Fresh Ingredients made daily, extremely clean tables and common areas and friendly owners. Shakshuka: fried pepper, eggplant and crushed tomatoes in Olive Oil baked in owen. Served with yogurth. My favorite Vegeterian dish! Lentil soup Homemade dishes and also chicken and beef wraps, sautées, Spinach pie, Pasta. Baklava! I love this restaurant! read more

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I walked over to this restaurant from the hospital on Trousdale Avenue. Although not too bad, I dont think it was worth the walk. I ordered a Sheperd's salad with a side of lamb and beef protein. The salad was pretty good. The meat however was overcooked and very greasy. Although I can't be certain it seemed like it was on the flame for a very very long time. The sauces they gave were good. The staff was friendly and prompt. The restaurant itself was clean and appealing. However it was pretty much empty when I went there (around 1 pm). read more

Food was delicious Ask for extra sauce! I'm not much of a tap water fan so I might skip that but I love their wraps. Service was amazing the people are so nice and helpful Ambiance is clean and spacious with a side of serene outside read more

The food at Cafe Istanbul was super fresh and delicious. We ordered the combo gyro plate and falafel plate. Both came with generous portions of main, rice, hummus, salad, and pita bread. The staff were so kind to us and even gave us extra complimentary bread when we devoured ours. The restaurant was very clean and service was wonderful. Don't skip the garlic and pepper sauces if you enjoy extra spice! read more

I'll have to give this another try to see if it deserves more than an average 3 stars. I'm a big fan of adanas so I was eager to try the adana plate. Sadly I got the chicken kebab by mistake and when I asked about it, the owner was very nice and told me to keep what I got and she'd ask the kitchen to make me the proper order. I was a little tight on time today but decided to accept since she was so nice. Cafe Istanbul is a little hard to find because the store front is actually on the outside facing out of the plaza so when I first circled around inside, I could not figure out where it was located. That whole plaza is poorly designed with the InNout clogging up traffic constantly. The restaurant itself was large and with casual seating. Although it was very quiet around 5 on a Thursday, food took 20 minutes to arrive and then because of my order mixup, it took a little longer than that for the right order to come out. As for the food itself, it tasted pretty standard. I'm not a fan of chicken kebab as it's usually breast meat. The adana here is on the salty side and a little tough. I've had some really tender and juicy adanas elsewhere. Maybe things were not aligned today but I'd be willing to come back for another try since the owner was so nice. I did see someone order the appetizer combo for dining in and the presentation looked awesome. I'll have to give that a try. The wraps look like they'd be a pretty good value but some of the reviews said there isn't too much meat wrapped... $22 Adana (lamb) plate comes with rice, salad, hummus and pita read more

Cafe Istanbul - Adana plate $22 - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

I've been wanting to check this place out for a while and it did not disappoint. I ordered the chicken kebab and it was nicely seasoned, juicy and perfectly cooked. It came with a side of Delicious rice, a fresh salad, pita slices, 2 sauces and hummus. Unfortunately, when I ordered through DoorDash, the order didn't go through, so I just showed up. I gotta say, they have a nice outside eating area as well as an inside dining area. If I could've stayed, I would've ate outside, considering how nice the weather was. But, I had to get back to work. This establishment is really clean, service is friendly in the food came out a short time after ordering. I'm definitely coming back soon. read more

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Came in for lunch time on a Saturday afternoon and it took 25 minutes to get my food. I ordered the beef/lamb wrap and the portions seen smaller than usual. The meat was a little dry and wasn't as fresh as previous experiences. I really liked this place - not sure if I'll be back. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

Chicken gyros wrap.. smell bad second time.. idk why? I cant eat it and trow away. But fries good! read more

Cafe Istanbul - Chicken Gyro Wrap (Full Tray) - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

Unassuming little cafe at the side of the food plaza that we actually missed it the first time. Had to back track and glad we did! It's a fast food that serves gyros and kabobs. Perfect for when you just need to order, eat and run. Or just order to go! We literally ran out of the cafe that i actually left my purse behind. The wait staff was nice enough to run after us to the parking lot to let us know. Oh yes, the food! My nephew ordered the lamb and beef wrap that came with French fries while I ordered the Kofte platter. The wrap was cooked right and was juicy. The Kofte included humus with pita bread, salad and rice. I thought it was too much for me but I finished about 90% of it. I particularly liked the salad with pickled onions. That was refreshing! I was glad we tried it out. It was just 7 minutes from our hotel that made it very convenient. read more

