I've been trying to go easy on the five-star reviews, but Anatolia made it impossible for me. I'd been unwilling to visit their place in Sawmill (it's just too chaotic for me in that food hall) but kept hearing good things about the place in a foodie group on FB. I started following Anatolia's page and got serious about coming to the new spot in the Journal Center - finally making it down here with my wife for a late lunch a month and a half after they opened. We found a nice room (tasteful redecoration of the old Torinos restaurant) that made for a quiet, calm place to enjoy a lunchtime conversation. Kind and gracious attention from the staffers (thanks especially to Mehmet for his welcoming conversation) put us in a relaxed mood for our late lunch. And our food was fantastic! What got me to pester my wife into joining me for lunch was seeing that Anatolia now has lahmacun (think a Turkish pizza with spices, herbs, and meat on top, eaten with veggies and a spray of lemon). I got that (and it was a treat! Not too salty, lots of meat and spice, great yeast smell and a perfect char and tear; the lemon and veggies added freshness to the bite) and my wife got a lamb shish kebab - oh wow, was that some of the best lamb I've had (so tender, so deliciously marinated, so toothsome - perfectly cooked with char on the outside and pink, juicy perfection within), but every bit of her plate was quite yummy (we particularly liked the roasted pepper that was somehow more flavorfully prepared than what we usually find on plates at places with Middle Eastern food). My wife loved the preparation of the rice and salad, and said it was one of the best meals she's had lately - and we just got back from vacation last week! I asked and found that the only item not made in house is the french fries - well, that sure came through. On the way out, we made the mistake of pausing at the cases of baklava and Turkish delights - hoo, I'm glad we got some (so subtly delicious! it's funny how a small piece of a perfect dessert can satisfy better than a big serving of something ordinary) but I probably shouldn't have gotten even more to go! Macht nichts - we'll be back! read more

See all

I had lunch recently at Anatolia Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine in Albuquerque's Journal Center area, and it's a welcome addition--especially for a late afternoon business lunch when you want something a little different. Service was good, the atmosphere was friendly, and the food felt both familiar and thoughtfully prepared. If you're a falafel and hummus fan, start there. The appetizer had an "uptown" presentation but still tasted like it was made with heart--always a good combination. I ordered the lamb gyro and was surprised by the bread. I expected a traditional pita, but instead it came on a larger, dinner-roll-style bread. Not what I anticipated--but honestly, the bread was outstanding. Light, fresh, and memorable--on par with some of the best I've had since a trip to Paris a couple of years ago. (Pro tip: if you want a more traditional feel, ask for the gluten-free pita option.) And the pizza... I probably should have led with that. The Margherita Napoli would absolutely make pizza lovers smile. Once again, it comes back to the bread--it really shines here. I'll definitely be back to Anatolia and am already looking forward to the next visit. read more

See all

We decided to try something new tonight and decided on Anatolia. It was a busy Friday night but we were seated pretty quickly. Restaurant is decorated with exotic ceiling lights that give the place a bit more upscale. In the front they have a small baked goods counter where you can get sweet treats to-go. We got the Ezme salad and a combo entree platter to share. Our food took a while to come out since they are made fresh to order. The ezme salad consists of tomato and cucumber that is pretty thick in consistency served with 4 small pieces of fluffy pita. Pretty salty on first bite but eating it with the pita was a bit better. I was not a fan of this dish. The combo platter came with a variety of different proteins with rice, Greek salad, whole tomato and some pieces pita. Meats were all very tender and juicy. Yum! Wish they served a little bit more rice with the platter. read more

