Flying Carpet Turkish Café — A Near Southside Fort Worth Hidden Gem Bringing Authentic Istanbul Cuisine, Handmade Bread, and Ottoman Hospitality to a Charming 1909 Wooden Bungalow on Washington Avenue
There is no restaurant quite like Flying Carpet Turkish Café anywhere else in Fort Worth. Nestled in a cozy and captivating ambiance reminiscent of traditional Turkish homes, Flying Carpet invites diners to indulge in the culinary wonders of authentic Turkish cuisine — delectable kebabs, mezzes, and classic dishes where each bite transports you to the vibrant streets of Turkey. The restaurant occupies a log cabin-style 1909 wooden bungalow on the Near Southside, just off Magnolia Avenue, giving it a distinctly different and more authentic vibe than anywhere else in the city. Under the direction of hands-on chef and manager Can Karatas, several of the servers and cooks are Turkish themselves, and the warmth of that genuine hospitality is something every first-time visitor immediately notices.
The appetizer selection alone is worth the visit — falafel, pan-fried calf’s liver, stuffed ground lamb, spinach pie, and feta cigars are just some of the delights awaiting, alongside immaculately fresh dolma wrapped in tender grape leaves and a babaganoush presented as a creamy mound of roasted eggplant with tahini, garlic, and yogurt holding a pool of olive oil. Beyond Mediterranean staples, the menu features Turkish specialties like Sultan’s Delight — cubed and sautéed lamb with eggplant served over rice — and a moussaka layered with ground lamb, beef, eggplant, and béchamel. Whole branzini, red snapper, and salmon round out an expanded seafood section. The hummus is served with thick, warm Turkish handmade bread baked fresh daily in-house — and the stuffed cabbage, a recipe straight from Chef Karatas’s mother, is as comforting as it gets. For dessert, the Flying Carpet offers three varieties of baklava, the syrup-soaked ekmek kadayifi bread pudding, and the sweet crunchy cheese pastry known as künefe.
The Flying Carpet now holds a wine and beer license and has expanded its outdoor patio, with hookah service on the patio coming soon. The café is located at 1223 Washington Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 9pm, closed Sundays. Reservations are available online or by phone, and catering is offered for events of all sizes. Flying Carpet has been recognized as a Michelin Guide candidate — a distinction that speaks to just how special this Near Southside gem truly is. Find more of Fort Worth’s most unique and beloved dining spots in the Fort Worth restaurant guide on Selling the Fort.
