This was my first time trying Turkish coffee, and I absolutely loved it! For other first-time visitors, I recommend letting the coffee sit for about 30 seconds before taking a sip so the fine grounds can settle to the bottom. Also, don't stir it after it's served, as that will bring the grounds back up into the coffee. Be sure to leave the last sip or two in the cup, since that's where the grounds collect. The coffee itself was excellent, but I would recommend that servers explain these details to first-time customers or at least ask whether they've had Turkish coffee before. A little guidance would make the experience even better for newcomers. We also ordered the hummus as an appetizer, and it was fantastic. The naan was served warm, and the hummus tasted incredibly fresh and flavorful. It was the perfect way to start the meal. We also ordered The Bosphorus Special, a mixed grill platter featuring doner, kofte, chicken kebab, beef kebab, Adana kebab, and chicken Adana kebab, served with vegetables and white rice. Everything was absolutely delicious. The meats were cooked perfectly, tender, and packed with flavor. I'm so glad my significant other and I decided to share this entrée because the portion was very generous, and we still had plenty of leftovers to take home. While the service could have been a bit more attentive, it did not negatively impact our overall experience. After our food was served, our waitress did not check back to see how everything was or whether we needed anything additional. We also ended up with quite a few leftovers and requested to-go containers. Initially, only one small container was brought to the table, which required two additional follow-ups before we received enough containers for the remaining food. One suggestion I would offer is that, for tables ordering larger meals, it may be helpful for servers to proactively offer to box up leftovers as dishes are cleared. For just two people, our table became overcrowded rather quickly, especially with the generous portions. Since our waitress did not return after the food was served, it made managing the table and leftovers a little challenging. That said, we had a wonderful first experience overall. The food was outstanding, the portions were generous, and we look forward to coming back again in the future. read more

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Came for lunch and was pleased with their lunch special, the gyro meat had great flavor and I ordered the hummus as my side. The pita bread was the warmest, fluffiest, pita I've ever had. Would definitely order it again. I would've liked the baklava to have more honey on it so I'll be sure to ask if ordering it again. read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This was our first (but not last) time having Turkish food. We were pleased that they offered vegan and gluten free options due to our allergies. We ordered a guvec and Turkish delight. Both were delicious and well portioned. The guvec (veggie casserole) had eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, carrots, and other veggies plus rice and a small salad. The delight had carrots, eggplant, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, served on top of hummus and walnuts. The food was delivered quickly given the restaurant was full on a Friday night. Good thing we made reservations, which we will do again when we return. read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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There's no need to knock on wood, or throw salt over your shoulder, or spit three times when you're in Bosphorus. This is because the Evil Eye has your back here. There are dozens, nay hundreds, of Evil Eyes hanging up on every wall of this Turkish restaurant. It's one of those things that's so subtle that you don't notice right away, or at least I didn't. But then I did. And as I looked around me, all I saw were Evil Eyes. They are there, hanging about en masse, peering at everyone and protecting us all from bad luck and malevolent energy. Or the Evil Eyes could just be a kitschy decoration! Yes, that's probably it. Bosphorus is a little kooky -- at least the ambiance is. The restaurant is extremely small and looks like a house, from the inside and outside. This is a very intimate place to dine. For that reason, I would suggest making a reservation. I was dining with two people who had eaten here before, one of which is a vegetarian. Bosphorus has some great options for vegetarians, and if you include most of the appetizers, soups and salads, I would say more than half of the menu is vegetarian. The vegetarian person at my table got the Turkish Delight, which is sautéed carrots, red and green bell peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini and mushrooms, all on top of hummus with walnuts and raisins. It sounded a little strange to me, but I was told it was amazing and unlike anything he had ever tasted. Another person at my table got the Iskender, which is slices of doner (marinated lamb and beef) on top of grilled bread cubes, covered with tomato sauce and topped with yogurt. I got to taste a little bite, and it was great. The bread cubes were crispy yet soft from the tomato sauce. It was a nice, textural experience! I got the doner, which came with tzatziki, vegetables, salad and white rice. The meat was so tasty! I'm not usually a big lamb person, but this was great. What I forgot to mention is that we were served a big basket of pita for the table, so I used some of that pita to scoop up doner and tzatziki into little tacos. Every bite was delicious. I also got a glass of the Turkish red wine, which was nice and somewhere between dry and sweet. It went well with the doner. There isn't a parking lot here, so all parking is street parking. I feel like the Evil Eye was looking out for me tonight, because I managed to snag a coveted parking spot near the restaurant. Thank you, Evil Eye. read more

