Canterbury’s best kept secret Pazar Food Collective makes delicious. 100 list

Pazar Food Collective has built up a reputation for it’s creative and tasty dishes but surprisingly not many in Canterbury know of its existence.

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Pazar Food Collective in Canterbury has amassed devoted followers around the world but among locals it still slips under the radar.

This is despite the Turkish eatery making the delicious 100 list once again.

Owner and chef Attila Yilmaz opened the Canterbury Rd restaurant five years ago and this year it came in at number 40 on the 100 most delicious restaurants in NSW roundup.

The mouth-watering smoked wood roasted lamb forequarter dish. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Owner and head chef Attila Yilmaz preparing one of his dishes. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Pazar Food Collectives serves a variety of dishes. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

It was also labelled “Best Value ($100 for two)”.

Yilmaz said many local diners were unaware of the top cuisine right on their doorstep.

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“At least 80 per cent of our customers are from Bondi and North Shore and many locals don’t even known we are here,” the ex-police officer said.

“I am happy we have made it to the delicious list this year too.

This dish features beetroot and wood fired cumin spiced with whipped herbed feta. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Chef Attila Yilmaz (centre) with some of his staff: Can Kerem Yildirim, Manoj Dhungana, Sagar Kharel, Sofia Hernandez and Purnima Maharjan. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Freshly-baked Turkish bread at the restaurant. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

“We are very honest in what we do, we don’t just put anything on a plate which we genuinely don’t love ourselves.

“Myself and the staff take an unified decision on what goes on the menu and we are an independent restaurant.”

The purpose-built wood fire oven in the restaurant. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

One of the dishes being plated up at Pazar Food Collective. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

The harissa-roasted chicken with tahini, yoghurt, red cabbage and herb slaw. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

From special zucchini dishes to smoked wood roast lamb, the restaurant has featured in top publications in Australia and overseas.

Yilmaz said it is a misconception to call his food Turkish-Mexican as some do, because he gets inspiration from many cultures, including Mediterranean, Middle East, and Asian.

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Pazar Food Collective, which has banned iPads for children in the restaurant so that it does not distract or disturb other diners, only takes online bookings.

A pea salad with vanilla stracciatella, Turkish mint and pistachio sukkah. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Pazar Food Collective, only takes online bookings. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

The licensed restaurant is open in the evenings from Wednesday to Saturday, with Yilmaz saying they get 80 per cent of their customers on Friday and Saturday.

Details: 325 Canterbury Rd, Canterbury. Call 8964 9334 or visit pazar.com.au

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