Ali Baba
Quick info
About Ali Baba
Ali Baba has run as a Turkish restaurant on Charminster Road in Bournemouth for more than ten years. Payment is cash only, with no cards taken, though a cash machine sits a short walk away at the local Tesco, so it helps to sort money out before you sit down. The kitchen works over charcoal, and grilled meats arrive over rice with a side salad, with chicken shish, lamb kofte and iskender among the plates. Portions are large. The room runs café-style with table service, and the chef also works front of house. Orders can be collected for eating off site, and calling ahead to place one saves time at the counter. Reservations are recommended for a table. It opens Monday to Saturday and closes on Sundays.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking
- Good for kidsGood for kids
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cash only payment, chicken shish and lamb kofte, generous portions over rice and free turkish tea.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cash only payment, chicken shish and lamb kofte, generous portions over rice and free turkish tea.
Customer Review Summary
Charcoal grilled meat anchors nearly every account: diners single out the grilled chicken, called well seasoned and tender and served generously over buttery rice with a crisp salad, and several say they come back for the chicken shish and lamb kofte. Close behind is the homemade baklava, along with the Turkish tea brought out to finish a meal eaten in, which one reviewer describes as a nice and special touch. Value recurs constantly, with portions repeatedly called massive and the prices reasonable for the freshness. Service is described as polite and quick, the room busy but turning tables fast, and the waiting staff and chef friendly and accommodating. The clearest dissent comes from a takeaway iskender, which one reviewer found terrible, two large kofta sausages on soggy bread under a bland, tasteless sauce, and took as size coming at the cost of quality; another, otherwise happy, thought homemade sauces would improve the grills. One suggests calling ahead to place an order.
Customer Review Summary
Charcoal grilled meat anchors nearly every account: diners single out the grilled chicken, called well seasoned and tender and served generously over buttery rice with a crisp salad, and several say they come back for the chicken shish and lamb kofte. Close behind is the homemade baklava, along with the Turkish tea brought out to finish a meal eaten in, which one reviewer describes as a nice and special touch. Value recurs constantly, with portions repeatedly called massive and the prices reasonable for the freshness. Service is described as polite and quick, the room busy but turning tables fast, and the waiting staff and chef friendly and accommodating. The clearest dissent comes from a takeaway iskender, which one reviewer found terrible, two large kofta sausages on soggy bread under a bland, tasteless sauce, and took as size coming at the cost of quality; another, otherwise happy, thought homemade sauces would improve the grills. One suggests calling ahead to place an order.
Featured reviews
- Tara
“Vibrant, café-style atmosphere that gets busy but turns tables fast. The service was polite and quick. Most importantly, the food was delicious and cooked perfectly, plus the prices are good. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be back next time I crave a chicken shish and lamb kofte.”
- Nicola Price
“An absolute gem. Great value food; best in the area for value and quality. Cash only and I reccomend calling to place order”
- Jamesaston05
“Fair play boys proper effort into it. £8.50 for a massive portion genuinely really buzzing with it. Its cash only but they let me bank transfer no problem”
- jayne postill
“They give huge amounts of food missing out quality. The iskender I just picked up was terrible. 2 large kofta sausages served on soggy bread with a very bland tasteless sauce. Not nice”
- Anastasija Mazure
“I had a very enjoyable meal here. The grilled chicken was well-seasoned, tender, and clearly made with fresh, high-quality meat. It was served generously over rice and accompanied by a fresh, crisp salad that complemented the dish perfectly. The portion size was satisfying, and the overall quality exceeded expectations for the price. Excellent value for money—I would definitely recommend this place.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Great tea selection
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
- Healthy options
- Small plates
Amenities
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Casual
- On-site services
- Coffee
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Dessert
- Dining options· 3
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Table service
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- Tourists
- University students
- Offerings· 2
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
Location
How Ali Baba compares to nearby restaurants
- Ali Baba · This shop4.6671 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: cash only payment, chicken shish and lamb kofte, generous portions over rice
- 2,958 reviews1.2 mi
Mentioned in reviews: small portions for price, salad and tzatziki, mojitos and greek sangria
- 294 reviews1.6 mi
Mentioned in reviews: baklava, generous portions, authentic greek food
- 188 reviews1.9 mi
Mentioned in reviews: sushi, onigiri, inari
Ali Baba This shop | The Real Greek - Bournemouth | Greek Corner Kostas | More Than Sushi - Poole | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6(671) | 4.3(2,958) | 5.0(294) | 4.9(188) | |
| Price | £ | £10–30 | £10–20 | £10–20 |
| Distance | — | 1.2 mi | 1.6 mi | 1.9 mi |
| Open today | ||||
| Good for kids | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Reservations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
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