Authentic, fresh, and delicious. We were sat quickly and the service was fantastic the whole time. The menu was full of exciting options and offered a great lunch special. The interior was well decorated and a neat reprieve from the roads of downtown. read more

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Food was wonderful! The borek appetizer was delicious and the lamb Mediterranean I ordered was so good, definitely recommend. The tiramisu is...pretty much just vanilla cake with a thin chocolate sauce over top, not exactly what I'd call tiramisu. Next time, I'd try the baklava! Would definitely go back. The waiting room is cramped af and there wasn't really AC but the decor is really cool! read more

Large portion sizes. Cozy and clean restaurant. Staff was attentive and prompt with orders. read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Appetizer to share- huge - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The best Turkish food I have ever had in the states. Absolutely worth the wait. Waitstaff took good care of us even while super busy.

Went last night (Friday evening) and loved the eclectic look with all the evil eye protection around the interior. Had an 8pm reservation and only had to wait 20 min. We arrived at 7:58 pm. There were 2 waiters helping us, one was nice but the other made me feel as if my questions were irritating him. I also felt like he was rushing us. Ordered Turkish Tea, Hummus, Chicken Couscous and Sultan's Delight. The Pita bread that comes with the hummus was so good, soft and warm. The hummus was ok, I prefer more garlic. The chicken Couscous was so good. The Sultan's delight we brought home in a box because the lamb was tough and hard to chew. I am sure this is a one off experience. Other than the one waiter and the lamb, which it did have a great flavor, it was a wonderful experience. read more

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This former residence has long ago been transformer into an unique eatery. You can still see the former layout, but the rooms now all connect. The entire place is covered with the evil eye charms, so you should definitely be safe here. I highly recommend reservations because they sure get busy. And while the ambiance is great, you really cannot linger for long, as there are usually folks waiting to get a seat. The menu is quite extensive and offers plenty for carnivores and vegetarians alike. I opted for the Iskender, which is crisp pita bread pieces topped with meat slices, all of it doused in a savory tomato based sauce and topped with dollops of yoghurt. The bread has little crisp edges and together with the meat and toppings gives you like a mini sandwich in your mouth. Simply delicious. The Turkish spices bring a wonderful flavor to the dish. I highly recommend it. Hat to admit it, but I have not been too impressed with the tzaziki on previous visits. It was somewhat runny and bland, but I haven't had in a while. Street parking is limited, but in the summer there is a gravel lot on the side of the neighboring building. However when it snows, parking can be a bit of a problem, so be aware. read more

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Big shawarma wraps that were delicious! The staff were moderately friendly. The Turkish coffee was delicious and well presented. read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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My husband and I visited for our anniversary dinner and LOVED it! We made a reservation per review suggestions, and while it wasn't busy when we arrived, it did start to fill up as we enjoyed our dinner. The service was friendly and helpful and we could tell they have and recognize regulars, which is always a good sign. I also loved the decor--it made the space very warm and inviting. We ordered a LOT of food because so many things sounded good. We recieved warm pita to start and ordered borek, zucchini pancakes, and falafel as appetizers. The presentation was great and the taste was perfect. A couple of them were served with hummus on the plate too so that was like getting a little extra treat. :) For the main course we ordered the Bosphorus Special, which was a platter of multiple meats and some grilled veggies and rice. Everything was delicious! We enjoyed trying each of them and mixing with the yogurt sauce and hummus from our other plates. We of course had lots to take home as well, and it reheated great. We're definitely looking forward to coming back again! read more

