Discover
About Us
Turkuaz Grill in Riverhead has a popular outdoor serving area where guests can enjoy Turkish food.
Our
Values
For fans of Mediterranean cuisine, Turkuaz Grill (40 McDermott Avenue, Riverhead) is an easy pick. The family-run restaurant offers up authentic Turkish dishes in a casual setting on the waterfront in Riverhead.
Owner Mustafa Gulsen, who grew up in Turkey, discussed the five most popular items on the Turkuaz menu, and lamb is clearly the name of the game.
Customer
Testimonials
Absolutely phenomenal eastern Mediterranean/Turkish cuisine tucked behind the main strip in downtown Riverhead. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, with outdoor seating along the river. The food is SOOOOO delicious and not that expensive either! The doner is so tender and delicious – I recommend sharing this or other entrees with another person. Gotta do hummus and babaganous to start as well. Everything is better when you share it! This place is a total hidden gem, definitely check it out if you love Mediterranean!
If I could give this place a million stars, I would.. The service was excellent and the food was absolutely delicious. I am a vegan, and they made sure that my food was done correctly. The owner is such a nice man. And our server was so accommodating .I am looking forward to eating there again. 🙂 And the view of the river was awesome.
Fun and friendly staff. The food was delicious! Casual open seating outdoors. If you are a small group, you may be seated with others. Inside, you won’t be sharing a table.Great atmosphere inside and out! Nice view of the river and adjacent to the aquarium.
Even thought they were busy their service was no so good. We were seated outside at a table by the corner. We were waiting for awhile for service. No one came to give us water. We had to call them for service. When someone finally came we had to ask for water. After our dishes were brought to us we ask for a plate for the child. Again we had to wait and call them for the plate again. My lamb was abit over cooked. The view is nice but the service is so so
Food was fair, I had better. Chicken was not very juicy, the rice was not the best. Nice people and good vibe and music. Too pricey for the quality
What a wonderful experience! We decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather, and had dinner outside, the music was great and made the environment very relaxing! The people were really kind and welcoming. The food was incredibly delicious! I can’t wait to go back!
Came here on a Friday night. The restaurant was busy but we were able to get seating and the service was attentive. We ordered the Turkish cigars to start, it came with 4 and they were excellent. I’d come back for these alone. I got the Adana special, and my fiancé got the Donner kebab. Both were very very good. The beet salad it came with was delicious. We both ended up ordering dessert, the baklava and the birds nest. The birds nest was very dry and neither of us liked it. It felt not sweet enough to us. I’d come back in the summertime when they have outdoor seating.
What a little treasure in Riverhead! Delicious food in a comfortable atmosphere right on the Peconic River. The Chicken Adana was beautifully presented. I also had a small Chicken Lemon soup, which was flavorful and filled with chicken. I highly recommend! Very nice family who run the eatery too !!!
We have been to the Turkuaz Grill many times and just had lunch today. It’s well worth the hour drive.The cold appetizer platter is a must, together with an order of Babaganoush.I also ordered shrimp shish kabob as an entree.It’s a small cozy restaurant that overlooks the Peconic River & the atmosphere is very calming. It’s my go to place anytime of the year.
Just left a late lunch here. Here with my husband and toddler. We are a mixed race family. Since my husband and I have been coming here for about five years, before the baby was born, we expected a great experience as usual. We were offered a table that happened to be right in front of the doors, though I didn’t realize how cold it would be at the time. Was sitting in the booth with my daughter in my lap.Soon after we sat down, we heard the proprietors gregariously greeting and proactively offering another family with an older toddler a high chair. The family was Caucasian.My husband and I looked at each other incredulously. We weren’t offered one at all; we didn’t even know they had high chairs there. My husband asked the woman proprietor for one and she said yes and a man brought one over. He placed it right in the seat closest to the door. I had to remove my daughter from it 15 min into the meal because her hands were cold from the door opening and swinging shut so often. We were checked on only once, with just 2 napkins for the three of us despite one being a toddler. We left no mess and whenever our daughter loudly exclaimed, we shushed her. In other words, there was simply nothing we did as guests to prompt this apathetic treatment.The vibes were so off. The disdain and disinterest in us as being customers was palpable. I actually used to rave about this place to my friends. Right before we parked my husband and I were excitedly talking about bringing my mom and cousins here when they come to visit.I’m writing this because I feel very uncomfortable and slightly nauseous about what I just felt and experienced. When another Caucasian family left, the owners and waiters said THANK YOU!! Loudly and happily. When we left the female proprietor had her back turned and only the one male waiter who has been there forever and smiles kindly at everyone said bye.I was looking forward VERY Much to returning here for the first time since my pregnancy. Quite baffled and disappointed.