Anatolia - Ezme salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

See all

The restaurant was beautifully decorated. We walked in and there was only on other couple in the restaurant. It smelled delicious and I was super excited to try the food. We ordered the beef shish, chicken doner, but was most excited to try the lahmacun. We got our drinks, put in out order, the waiter waa very friendly, but was the last we saw of him till our food came out. 2 different couples came in and he refilled rhere drinks, asked how they were doing, was very attentive to the other couples. We got our doner and shish and he walked away, me thinking he was going back to get the lahmacun, but no. I waited about 10 mins and then had to flag him down to ask about the pizza. He nevee placed the order, mind you that was the whole reason we came in and was expressed to him when ordered. Finally came out after about 20 mins. All of the food was absolutely delicious! Very flavorful, chicken juicy, steak was fork tender and melted in your mouth, pita bread was outstanding. Was a bit disappointed when asked if I could purchase a side of garlic sauce and was told no because they needed it for the dishes, mind you there were only 2 other couples in the restaurant with us. When wanting to leave and get boxes for our food I juat about had to go into the kitchen to get our waiter for boxes and check. All and all we were there for almost 2 hours. I recommend eating in the actual restaurant if you have a free afternoon or evening otherwise come pick up the food. For the flavor it's worth the drive, and we live in Rio Rancho! 5 stars for food quality and flavor 1 for service. read more

See all

Pretty good Greek food, authentic taste and overall good service. The atmosphere is semi casual. We enjoyed our food, but would not drive out of our way to eat here again. Not because of anything they did wrong. But because it's so far away from where we live. read more

See all

We were hungry so we decided to try a new restaurant Anatolia. At first there was no one there but we thought ok we are early. The restaurant was very clean and at first glance we thought we were underdressed. lol. The place had cloth tablecloths and fancy music playing in the background. It is elegantly decorated but not so that it makes you feel uncomfortable. We were greeted by the server. Later I think he was the owner possibly. We talked with him about some chilies that were very hot and delicious. He said his wife added them to the dish. I ordered the lamb gyro plate and my husband ordered the lamb pizza. Oh my goodness the lamb pizza was so delicious. Between the lamb, tomatoes, olives and feta it was an explosion of tastes in your mouth. My dish was delicious as well. The meat had just the right amount of spice and flavor. The rice was fluffy and not dry. I however was disappointed in the pita. It was hard and reminded me more of a biscuit. The taiko could have used a little more of spice or flavor but other than that the dish was delicious. We also ordered pistachio baklava and it was not overly sweet but so delicious and hit the right spot. Overall we will go back. read more

Anatolia - Lamb pizza - Mediterranean Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Fresh and delicious Falafel sandwich with crispy seasoned fries. Hummus appetizer with fresh baked bread was excellent. I will definitely come back again. read more

We decided to try somewhere new since it had been a while since we'd had Mediterranean food, and we were definitely overdue. What we ended up finding felt like a hidden gem, Anatolia Mediterranean Grill. When we got there, it was pretty quiet. At first we were a little surprised, but the place is a bit tucked away, so it makes sense that not everyone knows about it yet. I ordered the lamb gyro entrée, and my husband went with the combo plate that had beef, lamb, chicken shish kebab, and kofte. Both plates came with a Greek salad, rice, a dinner roll, and even a grilled jalapeño. Mine also came with a side of hummus. I was expecting a wrapped gyro, but instead the lamb was chopped and plated. It actually worked out really well. I started with the salad, and everything tasted fresh and crisp, with a really nice dressing. The lamb was tender and flavorful, and the rice was cooked just right. The hummus was really good too--I ended up dipping both the bread and the lamb into it. It all just came together really nicely. My husband enjoyed his plate just as much, especially getting a mix of different meats. The portions were generous, so we both had leftovers to take home, which is always a plus. We finished by sharing a small piece of pecan baklava. It was sweet without being too much and had a really good filling. Overall, it was a really good meal. It's a little out of the way, but definitely worth the drive. I just hope more people find it because it deserves the business. read more

Anatolia - Gyro Entree - Mediterranean Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

While visiting New Mexico, I figured I'd give Anatolia a shot, and I am so glad I did. This place is hands down some of the best food I've had in New Mexico. From the moment you walk in, you can tell how much thought and care has gone into the restaurant. The inside is absolutely stunning with beautiful touches and details that tie back to Turkey and its culture. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the food somehow managed to be even better than the atmosphere. Everything tasted fresh, authentic, and full of flavor. You can really tell they take pride in what they do. Do not overlook this place if you are in the area. Anatolia is an absolute gem and somewhere I will definitely be coming back to. read more