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Solid, straightforward Turkish cuisine with really nice service. My quintet attempted to dine in on a Friday night without a reservation. That didn't work out too well for us. But we made a reservation for Saturday and were ready to eat! Warm, soft, fluffy pita bread greeted us at the table, and personally I thought my Chicken Bospherous entree with rice and salad was the perfect portion size. Had it not been summer hot, we would have considered dining on the patio, but this time we stayed inside in the cozy dining room. read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Chicken Bosphorus - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Truly blown away by how amazing this was! We placed a request for a reservation 30 minutes before heading over and we were not sure if we were accepted so decided to head over anyways. Lo and behold it was accepted and we were sat quickly! We had some of the Turkish wine that was light and sweet for a hot day. We also could not decide what to eat so we got the appetizer platter and the meat platter. Both were phenomenal! It was so much food that we had plenty left over. It was a lovely place that was decorated in many Turkish decor with many small tables. There is limited parking though read more

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This was an incredible dining experience. Reservations strongly recommended! It is a small house turned into a restaurant. The service was outstanding and the food was absolutely delicious. We were all very happy with our meals but if I return, I'll get the gyro plate. It was so good. My kebabs were perfectly cooked and seasoned and truly melted in your mouth. I loved the salad and vegetables on the side as well. We also loved the combination appetizer! We all had our own favorites but loved each item. Highly recommend! read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Beef Kebab - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I loved this place! The decorations were beautiful and made the place feel homey. The food was amazing, especially the chicken wrap and appetizer for 2. The food portions are huge, so be prepared to have leftovers. Everything was so flavorful and delicious. The service was amazing too with everyone super nice and welcoming. The only issue is parking is difficult with limited paid street parking nearby. Even though parking is difficult, I highly recommend eating here! read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Chicken Wrap - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The food here is really good (especially the chicken bosphorous) however the service was not as great as I was expecting. Our waiter was not very patient and did not tell us about anything on the menu when we asked. Additionally, they tried to charge extra for things we did not ask for. I will come back for the food again for sure, but just wish that the service was a little better. It's a very small restaurant with a nice quiet ambience. read more

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Wow. Just wow. This place has been on my "must try" list for years... why have I waited so long?! First impression: beautiful cozy Victorian house, absolutely filled with Turkish iconography, images, rugs, glazed pottery, even beautifully painted walls and ceiling -- it was like walking into a warm hug. There was so much to look at! The servers were courteous, pleasant, and on-the-ball -- neither too present nor too absent. Service was fast. Shout out to John for chatting even while busy! Food was... astonishing. We shared an appetizer sampler for two with five different dips, dolmas, and heaping baskets of hot, fresh pita -- everything was simply smashing, but the Turkish-style tabuli (with a wonderful roasted tomato base), the eggplant salsa, and the ezme (a roasted pepper puree) were absolute standouts, with such rich flavor I couldn't stop eating them. I got the shish kebab (tender marinated grilled lamb) entree, with lemony rice, tender roast veggies, and a simple salad. Despite all the grazing on the appetizer platter, I cleaned my plate. The seasonings and smoke on the lamb were drool-worthy. I couldn't resist a Turkish coffee, which was properly fierce and bitter and roasty and deeply satisfying. I haven't had its like in decades. His Hubbins got the lamb chops (came with the same sides as mine), which absolutely fell off the bone and melted in the mouth. Spectacular! Prices were quite decent, bathrooms (one his, one hers) were one-seaters and were very clean. Wine and beer are available, including Turkish wines, which we did not try this time. This place is absolutely a new favorite of mine! Thank you for such a lovely summer solstice eve out! read more

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As always, we had a wonderful dinner at Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe! The decor is unique and delightful. The service is friendly and attentive. Tonight I tried the spinach chicken. I have a new favorite dish! read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Spinach Chicken - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The food here was some of the best I've had in Indianapolis. The service was absolutely incredible- our server helped us choose our meal and made us feel very welcome. The inside is so intimate and romantic. I can't wait to come back and try new things! read more

