Sometimes it's easy to overlook Cafe Istanbul since it's not the walking distance of Bridge Park or Historic Dublin, but don't let that deter you! It's a short drive and well worth it! It's a beautiful restaurant that sits along the river and has some beautiful views - especially on a gorgeous spring/summer evening! Their food is top notch as well! I've dined in several times in the past, but decided to get takeaway and take it to the pavilion by the pedestrian bridge to people watch and have a nice after dinner walk. Food to go was just as good as dining in - at least for the Chicken Kebab. Made with white meat chicken, you get 5-6 large pieces with rice and veggies. I was excited to learn they had rice pudding to go as well because theirs is quite good! I ordered over the phone, had about a 25 min wait on a busy evening. All were friendly and ensuring I was being helped. read more

See all

I've been wanting to try Cafe Istanbul for quite some time and the opportunity to meet a friend for lunch in Dublin brought us here. We were seated at the window with a view of the water. Our server was attentive and patient with us as we were catching up on our holiday stories. We both had the chicken wrap, which was really tasty. I opted out of fries with my meal and got the rice. It was a good choice. The bread and tomato oil were really good. I was trying not to have bread before my meal but couldn't resist. They have a full bar which we didn't have a drink and they have which appeared to be three large dining areas. read more

Cafe Istanbul is a vibe! They have one of the best patios in Dublin; their outdoor seating is incredible! On top of that, their entire restaurant's atmosphere is amazing The service is very nice & and welcoming! The food here tastes delicious; this is the perfect spot for a family dinner or get together! The mixed grill gets you a taste of a handful of different kebabs, which is perfect because it's so hard to choose which tasty option to pick! The drinks are refreshing and have lots of fun twists! read more

Cafe Istanbul - Mixed Grill Kebab - Turkish Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

See all

Our server, Jasmine was outstanding. Food was great. We enjoyed our dinner and drinks. read more

I ordered carry out and was estimated to be 30-40 minutes, I arrived at about an hour and I have been waiting for 1 hour 45 minutes with no estimate or information if they are preparing our order. All I was told is "we have to prioritize our dine in customers order". I grew up in successful restaurant businesses and that was never our model. This is very bad business etiquette. read more

I think this was my best visit in recent times. We were a large group and ordered two of their large family platters, which came with an assortment of appetizers and the main dinner came with a variety of kebabs and lamb chops. The dinner was fabulous. The meant was covered in a pita and remained hot and tender. Absolutely delicious. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Large Family Plate - Turkish Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

Amazing time at cafe Istanbul for lunch. We ate outside (4 seasons room) and it was so nice on the river. I got the lamb wrap with fries. And my spouse got the chicken curry. Both dishes were so good!! I can't wait to come back!! read more

Cafe Istanbul - Turkish Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

See all

Cafe Istanbul experience was superb. We ended up using their private room for my wife's birthday celebration. We ordered 2 Large platters for 15 people. Excellent idea especially for our family. Everything was just perfect. read more

See all

I came here with some friends and we had Ana amazing time. First and foremost the location and the building are just beautiful. It was so pretty in there and fit the vibes of Turkey very well. The server we had was Savannah and she was very nice and very knowledgeable about the menu, we had a great time there with her. The food was phenomenal. We all had great things to say about everything we ordered. And we had a nice dessert for my friends birthday. Overall it was an amazing time and we will be back! read more

Cafe Istanbul - Lahana Sarma - Turkish Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

See all

We went for a celebration with friends and the service was wonderful, the views were amazing, and the food was delicious. We ate everything and had no leftovers! The cocktails were very special as well. read more

My new favorite restaurant in Dublin!! The food is literally perfect. Simple food cooked extremely well. The bread with tomato oil is absolutely delicious. We ordered the shish kebabs and the doner kebab and it was fabulous. I am picky about lamb and it was out of this world yummy. The service was wonderful too with very attentive staff. The ambience is 10/10; we sat by their fireplace and because im always cold, this was wonderful. Perfect spot for a date night or a casual lunch, and there is a decent amount of parking available. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Shish Kebab - Turkish Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

