Ulus, situated on Arriwaq Boulevard just a short walk from the historic Qiblatain Mosque, brings an authentic taste of Turkish cuisine to the holy city of Madinah.
Since opening its doors in 2024, Ulus has quickly established itself as a premier hotspot, attracting a consistent crowd regardless of the season.
The establishment offers a versatile dining experience, with a refined indoor area on the first floor and an outdoor terrace on the second.
The second-floor seating is well equipped with umbrellas and air-conditioning units, complemented by a truly welcoming, attentive and helpful staff.
For starters, the Ulus social salad came highly recommended by the staff. However, while the apple slices on top were refreshing, the salad itself was average, with other items preferred as starters.
The lahmacun was a standout contender: fresh, warm, flavorful, and crispy. After ordering on numerous visits to the restaurant, the quality has been consistent each time.
For the mezze, the hummus and the Ulus special were great selections, although there was a noticeable discrepancy in the consistency of presentation when ordering each visit.
Ulus has built a reputation for its baked goods, particularly the cheese and beef pitas, which remain the top recommendation in this category.
While the pizzas follow a standard international style, the cheese and beef pies are where the kitchen's Turkish identity truly shines.
For the desserts, visitors cannot go wrong with the assortment of sweets, from the havuc dilimi, fistik dolama, trilece, kunafa and the chocolate baklava.
The true star of the show is the grill menu. Whether opting for the adana kebab, beef saute, or lamb chops, the quality of the meat is undeniable.
For more of a variety, the mixed grill is an essential order, served with french fries and warm vermicelli rice.
One thing to note is the impressive speed of service. Even during the peak Umrah and Ziyarah seasons, the food consistently comes out of the kitchen fresh and delicious.
It is also worth mentioning that they offer a specialized breakfast menu featuring favorites such as the menemen (Turkish shakshouka) and the photo-worthy muhlama, a decadent cornmeal and cheese fondue.
Open from 6:30 a.m. until 2:00 a.m., the restaurant welcomes walk-ins with no reservation necessary.
