Recent social media posts
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, wine and conversation.
$69 per person.
Weekly changing menu.
25/05/2026
Behind the candlelight, the tables fill with dips, mezzes , warm bread and stories that stretch late into the night.
This week at Kismet — a new menu of traditional Turkish mezes and kebabs, inspired by the old Istanbul tavernas we grew up loving.
Simple food, big flavour, good wine and sharing plates made for long conversations. ✨
$69pp weekly changing menu
Hidden behind Tulum. Limited seats.
16/05/2026
Behind Tulum, hidden quietly away from the street…
comes a new chapter.
Kismet Mezze Bar.
A small candlelit space inspired by old Istanbul tavernas, long nights around the table, cold mezes, seafood, dips, music and conversation.
More playful. More nostalgic. More intimate.
30/04/2026
Dear All,
Have you seen our incredible review in The Age Good Food Guide?
Besha Rodell, one of Australia’s most influential food critics, has reviewed Kismet Meze Bar — and absolutely loved it.
Her standout favourite, now quickly becoming our signature, is the silky, creamy hummus with pastırma butter, alongside our Turkish green chilli ezme.
She described the experience as:
“An astonishing bargain: Kismet’s Turkish mezze joins our hummus golden age.”
A full feast is available for $69 per person in our candlelit, “restaurant within a restaurant,” led by hatted chef Coskun Uysal.
We’re excited to share this week’s menu with you — and we can’t wait to welcome you in to experience it for yourself.
Warm regards,
Kismet Meze Bar Team
To book
Www.tulumrestaurant.com.au
13/04/2026
Thank you Broadsheet Melbourne for this beautiful words and pictures .
If you would like to read the article here is the link .
Kismet is a pared-back counterpart to the decade-old restaurant, with a $69 set menu repping homestyle Turkish cooking. And yes, hummus and friends are on the table.
09/04/2026
Kismet Mezze Bar is our return to the soul of Turkish hospitality — a place inspired by the old taverns of Istanbul, where food is generous, conversation flows, and every table feels like home. Rooted in tradition but shaped by Melbourne’s energy, Kismet is about sharing: mezze plates made with care, honest flavours, good wine, and the warmth of gathering with friends. It’s not just a bar — it’s a feeling of comfort, connection, and the simple joy of being together.
03/04/2026
We are open today and tomorrow .
25/03/2026
KISMET Mezze Bar
We are so excited to share something very special with you.
At the back of our restaurant, we are creating an entirely new xperience — KISMET Mezze Bar: a Traditional Turkish Taver nspired by the warmth, generosity, and comfort of ol Istanbul gatherings.
Every day for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, plus Saturday lunch, we will transform the space into a classic Turkish sofra setting:
White tablecloths
Dishes designed to share
A comforting, traditional tavern-style menu
This is not a modern interpretation.
This is nostalgia.
This is tradition.
This is the spirit of an old Turkish tavern brought to Melbourne.
The menu will focus on soulful, generous plates made for the centre of the table — just like we grew up with. Conversation.
Music. Connection.
This is a special menu and bookings are limited. We highly recommend reserving your spot to experience the magic of KISMET Mezze Bar.
18/03/2026
Step through the back… and discover something unexpected.
A hidden space tucked behind Tulum.
Candlelight.
An old Istanbul-style tavern table.
Dishes made to share, stories made to stay.
Traditional comfort. Deep flavour. Pure nostalgia.
This is not Tulum as you know it…
but something just as delicious.
To book pls visit www.tulumrestaurant.com.au to click for KISMET Mezze bar
12/03/2026
KISMET Mezze Bar
We recently opened something very special at the back of the restaurant — KISMET Mezze Bar, a little hidden space inspired by the traditional taverns of Istanbul.
To be honest… we didn’t expect this reaction.
Every night this week is already completely booked out.
It’s a small, intimate space, so seats are very limited.
The menu is tavern-style sharing — traditional dishes, comforting slow-cooked plates, dips, fresh breads and kebabs.
So expect something completely different from what we normally do at Tulum.
If you’d like to experience our hidden tavern… bookings for next week are now open.
Pls visit Tulum web site and search for Kismet Mezze Bar button to book .
www.tulumrestaurant.com.au
05/02/2026
I LOVE THIS
Pastırma is one of the oldest preservation techniques in Anatolia. Long before fridges, beef was salted, pressed, air-dried and finally coated in çemen — a bold paste of fenugreek, garlic and spices. The dry mountain air of places like Kayseri did the rest.
It’s not rushed food. It’s food that waits.
Weeks of drying, pressing and resting transform simple beef into something deeply savoury, aromatic and powerful — a flavour that tells you exactly where it comes from.
At its heart, pastırma is about respect: for the animal, for time, and for tradition. A true Turkish classic that doesn’t need changing — just understanding.
29/01/2026
This is what weekends at Tulum look like, with our Turkish-inspired cocktails setting the tone for the perfect start to your weekend.
06/01/2026
A short break, now we’re back.
Doors open today and we’re ready to welcome you into the new year with good food and good energy. Www.tulum restaurant.com.au
29/12/2025
Last two services of the year ✨
We’re open Tuesday & Wednesday dinner to close out the year.
Wednesday will be treated just like any normal night —
no set menu, no set price, no DJ.
Just good food, good wine, and a relaxed evening.
Come and enjoy the night with your loved ones
28/12/2025
We are open tonight Sunday for dinner
21/11/2025
Saturday Lunch = Double Adana Burger Time
Chargrilled, stacked, halloumi-melted, finished with tomato ezme & smoked eggplant.
Melbourne’s tastiest Saturday ritual
From 12 pm till 3pm or until sold out
No need for reservations
Only walk ins
30/10/2025
🎉 We have retained our Chef’s Hat from the Good Food Guide!
This award means more than recognition – it’s a celebration of Turkish culture, heritage, and our dream to elevate its cuisine to where it truly belongs.
We showcase the flavours of all seven regions of Türkiye – rich, diverse, elegant and full of history – far beyond the usual kebab and dip narrative.
To everyone who believed in us: thank you.
Your support fuels our vision and our passion.
24/10/2025
We are not just a restaurant;
We are the storytellers of Anatolia.
We are the bridge between tradition and innovation.
We exist to show the world that Turkish cuisine is one of the great culinary cultures—refined, ingredient-driven, and worthy of global recognition.
10/10/2025
Guess what tomorrow is? 👀
That’s right — Kebab Burger Day!
Our legendary Adana Kebab Burger hits the grill again tomorrow from 12–3 PM.
See you at Tulum for your Saturday fix 🍔🔥
07/10/2025
Not everyone speaks Turkish But …..
01/10/2025
We don’t put bread on the table. We earn it. At Tulum Restaurant, every bite has to mean something — even the first one. 💜
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.