See all

Cafe Istanbul was absolutely amazing. The food was full of flavor, fresh, and perfectly prepared, and everything tasted authentic and comforting. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it a great place to sit down and enjoy a meal. The staff was friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Turkish Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

Considering one star equals as five stars for each category, beginning with Charging Five Dollars per person for Musical Entertainment earns this place ZERO STARS! Then starting with five stars with Food, almost four stars with service and three stars in Ambiance because while there might be entertainment the Muzak in the background is still playing. How obnoxious is that to somebody who wants to be hit with an additional charge of $5.00 per person. read more

I was so excited to try Cafe Istanbul but sadly don't know if I'll try it again. They specialize in Turkish and middle eastern cuisine, and the restaurant was nicely decorated. The food itself was great- the lamb was tender with a char grilled flavor and the combo plate came with a huge assortment of grilled meat. However the service missed the mark because right after we were seated, our waiter disappeared and we were left waiting for over 30 minutes. When we finally flagged someone down, they did apologize the the service picked back up, but it was a very disappointing experience. The bread was one of my favorite parts of the meal. It looked like a bagel but had a softer texture and came with a flavored oil that was so good. The baba ganoush paired well with it too and I liked how it came with fresh veggies. They had a wide selection of drinks and the Turkish wine was perfect as someone who likes dry wine. I am glad I was finally able to try the restaurant as I had been eyeing it for a while and it is in such a scenic spot. read more

See all

Love the overall vibe and the food here but the meat was a little dry when I get it but the bread they give you is to die for.

I knew this place was going to be good because the parking lot is literally always packed, but it still exceeded my expectations. The bread service was so soft and the dipping sauce was a savory delight. We had sigara borek for an appetizer and could not stop "yum"-ing our way through it. For entrees we had the chicken Adana kebab and the moussaka. It took a little while to get our entrees but like I said, it was busy and Saturday night plus we were really enjoying the view so it was not a problem at all. Everything was full of flavor, the meat was moist, the sauce on the moussaka was bursting with savory tomato flavor, and overall we simply loved everything. Highly recommend checking it out, and definitely make a reservation! read more

See all

This was my first visit to Istanbul, and I'd been wanting to check it out for a while. My wife and I grabbed seats at the bar and decided to share the chicken curry. We started with some hummus, and were pleasantly surprised by the generous basket of complimentary bread that came with our meal--a nice touch. Unfortunately, the hummus was served with just a couple of tomato slices--no pita, no fresh veggies, nothing else to dip. That was our first disappointment. The second came with the curry. While the portion of curry was generous, it was paired with only a small scoop of rice--barely enough for one person, let alone two. We ended up ordering an extra side of rice and some cucumbers to go with the hummus. When the bill arrived, we were surprised to see a $6 charge for each. It almost felt like they serve small portions on purpose, just to upsell sides. I can only imagine what they'd charge for actual pita to accompany the hummus. That said, the food was tasty. The curry had a very mild flavor, and the hummus was fresh and flavorful. Next time, I'll just be more careful about ordering extras. The ambiance here is laid-back and inviting. At the bar, they were playing mellow blues, and the lighting was just right--not too bright, not too dim. I'll definitely keep this spot in mind the next time I'm in the mood to splurge a little on Mediterranean food. read more

My family is Lebanese so I was alittle hesitant to try this because all families seem to make their heritage food alittle differently. I was afraid I wouldn't like any of it. We went with my aunt, who says it's amazing so we thought we would give it a try. The patio was amazing! The set up and the decor and the flowers. The view of the river. The weather was amazing. They had fans for airflow. It was beautiful. There were only 3 of us but we ordered enough food for an army! We wanted to try everything. Honestly everything was delicious. The service was great. The drinks were unique and delicious. The bread and tomato oil stuff they give you to start was really good. The hummus was delicious. The Sigara Borek were really good. Very crispy. Every dish we got was delicious. The meat was cooked perfectly, the rice was the best rice ever. I don't know what the flavor was, but it wasn't just plain white rice. The steak saute was one of my favorite things. The pistachio baklava was absolutely delicious. Best baklava I've ever had. We will definitely be back. read more

