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    ABA Turkish Restaurant

    4.1 (671 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    ABA TURKISH RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - ABA Turkish Restaurant

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    Turkish Tea
    Tess A.

    We were at Columbus Circle and looking for a late dinner when we came across ABA, and we are glad we did! The service was wonderful, there were a few large groups inside and lots of tables. I ordered hummus and my partner ordered the chicken adana kebab. Everything was delicious. The bread and oil with spices here is also really good. The plates and bowls here are very colorful and beautiful to look at. After dinner we had some Turkish tea, always a favorite. There are multiple vegan and vegetarian options here and I would love to try more of their offerings!

    vegetable soup
    Robert C.

    Came here for dinner May 17, 2023. Huge place, floor to ceiling glass windows, spacious area with dozens of indoor tables. Great ambiance. Fresh out of the oven cooked bread with dipping oil. $26 Lamb adana kebab came with dirty rice, two rolls of well done minced lamb, along with a salad of lettuce, lots of raw onions and red cabbage. The lamb tasted a lot like beef, as the tastes are similar for well done meat. Raw onions went well with the lamb and rice. Next time save a few bucks and get the beef or chicken adana kebab. $29 musakaa came with rice, and minced beef inside layer of melted cheese. Very tasty and one of the best musakaa I've tasted. Came back next time Sept 20, 2023. Both of us had the $21.95 luncheon special, which comes with bread, appetizer and entree with brown rice. I had the shepherd's salad, and heated bread with my main entree, the three Turkish meatballs. Tasty with exotic tasting spices in the meatballs. Wife's vegetable casserole of cucumbers, bell peppers is served cold. Large appetizer dish of eggplant with tomato sauce included potatoes, carrots, onions, green beans. Would you come back for the Monday through Thursday same luncheon special offers served for dinner with larger entree servings, dessert and Turkish tea at $36.95? I'll stick to the dinner entrees alone.

    Doner
    Anna L.

    The food here is good but a tad on the pricey side. Each plate comes with rice, grilled vegetables and pickled cabbage. They also provide a nice soft and crusty bread. It goes great with their tomato sauce. I had the lamb doner and chicken adana. The rice was delicious and flavorful. Both meats were good but the chicken adana was more flavorful and succulent.

    The menus, displayed outside
    Tom B.

    I really enjoy Mediterranean food, Greek, Turkish, whatever. This place is a gem of a very good Turkish cuisine place to eat. It's not big, and it has a good amount of outdoor seating. The menu is quite broad and varied. I selected the cabbage rolls, and they were delicious with a tomato and drizzle of white sauce on top, filled with lamb. They were a bit bland and could have been spiced more, yet I enjoyed it nonetheless. One of my dining partners had the lamb chops, and they looked incredible, easily a good order. Another had the Turkish meatballs that also looked delectable. We shared a dessert, and unfortunately, I didn't catch the name, but it was like a white pudding with nuts. It also was very good. Service was top-notch and very accommodating. They are professionals who care about the food, service, and ambiance. As we were dining with friends, I didn't want to appear rude and take lots or photos. I highly recommend this restaurant.

    Spinach Borek ($9.95)
    Sandy D.

    I never had Turkish food before, this was a fantastic intro! The restaurant was very roomy. The wordy menu left us to our imagination, but luckily there were Yelp photos! The Eggplant Salad ($9.95) is a must try! It came with bread and olive oil, and combined together, a delicious delight that got me quite full on it alone! The Spinach Borek ($9.95) came recommended on Yelp, and while it tasted great, I wasn't expecting how fragile the bead was. The feta cheese being heavy also didn't help. The entrees took a bit to come, but it was well worth, especially for their Chicken Shish Kebab ($23.95). I thought the chicken breasts would be dry from the looks of it, but they must have been prepping the chicken good in there! It was so juicy! The Lamb Adana Kebab ($25.95) was also pretty good. The lamb had great flavor! Both dishes came with the same base of rice, lettuce, and red cabbage. I gotta try more Turkish cuisines after this!

    Sabina H.

    My husband and I love this place. We're hardcore fans of Turkish food and this is by far, the best in Manhattan. Service is great too, staff are always friendly and greet us by our first names. Recent upgrades include a revamp of the interior with beautifully colored blue and tan colored chairs lending a classier dining experience to an already stellar experience. Deffo try this place if you love authentic Turkish food!

    Corliss K.

    Great casual sit down restaurant for large groups. There's a lot to share with an extensive menu. Our group was absolutely starving when we came in and we left stuffed to the brim. We heard really great things about this restaurant and it did not fall short of its expectations. I think if you're searching for no frills Turkish food, this is a great place to come to. There are some items that are extremely tasting that I've listed below: - Stuffed Grape Leaves - Eggplant Salad - Spinach Borek - Lamb Adana Kebab - Baklava Pistachio - Turkish Custard

    Turkish Tea
    Farrah A.

