Stone Cave

My first night in Dalston… random pubs named after dance schools and beauty salons, cheap drinks in small hole in the walls in the middle of the fish market and then of course there is Turkish food. Lots and lots of Turkish food.
After mixing beer with cocktails, the only way we figured to settle our stomachs was to fill them with a nice mezze style arrangement of Turkish food! The first place that appeared in front of us was The Cave. So with our eyes sparkling with kebab, we walked into the Turkish cave.
True to it’s name, it actually does look like a cave with hanging turkish lamps littered across the ceiling! It was a long cave and possibly it was our bad luck, but there were not one, not two… but three large groups eating! Not only were they cackling like a bunch of banshees, they were making smaller groups also be loud to compensate for the overall volume. This of course left us three guys to the point of shouting across the table the entire time.
LOVE THE FALAFEL!!!
WHAT??? YOU SHOVE A STEM CELL???
Kind of like that…
No matter though — we came for some good food finished with some Raki. The food was ok… I’ve been to many good Turkish restaurants and while the bread was nice and crispy and the food items were tasty, it was just aaaaiiiiiight compared to other places. I think the menu is more geared towards the European pallet but they still offered some good mezze items.
Will I be back? Probably not. There are so many other Turkish places to try! And possibly one of these days, I will find THE turkish place that tickles my baklava.

Really poor food, we ordered chicken shish and lamb. It tasted only of bitter yoghurt, was not spicy as reporte on the menu and was only warm. We ate it because we were starving. It was also rather expensive for the quality of the food. Staff were not overly helpful, made a deal of it when we requested condiments. Really nothing much going for this over priced mediocre joint. Can do so much better in Dalston.

Noticed that this place had decent reviews and a 20% offer on Unilocal so stopped in for lunch. The staff didn’t know about the discount offer initially but later they came back to say they will accept it.
I always ask for red lentil soup at Turkish restaurants, it’s my benchmark. And this place did not disappoint. Can’t say it’s great soup but it is flavourful abs good portion size.
The vegetable moussaka was not hot enough but tasted good and fresh.
Dessert-​apple crumble– was just passable.
Friendly staff and good fresh mint tea made up for any shortcomings with the food.

I have the whisper of memories sitting at a corner in here drinking rum when all other Dalston hangouts had stopped serving. But more recently however I got a real Stone Cave experience: mezze platter.
Used to the Green Lanes standard I was maybe a little more reticent than this place deserved. But the proof was in the pudding! I didn’t have pudding but the idiom applies!
Don’t faff about. Get the mezze. Amazing flavours, ridiculously filling, and great for variety and sharing.

I have mixed feelings about this place. When attending the first time the food was wonderful, the staff friendly and the ambience of the place great. Iskender Yayla kebab was stunning but in the back of my mind, everything was much too pricey. We had 50% off the meal which made it reasonable.
On the second visit I had an Amazon Local voucher and suddenly whilst the quality was okay, the portions of everything had shrunk.
Had I only been here once, I would have rated this place more highly. But the inconsistency of the place and the fact having vouchers seemed to change the service and food portion, it’s not quite the perfect second date.
By all means worth a punt but ideally only on their 50% off nights Mon-​Thurs 5−7pm.

