Sitting serenely within the Hyde Hotel, in the bustling heart of the City, is Turkish restaurant Leydi. The figure at the helm of this hotel restaurant is Oklava founder Selin Kiazim, who’s making her return to the London dining scene after she sadly had to close her Shoreditch restaurant in early 2023. Her plan here has been to capture the vibrancy of Istanbul’s dining culture, with a menu referencing the city’s lokanta (neighbourhood restaurants), its street food scene, and its meyhanes (late-night tavernas).
Situated on the ground floor of the smartly refurbished Hyde Hotel, Leydi feels very tucked away. An elegantly bohemian bolthole, it’s decked out in pale pink shades – very appropriate for Spring – nodding to art nouveau. There are Bentwood chairs pulled up to tables with crisp white cloths, beautiful lampshades, a colourful selection of contemporary artwork and Ottoman maps all over the walls, and scalloped archways separating the restaurant into separate, more intimate dining areas. Even the bathrooms are pretty, with zebra-print walls and basins fashioned like cut-crystal punch bowls. Though my favourite part of the restaurant is of course the open kitchen given the excellent views of the real action here.
An all-day affair, breakfast features a caramelised tahini spiral, which I’m going to have to return to try. I was here for lunch, though, which like the interiors, is a very pretty affair.
Though branding itself as a Turkish restaurant, the menu takes inspiration from across the Ottoman world. To snack, we went for a couple of mezze: Muhammara (£9), a sweet and nutty sun-dried red pepper and walnut dip, and of course Hummus (£8) finished with chilli powder. Though delicate and glossy-looking, both dips were loaded with flavour – arriving on the table like little pots of paint, ready to dunk the breads into.
The muhammara is a red molehill of thick salsa, reduced and thickened into a sweet, crunchy flavour bomb. The souffle-like hummus is rich and smooth. To sweep through both pools, a basket of Turkish Bread (£6) is a must: pide and lavash. It’s worth pacing yourself on these dips though – eating here is a marathon not a sprint.
Especially as you’ll want to save room for the Imam Baylidi (£19): a slow cooked stuffed aubergine with Turkish peppers, onions and tomatoes. The aubergine has been given a great deal of love and care – it’s elegant, cooked down to perfection and layered with rich, smokey and warming flavours.
To go with, Chopped Salad (£6) is a must. A vibrant bowl of super fresh cucumber, onions, Turkish peppers, tangy pickled red cabbage and a piquant lemon dressing, it’s heaven.
Leydi is an ideal spot for an upmarket work lunch or dinner, ideally with colleagues you wouldn’t mind sharing plates with. If you’ve missed Selin’s take on elevated but unfussy Turkish fare, Leydi is a must.
Leydi, 15 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7EF
Website: https://hydehotels.com/london-city/restaurants-bars/
Rating: *****
Yumtini 