Mirra is a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant in the centre of Colchester, Essex. Located at 98 High Street, just a short walk from Colchester Castle, the restaurant provides traditional Turkish food in a modern and relaxed setting.
Mirra has been serving customers since 2016 and has built its business around authentic Turkish recipes, freshly prepared food and friendly service. Its menu includes meze, grilled meats, seafood, vegetarian dishes, desserts and a selection of drinks, making it suitable for everything from a casual lunch to a family meal or special celebration.
What does Mirra do?
At its heart, Mirra is a Turkish Mediterranean restaurant. Its main business is preparing and serving Turkish food for customers who dine in the restaurant, while the business also provides takeaway options.
The restaurant describes its food as authentic Turkish cuisine, using recipes that have been passed down through generations. Its menu combines traditional Turkish cooking with a modern restaurant setting.
This means customers can expect a broad selection of dishes rather than a menu focused on just one type of food. There are small dishes to share, grilled meats, seafood, vegetarian meals, desserts and drinks.
The restaurant is also designed to provide an experience as well as food. Mirra says that its staff aim to offer a high standard of service while remaining friendly and welcoming to customers.
Traditional Turkish food
Traditional Turkish cooking is at the centre of Mirra’s business.
The restaurant’s menu includes a variety of dishes inspired by the food of Turkey. Turkish cuisine is known for its use of fresh vegetables, herbs, spices, grilled meats, yoghurt, bread and other ingredients that create dishes with plenty of flavour.
Mirra’s menu reflects this variety. Customers can start with meze and smaller dishes before moving on to a main course, or choose a selection of dishes to share with friends and family.
The restaurant’s approach is based on recipes from Turkey rather than simply offering British versions of Turkish food. Mirra says that many of its recipes have been handed down through generations.
Meze and sharing dishes
Meze is an important part of Turkish dining and is one of the features of Mirra’s menu.
Meze consists of smaller dishes that can be enjoyed before a main course or shared between several people. At Mirra, customers can find options such as hummus, cacik and other Mediterranean-style dishes, served alongside homemade pide bread.
This style of dining can make Mirra particularly suitable for groups. Rather than everyone ordering just one dish, diners can choose several different items and share them around the table.
It also gives customers who are new to Turkish food a chance to try several flavours in one meal.
Grilled meats
Grilled food is another major part of the restaurant’s offering.
Mirra serves a range of grilled meats, with the restaurant describing its meats as being marinated and prepared to bring out their flavour. These dishes can be served with rice, salad and other traditional accompaniments.
Grilling is an important part of Turkish cuisine. It allows the flavour of the meat and its marinade to remain central to the dish while adding the smoky taste associated with cooking over a grill.
For customers looking for a filling main meal, the grilled dishes provide an alternative to the smaller meze plates.
Seafood dishes
Mirra also caters for people who prefer seafood.
Its menu includes dishes such as calamari and grilled fish. These are prepared using Mediterranean influences, fitting with the restaurant’s wider Turkish and Mediterranean style.
Having both meat and seafood on the menu means that the restaurant can appeal to a wider range of customers. It also adds variety for regular customers who may want to try something different on each visit.
Vegetarian and vegan choices
Mirra does not focus only on meat.
The restaurant offers vegetarian dishes, including vegetable-based meals and falafel. Its website also highlights vegetable stews and other Mediterranean-inspired options.
Current restaurant information also lists vegetarian-friendly and vegan options, as well as gluten-free choices. Visit Colchester states that the restaurant provides gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian dishes.
This makes Mirra suitable for groups where people have different dietary preferences.
Anyone with a serious allergy or specific dietary requirement should speak directly with the restaurant before ordering, as ingredients and preparation methods can change.
Turkish desserts
Dessert is another part of the Mirra experience.
The restaurant’s menu includes traditional sweet dishes such as baklava and rice pudding. Its rice pudding is described as being flavoured with rosewater, while its baklava combines pastry with honey and nuts.
These desserts provide a traditional Turkish finish to a meal and offer something different from the more familiar cakes and puddings commonly found in British restaurants.
A full drinks menu and bar
Mirra also operates a full bar.
The restaurant offers wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks and cocktails. Its website highlights a cocktail menu, with drinks prepared by its bar team using a range of spirits and ingredients. Mocktails are also available for customers who do not want alcohol.