I've been going here for a few months, at least once a week since it's near where I work. The food is delicious, fresh and healthy. I love the Lahmacun, which is a like Turkish style pizza, without tomato sauce and cheese. It's on a thin, crispy flatbread, and the minced meat and veggies are spread on the dough and oven baked - so tasty with a drizzle of lemon juice. I love that most of their plates come with a Mediterranean salad which includes olives, cucumbers, feta cheese, tomatoes, red onion and lettuce, lightly dressed. The pilaf is buttery and goes so well with your meat entree. The lunch specials are fantastic. You would pay as much for a McDonald's Big Mac meal but the food is better and more healthy. They make their own pita and other breads, with non-GMO flour. The water is filtered, so no nasty chemical taste. All their meats are locally sourced. The restaurant is clean, decorated with Turkish flair and comfy seating. Lastly, but not least, the owners and staff are so kind and friendly. They know me and greet me every time like I'm family, making it a double pleasure to eat there. Never had a bad bite of food and I highly recommend this lovely restaurant. Attached photos of Beef Kofte and Lahmacun. read more

Anatolia - Lahmacun, Turkish pizza. - Mediterranean Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

See all

Love Mediterranean food and this place did not disappoint!! Everything was delicious but the side salad and rice were amazing!! I'm not sure what they do to the rice but i could eat that alone and be happy! The service was a bit slow but they were pretty busy when we first got there. The restaurant looks very classy on the inside which give it a quiet feel to the place. read more

Anatolia - Beef shish kebab comes with salad rice and choice of hummus or taziki sauce - Mediterranean Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dropped by for takeout. Lunch kebab plate was excellent. Salad was fresh, chicken cooked perfectly. Will be back with the family for dinner soon. read more

Anatolia - Chicken kebab plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

The food is delicious made with quality ingredients like imported Italian flour. The service was excellent, I will go back for more of that lamb shank!!! read more

You know, you can't keep a good man down. Or a good chef. Or a good restaurant. Well, golly, but it's true! Anatolia, AKA Anatolia Kebab, AKA Anatolia Mediterranean Grill, has a new full-service restaurant location that has been open for less than a month. I mention all three names because, depending upon where you look, it might be listed under something other than just "Anatolia." Tom and Jim have followed the owner at multiple locations and have never been disappointed. The good news is that the owners have brought with them their creative cuisine, excellent service, and, of course, an interior that will take you to Turkey. Especially if you drink the Turkish coffee or eat the pistachio baklava. In case you want to know, Anatolia is the name for Asia Minor, or the bulk of what is now Turkey. Join Anatolia at its new full-service location and grab a peek at what you will enjoy by clicking on the following YouTube video link with another report from the boys from the VA Creative Writing Group: https://youtu.be/PJpFN5ZhKOs?si=DTfZQp7nR_bBvPD5 read more

See all

Went here for lunch with a party of five. Close to an hour later, two received their meals, but the other three did not. The two that received their meal didn't have there grilled veggies, pita and the meat was luke warm. Didn't finish the plate. Not a good experience. read more

Terrible! We had a party of 5. Food was brought out cold for two and we waited an hour but still were not served so we left without food. Not even an apology from anyone. Never coming back. This place sucked! read more

