The Lowdown

Yo Poznań — time to level up your kebab game.

You might think you know Turkish food, but unless you’ve hit up Pan Turek, you’re still just playing with doner. This spot isn’t another late-night “meat-on-a-stick-rotating-by-a-heater” situation — this is real Turkish street food, just like in Izmir.

We popped into Pan Turek for a spontaneous chat with owner Hakan, who moved here from Turkey in 2021 with his Polish wife (they met while she was on holiday — love and kebabs, people 💘). He gave us the lowdown: everything you eat here? Made in-house. Bread? Baked fresh. Meat? Marinated for three days before it even hits the grill. This isn’t frozen factory stuff — this is tradition, skill, and spice, sizzling over fire.

And let’s get something straight: in Turkey, the real kebab isn’t spinning — it’s grilled. That’s where Pan Turek shines.

Here’s what’s on our hit list for our upcoming feast:

Adana Kebab – spicy minced meat skewers packed with heat, grilled to perfection.
Iskender – slices of meat served over pieces of fresh Turkish bread, topped with hot tomato sauce, butter, and yogurt. It’s a flavor bomb.
Lahmacun – aka Turkish pizza, thin and crispy, loaded with herby minced meat. If you’re shy, get it rolled up as a “rollo.”
Mixed Grill for 2 – kebabs, skewers, and meat madness. Turks love to share, and this is how it’s done properly.
Cold Baklava – not your usual sugar bomb. Light, crisp, and addictive — we had a bite and were instantly hooked. No lie.

They even have a traditional çay makinesi — that’s a Turkish tea machine with three stacked kettles: strong tea brews up top while the bottom keeps the water hot. Turks sip it all day long, and trust us, once you try it with your meal, you’ll get why.

Hakan’s brother, also working at Pan Turek, even dropped us a teaser plate of meat. Verdict? Juicy, flavorful, and shockingly not greasy. It’s nothing like the “kebab” most of us have sadly gotten used to in Poland.

Wrapping Up

We’ve got a date locked to dive deep into Pan Turek’s menu and crown our Top 3 Must-Try Turkish Dishes — so keep your eyes peeled. But if you can’t wait (and honestly, who could?), head straight to ul. Wielka 22 in the Old Town and get hit with the real flavors of Turkey.

We haven’t had the full feast yet, but from what we’ve seen (and tasted in teaser bites), this place is all about the real deal — no shortcuts, no frozen fakery. Everything’s made in-house, from the bread to the grilled meats, and the vibe feels straight out of Izmir. We’ll be back soon with the full lowdown.