Hayat

Cuisine

Meze & Fine Dining

Area

Sidcup

Hayat Sidcup is a Turkish restaurant on The Oval, the crescent of shops at the heart of Blackfen in Sidcup. Run by its chef-owner, who learned his trade in kitchens in Turkey and London, it is a neighbourhood restaurant for meze, grills and special-occasion dinners.

The menu is classic and generous. Cold meze include hummus, cacık, tarama, kısır and patlıcan ezme, and hot starters run from sigara böreği and hellim to sucuk, Arnavut ciğeri and hummus kavurma. The charcoal grill turns out lamb şiş, Adana, chops and ribs, and the house specials include Lamb İskender, beyti, kleftiko and the Aubergine Dome of lamb wrapped in aubergine. Grill platters for two to five people make sharing easy.

Hayat, which means “life” in Turkish, suits couples, families and small celebrations.

What to order at Hayat

These dishes from Hayat’s own menu are a good place to start:

• Patlıcan Ezme – smoked aubergine and peppers with garlic yoghurt
• Sigara Böreği – filo rolls filled with feta and herbs
• Hummus Kavurma – hummus topped with sautéed lamb cubes
• Arnavut Ciğeri – fried diced lamb liver
• Adana – spicy minced meat skewers from the grill
• Lamb İskender – Adana köfte on pitta with yoghurt and tomato sauce
• Aubergine Dome – baked lamb wrapped in aubergine with a Turkish sauce
• Grill Platter – şiş, Adana, wings, chops and ribs with rice and salad, for two to five

Atmosphere and good to know

Hayat is a small, warm dining room with a neighbourhood feel, popular for date nights and family meals. Grill platters for two to five people suit groups, there is a kids menu, and vegetarian options include moussaka, vegetable kebab and plenty of meze.

Beer, wine and cocktails are served. The restaurant does not state whether its meat is halal, so ask when you book. Bookings are taken by phone, from 4pm on weekdays and from 11am at weekends, and a takeaway menu is also available.

Hayat opening hours

Monday to Friday: 17:00–23:00; Saturday: 12:00–23:00; Sunday: 12:00–22:00. Hours can change on bank holidays, so check with the restaurant before you travel.

How to get to Hayat

The Oval is in Blackfen, served by bus routes 51, 132 and B13, which link it with Sidcup, Welling, Eltham and Bexleyheath. Sidcup and Welling stations, both on Southeastern lines, are the nearest railway stations, each roughly 25–30 minutes on foot or a short bus ride.

Menu, ordering and contact

View the menu · Hayat website · Call 020 8306 6278

More Turkish food nearby

Browse more Turkish restaurants in Sidcup. New to Turkish food? Start with our guide to popular Turkish dishes or see the best Turkish restaurants in London.

Features

• Alcohol served
• Gluten-free options
• Kids menu
• Table reservations
• Takeaway
• Vegetarian options
• Wheelchair accessible

Location