My friend and I went to Anatolia at 7ish in the evening and found it empty of customers. The restaurant was clean and reminiscent of the Hello Deli down the way, but with less decoration and mediteranean colors. Whilst there, the staff thought it was a good idea to hammer something around the TV into place, sure we're the only customers, but that's something that should've been done when the place is empty. Drinks remained unfilled throughout our visit. i.e. the service was awful, but our server was friendly, so 2 instead of 1 stars on that front. Food for my friend was a cold, dry lamb sandwich that was inferior to Arby's Gyro and cold fries that had no seasoning and no salt on the table. Ketchup was provided, when asked for, and was in McDonalds style packets, not a bottle. My order, the lamb kebab plate included a salad that was gross, a pepper that's never seen on a Mediterranean plate, bland rice, and two acceptably seasoned lamb skewers that were cut inconsistently so some pieces were properly cooked whilst others were overcooked. The tzatziki sauce was nice, but lacking cucumber nibs. I recommend almost any alternative, from Pars Cuisine (overpriced, but great quality) to Dorothea (pricy, but worth it for great quality) to Alquds Mediterranean (inexpensive, but very good) to Arbys for frugal and mediocre. The only thing worse is Gyro Shack. read more

We have enjoyed the food since they were in the downtown location. The Sawmill venue is small so this version offers more variety. Staff was friendly. I wanted a large salad to go with dressing on the side as I was going to serve for dinner. When I got home I found it a soggy mess withe dressing already added. I ended up having to go to the store and make a salad. I was pretty mad since I double checked when I ordered "dressing on the side." I will never trust them with take out again. In general the food is fresh and authentic and I wish them luck in this new location. read more

The food was phenomenal , I loved the ambiance, clean, the service was good although that is the only thing that I think needs a little work. Our server wasn't attentive but it wasn't horrible overall I would still rate it higher than a 5 read more

Anatolia - Oh my goodness this place was delicious! It's a hidden gem. I highly recommend this. - Mediterranean Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Always delicious and welcoming. Staff is super friendly and the food never disappoints. read more

Anatolia - Lamb chops - Mediterranean Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

We have dined in and ordered takeout and each time trying something different. All I can say is amazing!

Excellent lamb! I got the chicken and it was good also but the lamb is better. Also their Haydari on the appetizer is wonderful, I'd like a bottle of that to take home! Nice decor and good service even though we went at an off hour about 2pm. Change of servers but wasn't bad, beautiful hanging lights!!! read more

The experience was out of this "world" bringing an awaking to the palate!!!! The attention to service left us not wanting for anything! The entire dining experience was upscale and was met with high standards! read more

Love this place. The food was excellent! Very simple menu with a good share of food. The decoration set the mood for a great meal!

With a much anticipated opening, Anatolia is back! There is commitment and pride in the fresh, high quality ingredients in every dish! You may recognize some of their food from Sawmill Market, but here you can get their amazing Adana lamb! Anatolia is authentic and a place you want to come back to again and again! read more

We were excited to try this place, we're huge fans of Mediterranean and eastern cuisine, and the decor was very unique. Once inside, it felt like it was trying to swing above its weight-class, and the prices were higher than expected. It felt like it was trying to be fancier than it was. Our server was alright, maybe could have been more personable, took our order and checked on us maybe one time after. The falafel was great, hummus tasted good and it came with a basic salad and bread. Our entrees came out and we were pretty disappointed, we got a Margherita pizza and a lahmacun (which came out looking not very appetizing, especially compared to what's advertised). We took a bite each and the flavors felt out of balance, it didn't taste much better than cafeteria pizza which wouldn't be the worst if they didn't cost over $30 together, at that point it's just not what you expect given the atmosphere and price. However, the manager or owner came over and was extremely understanding and nice. Overall its worthwhile to try, but the pizza was not for us. read more

Anatolia - Lahmacun - Mediterranean Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

We had a fantastic time last night at this new location! There were 4 of us and we all had something different so we could try different dishes. I had the combo so I could try all the meats and was not disappointed!! Absolutely fresh and perfectly prepared. We will be back and will bring others! You will not be disappointed!! read more

It was my first time at Anatolia! I love baklava, and they have the best baklava in the world. I also enjoyed the Turkish tea after the meal. The food was delicious. I will definitely go again! read more

I love this place so much the food is exploding in my mouth. The owner is the sweetest man and I never have felt safer in a male-owned establishment before. read more

The Baklava was amazing. The man who checked us out recognized we were students and was kind to gift us a box. So kind, so delicious. Come by and get yourself some baklava! read more