    We feasted, y'all. We popped in (no rezzie) for a very late lunch on a Friday afternoon. Thankfully, they were able to immediately accommodate our group of three. The restaurant is extremely cozy, and they do have a spacious patio for the al fresco diners. We started off with bread and olive oil, grape leaves, and lentil balls (more like lentil patties). The beau had the Sultan's Delight (chunks of lamb or chicken in tomato sauce over eggplant puree), while I opted for the chicken shish kebab. But we didn't stop there! You can't dine at a Turkish restaurant on a chilly day without ordering a few cups of Turkish tea and Turkish coffee, along with walnut baklava, kazandibi (turkish custard). But my favorite dish out of this entire experience was the börek (spinach and feta in filo). It came highly recommended in a lot of their Yelp reviews, and I'm so glad we ordered it. Afiyet olsun! (may you have an appetite)

    Bread
    Lulu T.

    Seasoned with herbs and aromatics. Not overly seasoned, good grade of meat, rice is bit sticky but great flavor. The bread was made in house, crispy on the outside fluffy and chewy on the inside. Overall a great place to get your dose of Turkish food. Ordered through Ubereats

    Chicken Salad

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    7 months ago

    Food service & ambience all fantastic! We love the liver appetizer & LambShank Dinner.

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    10 months ago

    Phenomenal menu and great service. Prices are a little high so I don't stop by as much as I'd like to! But always worth it after payday!

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    11 months ago

    Upsetting Turkish spot with creative dishes on the menu that don't deliver in flavor or quantity. $30 a person. 2.5/5 stars as a lunch spot.

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    1 year ago

    Great Turkish food. Really enjoyed it. Unpretentious setting, great for a weeknight meal.

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    Page 1 of 17

    ABA Turkish Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - ABA Turkish Restaurant

    May we bring our own wine?

    Yes, No corkage fee if you bring your own bottles

    Are all the meats in this restaurant- chicken, lamb and beef hand-slaughtered halal according to Islamic Sharia?

    ABA states that all meat it serves is zabiha. Any specifics beyond that you'd have to ask the restaurant.

    Is this restaurant BYOB?

    Yes

    View All 5 Questions

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    Au Za'atar - Midtown East

    Au Za'atar - Midtown East

    4.5
    (590 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Didn't have a reservation, but was able to get a table for a party of two on a Friday evening. It…read moredid get more busy as the evening went on so making a reservation is recommended. There's so many options (vegetarian, meat) - something for everyone on the menu. Our hostess was also very nice as she also provided some recommendations since this was my first time being here. The food portion sizes (even the dips) are huge. There was also unlimited pita bread for the table. Would definitely come back next time to try other items on the menu.

    I genuinely wanted to like Au Za'atar, which made this experience even more disappointing. During…read moreour brunch visit for 3 on May 9th 2026, I experienced the first significant allergic dining reaction of my life. Rather than immediately posting a public review, I contacted management privately because I believed they deserved the opportunity to address the situation professionaly. Their initial response was that they would review the incident internally. After I followed up, they specifically offered to send me a complete ingredient list for everything we ordered so I could review it with my healthcare provider. I accepted that offer but, the ingredient list was never sent. Months later, there has still been no meaningful follow-up. My frustration isn't about demanding compensation or proving what caused the reaction. It's about customer care and accountability. Making promises that are never fulfilled leaves the impression that guest concerns only matter until the bill is paid. Once our $471 tab was settled, the commitment to help simply disappeared. The food and atmosphere may attract people, but how a restaurant responds when something goes wrong is what defines its hospitality. Unfortunately, based on my experience, the follow-through did not match the promises made, and I can't recommend a restaurant that handled a serious guest safety concern this way. Its NYC, 1000s of restaurants will charge less serve higher quality ingredients and treat you with greater hospitality, and this place is located in midtown east.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Mezze tower (3)
    Mezze tower (3)
    Frozen Mint Lemonada (~$14)

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    Hummus Kitchen

    Hummus Kitchen

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Caters to Vegans! They ran out of the seitans, but the hummus taco was fantastic! Loved their…read morehomemade spicy sauce. Service was great! I'll be back!

