Turkish | Vegetarian Experiences in Paris

We all have our comfort foods. At the core, we crave the meals our parents cooked for us as children. Well, that’s a bit of a stretch for me, my mother tended to massacre meals more than serve them. But I digress. As adults, we also tend to settle on those familiar joints where we know we can get a good meal at a good price and it’s comforting to be a regular.

Restaurant Antalya is that place for me. I work long days and travel across the city to get to work and back. I often don’t feel like cooking when I arrive at Chez Ted. I also don’t want to get a big sit down meal and the thought of another cheese sandwich or panini can make a grown man cry.

Luckily, I discovered Antalya and their vegetarian plate. For only 6.50 Euros, you get tomato couscous, roasted eggplant with veggies, fries, and a salad. It’s a lot of food, it tastes good, it’s fast, and the people are really friendly and welcoming. I also get to watch the latest Turkish soap operas while waiting for the food.

Vegan options?

I wouldn’t suggest this to vegans, the eggplant dish has cheese. I also can’t guarantee that everything there is truly vegetarian. I’ve been afraid to ask if the fries are made in vegetable oil and what goes into the couscous. I can say that after 23 years of being a veggie, I can usually taste the animal fat. I have not found any reason to avoid coming to this favorite little joint on the way home from a long day at work.

Antalya is located in the 12th arrindissement. It’s not the most convenient place for tourists. However it’s not too far from Park de Bercy or Bois de Vincennes. It’s a local restaurant that draws a friendly local crowd.

For a fancier Turkish meal, turn around and go a block in the other direction for Angora. Their version of this meal is about double the price and has a lovely starter plate.

Restaurant Antalya: 284, rue Charenton (12°); 01 43 44 40 32; Metro: dugommier; Turkish Fast Food

Overall: 5/5
Location: 3/5
Value: 5/5
Taste: 4.5/5
Service: 5/5
Vegetarian Friendly: 3/5
Vegan Friendly: 1/5
M.E.F. Friendly: 5/5

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It’s easy to miss this small restaurant in the 12th Arrindissemont. Its dark, tudor façade lacks the neon and flashing lights of neighbors on the busy intersection of Blvd. de Reuilly and Rue de Charenton. It’s conveniently located near the Dugommier metro station, across the street from Monoprix.

Angora is a Turkish restaurant. The menu is filled with meat items and two solitary dishes under the vegetarian section. However, Mediterranean food is filled with vegetarian options. They were happy to modify the daily fixed price menu could be created with vegetarian options.

Appetizers

The meal started with a basket of warm Turkish bread. It has a soft texture and a hint of mint. The appetizer plate had a selection of dishes, including dolma, tzatziki, hummus, red pepper spread, phyllo-wrapped feta, and more. Each item provided a few bites and the flavors were perfect.

Dinner

For dinner, I received their vegetarian eggplant dish. The eggplant is roasted and covered with a chunky tomato sauce and soft cheese. Couscous and salad finished the plate. It was a delicious and filling meal.

For dessert, I chose the homemade baklava with pistachio. It was served warm with a honey sauce.

All of this cost a mere 19 euros. I added a bottle of Badoit mineral water for a total cost of 22 Euros.

While Angora is a small restaurant, they have an upstairs room for larger parties. It’s popular and begins to fill up after 9 p.m. You can make reservations, but it isn’t necessary. Angora also serves a great lunch menu at 11 Euros.