Recent social media posts
28/09/2026
In the Turkish Aegean, olive oil is not just a cooking ingredient — it is part of the way food is prepared, served and enjoyed. The cuisine is built around vegetables, herbs, grains and legumes, with olive oil giving them richness without making them heavy.
26/09/2026
Think you know Turkish food? Think again.
Türkiye has seven regions — and each one tells a completely different food story.
The Aegean — olive oil, herbs and vegetables.
The Mediterranean — citrus, seafood and fresh produce.
Central Anatolia — wheat, grains and comforting dishes.
The Black Sea — corn, anchovies and greens.
Eastern Anatolia — lamb, butter and warming flavours.
Southeastern Anatolia — spice, kebabs, bulgur and pistachios.
And Marmara — where cultures and flavours come together.
Seven regions. Seven food cultures. One Türkiye.
24/09/2026
Afiyet olsun. ❤️
In Türkiye, a meal often begins with these two words. The Turkish way of wishing someone a good meal. It’s a wish that the food brings you health, happiness and enjoyment. It’s said across family tables, between friends, and from the kitchen to the guest.
At Tulum, we don’t just want to share Turkish food with Melbourne. We want to share the traditions, stories and little expressions that come with it.
From our table to yours...afiyet olsun. 🇹🇷
13/09/2026
Some flavours stay with you.
The smell of fish cooking over an open fire. A table filling with food. Everyone reaching, sharing and staying a little longer.
For us, this is Turkish food: generous, regional and deeply connected to the way we gather around a table.
At Tulum, we take those traditions and look at them through our own eyes, here in Melbourne. Respecting where they come from, while giving them a new expression.
Rooted in Türkiye. Reimagined in Melbourne.
07/09/2026
It all starts behind the scenes.
Fresh ingredients, careful preparation, and the final touches before it makes its way to your table.
Now, all that’s left is to enjoy. 🍽️
Book your table and let us take care of the rest.
03/09/2026
Some places are more than just a meal.
It’s the glow of the room, the conversations around the table, and dishes made to be shared.
Come for dinner. Stay for the feeling.
Book your table and experience Tulum for yourself.
📍 217 Carlisle St, Balaclava
21/08/2026
It’s the atmosphere. It’s the service. It’s the moments created around the table. 🥂
This is what dinner at Tulum feels like.
Reserve your spot for an unforgettable evening in Balaclava.
📍 217 Carlisle St, Balaclava
03/08/2026
Hidden behind Tulum, Kismet is a cosy Turkish mezze bar with a weekly changing menu $69 pp inspired by traditional dishes from across Türkiye.
30/07/2026
Ten years, countless services, unforgettable guests, and one vision—to share the true story of Turkish cuisine.
22/07/2026
An amazing review for our sister venue, , tucked away just behind Tulum.
Thank you for the kind words and for embracing our vision of celebrating traditional Turkish cuisine. We can’t wait to welcome you to Kismet.
09/07/2026
Kismet Meze Bar This Week’s Menu $69pp
Our vision is to become Australia’s most authentic Turkish mezze bar, celebrating the simple dishes that have brought families and friends together for generations. Through seasonal menus, warm hospitality, candlelit tables and the traditions of Anatolian home cooking, we create experiences that are nostalgic, generous and deeply human.
Kismet is not about fine dining. It is about soulful dining. A place where every meal tells a story, every table becomes a gathering, and every visit feels as though it was meant to happen.
25/06/2026
Did you see our chef Coskun Uysal on Channel 10 Everyday Gourmet cooking show ?
This is what he was talking about Turkish cuisine .
I love kebabs and dips as much as anyone, but Turkish cuisine is far more than that. It’s a diverse, layered food culture filled with forgotten recipes, regional treasures, and centuries of history.
15/06/2026
Behind Tulum, our sister space has quietly become a favourite among locals. With intimate candlelit tables, a warm atmosphere, and an Istanbul tavern-inspired sharing menu that changes weekly, it offers a dining experience that feels both relaxed and special.
www.kismetmzebar.com.au
04/06/2026
This week at Kismet Meze Bar, we are travelling to the South East of Turkey — a region known for rich spices, smoky kebabs, stuffed vegetables and generous hospitality.
Hidden just behind Tulum, Kismet is our small candlelit space inspired by the old tavernas of Istanbul — intimate, romantic and built for long nights of food, w**e and conversation.
$69 per person.
Weekly changing menu.
Address
217 Carlisle Street Balaclava
Melbourne, VIC
3183
To get to Carlisle Street in Balaclava, you can take the Sandringham line train and get off at Balaclava Station. From there it's a short walk to Carlisle Street.
If you're driving, there are several parking options available including street parking and a nearby car park on William Street.
To find the specific location, look for an establishment in Carlisle Street with a Turkish-influenced name that offers delicious cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean region.
Opening Hours
| Tuesday |
5pm - 10pm |
| Wednesday |
5pm - 10pm |
| Thursday |
5pm - 10pm |
| Friday |
5pm - 10pm |
| Saturday |
12pm - 12am |
|
12pm - 10pm |
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What people say
Turkish restaurants are known for their hearty and delicious dishes that provide comfort during cold winter nights. Tulum Restaurant, located on Carlisle Street Balaclava in Melbourne, is quickly becoming a crowd favourite with its Tavuk Dolma dish. This Pine Mushrooms & Preserved Lemon Stuffed Spatchcock glazed with Salted Grape Molasses is a perfect example of the creative Anatolian cuisine that Tulum offers.
But it's not just about the new dishes at Tulum. The restaurant takes pride in sharing its heritage through iconic dishes like Cilbir, which has been crafted with care and served with love time and time again. It's a reminder of who they are and a bridge to their past.
At Tulum, they respect ingredients and manipulate recipes less to keep the memories and flavours intact. They combine Turkish soul with Australian ingredients to create unique dishes that are both traditional and modern in presentation. Their Whipped Tulum Cheese served with Turkish Chilli Jam and Grilled Turkish Flat Bread is a perfect example of this.
Tulum Restaurant was even awarded Best Restaurant Of The Year in Australia in 2019, cementing its place as one of the top Turkish restaurants in the country. So come taste their story and experience the flavors of Anatolia at Tulum Restaurant.
