What was really good: our server. She was super sweet, and I really enjoyed her service. The interior of this little spot has 2 sections--one off to the side as you come in with a counter of Turkish drinks and a few little tables, and a second room which has just tables in it. What was ho hum: my lamb-stuffed eggplant really didn't have any flavor to it. It came with ok rice pilaf. I liked the lentil soup I had, but it was pretty bland. I also had Alice's pudding which was like a cold soup with chocolate with coconut and walnuts. We were seated in the back of the dining area near the kitchen where there was an incessant beeping noise the ENTIRE time we ate which drove me crazy! Should I go back again, I would like to try Noah's pudding and the phyllo-wrapped yam with my meal as both of those looked good. read more

Excellent food! My family often goes to Turkey for vacations and we absolutely love the food, this place does an excellent job of capturing the flavor and hospitality. The menu selection was unique and we had a few delicious dishes that we haven't had before. We also had our 3 year old daughter with us and they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable dining with a young kid. read more

Ayse's Turkish Cafe - Lamb Shank - Turkish Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I used to go to Alyse's a couple times a year pre COVID and ventured back recently. The restaurant continues to have good ambience and is very clean. Was disappointed the cooler that held to go items now held beverages. We had the Cornish hen and stuffed pepper. Rice good but both the pepper and Cornish hen were under seasoned. Red lentil soup good but not outstanding. We both thought the prices were high for what we received. Prices are elevated everywhere but this just seemed too much. We might not have felt that way if a small portion of dips and pita were offered as well as a vegetable or some small salad were offered Felt sad when I left - I used to really like this place. read more

AUTHENTIC HIGH QUALITY HOME COOKING!! This place is so charming and honestly a hidden gem! My fiancé and I stopped in here while visiting Ann Arbor and he is from Turkey. He was missing his mothers cooking and this absolutely hit the spot. Their menu is always changing and includes Turkish comfort dishes. The woman they helped us was so sweet and explained everything on the menu in detail. Everything is amazing but get the tomato stewed green beans no matter what. They are life changing! read more

See all

Teşekkürler! This place always hits the spot when I'm back home and craving food that reminds me of my mom's cooking. Portions are on the smaller side for the price but they are always tasty and the owner is friendly and can make tweaks by request since she's so involved in the restaurant. Ample seating and very serene location on north campus at UMICH. read more

I decided to stop in after a nearby Dr's appt after seeing the pictures of the dishes.This is a quaint,simple spot in an unassuming strip mall. I was instantly seduced by all of the unique offerings which seemed to be authentic Turkish delicacies. It was tough to narrow down my choices, as everything looked amazing. I decided on:stewed greenbeans ,lamb stuffed eggplant ,house salad and Noah's pudding for dessert. The service was excellent and friendly.Everything was fabulous!I particularly appreciated how healthy everything was with the inclusion of whole grains in every dish, even the pudding! Irarely order dessert, but this may be the best one I've ever had. The mixture of grains,dried fruit, nuts and rose water was absolute perfection. I licked the bowl clean and longed for more. I will definitely return to try all of their other offerings. read more

See all

Friendly service and great wholesome food! Love stopping by here during lunch time, it's always very pleasant and comfortable :)

Food was boring and had very little flavor. It's family food not authentic Turk food. Need more ethnic flavor read more

Food was okay. $25 for a plate that didn't fill me up as a small girl was too much. Took my husband husband to get shawarma after because he was starving. Just not enough food and the meat portion was so small. read more

It was delish but really expensive. It was lunch, and it was a plate of eggplant and rice. $18. And we were supposed to get a choice of rice style. I choose plain rice, but the owner/cool decided for me that the other rice was more suitable. ??? Ok it was good, but she really should have mentioned that when I placed my order instead of surprising me. Perhaps they were out of the plain? Or it was just a mix up and she didn't want to own that? It was really good, but based on the cost I wouldn't go for a meal again. read more

See all

Delicious authentic Türkish food, from an authentic Türkish family! Ayşe and her staff are truly wonderful people, serving a variety of "home-cooked" meals and treats. Vegan friendly as well! You won't be disappointed with the flavors Dine in, or take out! read more

Very nice little place. The food was very tasty, the people here were very nice, the restaurant was charming. I started with the red lentil soup which was very good, my chicken with tomatoes and cinnamon was very tender, and the poppy seed cake was delicious. It was a huge amount of food and I left stuffed. The menu changes daily and the board had about 9-10 main dishes listed and each dish comes with soup or salad. read more

See all

I went here because of the reviews on here, and sorry to say, this is nothing like what is posted. First off they did not have what was on the menu or at least we would have had to wait a "long" time for it. Second, what we did get was bland not to flavorful small portions and mediocre at best. It was a lamb dish without a lot of lamb. Here is the real kicker...the prices are crazy stupid for what you get and this was just lunch. There are many other restaurants in this little complex I would try first read more

