Antepli is a Turkish restaurant on Charminster Road, just east of Bournemouth town centre. It takes its name from Gaziantep, the south-eastern Turkish city renowned across the country for its food, and the menu leans into that heritage rather than offering a generic kebab-house line-up.
The food
Charcoal-grilled meat is the backbone of the menu, lamb shish, Adana köfte and mixed grills cooked over the coals, alongside a long list of hot and cold mezes. Ali Nazik, smoky mashed aubergine and yoghurt topped with diced lamb, is a signature dish that reflects the restaurant's regional focus, and sharing platters like the Antepli Special Mix for two bring together several grills with rice. Vegetarian and fish dishes sit alongside the meat-heavy specialities, and the kitchen uses halal meat with gluten-free options available too. To finish, there's baklava made with fine filo and pistachio, and sütlaç, a creamy Turkish rice pudding.
Good to know
Antepli welcomes walk-ins but says it's often fully booked, so reserving ahead, by phone, through its website or its mobile ordering app, is worth doing, particularly for weekend evenings and larger groups. The restaurant also takes group bookings and private events, and gift vouchers are available. For the latest opening hours, menu and prices, check directly with the restaurant before you visit.
Antepli is one of a growing number of independent restaurants along Charminster Road. Browse more of the town's kitchens in our food & drink guide, or see what else is nearby in our things to do guide.