Traditional Turkish tea and coffee are also available, giving customers the option of ending their meal with a hot drink.
This broad drinks selection means Mirra can work as more than somewhere to have dinner. Customers can also visit for drinks, a lighter meal or a social evening.
A modern restaurant in central Colchester
Mirra is located at 98 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TH, around a short walk from Colchester Castle.
Its location makes it convenient for people visiting Colchester town centre. Customers can combine a meal at Mirra with shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the castle.
Inside, the restaurant has been designed to combine modern décor with Mediterranean influences. The business describes the setting as comfortable and stylish, with an atmosphere intended to suit both relaxed meals and celebrations.
Space for parties and private events
One of the more notable features of Mirra is the amount of space available inside the restaurant.
The main downstairs dining area can seat up to 50 people. The upstairs area can accommodate up to 110 people and can be separated from the main dining room.
This gives Mirra the ability to host larger groups and private functions.
The upstairs space can be used for events such as birthday celebrations, intimate parties and other private gatherings. Both main areas are air conditioned, helping to make the restaurant suitable for larger events throughout the year.
For a business such as Mirra, this provides an additional service beyond normal restaurant dining. Customers can use the venue for an occasion while having food and drinks provided by the restaurant.
A restaurant for families, couples and groups
The range of food and the size of the premises mean that Mirra can cater for different types of customers.
A couple might visit for an evening meal and cocktails, while families can enjoy a selection of traditional Turkish dishes. Larger groups can share meze and grilled food, while private parties can make use of the upstairs dining area.
The restaurant also offers lunch and evening dining, with takeaway available for customers who would rather enjoy its food elsewhere. Restaurant listings also show that Mirra accepts reservations.
Focus on customer service
Service is another important part of Mirra’s business.
The restaurant says its staff have high professional standards while also aiming to be friendly and welcoming. The team is intended to help customers from the moment they arrive until the end of their visit.
This is particularly important for customers who may not have tried Turkish food before. Staff can help explain the menu and give customers an idea of which dishes might suit them.
Mirra’s customer reviews also regularly mention the food, service and atmosphere. Tripadvisor currently lists the restaurant with a 4.5 out of 5 rating from more than 800 reviews, although individual customer experiences naturally vary.
Food safety
Mirra Restaurant Ltd is also listed by the Food Standards Agency as a restaurant, café or canteen at 98 High Street.
The most recent inspection shown in the official listing took place on 28 August 2024. The inspection recorded “Good” standards for hygienic food handling, cleanliness and the condition of the facilities, and management of food safety.
The information provides an official indication of the restaurant’s food safety standards at the time of that inspection.
What makes Mirra different?
There are several features that help define Mirra as a business.
Authentic Turkish food: Mirra focuses on Turkish recipes and says that many of its dishes are based on recipes passed down through generations.
Wide menu: Customers can choose from meze, grilled meats, seafood, vegetarian dishes, desserts and drinks.
Mediterranean influence: Alongside Turkish cooking, the restaurant uses wider Mediterranean flavours and ingredients.
Central location: Its High Street premises are close to Colchester Castle and the town centre.
Large event space: The upstairs dining room can accommodate up to 110 people and can be used for private events.
Drinks and cocktails: Mirra has a full bar offering cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks.
Dietary choice: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available, with dairy-free choices also highlighted by Visit Colchester.
Dine-in and takeaway: Customers can enjoy meals in the restaurant or order food to take away.
Overall
Mirra is a Turkish Mediterranean restaurant that has been operating in Colchester since 2016. Its business is centred on traditional Turkish food, with a menu covering everything from meze and homemade bread to grilled meats, seafood, vegetarian dishes and Turkish desserts.
The restaurant also provides a full bar, cocktails and traditional Turkish drinks, while its spacious premises allow it to host larger groups and private celebrations.
Its location on Colchester High Street, close to Colchester Castle, makes it an accessible option for both local residents and visitors to the city. The combination of traditional Turkish recipes, a modern setting, a broad menu and space for events gives Mirra a role that goes beyond simply serving meals.
For anyone interested in Turkish and Mediterranean food in Colchester, Mirra offers a dining experience built around traditional flavours, sharing food, grilled dishes and a relaxed restaurant atmosphere.
Mirra Restaurant
98 High Street
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1TH
Telephone: 01206 546 933