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The food here was decent. Not the best Turkish food I've ever had but still good. The service was adequate. The establishment itself is a small place. Ample parking on the side street Like most Turkish establishments, there are plenty of vegan options. I also got Turkish coffee, which was tasty. If I'm back in the area and craving Turkish, I will definitely stop back in. read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Appetizer Combo: Hummus, Tabouli, Babaganush, Eggplant Salsa, Dolma, Ezme and Pita Bread - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Love the food. The ambiance is very homey and inviting. I love the decor and homage to Türkiye in Indianapolis. Nice staff when I've eaten inside. I ordered online and as soon as I got there they came up with my food saying he knew I would be there. Love when things like that happen. read more

Amazing service and food. Everything was quick to come out and so fresh. Huge portions! We also had the Turkish coffee and it was delicious. My only disappointment is the tiramisu - I'd say it's more like a cake that's flavored to be tiramisu. read more

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I recommend making a reservation. This was our first time eating here and while they were able to seat us right away they seemed shocked "no reservation" but again we got there early enough but we will make sure to make a reservation next time! The food was amazing. We started with the grape leaves (no picture), we ate them too quickly. A little small but had good flavor. I got the grilled shrimp kebob and it was delicious. The flavoring was great and it came with green pepper, tomato, salad, and white rice with a side a tzatziki sauce. My mom got the doner (gyro) and the meat was amazing! I will definitely get it next time! Everything was fresh and full of flavor. I got the baklava for dessert and it was very good as well. Came with whip cream which I'm not used to having with baklava. All in all greatly enjoyed this place and can understand why it's so busy! read more

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Falafel wrap was huge and very good food. We also got the Turkish delight was enormous. read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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One word: AMAZING ! This place feels like more than just a restaurant, it's almost like a cultural exhibition or a Turkish museum cafe. The Atatürk corner is simply incredible, and the decor gives the whole space a unique charm. The food was absolutely delicious, authentic, and full of flavor. You can enjoy your meal both indoors and outdoors, which makes it even more inviting. The staff were kind, polite, and always smiling, which made the experience even better. I only wish I had the chance to meet the owner, but hopefully next time. I stopped here during a road trip on a friend's recommendation, and I'm so glad I did , it was a must-visit stop. I'm already looking forward to my second visit! Thank you read more

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It's been 3 years. Time to update my review. I went to Bosphorus for dinner. I love Turkish food and there are not many options in the area. But even if there were, I'd still choose here. Service was great. My friend and I both got the hot tea and our server came back a few times to refill it. I tried their Adana wrap. It is beef and lamb, and it was so delicious. It has the right amount of spice and I loved it so much. People here are friendly and attentive. They took good care of us. I'll return! read more

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Absolutely amazing food! Great flavors- babaganosh hummus on and on. Generous portions. The owner came over and went over recommendations. Super friendly. Great decor. I had chicken kabobs - moist and flavorful read more

Bosphorus Cafe - We ate too fast. Hurry come hungry! - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

MUST TRY! This is definitely one of the top restaurants in Indianapolis! We ventured from the typical Chicken Kebab and finally tried something new! So glad we did! The Chicken Mushroom IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! My husband said "This is a Sinéad O'Connor dish!" I was confused then he said "Ya know? Nothing compares to yoooou!" As he sang to his plate! LOL I dream about that Tabouli! And hummus and pita are always incredible! I also LOVE the atmosphere! Such an authentic vibe that just adds to the experience! EAT HERE! But be warned! You'll crave it constantly and dream about it from then on! read more

