Wasn't bad, but the Turkey was no good. Stay with the Kurds and whey.

Great food, I am a veggie, but my family loves the lamb.

I second the earlier reviewers comments about the Ispanek. There are no words to properly describe how amazing it is. Rich but light, sweet but not too sweet, and bursting with flavor. The chickpea patties are not the mushy falafel so often served in restaurants. They are crispy, crunchy and tender, all at the same time. The sauce is to die for. My dining companions (including my two kids) all enjoyed their food very much. And June is the perfect time to enjoy the lovely grounds and koi ponds. LOVE this place. read more

Just wonderful middle eastern fare served by friendly people. Never had a meal there that wasn't wonderful. My only caveats are A) service can be slow, especially when it gets busy. They run short staffed and it shows. B) I wish they would update their menu to add new items, or create some off-menu items seasonally to supplement their main menu, read more

We ate here years ago and loved it so looked forward to returning. The menu even at dinner is rather limited but we got the Kavurma (Kurdish wedding lamb dish)with "basmati rice" $16.95 which was pretty good, and the chicken Antepli Yahnisi $14.95 with "basmati rice" which was pretty flavorless and an appetizer of Falafel $7.95 which tasted fine but only included a meager 3 pieces. The main courses were rather skimpy and the "basmati rice" either wasn't good basmati or it was cooked in such a way that you couldn't tell it wasn't just Riceland long grain from Walmart, I know Basmati, it isn't hard to cook and this didn't have the flavor, the length nor the texture of basmati. The place is clean and the service is pleasant, efficient and courteous but we felt the food wasn't a good value. Maybe, we have been to too many great Middle Eastern restaurants in Chicago and elsewhere to be impressed. We really wanted to like it but just couldn't. read more

Not only great food - FABULOUS food. Different food. Food that is at once healthy and delicious and innovative. Go and experience it for yourself. read more

This is the only healthy restaurant I have found in "Harbor Country". I have been there more than five times. We have ordered Sultan's Tava which is a kind of a vegetable stew, but super good. The appetizer platter was great. As vegetarians, they had something that was GOOD and on the menu. We took our inlaws here who are serious meat and potatoes fans. He ordered chicken and she got lamb and they both commented on how they liked it. The coffee with cardamom is a great ending-they were out of the baklava. read more

This restaurant is run by very nice people and so I think that the reviews are a bit more charitable than they should be. Over a 3 year period we have eaten here probably 4 or 5 times. The food is okay, but nothing special. As you would expect the lamb dishes are probably the best items on the menu. The hummus is pretty good. However, I can't figure out why everything seems to be swimming in oil. I've been to other turkish/persian restaurants and have not seen this. We continue to come here with friends who are looking for something a little more different in Harbor Country. The prices are reasonable or quite honestly we wouldn't come here. Per person (including a glass of wine by the glass) is about $25. read more

Giving it 3 stars because I'm trying to be fair. I've never been able to eat here. I've stopped twice with the family during hours that they're supposed to be open, and they're closed. Either update your sign, your website or abide by the hours listed. Really annoying. read more

We went there last Friday night, 6/27/14. It was a great find! Beautiful gardens and outdoor dining! The food was excellent and the service was outstanding! We had the shiitake mushroom appetizer that was incredibly flavorful. There were walnuts and basil in the sauce with the shiitakes, creating a treat for the taste buds. For dinner, we had the pesto pasta and the falafel platter. The pesto pasta was made with a feta cream sauce, basil and almonds - it was delicious. The falafel platter was excellent, the rice was cooked perfectly and the red cabbage salad complimented the falafel. The wine selection was very good! Next time you're in Harbert check it out, you won't be disappointed! read more

This was within walking distance from our VRBO spot. We all enjoyed our meal.

I have traveled the world and and experienced amazing cuisine and still I dream about this SW MI gem! It is one of my favorite restaurants in the world! Don't miss the Turkish Coffee! read more

Always looking forward to going for good ethnic food in Harbor Country( hard to find) and Cafe Gulistan usually comes through. Unfortunately, this past Tuesday was not so. Service was so slow-it was not that crowded. Our food came luke warm ( because I am sure it sat waiting for our waitress to deliver). The meal despite the tepid temperature was good ( 3 stars) but the experience was not. Our waitress comped us dessert BUT I would much more preferred correct service. read more

This was the best discovery of a hidden gem restaurant that I've made in a long time. On reference from a complete stranger (I asked for his favorite restaurant in the area -- he's been vacationing here for 16 years) he thoughtfully responded "Cafe Gulistan." He described it as authentic Khurdish food, and told me the owners have been part of the community for a long time. My husband and I brought our teen daughter and her friend. Hubby got a lamb dish, I got a vegetarian (spinach with coconut curry) and shared with each other. Both dishes were exceptional! The girls ordered a shrimp kabob (lots of shrimp!) and a wonderful chicken garlic dish. They raved. We had started with the combo platter appetizer (hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, and tabbouleh) -- perfect with the warm pita points. We were so impressed with our meals that we ordered one of everything on the dessert menu (took a couple bites then brought them home). The baklava was especially incredible -- not a hard brick like many. I finished with the most wonderful latte I've ever had: I believe it was the Turkish latte, flavored with cinnamon, honey and cardamom. I give this little restaurant my highest recommendation. I'm still dreaming about that latte! read more