According to my boyfriend Turkish people love theme restaurants and it is what Stone Cave is. It is awesome looking at what they have done with the place and it opens up a different talking topic whilst you’re waiting for your food. We went during the day but we can imagine the place to much more romantic with a better vibe when the sun goes out relying on the lighting giving the place a warm glow.
The place is not big especially you take away the stage area where performances take place such as belly dancers. Sadly we miss this opportunity as it is a dinner entertainment. However this does not distract the fact we had a lovely early dinner there with most of the stable food available on the menu.
The menu is not as extensive as the restaurants in the Green Lane and nor does this place load you continuously with free starters and sides. We did wish to see more stews available but it was mainly grills. It is also a little more upmarket with only complimentary bread given and portion sizes much more controlled then the ones in North London. But then the restaurant is aiming at a different crowd.
Many people have made complaints about the bread but we managed to get it warm. fresh and airy as expected. It went superbly well with the Mixed Meze platter for 2 we ordered.
The platter included a variety of dips such as Humus and Cacik which were both very average and not as flavoursome and smooth as I have them in other restaurants. However I really enjoy the salads such as the Kisir, Saksuka and Tabbouleh all beautifully fresh, light on the olive oil, all different in taste and full of texture and flavour with Saksuka being my favourite as a result of the lovely soft textures of the aubergines.
Sadly the fried food weren’t that great as most them tasted recooked. The harden batter ended up taking over the softer texture inside. It was shame for something like the falafel which I enjoyed the nice addition of sesame seeds but were to dense and hard on the outside. It was the same for both the borek and the Mitite Kofte where the halloumi lacked that bounce and freshness. The mucver was probably my favourite out of them all as it was more plumply filled with lovely soft grated courgettes that balanced out the thick batter. But at least everything was fried in the correct temperature so they were all greaseless.
Still I was glad to get this platter as it was a great mix of the most popular Turkish meze and although they weren’t outstanding they were still very much edible and enjoyable.
Along that we also had Sarma where some might know it as Dolma which are stuffed wine leaves with pine kernels, rice & currants, mixed salad & basil oil. This one was slightly bland but all very well assembled and rice nice and soft with lovely sweetness from the dried fruits.
I also really enjoyed the turkish sausage which was very succulent and well spiced. The chargrilled sardines was also very well charred which added a nice smoky touch and paired well with lightly dressed salad leaves. In fact I liked that most of the dishes we ordered was paired with a side salad which breaks up the meat load.
After all those starters I decided to stick with a vegetarian main and chose the stuffed aubergine which was deliciously cooked. I love the combination of tomatoes which added the lovely runny texture inside and nicely contrasted with the stringy mozzarella on top. i gladly used the rice on the side to soak up all the remaining juices.
My boyfriend ordered the lamb kofte with mash potatoes. They goes to show they are better with their grilled dishes as it was succulent, juicy with nice seasoning going on. I did wish they could be more generous with their mash as the ratio wasn’t right. But I’m glad they gave us more aubergine on the side which added moisture to the dish and salad which added a nice textural difference.
We finished on a selection of traditional Turkish pastries and rice pudding which was part of the mix dessert plate we ordered. As edible as they were they failed to make an impression especially the rice pudding which was rubbery as it was cooled too long in the fridge. It didn’t help with the cinnamon icecream placed on top. Could have been better if I ordered it on it’s own so there was more of it to taste it’s actual texture rather than just the cooled skin in the mini version we had.
So Stone Cave isn’t the best for it’s food but i did find things I enjoyed I probably will stick to that on my next arrival. They include the grilled foods, the baked dishes and the salads. Service was fine and efficient. The décor definitely adds an extra point to this place as it is what makes it stand out to other restaurants out there that probably do better food as well. Although next time I would like to return in the evening so I could watch the performances they offer too.

Ándabamos mirando algún sitio para cenar y entramos casi por casualidad. Mirando la carta en la puerta uno de los camareros empezó a hablar con nosotros y el sitio nos dio muy buena espina, ¡no estábamos equivocados en absoluto!
Una vez dentro, luces ténuas, musiquita en directo, comida excelente y un trato ideal.
En un primer momento nos íbamos a haber situado justo al lado de la banda que iba a comenzar a tocar pero decidimos sentarnos en una mesa un poquito más alejada por temor a que la música resultase demasiado alta si la teníamos justo al lado.
Para cenar pedimos una selección de platos para compartir (cold mezze starter), y luego un plato cada uno, todo delicioso y llenos a más no poder!

Turkish food in a charming stone cave. At least that’s what it feels like… sort of. It’s a warm cave, one with fire in it. Not like your typical cave: cold, dark, and damp. It’s one of those Turkish places that comes off like a Turk saying «looook how good Tuuurkish food can bee!» I got the Tavuk Sac Tava, which I’ve never had before, nor did I know existed. It’s chicken cubes in tomato liquid. Go for it.

Fun venue, a bit different with belly dancing and great décor! Not the best for Turkish food but not bad either! A good budget meal in a quirky environment!

