New Turkish restaurant in Metro Vancouver promises to transport you to Istanbul

A soon-to-open Turkish restaurant is set to be a welcome addition to North Burnaby. Saray Turkish Cuisine has moved into the space on Hastings at Sperling that was previously Socrates Greek Taverna.

Promising an “ultimate dining experience like none other,” Saray says their culinary team plans to introduce local diners to “lesser known mezes and meat preparations.”

Mezes, or small plates, are a staple of Turkish cuisine, and Saray’s menu is extensive, featuring things like haydari (yogurt dip), patlican salatasi (eggplant salad), stuffed peppers and grape leaves, and more.

Additionally, Saray will offer kebabs, doner, and Turkish lahmacun, a kind of flatbread or pizza.

“At Saray Turkish Cuisine, you will instantly feel as though you walked into the city of Istanbul,” pledges the restaurant.

To enhance the vibe, Saray will have vibrant decor and live music to enjoy while you feast.

The restaurant has indicated they hope to be open the first week of December depending on when all city approvals are finalized.

It is unclear if this Saray is related to the Saray Turkish restaurant that operated recently for a couple of year’s in Vancouver’s West End at 851 Denman St., which had moved to that location after closing down a smaller venture in Burnaby on Willingdon.

Saray Turkish Cuisine is located at 6633 E Hastings Street in Burnaby

With files from Chris Campbell/Burnaby NOW