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Amazing food and outstanding service! This cozy, family owned spot has such a warm, relaxed atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The portions are generous, definitely enough for leftovers to take home and everything is reasonably priced. Every dish we tried was absolutely delicious! The service truly stands out: welcoming, attentive, and always delivered with a genuine smile and big heart This is officially a new go-to takeout spot in my rotation. A must-try! read more

Wow! Real steak lamb beef kebab . Not the cheap mixture you usually see at other places . 100% best kebab I've had in the Bay Area . Thanks for the sample ;) see ya soon ! read more

I got the chicken wrap. Really not good. If there was sauce it was just the red sauce and maybe a little bit of yogurt. Other than the sauce it is basically just chicken with raw lettuce, tomato, and red onion for vegetables. Out of the vegetables, there were hardly any. The flavor of the chicken was not that appetizing and didn't pair well with the raw vegetables. I think raw onions work when there are better flavors to work with it, (I have had good Mediterranean wraps and burritos that had raw onions), but here it was extra unappetizing. As you can see from the picture, the tortilla they use is folded and wrinkled, showing that the amount of fillings is not that much. I think they just use a tortilla and not some special Mediterranean flat bread, not great for this type of wrap. They give you a small bag of fries on the side as well, but this is not game changing by any means. I think it is there to try to make up for what is lacking elsewhere. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Chicken Gyros Wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

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This place just opened up about a week ago. My boss wanted to try them so we did. We got a couple of: Lamb and Beef gyro wraps - I liked the best but can definitely use more meat. But I get it they're still new. Chicken wrap - a little too dry but after some sauce it's good to go. Hummus - decent French fries - nice and crispy and used their sauce to dip with. Overall the place was clean. Plenty of tables and chairs to eat. Has a bathroom. The lady that helped me looked like one of owners and was really nice and friendly. read more

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This place is truly amazing. I've been a big fan of mediterranean food for years, and I actually think this may be the best i've ever had. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Beef and lamb gyro with fries - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

Fresh and delicious!! The food was amazing and the employees went above and beyond! I will be back!

Dissapointing. i ordered a beef/lamb plate. The food was salty, the rice wasn't authentic middle eastern style such as basmati. The salad was extremely boring, the hummus was bland and the pita bread felt like it was frozen and store bought and they just toasted it. It felt like an identity crisis. If you want authentic middle eastern food look elsewhere. Only positive thing about this place was the employees. Very kind and welcoming. Just ashame the food was mediocre at best. Very disappointed and unfortunately I will not be a repeat customer. Such a shame because I really wanted to like this place. read more

Fabulous! Wonderful atmosphere, and spotless. Delicious food, vegetarian friendly. Presentation is amazing. They have a variety of food choices, and are all fresh. It's a good spot for families, and we will definitely return to try more of their dishes. I recommend to everybody. Thank you for your amazing service read more

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Absolutely phenomenal food at this hidden gem right across from the Lucid Studio. The lamb and gyro are unlike anything I've ever had before...almost like eating cuts of steak with a perfect combination of fat and seared crispy bits that's difficult to describe. I simply couldn't get enough! The rice and hummus were also delicious companions to the main dish. Don't miss the crispy cheese rolls - they're delightfully simple and so tasty. Strongly recommend these as a starter. Everything about this place hits the mark. Portion size is absolutely on point, the place is clean, and the atmosphere is great. The incredibly kind owner even put out a little bowl of water for my pup! If you're in the area, just go. You won't regret it. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

We had very delicious food and really and enjoyed this family owned cafe. The food was amazing all around. We had the lamb and gyro plate and everything was so fresh. The pita bread was also very crispy and soft in the middle. The chocolate cake was really tasty and the perfect dessert with tea. The cafe is also very clean and well kept along with friendly service. We plan on coming more often!! read more

Kebab or doner kebab is not good, they can't make it, they cook with a sour face, I will definitely not go again.

