A new Turkish restaurant promising to be “the best taste in town” has launched in a Kent high street.

The Cinar Kitchen Meze Bar is now open in Sittingbourne and its owners are encouraging fans of Mediterranean cuisine to come and try their menu.

It has taken over the unit previously occupied by Italian eatery Amalfi, which shut after struggling to recover from the downturn in trade following Covid-19.

Owner Musa Kivrak told KentOnline at the time: "We found it hard to get new people in after the pandemic.

"We just couldn't get staff, and it was hard trying to get hospitality back."

But he hinted that he had sold the restaurant to people who would "bring a new taste" to the area.

Following the launch of Cinar Kitchen Meze Bar, a spokesman for the restaurant said: “The secret of the best taste is finally in Sittingbourne. Cinar opened its doors and all fans of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine in the area will be able to enjoy the tasty menu of chef Ahmet Usta.”

The traditional menu includes lamb and chicken shish, Adana kebab, ribs, lahmacun and Turkish pizza.

The spokesman continued: “Chef Usta’s family has a proud tradition of operating great restaurants over many generations.

“This long-standing excellence is evident in everything that is served.

“Our chef does a phenomenal job at creating unique dishes that utilize fresh local ingredients.”

The restaurant will also offer varied meze, lunch and dinner options that will be prepared fresh and daily on the premises.

The spokesman added: “The team at Cinar includes many young students from the local universities and friendly people who take an exam each month to maintain the level of customer experience required from the staff of the restaurant.”

Bookings can be made here.

Before being converted to a restaurant in 2007, the High Street building was a bank.

It was Martin’s Bank from 1889 to 1969 before becoming a Barclays for the following 10 years and then a Woolwich in the noughties.

It was originally part of the adjoining pub and hotel, The Lion Hotel, which has been in existence since at least 1415.