I have been going to Ayse's Cafe for over 20 years. Every time the food and service was excellent. Best home cooked style Turkish food around Ann Arbor. Portions are perfect size and fairly priced. I highly recommend this place read more

Really wanted to like this family-owned business but was very disappointed in the quality of the food. On the plus side, it's cute inside and the employees were very friendly. Unfortunately, my meal was not good. The spinach pie was undercooked and just OK. My salmon dish was over-cooked, and the piece of fish did not taste fresh (salmon should not taste "fishy"). I'm sorry for writing a negative review, but hopefully the owners will use this constructive feedback to improve. read more

Cute little Ann Arbor spot. We met Ayse herself who was adorable and very friendly to speak to. The food was good although I couldn't justify the price. The menu is written down and seems to change often so there's no point in mentioning the price of the dishes. Some of the food was halal though so for all my halal food people this is an option for you read more

Great food and service. It is quiet and friendly. Ause is almost always there and is really nice and friendly

I wish I lived closer. Due to covid, there were 2 tables to sit at and only offered outside dining, or carryout, also there seemed to be a more limited, vs the full menu, at lunch at least. All, fully understandable. The waiter was very nice and answered all questions. For us gluten free folks, they have quite a few choices. I had the lentil soup, lamb with chickpea, with white rice with carrots and peas. I did fond it needing salt, but, to me that is fine. Salt is something you can always add, but never take away! It is on the pricey end, $20, before top. But, the food was of great quality and sufficient quantity, so worth it! Very lovely lunch, and I will definitely be back when I am in the area! read more

Growing up in the Midwest, I have gone camping more times than I can count. One of my parents favorite go-to camping meals was Dinty Moore stew. The unforgettable smell and texture of that brand is ingrained in my mind from my childhood. Imagine my surprise when that is what I was served at Alyse's "Turkish" restaurant. For $23!! That's right this restaurant is serving canned and microwaved Dinty Moore stew! Not even a full can's worth either. I would estimate that it wasn't more than half a can that accompanied their extremely overcooked rice. They sell a 6 pack at Sam's Club for $10...just thought to let everyone know they can pick it up there and save themselves the sad and price-gouging experience of eating at this restaurant. Also, although I ordered a salad as my side. I was instead served a side of canned vegetable soup. My friend ordered a lamb meat pie that had no lamb flavor or spices and was a soggy mess.! For almost $40 we were served about $5 worth of canned and frozen/microwaved food. What an embarrassment! read more

The thought of trying out Turkish food for the first time is always a pleasant thought to have. Needless to say, I am always excited in trying out new things. So I got the chicken meatloaf plate with roasted tomato sauce and some Turkish coffee. The meals come with a lentil soup so that's always really nice. Umm, ok so the meal didn't taste bad but it wasn't anything special. It didn't seem like I really was experiencing a Turkish meal because it tasted like chicken and rice with a tomato sauce. Nothing extraordinary. Also, they seemed to only have the owner lady (extremely nice) doing all the cooking so the wait was relatively long. Please also note that you have to order up front before you sit. Now although the Turkish dish tasted average, the coffee did come in handy as it was made fresh and it was really strong. I loved it. The overall cost was $20 so little on higher end but nothing crazy. Would come back again possibly and try a different dish. read more

See all

Though I find her prices a wee bit high, there are other items on the menu that are reasonably priced like her vegetarian appetizers, stews, Boreks and soups. She knows how to cook and appreciate the effort each dish is spiced and made with love. read more

I discovered this place a few years back when working down the road. It is reasonable, friendly and always fresh. It is vegetarian and vegan friendly and the staff is always helpful and sweet. Hidden in a strip mall at the back, it is a hidden gem. I know nada about Turkish food but I know I like this. The menu is determined by what Ayse feels like making that day so it rotates. My fave items in here are the tabouleh and the fabu red lentil soup. I like the stuffed cabbages and stuffed peppers, she does some interesting little baked borek pastries with fun spices too. Of the meats I think lamb is a strong suit here, so I usually order something with lamb in it. I do really like the chicken and chickpeas though. You cannot go wrong with one of her veggie laden stews with rice. Specials are usually something different and good. She features several types of baklava. I like her crunchy burma with walnuts. It is always crisp, sweet and perfectly done. It is not cheap as you will overbuy wanting to try everything that looks good but it is fresh and quality. Definitely food you cannot get everywhere else. read more

I don't know what they do to the lentil soup, but it's the best I've had, spiced subtly different than lentil soups from the Middle Eastern restaurants I've been to. The Turkish tea was lovely as well. I also liked the vegetarian boreks, though, as other Yelpers have mentioned, they're presented cold in the deli case and appear to be warmed up in a microwave. I thought the food was a little pricey for what you got, and the service was just OK. It's also kind of inconvenient to be sitting with a date eating and having to get up and go to the counter each time you want to add something to your order. I don't think this place will be one of my favorite eateries, but I'd go back and try a few more dishes if I were on the north side of Ann Arbor again. read more