This place is the real deal! Great food, friendly staff and always consistent! I always look forward to coming here, and I do so often! I haven't tried anything that wasn't top notch ! You will not be disappointed ! read more

The food was delicious the kofta I ordered was delicious and one of my friends ordered the chicken kebab it was delicious . The service is amazing Nina was great friendly and amazing The Ambiance was really comfortable the place is clean and very organized read more

Had the Lamb Beef wrap. Not good at all. No flavor. Fries bland. The sauce for wrap had no flavor. I had to use Ranch dressing for flavor for the beef lamb wrap. read more

The food was well coked, interior is clean including bathroom, and service was good as well, but the portion of food was small for the price. In other Turkish restaurants I've been to I had enough portion for the paid comparably lower price, here I paid 30$ including tip and wasn't pleased fully with my experience. Good luck) read more

We stumbled upon this place looking for a quick stop after leaving the airport. The food was very fresh and yummy! I got the kofte wrap for myself and the lamb/beef gyro plate for my family. Everything was delicious, but the portion seemed small. The service was friendly and the food came out quickly. Overall, the restaurant was bright and airy (with the doors open; although there were a few flies that came in). Would probably come back because I love Mediterranean food. But, would love a bigger portion. read more

The Chicken Wrap was SO good! The flavors were amazing and the service was great. The vibe here is great it is so clean. I would definitely come here again! read more

Cafe Istanbul - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

We ordered food take out for a celebration. The portion wasn't enough for 6 people. After almost $200 bill. Feeling the price didn't match with the portion. We were still hungry. It's our first time order food from them. My husband grew up with Mediterranean food. He prefer the previous owner which more authentic with reasonable price. This place we probably won't go back again. read more

Some of the best Mediterranean food I've had! I've passed by this place so many time and I'm glad I gave it a try. My go to when I need my protein and some carbs! Flavors are amazing... a hidden gem... read more

Great service, clean and friendly. The Falafel wrap was exquisite!!! Loved every bite of my wrap, it was fresh and flavorful. We also had the chicken and lamb plate and this was also done very well. Definitely recommend Cafe Istanbul. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Falafel wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

Ordered today first time the Falafel Wrap, very delicious very fresh... good amount of food I'm stuffed. Will be returning. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Falafel wrap! Very delicious and filling. - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

This casual restaurant was under Hot and New on Yelp, and it is a great to enjoy their authentic Turkish food. Everything from the baba ganoush to the kebab plate to the chicken adana to the decadent profiteroles was top notch: fresh, healthy and delicious.They even had jasmine green iced tea. The owner was warm and welcoming, and the service was perfect. We sat outside due to our skittish dog, and it went perfectly. Can't wait to try it again with our family and friends, and share plates so we can try all of the offerings. read more

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The food at this place is outstanding. the chicken kebab plate and white bean ragu are delicious. Food is fresh, looks and tastes great. I highly recommend this place. read more

This is the best place for real Turkish home made food I love coming here time to time if you would like to try some Turkish food or if you are home sick and miss your mother cooking I would highly recommend it And prices are reasonable and service is super friendly read more

Great food and friendly service. Everything was fresh and flavorful, and the portions were good. Clean place with a nice, relaxed vibe. Definitely a good spot for Mediterranean food in Millbrae. read more

Ordered chicken gyro come out doll cold felt the chicken has been sitting there for a wail definitely wouldn't come back read more

Cafe Istanbul - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

This is my second time purchasing food here. The first time, I thought the taste was okay, but the lamb and beef gyros wrap was a bit small. This time, I bought the gyros wrap again and was disappointed to find that the amount of meat inside was shockingly little--about half the amount compared to last time. Was the restaurant running out of meat? I won't be coming back. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Mediterranean Near Me - Millbrae, California

Great surprise tucked behind the gas station across the bridge from SFO. Tasty lamb & beef gyro plate one day. Tasty chicken plate the next. So good I had to go twice. The rice is cooked perfectly, buttery and subtle. Could be a little more flavorful but not a problem with the delicious sauce they include. Pita was a little doughy but still delicious. Baklava was the size of a small pie, sitting in a honey bath. Flaky crust but a little too much honey on the bottom. Service was excellent. 4.5 stars if I could. read more

Great food, great service, and a nice modern, clean place. Though I don't live around the corner, but was on the way to the airport, Will definitely be back! read more

Cozy no-frills setting.The Food is reliably good the portions generous and the service friendly which for many makes it go-to spot in Millbrae.If you have value flavor simplicity and convenience over fine dining vibes it's well worth trying definitely coming back read more

Great restaurant husband and I really loved the falafel wrap so fresh and delicious. Cute and clean place to eat good food and nice service as well both server and chef were so friendly and welcoming. Nice place to go for date night or a quick Togo meal! read more