See all

The ONLY good thing about this place is the scenery of the olentangy river ( if you are lucky enough to get a window table . The food took over 45 minutes to be served -- COLD -- huge language-barrier ..the restaurant manager was loud and offers no accountability for a delay in his kitchen.this place should have forecasted the Valentines weekend rush .. NO I wouldn't recommend this place especially getting served what you paid for.. read more

We had a large party with separate checks. Our waiter got everything right. I ordered the stuffed eggplant which was delicious. We also were served nice warm bread with a lovely oil and pepper dip. Pleasant ambience. read more

Great attentive service with no rush attitude. Easy to fall in love with this place. Warm and welcoming. The staff is top notch. The ambiance is there to create a romantic experience. But the food never disappoints. I ordered the shepherds casserole. Wow! I'm one that has learned to finish your plate but there was no way that was going to happen. A must try is the 7 Hills cocktail. It's a Turkish delight which is a candy in vodka. I would highly recommend the Bovin Chardonnay. This place has easily become my second favorite place. They have earned their 5 stars. Keep up the great work staff! My compliments to the staff and chef. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Turkish delight - Turkish Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

See all

Made a reservation here with some friends and what a beautiful restaurant. Luckily it was a gorgeous evening and we were on the patio. Our server was very attentive and made sure we had enough water and removed empty dishes. I had the Chicken Kebab and it was so good! Definitely would come back here again. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Chicken Kebab - Turkish Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

All this restaurant has to offer is ambience. Food is bland and catered to middle America. Inauthentic. Also served frozen vegetables. Next table to us were 4 middle Eastern looking guys. They were just as disappointed. But, I guess that's what you have to do to make it as an ethnic restaurant in Columbus OH read more

It's a beautiful place - great ambiance! Our service was timely, but the guy didn't have much personality. We got a Negroni & French 75 for cocktails ( both bitter/ sour & very good). The bread & dip served at the table was excellent - maybe wood fired? For an appetizer we got the Sigara Borek - which was hot, flaky, crispy & very good ( but rich!). My husband got the tilapia & I got the Kofte kebab - huge portions & both were excellent! Overall, it was a nice experience - maybe a little louder than I would've liked & I didn't live the big busier carts going back & forth. Will definitely go back! read more

See all

I'll start with the good. I thought the place was nicely decorated. It has some really beautiful chandelier. The cocktail I ordered was called the 614 Columbus. I thought it was very tasty and was served with a buckeye on top. A friend of mine ordered the Drink Theater which came served with popcorn on top of it. Some neat little touches. Also, the complimentary bread came with a sauce that was very tasty. Now the not so good. I dined at Cafe Instanbul with a group of about 15. I surmise they aren't accustomed to larger groups. The server didn't keep track of what anyone ordered. He disappeared for long periods of time so it was very difficult to order a second drink. For dinner I had the Shepherd Casserole. I found it to be bland. I also felt everything was a little overpriced. Finally, for larger groups they require one check for the entire table which is just a headache for the guests. So keep that in mind. read more

See all

This restaurant is a local favorite. Nice ambiance and situated next to the Scioto River. At 7pm on a Tuesday, the restaurant was packed as was the parking lot. I wasn't sure the adjacent lot was open for parking or not but I found no other options. I tried the grilled whole fish (bronzino) and it was deliciously moist and perfectly cooked. A squeeze of lemon was all that was needed. I also tried keskul the almond pudding. It was sweet and creamy with fragrance of almonds and chopped almonds. The service was slow but attentive and warm once I was attended to. read more

See all

The food here is always delicious. I had the okra stew. It features baby okra cooked with tomatoes and bell peppers. It's seasoned beautifully. Comes with perfectly cooked rice. We shared sigara borek for an app. It is also delicious but a little salty. If you check in on Yelp you get a free Turkish coffee. We ended up skipping that bc our dinner took more than two hours at that point. We waited 10-15 minutes for drinks alone. I had the Turkish red wine which I love. The ambiance here is terrific. Rustic but refined. Perfect date night restaurant. read more

