Livane Cağ Kebap YDA

Livane Cağ Kebap YDA is a specialized traditional dining destination situated within the Yenimahalle district of Ankara, dedicated to serving authentic Artvin-style cağ kebab prepared over an open wood fire. The brand originally commenced its culinary journey in May 2014, launching its flagship venue at Demirciler Sitesi along the Samsun highway, located directly opposite Ankara Siteler. Guided by its founding motto—"2014'ten bu yana Artvin usulü geleneksel Cağ Kebap'ın Ankara'daki adresi"—the kitchen built a dedicated following by preparing its dishes strictly in accordance with time-honored Artvin regional traditions, relying exclusively on high-quality meat sourced from Balıkesir curly lamb (Balıkesir kıvırcık kuzusu). Building upon the success of its original location, Livane Cağ Kebap expanded its reach in March 2023 by opening this second branch within the contemporary YDA Park Avenue complex in Yenimahalle. With the launch of this YDA branch, the establishment expanded beyond its renowned horizontal spit rotisserie meats to introduce an extensive selection of stone-oven baked Turkish flatbreads (pideler), crispy lahmacun, and complementary Anatolian dishes. Today, this Yenimahalle establishment draws food enthusiasts who appreciate regional culinary heritage, premium lamb cuts free from artificial marinades, and an accommodating service schedule that caters to both midday diners and late-night patrons. Whether visiting for an authentic skewer sliced straight from the embers or ordering a family spread, guests discover an uncompromised commitment to regional craftsmanship.

Cuisine and Menu

The gastronomic focus at Livane Cağ Kebap YDA centers on Artvin's heritage methods, strictly avoiding processed sauces, chemical tenderizers, or artificial additives. The meat is sourced exclusively from Balıkesir curly lamb, marinated with elemental seasonings, threaded onto substantial horizontal spits, and slowly roasted alongside a fragrant wood fire. Guests can order traditional single-skewer servings or plated cuts according to their preferred weight. The single skewer Cağ Kebap (Tek Şiş) is priced at 330 ₺ for table dining (310 ₺ for takeout, approximately 380 kcal). Portioned cağ döner options range from a 100-gram plate at 395 ₺ (375 ₺ takeout, ~220 kcal) to the chef-recommended 200-gram serving at 755 ₺ (725 ₺ takeout, ~440 kcal), extending up to a communal 1 kg Cağ Döner platter at 3,550 ₺ (3,450 ₺ takeout, ~2,200 kcal). For handheld dining, bread-wrapped options (Ekmek Arası Cağ Döner) are offered in various sizes, including the signature 150-gram sandwich priced at 575 ₺ (550 ₺ takeout, ~330 kcal).

Beyond rotisserie meats, the kitchen operates a dedicated stone oven that bakes classic flatbreads served alongside five complimentary meze varieties. Top sellers include the paper-thin Lahmacun at 195 ₺ (~190 kcal), the hearty Karışık Pide combining minced meat, cubed beef, and kashar cheese at 390 ₺ (370 ₺ takeout, ~620 kcal), and the house signature Livane Special Pide at 495 ₺ (475 ₺ takeout, ~680 kcal). Starters feature comforting soups such as Mercimek Çorbası topped with sizzled butter and dried mint for 175 ₺ (~160 kcal) and Karışık Çorba for 250 ₺ (~200 kcal), complemented by a fresh Çoban Salata for 150 ₺. For dessert, the kitchen prepares classic Hamsiköy Sütlaç (250 ₺, ~270 kcal) and Kadayıf Dolması (220 ₺, ~320 kcal) entirely in-house, while its Künefe (250 ₺, ~420 kcal) incorporates specialty cheese and ingredients brought directly from Hatay. Refreshment selections include regional staples like Eker Tombul Ayran (95 ₺), Beypazarı Sade Soda (50 ₺), and Ali Göde Şalgam (100 ₺).

Atmosphere and Who It Suits

Livane Cağ Kebap YDA presents a spacious, modern, welcoming, and thoroughly hygienic interior design that breaks away from typical cramped kebab houses. The open dining hall is organized with comfortable seating, ample natural illumination, and an orderly view toward the blazing wood fire and glowing stone oven, letting diners observe the masters slicing charred cuts from the horizontal spit in real time. In addition to the main indoor dining room, the restaurant features open-air outdoor seating that accommodates diners who prefer an al fresco setting during pleasant weather. The premises are thoughtfully planned with step-free, wheelchair-accessible access, ensuring effortless entry and mobility for visitors with disabilities or limited physical movement.

