Adding another feather to the cap of Middle Eastern restaurants in Dhaka, G.O.A.T, which stands for Gourmet, Otto, Artisan, and Tales, is the newest addition to the city's food scene.
G.O.A.T offers Turkish fusion food with delicious pides, doners, and kebab platters, while also incorporating lesser-known Middle Eastern dishes in a cozy café setting.
“Our goal is to expand the menu by introducing new items that people in Dhaka may not be familiar with, but we aim to ease them into trying these dishes,” said Najmul Nahid, a partner at G.O.A.T.
Food
Among the variety of Middle Eastern dishes, we were served Turkish pide - a kind of Turkish pizza, it has an oval-shaped crust with grilled chicken and cheese baked right onto the bread, accompanied by a sprinkle of peppers.
Although this pide lacked additional sauces, the warm cheese and generously seasoned chicken provided enough flavour to satisfy us. In fact, this pide exemplifies the perfect balance of simplicity and satisfaction.
The meal began with pide, followed by a doner. Once a little known Turkish kebab sandwich, it has evolved into one of Germany’s favourite snacks, due to a sizable Turkish population in the country.
The doner was light yet filling, topped with yogurt, herb sauce, tomatoes, garlic powder, and generously filled with chicken. The Turkish bread was light and flaky, and the sauced chicken inside created a spectacular balance: a savoury tang from the yogurt combined with a hint of heat from the chili sauce served on the side.
Next, we had the kebab platter for two, which included a myriad of kebabs, including chicken adana, cheese kebabs, and beef adana, served with fries on the side and garlic and chilli sauces on the side as well.
The platter was full of delicious flavours, but the chicken and beef adana kebabs stole the show. Masterfully marinated, these adana kebabs were delicate yet coated with spices, making them irresistibly savoury. Paired with the chilli sauce, the kebabs hit the balance of savoriness and spicy notes on our tongue.
Our feast continued with their chicken burger, made with a different type of Turkish bread instead of brioche buns. It is piled with a generous serving of the chicken patty, cheese, spices, and a combination of the two sauces they serve.
The burger was certainly unique, but it leans towards being quite heavy due to its generous portions and multiple layers. After just a couple of bites, you may find yourself feeling quite full. As a result, finishing the burger can be somewhat overwhelming, making it challenging to enjoy it all the way through since we already ate so much.
We finished our meal with their kunafa, which was topped with cream cheese, pistachios, and chocolate sauce. While this dessert was ambitious, the thick layer of cream cheese overshadowed the actual flavor of the kunafa. It would have tasted better if they had simply drizzled the chocolate sauce over the kunafa and used little to no cream cheese.
Ambience
G.O.A.T is a charming corner restaurant located in Banani. It features lowered seating arrangement that creates a comfortable atmosphere, adorned in beige and white tones. The windows and intricate patterns on the walls and ceiling pay homage to Middle Eastern culture, which is reflected throughout the entire interior.
Challenges
Opened in late 2024, G.O.A.T faces significant challenges due to limited space, often losing customers because they can not accommodate more people.
“We could not choose a larger space, but we have tried to make it as cozy as possible,” said Nahid.
With years of experience in the restaurant industry, the partners at G.O.A.T are confident in their ability to anticipate and address any challenges that may arise from running a restaurant.
“Since we own several other restaurants and have been in this business for a while, we are able to prepare ahead of time because we have a clear understanding of the kinds of challenges we might face,” said business partner Md Aqib Faarbi.
Verdict
The pide and the doner kebab at G.O.A.T are both must-tries. The kunafa could use some improvement, but we genuinely appreciate the cozy atmosphere of the space.
If you find yourself in Banani and want to enjoy some delicious Turkish food in a comfortable setting, G.O.A.T is definitely a worthwhile stop.
Don't forget to finish your meal with a glass of ayran, the yogurt based turkish beverage.
