If you’ve ever struggled to neatly categorise Turkish food as just Mediterranean or only Middle Eastern, you’re not alone. That’s because the cuisine at its heart belongs to something broader, deeper, and far more layered — Anatolian cuisine.
And if there’s one place in London that introduces this beautifully, it’s Hazev Restaurant.
Set in the polished surroundings of Canary Wharf, Hazev manages to feel both refined and deeply comforting — a restaurant where history, hospitality, and slow-cooked food quietly take centre stage. This is not fast dining, not trend-led food, and certainly not style over substance. This is food with roots, patience, and soul.
Welcome to an Anatolian experience, the Your Food Fantasy way.
Hazev Anatolian Cuisine in London.
Table of contents
What Is Anatolian Cuisine? (And Why It’s So Special)
Anatolia refers to the vast Asian part of modern-day Turkey — a land that has historically acted as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean. Over centuries, this region absorbed influences from traders, empires, nomads, and home cooks alike.
The result?
A cuisine that sits between worlds, both geographically and gastronomically.
Anatolian food is:
- Hearty but not heavy
- Spiced but never overpowering
- Deeply comforting yet refined
- Rooted in slow cooking and shared eating
Think:
- Long-simmered meats
- Oven-baked casseroles
- Yogurt-based sauces
- Sweet, syrupy desserts balanced with texture
At Hazev, this culinary identity is not diluted for modern palates — it’s respected, polished, and served with quiet confidence.
Location Matters: Hazev in Canary Wharf
Hazev’s Canary Wharf location is significant.
Canary Wharf is often associated with sleek corporate lunches and quick dinners squeezed between meetings. Hazev stands apart by offering something more grounded and unhurried.
The restaurant sits comfortably within this modern district while creating a warm escape from it. Step inside and the tone shifts — softer lighting, welcoming interiors, and a layout that encourages you to sit, talk, and stay.
This makes Hazev ideal for:
- Relaxed business lunches
- Long dinners after work
- Family meals
- Unrushed evenings where food is the main event
It’s rare to find a restaurant here that prioritises comfort over speed — and that’s exactly where Hazev shines.
The Food: Comfort, Craft, and Care on Every Plate
Hazev’s menu reflects the heart of Anatolian cooking: slow, patient, and intentional.
Moussaka: Comfort Done Right
Moussaka at Hazev deserves special attention.
This isn’t a rushed, one-note dish. It’s layered, rich, and deeply satisfying — the kind of food that feels familiar even if it’s your first time eating it. Every forkful carries warmth, balance, and that unmistakable sense of home-style cooking elevated.
It’s comforting without being heavy — a fine line Hazev walks exceptionally well.
Lamb Shank: Fall-Off-The-Bone Perfection
The lamb shank is a standout, and not just because it’s visually impressive.
Cooked slowly and patiently, the meat is so tender it barely needs encouragement to fall apart. This is the hallmark of Anatolian cooking — letting time do the work.
The flavours are deep but restrained, allowing the quality of the meat to shine without drowning it in spice or sauce.
This is the kind of dish that makes you slow down mid-bite.
Kunafa: A Dessert Worth Saving Space For
If you think desserts are an afterthought here, think again.
The kunafa at Hazev strikes the perfect balance:
- Crisp on the outside
- Soft and indulgent within
- Sweet, but not overwhelming
It’s rich, yes — but thoughtfully so. The kind of dessert that encourages sharing… and then makes you reconsider that decision halfway through.
Quality Ingredients, Thoughtful Cooking
What stands out across Hazev’s menu is consistency.
Every dish feels:
- Carefully prepared
- Properly seasoned
- Respectful of tradition
There’s no unnecessary theatrics, no over-styling. Just good ingredients, treated well.
This is food that doesn’t try to impress loudly — it impresses quietly.
Service That Matches the Food
Great food can fall flat without good service. Thankfully, Hazev understands that hospitality is as important as flavour.
The service here is:
- Warm, not formal
- Attentive, not intrusive
- Knowledgeable without being scripted
You feel looked after — not managed.
Plates arrive with care, recommendations are offered naturally, and there’s a genuine sense that the team wants you to enjoy your time, not rush through it.
In a place like Canary Wharf, that alone feels refreshing.
Why Hazev Works So Well (The Your Food Fantasy Perspective)
At Your Food Fantasy, we’re always drawn to places that make food feel personal — not performative.
Hazev does exactly that.
It doesn’t chase trends.
It doesn’t try to reinvent tradition.
Simply respects it.
This is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why slow dining matters. Why shared plates matter. Why food isn’t just about hunger — it’s about connection.
If you appreciate:
- Comfort food with depth
- Thoughtful cooking
- Restaurants that value warmth over noise
Hazev deserves a place on your list.
Final Thoughts: Anatolian Cuisine Done Properly
Hazev is more than just a Turkish restaurant in Canary Wharf.
It’s an introduction to Anatolian cuisine — a style of cooking that sits beautifully between cultures, flavours, and histories.
From rich moussaka and tender lamb shank to crisp, syrupy kunafa, every element here feels intentional. Add to that genuinely warm service and a calm, inviting space, and you have a restaurant that encourages you to slow down — something we could all use more of.
If you’re looking for quality food, honest flavours, and an experience that feels quietly special, Hazev delivers — without shouting about it.
And that, in many ways, is its greatest strength.