This versatile physical layout makes the venue well suited for several distinct dining demographics. Families dining with toddlers and small children will appreciate the availability of dedicated high chairs (mama sandalyesi), along with a diverse menu that easily accommodates varying appetites through nutrient-labeled, mild-flavored pides and soups. Office colleagues from nearby business clusters and visitors to neighborhood healthcare institutions regularly occupy the tables for organized midday lunches and informal corporate meals. Moreover, because the venue maintains operating hours until 03:00 from Monday through Saturday, it serves as a dependable sanctuary for late-night commuters, night-shift professionals, and social groups seeking hot, wholesome meals well after midnight. Whether stopping in for a quick solo skewer at the counter or organizing an extended multi-course family reunion across pushed-together tables, guests encounter an unpretentious, orderly setting centered around warm Turkish hospitality.

Location and Practical Details

Livane Cağ Kebap YDA is located in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara, with its exact branch address at Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Anadolu Blv 42/3. Situated directly along the busy Anadolu Boulevard corridor, the restaurant forms part of the street-level retail promenade of the YDA Park Avenue residential and lifestyle complex. The location offers straightforward connectivity for transit users and motorists alike: it is positioned approximately a 5-minute walk from the Macunköy Metro Station, providing convenient pedestrian access directly from the subway line. Furthermore, the venue sits in close proximity to notable landmarks such as Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital (Onkoloji Hastanesi) and the Podium Shopping Center (Podium AVM), making it an effortless dining stop when navigating northwestern Ankara.

Operating hours extend from Monday through Saturday between 11:00 and 03:00, while Sunday service runs from 11:00 to 22:30. In terms of service channels, the restaurant provides an active delivery service for customers located within a 13-kilometer radius, as well as a dedicated takeout counter featuring discounted "Gel Al" pricing across all kebabs and stone-oven pides. Guests dining on site can take advantage of complimentary wireless internet (Wi-Fi), and payments can be settled via major credit cards. While walk-in patrons are always welcomed, reserving a table is strongly recommended for weekend dinners when dining rooms experience peak occupancy. Table reservations are initiated through an online request form hosted on the restaurant's official website—capturing name, phone number, email, and special notes—after which restaurant staff reach out by telephone to confirm the booking. Direct phone inquiries and advance table arrangements can also be handled by calling (0312) 543 86 54.

The Mio Angle: As a Meeting Spot

On Mio, where community members share genuine dining recommendations and answer the recurring question of where to gather, Livane Cağ Kebap YDA stands out as a reliable response for authentic wood-fired kebabs in Yenimahalle. It solves common planning dilemmas by combining late-night operational hours—staying open until 03:00 on most nights—with ample floor space capable of accommodating large friend circles and extended family gatherings without feeling congested. The venue sits solidly within a moderate ("orta") pricing bracket, providing accessible options for diverse personal budgets. A diner seeking a budget-friendly lunch can enjoy a freshly baked Lahmacun for 195 ₺ or a 100-gram kebab wrap for 395 ₺, while social tables sharing a collective culinary experience can split a generous 1 kg Cağ Döner platter (3,550 ₺) complete with stone-oven flatbreads and five complimentary side mezes.

From a visual and content-sharing perspective, the restaurant supplies captivating focal points that translate naturally into engaging check-in updates and social media stories. Photogenic elements include the horizontal spit roasting over glowing wood embers, master carvers slicing glistening cuts of Balıkesir lamb directly onto skewers, and bubbling cheese-pulls from fresh stone-baked pides or authentic Hatay künefe. The venue's standing in local dining culture is further corroborated by external food roundups, as it is reported to be included among recommended stops in the curated "Ankara En İyi Cağ Kebap" guide. With transparent calorie counts displayed for health-conscious diners, smooth stroller and wheelchair access, and a short walk from the Macunköy metro stop, Mio members can confidently recommend Livane Cağ Kebap YDA for celebratory group feasts, unhurried weekend family meals, or casual late-night cravings.