Turkish Delight co-owner Zeynep was a Fulbright U.S. Scholar in Turkey during 2015-2016, in her previous professional life as a sociologist and professor. She wrote, directed and produced a documentary, Tables of Istanbul (April 2016, 58 minutes), during that year. After its premiere in April 2016, Tables of Istanbul has been screened at 27 film festivals in 15 countries. It has received 9 awards and recognitions, and was broadcast by Michigan's PBS station (WKAR). This project has been supported through grants by the Turkish Cultural Foundation (TCF), UAA Innovate Award, Institute of Turkish Studies and Fulbright. We hope you will enjoy it!
Alaska Eats feature on Turkish Delight (by Elias Contreras, on the Alaska Venture channel, Feb 2024)
A Taste of Turkey in the Heart of Anchorage…
A Family Story, Shared at the Table.
Fly Alaska Winter 2026 edition
By Rachael Miller (Photography by Rachael Miller, Cover Photo by Nathaniel Wilder) / November 23, 2025, EDIBLE ALASKA, THE RESTAURANT ISSUE (WINTER 2025)Better than Baklava and More than Menemen. Turkish Delight Celebrates Regional Cuisine in Anchorage
““We want to present the version of Turkey that we grew up with. It’s so diverse across the regions, and we make food that is recognizable to Turks.” … “We’re not a chef restaurant,” said Zeynep. “We think about what we serve, we have a vision, but we’re not trying to be everyone’s staple.” Together, she and her brother, Engin, see their work as both service and stewardship: feeding people, creating livelihoods, and giving young staff a place to learn and grow.”
“If you haven’t yet visited Turkish Delight since it changed hands last year, put it on your list of resolutions. The new owners have kept the heart and flavors of the original restaurant while giving it a fresh face and an updated menu.”
“2023 was a year filled with many good meals across south central Alaska & beyond. I wanted to highlight just a few of the favorite things I ate in AK this year!”
Daniella, Eat Local Drink Local (Dec 31, 2023)
1) Lamb shawarma wrap from My Shawarma Place
2) cold mezze platter & many meals from @turkishdelightak
3) appetizers & cocktails from @thekannery
4) brunch & pre fixe dinner experience from @featherandflour
5) ahi tuna poke bowl from @dirtyskillet_hopealaska
6) tuna tostada & many meals from @palmeira_ak
7) the smoked salmon bagel experience from @birchandalderak
8) @aksalmonsisters harvested sockeye poke bowl from @johnnyscornerak
9) salmon soba noodle bowl from @addiecamp
10) hamachi collars & many meals from @alturabistro
“As they venture into new culinary horizons, Zeynep and Engin craft a legacy, proving that the right mix of passion, collaboration, and strategic partnerships can turn a dream into a thriving Alaskan culinary haven.”
Small Business Development Center, 2023 Impact Report, Alaska Success Stories (Jan 2024)
Under new family ownership, Turkish Delight still delivers comforting aromas and flavors.
Mara Severin reviews Turkish Delight in Anchorage Daily News (Sept 28, 2023)
“You don’t “dig in” to Turkish Delight meals; you scan them in the same manner you scan poetry.”
— Kaycee Davis, The Northern Light
Restaurant review: Texture, flavor and aroma mingle at the corner of Lake Otis and Northern Lights (June 6, 2023)
“We are food people”
— Zeynep Kiliç, quoted in the Alaska Dispatch News
Open & Shut: Anchorage gets a chocolate tasting room, a reimagined Turkish restaurant and 2 gift stores (May 27, 2023)
Hometown, Alaska: Turkish flavors delight in Anchorage
Justin Williams interview Turkish Delight co-owner Zeynep Kiliç (August 8, 2023)
“What sets the Turkish Delight experience apart is the genuine passion both siblings share for food.”
— Harley Tennant, Alaska SBDC
Alaska Small Business Development Center Success Stories: Turkish Delight (June 6, 2023)