See all

This is a must for couples. I am sure families too but it has a mood that screams couples and adults. The weekend lamb shank special was fall off the bone perfection and the shrimp kebob grilled beautifully and the gyro pita tasty. The bread and oil might be the show stealer of the menu BUT the best is the view. It's simply a lovely experience that we found to be a very good value in terms of price and service. read more

See all

My wife had knee replacement surgery. Easy access. Great food and service in the past. Been there many times. Last night something went wrong. Waited for good 1 hour. My wife good not sit that long. We left with the carry out. They put complimentary almond pudding. Parking was terrible. No spots. Parked at a neighborhood business. Bad experience all around. read more

This place is outstanding! We came here for my wife's birthday and left satisfied, and very full. The outdoor patio is amazing. The view of the woods behind the restaurant is stunning. We were sat during sunset and it was incredible. It was beginning to get chilly while we were sitting there, and they were able to close it up similar to garage doors. The new tables and chairs really add to the overall chic ambiance. Full bar and great wine selections. We went with a Turkish wine that we were not familiar with but were pleasantly surprised! You begin with delicious bread and a dip. We ordered the babaganoush and the sigara borek which is seasoned cheese in a filo pastry- phenomenal. Compliments to the chef. I'm still sitting here thinking about it! Following our appetizers, we order the moussaka and the mixed kabab which were delicious. We finished the birthday celebration dinner with a night cap Espresso Martini. The service was excellent. Our server was very pleasant and helpful. Once she heard it was our first time, she went out of her way explaining everything on the menu. We will absolutely be back soon! read more

See all

Excellent places. Parking at time came be difficult but that just shows how popular this place is. Good food and drinks. People are really nice . read more

Literally all three categories--food, service, ambiance--are excellent. I've been twice now and can't recommend this place highly enough.

The small plate is absolutely delicious! They have a variety of meats to choose from, so you're sure to find something you love. I highly recommend it! Oh, and the view of the river is stunning! It's a perfect spot for a romantic dinner. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Turkish Near Me - Dublin, Ohio

See all

This place is really good and top notch in every regard. Service was fast and friendly, drinks were good and food was delicious. As a bonus, fresh bread came out with an oil/sundried tomato dip that was crazy good. We also had the hummus and tabbouleh, which was okay, but not outstanding. For dinner I had the grilled shrimp, salad and rice. Very well done. We sat right by the windows overlooking what I think is the river, but in December at dinner time, it was pitch black outside and I couldn't see a thing. read more

See all

Great welcome. We had no rez, parking lot full, but we were immediately seated 6:00 PM. Terrific service. Traditional Greek dishes were exceptional, read more

This was my first visit to Cafe Istanbul. I live in Westerville and wasn't familiar with this Dublin restaurant until it was recommended by a colleague for a dinner business meeting. The restaurant overlooks the Scioto River and the view from the windows along the back of the dining room is very scenic. We were in the main, indoor part of the restaurant but there is also a beautiful outdoor patio that also overlooks the river. On my next visit, I plan on dining on the patio. The service was excellent. Their menu includes a wide selection of Mediterranean (Turkish) fare, including kebabs, seafood, soups and salads, wraps and house specialties. For dinner, I ordered the Shepherds Casserole which consisted of lamb, sautéed with onions, peppers and herbs. It was excellent. I took my leftovers home for my wife to try and now she wants to go there for dinner. Excellent food and service. read more

Food is great and service awesome! Not pricey, a Gem in Dublin, OH! Love the Beef liver, outside is crispy, inside is soft and not dry. Shish Kebab lamb is great! Very tender lamb read more

See all

We ordered calamari, fish kebab and chicken sauté My calamari was pretty sticky, my chicken also hard to chew, though when it saute will be soft. But the kebab was great! maybe I should get kebab next time. Also, the bread and tomato dipping sauce is AMAZING, so good! The view was very beautiful, good for a party for sure! read more

See all

The outdoor dining area is a site to see at sunset. Food and service is top notch. Went with another couple and enjoyed the evening.

in my opinion this is the best restaurant by food quality, service experience, atmosphere. You can see the owner of the restaurant on the floor constantly, he always want to know how is your food and do everything to take to make your experience there great . Staff know majority of customers by name which make this place very family friendly read more