Authentic, delightful, delicious and inviting makes Cafe Gulistan a main-stay in HarborCountry. Awesome and authentic truly describe the gastronomic experience of Mediterranean cuisine that's prepared fresh daily. Give it a try, you could not be dissatisfied, ever. read more

we were driving back from chicago to Detroit when we just found this place on the GPS. We were just expecting to have a quick meal before getting on our way again. But the ambience and the food was so good that we ended up spending a lot more time. The Ezme (similar to spicy salsa) was amazing. We also loved the mango cheescake. Next time I would also like to try the wine read more

Amazing middle eastern food...the service is wonderful the falafel burger is outstanding try it. I recommend it and hope to come back soon

I haven't eaten here in a long time because I moved away long ago but I do have fond memories of delicious food, comfy atmosphere, friendly staff, and gorgeous hollyhocks! I can recommend everything on the vegetarian menu but the favs are the mushroom appetizer, sumac salad, lentil soup, and sultan's tava. The garden in front of the restaurant looks like a bit of a tangle driving by, but serves to insulate this roadside haven from the outside world, providing a peaceful, verdant oasis watched over by the tall velvety blooms of hollyhocks in season. The place is delightful. Stop and relax for a while; you won't be sorry. read more

If you want good middle eastern food this is the best place I know. It has a simple atmosphere but I suggest you try to get a seat with a view of their beautiful garden. The food was better than expected and the service was great. read more

I've passed this place a million times on my way to and from visiting family in Michigan, but the timing was never right to stop for food. Finally stopped with my sister (who has eaten there a couple times before) and got food for carry out. We're both vegetarians so we got two dishes and split them and we both loved everything we got. The wait was amazingly short and the food, even after a pretty long car ride back home, was delicious. I'll definitely be going back, even if it means arranging my travel schedule so I'll be in the area at mealtime. read more

I've seen some complaints about bad service, but that wasn't our experience at all. We had a new waitress but she was very attentive and did everything well. The food was great! We had the falafil appetizer which was good; then for dinner I had the Ispanak and my companion (because what's a restaurant review without a dining companion?) had one of the specials - grilled scallops. Both dishes were excellent. The falafil in both the appetizer and the Ispanak had perfect texture, and the Ispanak had a wonderful sauce. Next time I'm in the area, I definitely want to go back. read more

This is a really great place, beautiful patio, one of the best restaurants we know including better than most places we go in Chicago! The mixed appetizer plate is great, the tabouli is so fresh, best hummus and baba ganoosh, and I have never had a better falafel than here. Gulistan gives new meaning to the dish, they are wonderful. Great meat dishes too; lamb, chicken. A lovely location, sitting out on the patio overlooking the garden, sipping crisp white wine and enjoying some of the best mediterranean food you will find anywhere! Great service too. And very down to earth. We went dressed "as is" after a day of gardening. read more

We stopped in after 7 on a Wednesday night. There was no waiting. The gardens were beautiful but it was a bit too chilly so we sat inside. The staff (manager? Owner?) was very nice and accommodating. We enjoyed the feta salad, falafel platter, chicken izgara, Kavurma, and a nice bottle of Turkish wine. Our picky kids were able to find something on the menu for themselves as well. We wanted the baklava for dessert but he was out so he threw in a free chocolate cheesecake. The food was excellent and authentic. Great place! read more

First time eating here and I was blown away at not only the service but the outstanding food. We arrived shortly before closing and never felt rushed in the least. Two different lamb dishes that were so tasty and baklava that was the best I'd ever had. Very highly recommended!!! read more

Great place and consistent. I liked the appetizers, entres and dessert. We had six people the last time I went and we all liked it.

Referred by a local B&B, we visited this site on a Saturday night. I'm all for the get away from the city, relaxed, slower paced style of vacation land. This was not that experience. It was just flat out slower than slow. The service was very slow. After threatening to leave, our hot appetizer was service cold about 40 minutes after ordering. The main dish was another 40 minutes. They offered us a free dessert, which we accepted on the condition it had to be serviced in 15 minutes. The waitress assured us it would be right out, which it was --- in 15 minutes. My suggestion: don't go if you are hungry-- the service is too slow. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in this area. A little on the pricy side, but wonderful food, charming atmosphere. Their Ispanak is delicious, and we always enjoy the shiitake mushrooms appetizer when we want to splurge, which has wonderful flavor. read more