I had a great experience here & our waiter was very friendly, attentive accommodating. It is a nice place, reasonably priced and authentic, Turkish cuisine.🦋The food was prepared fresh & warm.There’s vegan &/ or vegetarian options.They will accommodate you if you need meat free options.🦋I loved the spinach pie & the cigars. My favorite🦋the falafel platter was a great big portion, it was good & very filling.🦋inside & outside dining available. The outdoor patio is nice & right by the river.🦋we got lucky with parking (after 5pm free parking) and there was an available spot right next to restaurant (3hr spot)But parking can get a bit difficult if it’s a busy time.🦋Nice spacious & clean restroom available.
Delicious food and friendly staff. Bulgar was the best. We loved it so much that we took a side of it for the road. We also had the lentil soup and falafel platter. A+. Kids friendly.
Halal options were confirmed. A little on the more expensive sideFood was great. Tasty and fresh and ample amount.Service was spot on. No issues and very helpful.Atmosphere was amazing nice view and quiet.
Food was decent although plates more like a food truck than a dine in restaurant. Great lamb chops. Too much sauce and salt on some other dishes.Ambience not great – bees outside, food on the patio bricks, dogs lying about. Inside quite tight, did not turn on the ac (79 degrees at our table), flies, even a small lizard on the floor near our table.Waitress was very kind though, just can’t help the tight and somewhat grimy interior.Probably should do take out and avoid food that is too saucy.
Today was our first time at Tukuaz Grill. I was here many years ago but after seeing it on News 12 East End, that sparked my interest.We ordered the humus and the babaganoush appetizers. I have no pictures but I will say we devoured them quickly! They were both tasty and excellent. We just needed to ask for more pita.For lunch we had the lamb kebab, Doner platter and the Falafel.Here’s my take on the food. The portions are all very nice and came out hot. My wife enjoyed her Falafel and m my daughter in law enjoyed her Doner platter. My Kebab was 8 pieces of lamb but I thought that the seasoning was kind of bland. I was expecting that string lamb flavor like when you are biting into a nice Lamb Gyro at the diner! Again, it wasn’t bad, I just didn’t get that “wow” of flavor that I was expecting from the Lamb. I think the meat was missing a little char to it as well. I also tasted the meat from the Doner platter and felt the same about the seasoning. My daughter in law said it was delicious so maybe it’s just me….. who knows, Covid again? I hood not LOL!I will go back but then I will go for the Lamb Gyro.
The fact that I’m taking the time to write a review just means I’m annoyed. The outdoors seating and setup is beautiful..no doubt. I went with my mom and we were seated at this small round table outdoors. I just got over a back injury and sat on a folding chair. After a while I asked if we could move to a picnic table right next to us as my back was bothering me and the sun was beaming in my mom’s eyes. Rudely the waitress said no, dinner is being served soon. I didn’t see a problem as there were other picnic tables that had 2 people sitting together and 4 tables were empty. The waitress said I could sit next to another couple at their table. Wth? Anyway, the food looks amazing but was bland except for the lamb gyro my mom had which was very tasty. After dropping 100+ on a bill and not being able to be comfortable I will never go back there. When we were leaving there were 8 open picnic tables. Poor management on their part. Also, when the bill came there was a 3% charged already calculated in for a credit card yet they did not know whether I was going to pay cash or not.
If you want to try something different and delicious, go to this restaurant. We ordered the lamb, lemon soup, Turkish cigars which I failed with feta cheese. Of course had the baklava, delicious. Service was fantastic. Right across the street from the water in Riverhead. Can’t wait to go back.
This was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. I’m blown away! Thank you so much for this special food, worth every penny and more. Also, I ordered pickup, but I could already tell how extremely nice and attentive all of the staff were. Amazing place!
