One person has called it the ‘worst news this week’
Topkapi in Deansgate has closed down with its future in doubt
Diners have been left in the dark about the future of a top restaurant hailed as a Manchester institution, after it closed its doors over a month ago.
Signs on the front of Topkapi Palace, on Deansgate, indicate the venue has become the subject of a forfeiture notice. The high court enforcement documents said agents representing the landlord had regained control of the property at the end of March.
The signage outside the venue, the self-proclaimed longest-established Turkish restaurant in Manchester having opened in 1979, said staff were unable to enter the premises, whilst an involuntary bailee had taken possession of the property alongside its goods with a deadline for owners to collect any items before April 10.
Click here for the latest on Manchester’s food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter
Whilst the notices have been outside the family-run restaurant, which moved from its original Peter Street base to its current premises in 1999, for over a month now, the news was shared by popular Manchester artist Stan Chow over the weekend which has generated a new outpouring of love for the beloved venue alongside surprise at its closure.
Posting on Instagram on Sunday, Chow, who has previously hailed the restaurant as his favourite place to eat in Manchester, wrote: “Sad to see Topkapi close down.” In response, one person commented: “No way! That’s the worst news I’ve heard this week.” Another posted: “That is sad news. Mancunian institution.”
Forfeiture have appeared on the doors of the Deansgate restaurant
One other diner commented: “That’s been open forever.” Another wrote: “Although I’ve not been in for ages I’m still sad, the Peter st one was where we all gathered post clubs in the 80’s …but both the restaurant & takeaway remained excellent even all these years later when they moved up to Deansgate..”
According to its website, Topkapi is ‘one of Manchester’s most successful and tastiest restaurants and takeaways’, with its menu – curated by head chef Seref Dursun – featuring the likes of gyros and kebabs, as well as the likes of mussaka, marinated meats, and baklava. It also hosted a popular lunchtime and evening two-course set menu.
However, despite the signs appearing on the venue, the owners of Topkapi have still been sharing posts on social media of the restaurant and its separate takeaway, which is on Bootle Street behind the restaurant. One post two weeks ago wrote: “What’s your late night guilty pleasure? Ours has to be the classic chips, cheese & curry sauce. Come visit us on Bootle Street and make your late night food dreams come true.”
The shutters are also down on the takeaway on Bootle Street
The post was met with an influx of messages from people asking what was happening to the venue. One person commented: “Went to the restaurant today and it was closed with notices on it! What’s going on??? Love the place.” Another said: “Are both places now closed?” The takeaway is currently not accepting orders via Deliveroo.
The M.E.N has attempted to contact Topkapi’s owners and the Wilson & Roe enforcement officers for more information.