Was really excited to try a local Turkish place, but we paid 17.95 for the Zucchinni Musakka with beef, rice and lentil soup and I was shocked at how small the portions were for the price. I am always willing to pay more for quality and at local restaurants, but that was really disappointing. They currently only offer takeout, so maybe the portions on their inside dining are better. read more

Ayse's Turkish Cafe - Zucchini Musakka - Turkish Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hungry and wanting something new, I discovered this lovely place in my backyard. Not too far away from Cardamom (a fave Indian restaurant) as luck would have it. I haven't had Turkish food since leaving NYC, so the thought of it made me feel such nostalgia. I walked into the quaint cafe and a warm smile welcomed my entrance. I was informed that the menu changed daily hence the lack of paper menus to choose a meal from. I was directed to look up to a whiteboard and there written were the evening's choices to be made. I went with the chicken and chickpeas and with it I received a lentil soup, a salad, and a meat pastry. I'll be entirely honest, having gotten it for take-out, it didn't look like much food quantity-wise or aesthetically speaking. I have to say, however, I was very wrong. The salad was appreciated, the soup was delicious and just perfect and the chicken and chick peas were an added delight. As I am a lamb meat lover, the meat pastry was the perfect end to this meal and I only had half because I'm a nice wife and I like sharing (I ended up eating the other half later on, snooze lose sorta deal). I will be going back very soon. Although this meal was a little over $20, the happiness and delicious memories it brought to my belly are worth so much more. read more

Ayse's Turkish Cafe - The cafe side, as opposed to the sit-down restaurant side. - Turkish Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

See all

Unassuming is an understatement when describing Ayse's Cafe. Tucked in the back of a small shopping Plaza, Ayse's has been serving up home style Turkish dishes for more than two decades. And while the cafe's decor is plain and simple, the cuisine is dynamic and tastful. My Pepper Lamb Dolma was delicious. read more

See all

First time trying this restaurant and I'm an instant loyal customer. We got a variety of food to try. The lamb cauliflower stew was really flavorful and was served with rice. The olive salad had olives, walnuts, and a few little pomegranate pieces in it - so good maybe even my favorite. For dessert we got the pear compote which was pears cooked in a spiced syrup. We topped it off with a red wine - perfect combo. I'll definitely be getting food from here weekly! Plus the people who run it are incredibly nice. (Added bonus: they are great about food allergies/preferences) read more

100% positive experience. The waitstaff were all knowledgeable and extremely attentive. A lady in the back (possibly owner?) also chimed in with some explanations about various dishes while the host discussed the menu with us. One of our party is strictly gluten-free, which is something they accommodate very well here. The food was extremely tasty, and, contrary to other reviews, the portions were plenty large. I don't have a lot of exposure to Turkish food in general, so I can't wax pedantic as others have done about how authentic this is, but since it tastes good I'm not terribly concerned about that. FYI if I understand correctly, the menu changes from time to time, albeit with some of their core fare staying the same, so don't be surprised/upset if a favorite dish isn't available every time. read more

The food is pretty expensive for what you get. Maybe I had too high of expectations because a friend talked this place up immensely. He recommended the lamb-stuffed bell pepper. When I ordered that dish, it was served in a tomato, and it was not very flavorful. Tried to give the place another shot. Ordered the salmon, of which I was expecting great things, since they said they got the fish from Monohan's. Unfortunately, this dish was not the greatest -- overcooked and not super tasty. And expensive to boot. Haven't been when the place was very busy. read more

Stopped by for a quick bite and coffee. The house pudding with semolina and cocoa was incredible! The service was even better--very attentive, with beautiful presentation. read more

Ann Arbor institution. Love the food and the people. I've been going here for many, many years, and hopefully will continue that trend! I keep coming back for a reason. read more

Amazing environment! Incredible staff and an even more amazing owner. Ayse's Cafe has the best genuine Turkish cuisine you can get anywhere. It's a treat just being in such an adorable cafe. The food is delicious. Always welcoming and warm. I highly recommend! I'd take family and friends here if they ever asked about amazing homemade Turkish food with an environment that feels like home. read more

My husband and I stopped in for lunch and it was a treat from start to finish. The prices are great and service spectacular. Ayse ensured that everything was just right. We had the cornish hen and macaroni with beef (and yogurt) which came with soup or salad. The portions were perfect and the soups were especially delicious on a cold day. I suggest the red lentil but the tomato swiss chard was tasty too. To finish off a great meal, we each opted for the Turkish coffee, traditional and potent. And the chocolate almond torte was warmed and exceptional. It's light, has a fruity finish and the pomegranate seeds on top were a beautiful touch. I can't wait to go back for dinner one night and try their Turkish beer. Exceptional value, a real gem in Ann Arbor. read more

