Pera

Pera's promise is simple and heartfelt: honest flavours, freshly made that brings the sprit of Turkish home cooking to Edinburgh.

The meal often begins as it should in Istanbul: a gentle, grazing rhythm of meze. Think the snap and sizzle of halloumi sucuk, the soft bite of Mucver with cooling yogurt, and bowls of cacik bright with mint and cucumber. Tear into warm, freshly made Turkish bubble bread and let the sharing unfold; it is an invitation to slow down, taste, and talk.

From there, the grill takes centre stage. Tavuk guvec arrives tender from its secret marinade, while pistachio kuzi (lamb) kofte brings a fragrant nuttiness from the charcoal. Comforting stone-oven dishes such as sebzeli guvec and tavuk guvec simmer in tomato-rich sauces, the kind of soul-warming fare that feels both rustic and refined.

Pull up a chair, linger over the embers, and let Pera ferry you across the water, one meze at a time.