really enjoyed all the courses and the services was quick and friendly.
What a gorgeous discovery! I'm all about experiences and this is well worth the trip. Beautiful decor, great food and menu. The setting is magical. Will definitely be back to host an event in the summer. 😊
A'la Turka has been one of the top restaurants I have been to. The setting and decor are brilliant, and the food was always impressive; the quality and quantity of food matched the price (we went for the set menu option). The waiters never left us waiting and the managers/owners were very friendly. Overall an amazing evening and dinner.
I absolutely loved the experience at the castle. The set up is amazing and entertainment is great fun for everyone involved. The food was phenomenal while service was a bit slow and prices relatively high. However such a wonderful place, will definately be going back again !
Mixy Janse Van Rensburg
+3.5
Definitely a wonderful experience. The belly dancers are pretty darn cool and it was fun to join in. We were part of a Turkish themed 21st so all dressed up and blended right in. The finger foods provided were delicious and overall i would definitely go there again
Haven't been to A'la Turka since they moved to Yadah Castle. I have however dined there multiple times in Irene Mall. It was honestly one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. It used to have wonderful food, an exceptionally splendid atmosphere to match it's exotic decor and the owners were charming. I really hope this standard has been maintained throughout the years and that many other people could have the experiences I had!
If you enjoy Turkish or Greek food, A'la Turka will not disappoint you. It's been awhile since I went to a restaurant where I was entertained as much A'la Turka were able to present with their belly dancers. A unique experience if you want family and friends to join you for a big occasion:-)
Had such an amazing night! The vibe is so great and the food is to die for! No better place for turkish food!
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