The restaurant is located in Liverpool city centre
Beth Gannon and Alan May at Elif Castle Street(Image: Liverpool Echo )
A Liverpool restaurant has been named one of the best Turkish restaurants in the country. Elif Turkish Grill & Bar Castle street was named Best Turkish Restaurant Regional at the 2025 Turkish Restaurant and Takeaway Awards, receiving acclaim for its authentic cuisine.
The awards celebrate the very best of Turkish cuisine across the UK. Judged by food critics, industry experts, and public nominations, the prestigious awards looks at excellence, entrepreneurship, and community impact in the UK’s Turkish food industry.
Owner Alan May moved on from other business ventures to open the Castle Street restaurant as a standalone operation in summer 2024.
The restaurant is renowned for its delicious Turkish cuisine featuring a variety of hot and cold mezze as well as authentic main dishes such as moussaka, mixed grill and more.
Inside Elif on Castle Street(Image: Bond Media)
Beth Gannon, who started working in the restaurant earlier this year as floor staff, spoke to the ECHO on behalf of the restaurant about its latest award win and positive feedback about staff.
She said: “I think that makes staff strive to work even harder, which is why the business is what it is today, because people want to work, people feel good when they’re here.
“And that allows people to actually put in the work and I think that’s one of the reasons why it’s become what it is today.”
The restaurant is located inside the Grade-II* listed former Parr Bank building, which was once home to NatWest. The beautiful building has a grand gold and white ceiling, with chandeliers and imitation palms.
Elif Turkish Grill & Bar on Castle Street, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Speaking about the restaurant, Beth added: “He [Alan] opened one [the restaurant] on Castle Street because this building, of course, is magnificent. When you walk in, you’re like ‘oh my god! Am I in a restaurant?’
“I think probably one of the main reasons was because of how huge it was, it gives more space, and it’s just a more relaxed vibe.
“You’ve not got people rushing past you. You can come, you can chill, you can have a nice evening with your friends and family and you’re not in a rush to get out. It’s less intimate but it’s kind of more intimate.”
The restaurant issued a statement from the team following their win. It reads: “When we first embarked on this journey, our goal was to deliver not just great food and service, but to build something meaningful for our community, our guests and our team.
“This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the relentless effort of every member of our team: the chefs, the front of house and the suppliers. Each of you plays a vital role.
“A heartfelt thank you goes out to our customers, who believe in us and support us every day – and, of course, to our family and friends, whose encouragement keeps us going.
“Receiving this award inspires us to go even further. We commit to innovation, to maintaining high standards and to honouring the trust you have placed in us.
“Thank you again to the organisers of the awards and to everyone who made this evening possible. We share this award with you all.”
More information on Elif Turkish Grill & Bar Castle street can be found on its website.