    Have been here a few times now for both lunch and dinner (weekends and weekdays) and the food and…read moreservice is always great. I first went to Hummus Kitchen at their UES location, but this one is equally wonderful. The space is on the smaller side (a bit narrow) and they have indoor seating for around 20-25 people. I recommend making a reservation in advance. The servers are friendly, attentive and the food comes out fairly quickly. As the name implies, the hummus here is excellent as is the thick pita it comes with (they have regular and whole wheat). If you haven't been before, get "the hummus kitchen" as it has 4 different types of hummus you can try. The mazze are also tasty, my favorite would have to be the grape leaves, but the falafel, cauliflower and babaghanoush are also extremely delicious (you can order any 3 for $28 and it comes with pita). For entrees, I highly highly recommend the chicken shawarma tacos (2 per serving) followed by the open arais tacos (also 2 per serving) and the Mediterranean red chicken (in that order). If you don't go with the shawarma tacos or want less bread, then the shawarma platter is also a good choice. The chicken shawarma tacos here are simply incredible, they serve them in their warm fluffy pita, sliced in half, open and fill the inside with chicken, onions and whatever else makes is so ridiculously addictive. This thing is bursting with flavor, it has to be the best chicken shawarma I have had in NYC. The tacos also come with a small side of hummus and babaghanoush along with pickles and some tomato salad. The portions are what you would expect as are the prices. Really a delicious spot if you are in the area or want a great/quick meal before or after a show.

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    Yummy Israeli Food
    The amazing hummus with veggies
    The amazing hummus with veggies
    Hummus Kitchen

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    Miriam

    Miriam

    4.0
    (344 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    We went to the UES location on our way to the Roosevelt Island air tram. We chose it based on…read moretrusted Yelp reviews when searching for options in the area. We were surprised by how lovely the space is since its tucked away in the middle of the block, at the garden level. It really is delightful. It's nicely lit, with soft white lighting reflecting off its intentionally placed mirrors along the walls, which together make the space feel bigger than it is. Service was quick and attentive, and the food was delicious. I look forward to trying the UWS location, which is more convenient for me.

    Dreamy hummus on the UWS? Yes, please!…read more I was on a long walk from Midtown when I realized I needed food immediately. I consulted Yelp Assistant for vegan options in the area, and up popped Miriam with a plethora of Mediterranean small plates and I was sold. Since it was a Friday evening, I knew I was taking a chance without a reservation and the place was pretty packed, but there was a small table on the patio available. Since it was a chilly night, the cover was up and I'm sure it's more atmospheric (to match the cute interior) in more agreeable weather, but no matter here because once I tasted that hummus and warm, fresh pita, I really could've been sitting on a curb for all I cared. There's a lot of good hummus to be had in this world, and Miriam's ranks as one of the best I've had. Service was perfection and their wines by the glass are wonderful. I was a bit bummed that I had to make it a quick visit, but I expect that if and when I'm back in this part of town, I will gladly return.

    Photos
    Interior of restaurant
    Interior of restaurant
    Lamb Shawarma
    Lamb Shawarma
    Burekas, shawarma, and latkes.

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    Burekas, shawarma, and latkes.
    A La Turka

    A La Turka

    3.5
    (585 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Following our Middle Eastern streak, my husband and I came to A La Turka, lured by, you guessed it,…read moretheir $45 Restaurant Week menu. The food was phenomenal, and there wasn't a single bite that we didn't enjoy. We began our meal with two appetizers, the eggplant shakshouka and the sauteed shrimp. While I preferred the eggplant for its taste, I was surprised by the small portion and the lack of egg. Isn't shakshouka known for its signature fried egg, nestled in a bed of tomatoes and peppers? I could be wrong. Nonetheless, it was delicious, and the accompanying loaf was wonderfully soft and flavored with garlic oil. It was the best table bread I've ever had. For our mains, we ordered lamb chops and adana kebab. Both were so delicious and huge! I'm often leery of lamb for its gaminess, but this one wasn't gamey at all. Rather, it had a slight funk, much like a well aged cheese. It was delicious, and the sear on that tender meat added a nice smokiness. The kebab was well seasoned and it, too, had a nice, moderate sear. For dessert, there was only one option, the baklava, and it was everything a baklava ought to be: generously soaked in syrup, the filo dough flaky, with layers of crunch from the chopped pistachios. I loved everything at A La Turka, and if I ever wanted Middle Eastern food again (which I often do these days), I'll come here!

    Rushed service to the max--from the time you walk in to the time you leave. Every course is on top…read moreof the one before it. The service surrounding each course was problematic. The second you sit down, you're asked for your drink order. They bring you a name brand bottle of water instead of offering tap water, which of course goes on the bill. When our waiter removed the appetizer plates, he said our entrees would be out in 5 minutes. We had 2 healthy sized appetizers so I said, we need a little more time. Can you push it out by an extra 5 minutes? And they did. But, as soon as you're done with the entree, a different waiter shows you a dessert plate. I said we needed a little time to decide. She comes back in literally under a minute. I said, you were just here, we need a minute to decide. My companion and I decided on a dessert to share, but less than 2 minutes later, the check arrives by someone else. Case closed! Food was excellent so I gave this restaurant a 3 star, but the extremely rushed service made for a very uncomfortable experience. I've been to this restaurant a number of times and I've recommended it. But it's generally the same feeling each time. This was the worst in terms of rushed service. I had a 6:30 pm reservation on a Saturday night and the place was packed when we left. I guess they don't have to worry about my review. But, I'll never go back.

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