Köfte in Side — Turkish Grilled Meatballs Done Over Charcoal | Hawaii Restaurant

If you've spent a day wandering the lanes of Side old town, chances are the smell reached you before any menu did — that unmistakable waft of seasoned meat hitting hot charcoal. That smell is very often köfte, and it's one of the dishes tourists come looking for by name. At Hawaii Restaurant & Bar, right in the heart of the old town on 512. Sk., we've been grilling it over a real wood fire and charcoal since 2000. Here's an honest guide to what köfte actually is, how we cook it, and how to order it well.

What is Turkish köfte, really?

Köfte simply means "meatball," but that plain translation undersells it. In Turkish cooking it's minced meat worked with onion, herbs and spices, shaped by hand, and cooked over fire until the outside is caramelised and the inside stays juicy. It isn't a saucy dish drowning in gravy — it's about the meat, the seasoning, and the char. Done right, it's one of the most satisfying plates in the whole Turkish repertoire, and it's a favourite of both first-time visitors and people who've eaten their way across the country.

Because it leans on a handful of good ingredients rather than a heavy sauce, freshness matters. At Hawaii, ingredients are prepared daily, which is exactly what a dish this simple needs to shine.

How Hawaii grills its köfte

The single most important thing about our köfte is where it's cooked: over a genuine wood fire and charcoal grill, not a flat gas plate. Charcoal does two things a griddle can't. It seals the outside quickly so the meat holds its juices, and it lends that faint smoky edge that people associate with a proper Turkish grill. You can taste the difference, and it's the same fire that handles our mixed grills and steaks.

Köfte sits on our menu under Turkish Specialities, alongside classics like Şiş kebab, Shepherd's kebab, Köfte itself, chicken and lamb skewers, and casseroles. If you're the kind of eater who likes to compare, this section is a proper tour of Turkish grill cooking rather than a single dish on repeat — worth browsing our wider Turkish food guide for tourists before you order.

What comes with it — and how it's served

Köfte is a plate you build a little meal around. It pairs beautifully with a fresh salad — a Season's salad or a Greek salad keeps things light and cuts through the richness of the grilled meat. Some people like to open with a warm starter first; our garlic bread, deep fried sheep cheese, or a mixed meze plate all set the table nicely.

We won't quote you portion sizes or prices here — those change, so check the live menu or just ask your waiter. What we can promise is that it arrives hot off the coals, not sitting under a lamp.

A quick note on spice and heat

This is where honesty matters. Köfte can be made mild or lively depending on the seasoning, and heat is a personal thing. Rather than guess for you, tell your waiter how you like it — they'll steer you honestly and, where the kitchen can adjust, they will. This is also handy for families: if the little ones want something gentler, our kids menu has milder plates like grilled chicken fillet and köfte-adjacent options, plus alcohol-free kids cocktails to keep everyone happy.

Köfte vs şiş vs kebab — which should you order?

People often stand at the menu torn between the three, so here's the short version:

• Köfte — hand-shaped minced meat, all about seasoning and char. The comfort-food pick.
• Şiş kebab — cubes of marinated meat threaded on a skewer and grilled. Cleaner, chunkier bites.
• Shepherd's kebab — another grilled classic with its own character, worth trying if you're a regular.

None is "better" — they're different textures and experiences. If you can't decide, a plate to share and a look through our full Turkish kebab atlas will help you plan a return visit. And if you're at the table with someone who fancies something entirely different, our kitchen also runs to steaks, thin-crust pizza and fresh seafood — nobody in your group gets stuck.

Where to eat köfte in Side

You'll find us in the middle of Side old town, open every day from 10:00 to 02:00, year-round. That means köfte for a late lunch after the beach or a proper dinner under the evening lights — your call. Staying a little out of town? We offer free hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels, and an affordable two-way transfer for hotels further out, so getting here is easy. Takeaway is always available too if you'd rather eat back at your place.

Ready for köfte done properly over charcoal? Book a table at /reservation/ or message us on WhatsApp at +90 533 930 12 83 — tell us if you're a group and we'll get the grill ready.