Jaan Mezze Lounge serves authentic Turkish cuisine from 505 New North Road in the heart of Kingsland, Auckland. The name "Jaan" means "soul" or "life" in Turkish and Persian, and that spirit runs through the whole operation: recipes passed down through generations, hand-rolled lahmajun, kebabs grilled over open flames, and the warm, family-style hospitality Turkey is famous for.
The menu leans into sharing. Start with mezze — dolmades, muska boregi, hummus, baba ganoush and fresh bread — then move to the grill for the mix grill, kuzu iskender or pilic kebab. Meat is free range and halal, produce is sourced fresh from local suppliers each day, and specialty spices are imported directly from Turkey. Vegetarian dishes like the slow-cooked saksuka are signatures in their own right, and baklava with Turkish tea or coffee rounds things out.
Beyond the dining room, the garden bar is a Kingsland favourite — a relaxed outdoor space for drinks and dinner, home to a 2–5pm happy hour, and bookable for private events and group gatherings from 10 to 150 guests. With halal and vegetarian options throughout and a kitchen happy to adapt dishes for allergies and dietary needs, it suits everything from long lunches to celebrations.
Jaan Mezze Lounge occupies a spot on New North Road in Kingsland, one of inner-city Auckland's most loved dining strips, and it has earned exactly what its signage claims: Kingsland's most loved Turkish restaurant. The formula is simple and sincere — authentic Turkish cooking, a beautiful garden bar, and hospitality that treats every guest like family. The name says it all: "Jaan" means "soul" or "life" in Turkish and Persian, and the team pours both into every plate.
Jaan's story began with a straightforward dream: to bring the real flavours of Turkey to Auckland. That means cooking the way it's done in traditional Turkish kitchens rather than approximating it. The lahmajun — often called "Turkish pizza" — starts with hand-rolled dough topped with seasoned lamb mince, Italian parsley, onions, tomatoes and banana chillies, and arrives with fresh greens and a juicy lemon. Kebabs are grilled over open flames, and the kitchen's spice pantry leans on specialty items imported directly from Turkey.
Quality sourcing underpins everything. Meats are free range and halal, sourced from halal suppliers, while produce comes in fresh from local suppliers daily. The result is food that blends Mediterranean freshness with Middle Eastern spice — dishes that feel both celebratory and comforting.
Turkish meals are built for sharing, so begin the way the menu intends: with mezze. Hummus, baba ganoush and fresh bread make an easy start, while dolmades — vine leaves stuffed with Turkish rice and vegetables — and muska boregi, crisp filo triangles filled with spinach and feta, are consistent favourites. Regulars insist the mezze platters are the best way in.
From the grill, the mix grill pairs free range spring lamb back straps with chicken breast in an authentic Turkish-style marinade. Kuzu iskender showcases free range lamb back straps; kuzu prizola adds grilled lamb cutlets with hummus, mashed potato and tabbouleh; and the pilic kebab is a perfect introduction for first-timers, with marinated chicken breast grilled alongside onions and capsicum. Vegetarians are genuinely catered for, not as an afterthought: the saksuka of seasonal vegetables slow-cooked with Mediterranean herbs, served with rice and fresh Turkish bread, is a signature in its own right.
Save room for the finish — baklava and Turkish delight with proper Turkish tea or coffee.
Much of Jaan's charm lives outdoors. The garden bar is a relaxed, atmospheric space for outdoor dining in the middle of Kingsland, equally suited to a long dinner or an afternoon drink. Happy hour runs from 2pm to 5pm, when chilled tap beer and good company make it a favourite with friends and colleagues alike. The drinks list goes well beyond beer, with handcrafted cocktails carrying a Turkish twist, plus fine wines and premium spirits matched to the food.
The space has recently been renovated — a refresh guests have praised — and it doubles as an event venue. The garden bar and indoor spaces can be booked for private celebrations, corporate events and group gatherings from 10 to 150 guests, with customized menus for the occasion.
Jaan Mezze Lounge is at 505 New North Road, Kingsland. It's closed Mondays; Tuesday runs 4pm to 10pm, Wednesday to Thursday and Sunday 11am to 10pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11am until midnight — lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are recommended and easy: call 09 971 1143 or book online, though walk-ins are welcomed when space allows. The kitchen is happy to work around allergies and dietary requirements — just mention them when booking or ordering. The full menu, including seasonal specialties, is available online.