Bringing a touch of Turkish delight to the charming Yorkshire town of Ilkley, this is the fifth Olive Branch restaurant of its type with the others spread over Yorkshire and serving similar mezze-heavy menus. Since opening their first restaurant at Hebden Bridge the Olive Branch name has become associated with high level Turkish cooking and Ilkley's restaurant is no different.
There is a noticeably different style of décor on show in Ilkley compared to the other Olive Branch restaurants, with large wooden beams and exposed brickwork all around the large open space. On one side there is a large television constantly showing footage of a crackling fire, adding to the cosy ambience and giving the restaurant the feeling of a winter lodge rather than a Yorkshire-based eatery. At the far end sits the bar with the option to sit there if you are looking for something more casual than a dinner.
The menu is long and incredibly broad meaning that there really is something for everybody. The cold starter menu features all the classic dishes you would hope for like hummus and feta with olives, with some more unusual traditional dishes thrown in too such as the acili ezme. If you’re feeling like something warm, then why not try the calamari or prawn skewers before moving onto some proper Turkish cooked meat in the form of various grills and kebabs. We recommend getting lots of dishes to share so you can try a bit of everything.
Alternatively there is a full pizza menu as well as a separate pide menu (traditional Turkish flatbread) if you fancy something a bit less intensely meaty. Salads are available during the lunch service for a lighter but still traditional option and there is also a full vegetarian menu available throughout the day.
If you are wanting a real Turkish feast in Ilkley, The Olive Branch is the place to go.