I visited here a few weeks ago for a friends birthday/​engagement do. We were a big party of 18 people. I will start with the positives, the restaurant décor was unique and and set a very great amibience, it is decked out like aladdin’s cave.
My friend whos event it was booked the place, she has always sang Stone Cave’s praises, judging by its reviews I would see why, the food was ok-​good but customer service was very very lacking. The noise levels were also extreme, far too loud to have a dinner conversation so we all had to shout at each other.
My main gripe is that we were told we could only either all have the set menu or all have from the main — so they took choice away. The set menu was reasonable of £15 for sharing hot and cold mezes and a main, but not too many mains to choose from… chicken shish was on the menu — I requested to change to Lamb and I was ‘no’. I asked why not I was told the price difference, 50p which I offered to pay, was still told no as the Manager would be unhappy (?!?) I asked to speak to the Manager and was told by the waiter he would get in trouble. now this is shocking customer service. I reluctantly ordered the chicken.
I love turkish so have been to quite a few restaurants, the food here was good, not great. Hot mezes all very tasty, ive had better chicken shish.
I wont be going back again due to the customer service, eating out is my past time and have rarely encountered service like this!
The belly dancer was awesome and so I would recommend to others to go and try as a small group, the set meal for up to 10 people is great value and the ambience of surroundings is very nice… hey at least im trying to give the place a chance.

I’m a regular at this restaurant but I’ve always forgotten to leave my review about the excellent food I had here!
Two days ago this place was the perfect location for the Qype Turkey Launch event and we had the chance to taste delicious borek (fried filled pastries similar to samosa), falafel and dolmasi (vine leaves filled with rice, tomato and spices). A special mention for the tasty humus, great in flavour and consistency. We also tried Efes beers and Raki, the Turkish national drink with a delicate aniseed aroma.
You should treat yourself with a dinner here but you can enjoy meals all the day breakfast, lunch, coffee /​tea break, etc– you’ll find amazing Turkish food at a decent price and friendly service.
Not to be missed: Borek, Humus, Ezme (Spicy tomatoes with green peppers, herbs and lemon juice), Karni Yarik (aubergine with minced meat and tomato sauce with a side of rice and yogurt sauce) and Adana Kebab (spicy lamb grilled on charcoal). Plus, bellydance shows are on at the Stone Cave on Friday and Saturday.
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What an absolutely delightful place! With a lovely atmosphere this is a great place to relax and enjoy some tasty meze. I absolutely adored the décor! The clue to the theme is in the name! This place is decked out like an Aladdin’s cave, with it’s own fish pond at the back which houses some little turtles (or possibly terrapins) and a number of lovely fish. This place looks like an Mediterranean cave house, with an uneven sculptured roof, highlighted irregularly in gold and featuring drapes and sculptures imbedded into the walls. So not the dank image you might associate with caves at all. Whilst at first this feels unusual, it has a relaxing atmosphere that envelopes you (although I assume with live music this would be more upbeat). I do have to admit that as I visited this restaurant for an event i didn’t have the chance to sample a full meal. However I did try the humus & bread, dolmas falafel and borek and they were some of the best I have tasted for a long time. I particularly liked the borek, these were crispy little parcels with cheese inside, and I wasn’t the only person who loved these. I also got to try raki. This is an alcoholic drink very similar to Pernod which is traditional mixed with water and ice to create a drink that is creamy white in colour and tastes of aniseed. Less so the more water you add. The staff were super friendly and we even got an impromptu belly dance from one of the (fit) waiters. Definitely worth a visit this place is somewhere that would entice me to explore dalston.

So what have stone caves got to do with modern Turkey? The chatty London Turkish community journalist I met there didn’t know either but said that this had become the most popular of the Dalston/​Stoke Newington Turkish grill restaurants. And ‘T’ who invited me there quickly got me into the spirit literally, by directing me to a large aniseed-​ish 50% Raki 50% water drink, which this morning I recall she said I should sip and figuratively, with her fetching Flintstones top.
Maybe it was in part my Raki rush but I was soon highly impressed with the décor (at least when candle-​lit), staff friendliness and generally relaxed ambience of the place. You could come here with a group of mates or have a romantic meal for two or three. Apparently THE night to go is Saturday when Turkish family locals and a few English girls with short shorts all manage to dance away together to an authentic Turkish band! You want to know about the food as well? The popular starters are standard quality dolma and hummus but this was also my first lovely cheesey ‘borek’ tasting, and second, and third, andThe grills look and smell great, and come in moderate sizes, but I think for the spirit of sensory indulgence, Mezze must be the way to go.