This is my first time eating at a Turkish restaurant, so I'm not familiar with Turkish food, but the meal I had at Ayse's was great. The food tasted like a home-made meal my mom would make (if she was from Turkey). We started our meal with an appetizer which was quiche-like with dill/leeks. I had the lamb in apricot sauce, and I also sampled the cornish hen and the eggplant/tomato/onion stew from other plates at the table. Everything was really good, along with the red lentil soup. All of our food came out quick and the staff was very friendly. Overall, a great meal. read more

I've been eating at Ayse's for many years and the quality of the food has always been delicious and consistent. The lentil soup is the best you'll find in Washtenaw County. The cold plates are unique and flavorful and are a great appetizer before your entree. The olive and pomegranate salad is so good I could eat it as meal! I really enjoy the lamb dishes, especially the lamb with apricots, it extremely tender and savory. They have a wide variety of options though and it changes daily but they have seafood, vegetarian and gluten free dishes as well. Everything is homemade and they purchase many of their ingredients locally. I wouldn't compare this place to a middle eastern restaurant because many of the dishes on the menu are not typical of such restaurants so its worth going in to see for yourself, you won't be disappointed. Ayse is also present everyday, greeting customers and preparing all of the meals. I have catered a few events over the past few years and have had nothing but compliments for the chef and will continue to host events with Ayse's cooking in the future. It's fresh, home made and healthy, what more could you ask for? read more

I come here about once a quarter and have never been disappointed. The food is pricier than say Applebee's, but the quality and taste is infinitely better than say Applebee's. Soooooo take the price of an Applebee's entree, multiply it by infinity, and you'll see that the cost isn't bad after all. Walk in the door, choose an entree off of the whiteboard, pick a side item from the case if you like, pick a drink, sit down and wait for the goodness. A little appetizer tray will be brought out as well. Choose the Red Lentil Balls. Eat your food. Pay your bill. Leave happy. read more

I had dinner here with my friend today because I wanted to try something new and Ayse's did not disappoint. I loved the homeliness of the atmosphere and the flavor of the food. Ayse and the servers were incredibly friendly. The location isn't very noticeable, but it's a hidden gem. My friend and I shared a hen and lamb. read more

Ayse's Turkish Cafe - Ayse's Kitchen. - Turkish Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

See all

The food here is delicious. Among so many Lebanese and other Middle Eastern options, Ayse's stands out for its Turkish flavors and specialties including salads, grilled meats, soups, and desserts. They also have great Turkish wine and soft drinks including sour cherry juice and fizzy lemon and apple. The service is college-student heavy so it can be hit or miss. But as long as Ayse herself is in the kitchen, the food will be great. Overall, Ayse's is casual and easy, but also nice enough (fresh flowers on the table, that wine) to feel special. read more

Great for lunch! The menu features around 10 entrees, which rotate and come with salad or other sides. In addition, there's a large selection of salads, pastries and other sides available a la carte. When I went for lunch, I had a bowl of the lentil soup and a spinach and feta borek. The food is very good, spiced a little more subtly than expected, and very rich. There seemed to be a steady stream of regulars, a testament to the Ayse's appeal. 10% discount for students, and given its location in a strip mall north of North Campus, you won't see too many other students. read more

This is a mixed review because I really liked some of the food, but it's not the environment I like to eat in. My visit this week was the first in a long, long time. Partly, because my palate 4 years ago wasn't accustomed to the blandness of some Turkish dishes (it's not you, it's me!) and partly because the of the awkwardness of ordering up front despite being a sit down restaurant. Fast forward Turkish friends, a trip to Istanbul later and a potluck where Ayse's was served, I have developed an admiration for the thoughtfulness in the flavor of Turkish cuisine. This week, I was in the area and so dropped by to order spinach borek, lentil salad, and cabbage stew to go. The borek was cold and wrapped in foil. I guess I could have asked for them to microwave it, but I was already on the road by then. Maybe it would have tasted better warm, but as it was, flavorless and limp cold. Luckily, the salads were better. The lentil salad was fresh and thoughtfully prepared with feta (?) sprinkled on top. If you are a fan of al dente lentils, you would enjoy this. The cabbage stew was very good, and nothing I've had anywhere else. It's served cold with a savory and slightly spicy flavor. The cabbage had a lovely texture that melts in your mouth. Between this, and a beet salad I've tried, I can see myself stopping if I was in the area to try other salads - but carryout only for me! Be forewarned: if you have a hard time deciding what you want and don't like standing in front of tables of eaters, look at their menu online in advance: (http://www.aysesturkishcafe.com/dine-in-menu.htm) read more