Spending an extra week in Juba meant pretty much checking out everything this rather spartan city has to offer. One of these places was the best god damned Turkish restaurant in the city, namely Antakya Turkish Restaurant.
And it turns out there is a bit more to the place than just shawarma, with this three story beast also offering great desserts, as well as a kick ass rooftop bar. Beers with good company were indeed had.
Table of Contents
What the Antakya Turkish Restaurant Juba
Antakya is not some shiny franchise or imported mall joint. It was started by a small group with Turkish roots who saw Juba needed something better than the usual grills and greasy spoons. It has grown into a multi level hangout where locals, expats and UN types all end up rubbing shoulders over plates of charcoal grilled meat and strong coffee.
The vibe inside is solid, practical seating downstairs for proper meals, a laid back cafe style middle floor, and the rooftop bar where the city’s patchy skyline actually feels like a backdrop rather than just unfinished buildings.
The Antakya Turkish Restaurant first floor
This is the ground floor where the proper Turkish food gets knocked out. Everything is cooked open plan with meats on display and chefs turning spits and grills like they mean it. Using a realistic local cash rate of around 5500 to 6000 SSP per USD on the Juba streets, the prices work out roughly like so!
Chicken shawarma plate 30000 SSP 5.50 USD
Mixed kebab chicken and beef 36000 SSP 6.50 USD
Lamb chops 48000 SSP 8.50 USD
Rice and salad sides 12000 SSP 2 USD
Turkish bread 6000 SSP 1 USD
These are what you will feel paying in cash on the road.
The Sweets Floor
Up the stairs on the second floor is the dessert cafe level. It is not fancy but feels right. Wide wooden tables, locals chilling, strong coffee and sweets that hit the spot after all that barbeque.
Baklava slice 14000 SSP 2.50 USD
Kunefe 20000 SSP 3.50 USD
Turkish coffee 10000 SSP 1.80 USD
Assorted cakes 12000 SSP 2 USD
Nothing luxurious but proper desserts for a place like Juba.
The Antakya Bar
The third floor, the rooftop, is where most of the late afternoon and evening crowd ends up. You walk past a couple of private rooms that feel like KTV booths for small groups, then onto the open bar area.
From there you get something of a view over Juba’s scattered skyline, and beers flowing on a warm evening make it one of the better social spots in town. And on my night at least this was followed with ladies night at Yam.
Nighttime bar prices using the same local rate
Local beer 18000 SSP 3.25 USD
Cocktails 36000 SSP 6.50 USD
Soft drinks 8000 SSP 1.50 USD
I was there early evening so it was quiet, but the staff were pushing drinks in a friendly way. If they have salsa or a DJ set on the weekend I can see it getting properly alive
Overall
Juba is a spartan city with no shortage of dust, chaos and questionable grill stalls. But that is what makes a place like Antakya stand out. Good Turkish food that actually tastes like something deliberate, solid desserts and a rooftop bar that does not feel like a dud gamble. That is enough to recommend it in a city where dining choices are otherwise slim. You will not regret a stop here.
Antakya Turkish Restaurant Address
Antakya Turkish Restaurant
Nabari Road, Juba
South Sudan
Phone +211 927 946 999
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