Got the cigar appetizer and the gyro with fries. Both were delicious. The shepherd salad was good, but a bit on the bland side. Needed salt to improve the flavor. The service is amazing. The food comes out quickly. The servers are always nearby and are very on top of things. Friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. The atmosphere is lovely. Casual outdoor area near the river.Tasty food, great service and a relaxing outdoor atmosphere.
If you’re out east looking to try Turkish food this is a great spot I would recommend.
This little spot near the water is so cute and wonderful! The outdoor seating and view are beautiful.The food was equally as beautiful! The meat was so juicy and delicious. I wish I had taken a picture of my plate. It was wiped clean!
This place is such a hidden gem ????. The location is quite charming and the service is very good. The food was so good and authentic. We will definitely be returning!
such a pleasant experience. Food was delicious, excellent service. We had the Beyti special
Amazing Authentic Mediterranean Food! This is a place we choose when we want to have something “healthy”. The plates have the intention and flavor it deserves. I’ve had Chicken & Lamb Adana, Red Lentil Soup, and more. Highly Recommend ????????
Turkuaz was such a delight on a cold fall night. First of all, the restaurant is near the water so there’s that. When you walk in, you’re greeted by this friendly lady. She seated us. I had the doner kebab and it was so good. It was tender and the salad it came was was super delicious and refreshing. I’m not big on beets but their side beet salad was good too. I ordered fries which were seasoned to perfection. The Baba Ganoush was excellent and the pita was fresh when it came out first thing. For dessert we had the custard and knafeh which were also yummy. Service was excellent and the staff is very friendly and welcoming. Thank you for an amazing experience 🙂
Really good Turkish food. Started off with the tea which was great and of course the lentil soup which was really good too. Highly recommend asking for lemon to squeeze in the soup – it takes it to the next level! We shared the spinach pie which was very tasty and then my husband got the chicken shish kabob plate and I got the iskender with doner. Husband loved his chicken and I really enjoyed the iskender. It was one of my favorite dishes when I lived in Turkey so I was glad to get to have it again. I do wish the pita was more toasted so it didn’t get so soggy, but it was still great. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice, service was friendly, and the prices were reasonable. Highly recommend this place!
What a great experience and awesome atmosphere especially the hospitality. The hole staff was amazing. The food speaks for itself. Mustafa was our waiter and his attitude was very welcoming. The area is filled with happiness. The location is by the water. It’s in the cut but a very spacious place. I loved everything about it and will definitely be returning. Thank you all for the amazing attention. Our family enjoyed every little bit of our time there. See you soon. This is a diamond in the rough spot.
Mediterranean restaurant with nice water view.Recommendation: fried liver, lamb chop, and donor kabab.Their highlight is the grill. I like the outdoor seating. It is not hot and you can enjoy the water view as well as the breeze. The only problem is that when the wind blows to the wrong direction, I am inside the smoke LOLThey have many options for meat/type of grill. Service is fantastic. The waiter is amazing. He greeted us with friendly smile and offer us suggestions with enthusiasm. Highly recommend if visit places near Riverhead.
Great spot by the river walk. Very cozy outdoor area. Staff are friendly. Food is great. The beet salad is surprisingly delicious.
A nice outdoor dining experience with ample space between each table that can easily seat 6 people comfortably while dining inside is a bit more cozy. We were able to immediately order drinks and appetizers while the entrees were served within an acceptable timeframe. The pita and hummus is highly suggested for a tasty appetizer for 1-2 people. My only complaint is that the mixed grill combo platter (my all-time favorite dish) was taken off the menu 🙁 . However, having gone to this restaurant a number of times we have never had a bad experience and would recommend it to anyone with a taste for Mediterranean dishes.
This place was super cute and had a great atmosphere being by the river with the outdoor seating and lights. And on top of that the food was Amazing. The combo gyro and chicken plate was delicious and I didn’t have any to take home, and the portions were huge too. 10/10, we definitely want to come back and would recommend
Our
Location
For fans of Mediterranean cuisine, Turkuaz Grill is an easy pick. The family-run restaurant offers up authentic Turkish dishes in a casual setting on the waterfront in Riverhead, NY.
Overview
Opening Hours
Monday: 12.00 pm-09.00 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 12.00 pm-09.00 pm
Thursday: 12.00 pm-09.00 pm
Friday: 12.00 pm-09.00 pm
Saturday: 12.00 pm-09.00 pm
Sunday: 12.00 pm-09.00 pm
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