A Taste of Turkey on Florida

Zohra and Ismail Teke are an inspirational and visionary couple, most recently they are changing the way Durbanites eat out, through a delectable and complex Turkish experience. Their newly opened restaurant / bakery in Florida Road, Durban, showcases some of Turkey's culinary delights made in age old traditions, passed down through generations of home cooks, from mother to daughter, from home to home from region to region. The story of 'Sofra Istanbul' is a story of romance and passion, created with love and soulful dedication.

Having grown increasingly disinterested in food in KZN and struggling to find suitable restaurants to have a homely meal, tired of travelling to Johannesburg and Cape Town to get the taste Zohra and Ismail were hankering after, a place that catered to their taste and upheld the Halal factor, they decided to open their own restaurant. Drawing on their shared working experiences in Europe and Turkey, Zohra and Ismail took a leap of faith and opened their first Sofra Istanbul store in the Pavilion.

The passion to offer authentic Turkish food and an experience, which their customers would enjoy, is evident as soon as you enter the courtyard in Florida Road. And while the food is first priority, lamb kebabs and succulent shawarmas, Zohra and Ismail are also serious about empowering local communities and encourage as many local producers to become their suppliers of goods that are not imported from Turkey.

"We have fallen in love with Durban and its warm people," Zohra told The Bugle, "We want to create a happy place where people can watch their food being prepared, engage with our staff and enjoy fresh food and conversation over a piping hot Turkish tea."

Turkish cuisine is one of the most varied in the world. It is considered as the third richest cuisine after the French and the Chinese gastronomy. Shisha pipes with a range of flavours will extend the luxurious dining experience in a perfectly Turkish fashion.

Turkey is a crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Orient. The country's unique location combined with the migration of Turks over the centuries, from Central Asia to Europe, has shaped the identity and added to the complexity of its gastronomy.

Six centuries of the Ottoman Empire's regional domination and the reciprocal influence between Turkey and its neighbouring countries (Greece, Bulgaria, The Balkans, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Armenia) has all influenced the Turkish recipe book, where you will find so many common dishes in those cuisines such as eggplant dishes, the use of rose water, kebabs and yoghurt with lots of garlic. Sofra Istanbul make the most amazing baklava and the tapas style menu adds to the relaxed and enjoyable experience that Zohra and Ishmail.

Find them on 245 Florida Road in Durban, call to make reservations on Tel 031 303 2285.