While its’ origins may be far flung, Gokyuzu continues a tradition of Turkish excellence and a welcoming atmosphere under the steady day-to-day leadership of Veysel and his dedicated team
Driven from their humble farming community in the Kahramanmaras region by conflict and poverty, the Yavuz family first came to London as asylum seekers in 1990 and settled in a small flat in Hornsey, North London with some assistance from relatives. Working their way in the textiles industry, the family were able to purchase a small shop in the Green Lanes area of N4 and launched the first Gokyuzu in 1999.
With no experience of managing a restaurant, the early days of the business were tough. Mum and Dad did most of the cooking, encouraged by an uncle with culinary skills. They soon developed their own style of preparation and high standards of service, with care and respect being shown to every visitor in the traditions of hospitality that are so native to the heartland of Turkey.
Veysel , the middle of three children started work as a cook in the restaurant at the age of 17 and quickly learned the importance of running an efficient business with a consistently high-level of service and quality. Taking over management of the restaurant in 2008, Veysel’s aim has been to establish Gokyuzu as both a great place to work and a great place to eat. He is passionate about the principle of never serving anything in the restaurant that he wouldn’t sit down and eat himself.
Almost 25 years of hard work has clearly paid dividends, with the restaurant now well-established as the leading Turkish dining experience in North East London.
