Istanbul Grill House

You'll smell the charcoal before you see the restaurant - that smoky scent drifting down Fratton Road is your first hint that Istanbul Grill House takes its grilling seriously. This isn't your average high street kebab shop trying to pass off processed meat as authentic Turkish cuisine. The mixed grill platters here are proper affairs, with chunks of lamb and chicken that've spent quality time over real coals, arriving sizzling hot with fluffy rice and proper salad. The portions are frankly ridiculous - you'll struggle to finish even if you've walked here from Southsea seafront. It's the sort of place that keeps Fratton locals fed well into the early hours, especially at weekends when they stay open past 1am. The staff know their regulars, the prices won't make you wince, and the baklava actually tastes homemade rather than frozen.