I attended the Qype Turkey party here last night and was impressed by the venue and hospitality of the hosts. The atomsphere of the venue is great it is like a cave and there is a nice little fish pond at the back with what could be a live lizard underwater, or a convincing fake one! The food was good, although I didnt eat a main here I must admit. Nice falafel, lovely cheese samosa type things and gorgeous hummus and bread were sampled and seeing the main courses on departure means I might well be back to sample more. It looks pretty popular for dinner on a weeknight. Cool place worth dropping in for a bite if your in the neighberhood.

Good spot. Came here for dinner on a Saturday night in a group of seven. Very friendly wait staff. Good menu with a nice set price option (about 10 quid for three courses). Food was good. The belly dancer was fun. I would go back here.

Dropped in here recently during a trip to ‘happening’ Dalston when I was surprised to discover there are still precious few places to eat around the station. I wasn’t disappointed, as Stone Cave turned out to be a quirky and fun place to eat with friendly staff whose sense of fun came across very quickly! Decent mezze, good choice of food for veggies and a relaxed atmosphere. Will probably return next time I’m hungry in Dalston!

Why didn’t anyone tell me that there was an amazing turkish place walking distance from my housey?!
This place is amazing! I could pay a lot and go to Gallipoli on upper street, or I could walk 5 minutes up kingland and go to stone cave and have a ssssuper cheap meal.
The cave theme of the restaurant makes you feel like you are REALLY in a cave themed restaurant!
There is a belly dancer, but those always make me feel uncomfortable if they try and get you to dance with them, or get your boyfriend to dance with them. «ummm, I’m eating my delicious turkish Mezze please don’t make eye contact with me while you are half naked balancing that sword on your head.»

Amazing atmosphere and absolutely amazing food. The Adana kebab was one of the tastiest dishes I’ve ever had. Really welcoming staff. On some nights, they also have belly dancing with traditional music. Highly recommend this place.

Indiana Jones eat your heart out! You can actually eat an entire meal in a big plastic cave — only after the novelty of sitting in a scary dark tunnel with water running down the back wall (just the sound made me pee three times) you realise that the food is possibly better at ‘Mikes’/Somnies just down the road.
I did enjoy my meal here and it was actually a lovely date but the food, even though exceptional value, was a little lacking. As my mum says ‘All dress and no knickers!‘
Saying that, I’d definitely go back!

Right, you go in, and the whole show is covered in stucco (get this) to look like a cave! Yeah, so it’s like you’re really in a cave. So, take a wrong turn off Dalston Junction, and you find yourself in a cave. With a waterfall, a ‘real’ waterfall running down a wall, at the back of the cave.
And funnily enough, inside the cave, you find yourself being served Turkish food. On ‘real’ stone tables. But hey, I won’t press the thrill of the cave too far, because the food is actually pretty decent. So, I went for the buffet, the all-​you-​can-​eat buffet for £5.50. And you know how I’m a vegetarian? Well, I could fill a plate and a half of very decent Turkish cuisine with no meat included! Lovely stuff, stuffed aubergines, olives, tasty rice and vege mezze and that. Don’t know what it was all called, but there’s a big mix big choice. And there is a strange thrill about eating in a cave.
Other noteworthy thing of interest, went in and they’re playing some weird European prog without any beat or musical motif, just repeated ambient refrains. Which was a suitably surreal touch, to a fun meal out, in a cave

My mum and few of my friends kept siinging the praises of the great Turkish restaurant in Dalston. I decided to see if Stone Cave really loved up to the hype and I’m pleased to say it did. I love everything about this Turkish restaurant from the quirky interior to the food and of course the very cheap prices.
I could not believe that the set meal of three courses was a mere £7.90 and the food was so good I would be preared to pay double the price! Next time I will definately be trying the buffet which is only £5.50 for lunch and just £7.90 for dinner. I recommend the adana kebab (spicy minced kebab with rice) which is great value for only £6.95
If you’re not familiar with Turkish food a trip to Stone Cave will definately make you a fan!