A Turkish restaurant in Catford has announced it will be closing for a refurbishment to “enhance” its dining experience.
First opened in 2023 by husband-and-wife team Aiga and Sami Maras, The Real Turkish has become one of Catford’s highest-rated restaurants on TripAdvisor thanks to its hanging kebabs, mixed grill platters, fresh meze bowls and handcrafted cocktails.
The restaurant won the Blue Ribbon at the Good Food Awards 2025–2026 as well as recognition in the Mayor of Lewisham Business Awards.
In a post, the business announced it would be temporarily closed for a short period as it undergoes a full interior refurbishment, transforming the space with a new back kitchen layout, an expanded dining area, an upgraded bar and additional guest facilities.
As part of the revamp, the equipment has been relocated to a new dedicated back kitchen to free up space in the main dining area, along with a newly installed bar to “elevate” the space.
Two new toilets are also planned to be added to the venue.
The business confirmed that it plans to reopen sometime in mid-April, however a firm date is yet to be set.
A staff member said: “This refurbishment is all about giving our guests an even better experience.
"By moving the kitchen into its own dedicated space, we’ve been able to open up the dining area and create a much more comfortable flow throughout the restaurant.”
Share