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All my homies love Bosphorus! Unassuming on the outside, bustling on the inside, Bosphorus delivers amazing food time and time again. The meats are succulent and pita is plentiful. Be sure to try some homemade tzatziki as well. Service is lovely and on a nice day, sitting on the patio is a must. Lunch specials are excellent. Glad to have such a delicious spot in Indy! read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Gyro plate - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Forgive the poor presentation -it was a take out meal :/ EVERYTHING was delicious! We ordered Turkish Delight ($18.95), Shepherd's salad ($8.95), Doner entrée ($20.95), chicken kebab entrée ($20.95). The standouts were the chicken kebab and the Turkish delight. All ingredients were fresh and of the highest quality. The chicken was cooked perfectly, it was juicy and tender, and very, very flavorful. The accompanying vegetables were cooked al dente and just perfect . The Turkish Delight (sautéed vegetables: tomato, mushroom, green beans, bell pepper, onions, sitting a top, a generous serving of hummus) had an excellent flavor and the accompanying bread was just a knockout together. The combination was just terrific. The doner meal could easily have served 2-3 people due to the generosity of the serving size. Service from call in for take out to pick up was delightful and friendly. The ambiance of the restaurant was calming, decorated in a tasteful and culturally appropriate theme and the music was soft background instrumental - perfect! The music did not overpower or detract from the atmosphere as happens so often in establishments of all kinds. All in all it was a LARGE meal - 3 entrees and one large salad for sharing = $76 before tip. read more

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I am still dreaming of my meal from here! We went on a Sunday and got seated right away. We had great service and our waiter was always checking in on us. We started with the hummus appetizer. It was a HUGE portion. They served it with warm naan bread, which was delicious! We got the gyro wrap which was also ginormous! It had tomatoes, lettuce, and lamb meat. It could have used some tzatziki sauce but it was still good! We also got the chicken Bosporus which was my favorite dish! It has chunks of chicken, peppers, mushrooms, and onions. It was made in a creamy sauce and served with a side of rice and salad. The rice portion was small and could have been bigger compared to how big the chicken portion was. We ended the night with baklava which was flaky and crunchy on the outside and had a soft and sweet filling! I will definitely be back to try more menu items! read more

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Excellent! It was very busy on Saturday evening and it's a small space, so reservations are recommended. It's a fairly large menu and despite a wide variety of requests, everything arrived promptly and was well presented. Serving sizes are generous and everyone took home leftovers. read more

Amazing traditional Turkish food. The ambience of this restaurant was wonderful. A very clean establishment. I ate the Sultan's Delight and the lamb was so tender. My family and I ate well and we will be returning! read more

Food and service was good, restaurant atmosphere gave a vibe like you might find in Turkey. read more

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1 of our 4 meals arrived 15 minutes after the other 3. No apologies. We were uncomfortable throughout with a hovering manager/owner. And then just as we finished our last bite of dinner - 1 hour after sitting down we were asked to leave to make room for next guests. It was just rude and ruined what could have been a great evening. Were they overbooked? Did they mismanage their reservations, or is this just the way the manager/owner chooses to run his restaurant? In their favor, the food is very good and the waitstaff were very friendly. read more

Loved the ambiance food and service! The Turkish coffee was to die for! Great menu, many great choices. We will be back. read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Whimsical place which reminded us of so many great meals in Turkey! We ordered the Adana kebab (with side salad), and the Beef Mediterranean with the lentil soup (sorry, no photo). Everything was delicious. We also had the hummus and it was great as well, and someone got to it before I could take a picture. The owner was our waiter and he's a fun one to talk to. Competitive prices, parking is a little sketchy since there's a taco place next door that threatens to have cars towed if you park in their "lot." However, that seemed to be where the locals parked... and so did we. As someone who has been to Turkey multiple times, I recommend this place. Great food, totally authentic atmosphere. read more

Bosphorus Cafe - Beef Mediterranean - Turkish Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Most amazing falafel, lamb kabobs, Hummus. The 4 of us all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Cozy casual vibe with some outdoor seating. Reservations highly recommended. read more

Came here on our anniversary and loved it! The food was excellent and the restaurant is cozy. The walls are decorated to remind you of Istanbul. We ordered the spinach and artichoke dip as an appetizer and had the Bosphorus Special for dinner. We ate till we were full and still had lots of leftovers to take home. The baklava was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Everything we ate was so delicious and flavorful! We took our time and thoroughly enjoyed our evening. read more

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