Mangal 1 is an iconic Turkish cafe in Dalston, serving succulent kebabs and warm pide amid quirky decor, where every meal feels like a flavor-packed embrace.
"You might know Mangal 1 from an unruly birthday party, where grilled kebabs and swigs of beers from the offy were taken in tandem. Or you might know it from last weekend, when you wandered off from Kingsland Road in search of a nourishing doner wrap. This is Dalston’s original Turkish ocakbaşı restaurant and it’s still an essential go-to, whether for melt-in-your-mouth lamb sweetbreads or a blowout BYOB dinner." - rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, jake missing
"A meal at an ocakbasi grill is arguably London’s most crowd-pleasing group feast. There are plenty of options to choose from around north east London (especially in Green Lanes), but it’s Mangal 1 that we often find ourselves returning to. Sweetbreads are the speciality at this bustling Dalston institution. This Turkish spot is BYOB too, so bring a bottle of something nice." - jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, heidi lauth beasley
"Mangal 1’s main dining room is perma-heaving, often with birthday groups and life-long friends cracking open big bottles of Tyskie, ripping into warm flatbread, and devouring wonderful grilled meats. This is Dalston’s OG ocakbaşı—it opened in the ‘90s and feels like it’s been this way since day one. At this legendary BYOB Turkish institution, one bottle of off licence plonk can easily turn into three, and the high-octane atmosphere and juicy kofte never fail to deliver." - jake missing, daisy meager, sinead cranna, rianne shlebak, heidi lauth beasley
"Mangal 1’s dining room is perma-heaving and it’s not just because its most famous regulars, Gilbert and George, are also admirers of the faux brick wallpaper. Dalston’s original Turkish ocakbaşı restaurant is known for its legendary grilled meats and brilliant sweetbreads, but it’s not just that. The BYOB spot has reigned supreme in a city that has numerous Turkish restaurants thanks to its excellent value and even better consistency. A meal here is best enjoyed with at least six others and taken long into the night." - jake missing, heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, daisy meager
"An ocakbaşı is a safe bet for any bloodthirsty carnivores in your social group and Mangal 1 gains extra points for two reasons. Firstly, it’s Dalston’s original Turkish grill and has sprawling tables for groups of friends, and friends of friends. Secondly, it knows its way around a lamb. Grilling isn’t just a technique here, it’s second nature, and as a result Mangal 1’s lamb’s liver and sweetbreads are some of the most supple and smokily flavoured around." - jake missing
