A new Turkish restaurant is set to open in Swale next month.

Muslum Tasdogan - who is known as Muzo and owns Arizona Diner in Sheerness High Street - has taken over what was formerly Clarry's in Sittingbourne's Station Street and is turning it into a family-friendly eatery.

Called Galata Meze Bar, its menu will feature traditional dishes from Turkey including a range of hot and cold mezes, kebabs, grills, fish and other Mediterranean favourites.

Muzo said: “I’ve been looking around for a place for an authentic Turkish restaurant for a while now and came across the space in Sittingbourne.

“It’s a great location, near the station, where the town’s new cinema and restaurants will be and close to The Vineyard and the likes.

“There’s no meze in Sittingbourne either and we want to provide something different for people.”

The 31-year-old, who was born in Turkey and now lives in Sheerness, added: “It’s going to be a different experience for people and it’s not going to be very, very expensive.

“We want it to be affordable for people and families. We want to provide good food at a good price.

“Hopefully, it will be very successful in Sittingbourne and I am sure we will have lots of our customers from the Island come and visit because a lot of people know us here and what we do.”

When asked the meaning of the new restaurant’s name, Muzo said it’s named after Istanbul’s famous 14th century Galata Tower, which offers 360-degree views of the entire city.

Muzo said he hopes to launch Galata Meze Bar in mid-October.

It will be open seven days a week from noon to 11pm and is expected to seat up to 70 diners.

“If people want to come and get their food and enjoy it at home, we will be offering a collection service too,” said Muzo.

He added: “Everything that we will be cooking will be in front of the customers.

“We want people to feel like they are having a barbecue and they can sit and watch their meals being made up.”

Muzo said he and his team were excited to open.

“We can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ll be offering, it’s very exciting,” he said.

“We’re already getting really good feedback from our customers about the new restaurant and people keep asking us when it’s going to be ready – which it making us even more excited.”

He added: “There is going to be a Facebook page and website soon, so everyone will be able to keep an eye out for any updates.”

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