Cancel

Open app

Search

Cafe Istanbul

4.3 (77 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated 1 week ago

Order Cafe Istanbul Takeout or Delivery

Cafe Istanbul Photos

Business Info

CAFE ISTANBUL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Cafe Istanbul

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Adana plate $22
Cathrin P C.

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

Inside dining area
Juan D.

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.

Cuazzy N.

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.

Chicken Gyro Wrap (Full Tray)
Kris O.

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

Dining area
Luzcel T.

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.

Chicken Gyros Wrap
Gabriel G.

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.

Outside
Shella P.

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.

Beef and lamb gyro with fries
Kyler S.

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.

Baklava
Lilia O.

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

See all

Photo of Savas E.
0
55
104

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Cuazzy N.
34
399
95

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Adam O.
1
79
10

12 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

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

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of E K.
0
1
0

3 months ago

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

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Sio S.
0
19
4

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Stef S.
3
68
70

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Sheila J.
50
228
255

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Vince W.
139
62
21

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Shan T.
2
42
12

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

Cafe Istanbul Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Cafe Istanbul

You might also consider

Lotus Falafel and Shawerma-San Bruno - Beef/Lamb and Beef Shawerma plate

Lotus Falafel and Shawerma-San Bruno

(417 reviews)

$$

The food here is incredibly flavorful! The falafel was perfectly done, crispy on the outside, hot…read moreon the inside, and absolutely delicious when paired with the cool yogurt dip. I love the contrast of hot and cold, as well as crisp textures with bold flavors. I ordered the beef and lamb plate, and it was outstanding, the meat was tender and packed with flavor. The salad was refreshing, and the hummus was creamy with a rich, nutty taste. Everything tasted incredibly fresh. My friends ordered the same, one with pita and one as a wrap. The plate and wrap portions were generous, though the pita felt a bit on the smaller side. The restaurant itself is clean and inviting, and the staff is friendly. I'll definitely be coming back! :)

Delicious! I just dropped my mom at SFO and was trying to find a place to grab some takeout…read more I checked Reddit yesterday and there was a couple mentions of Lotus. There were some other places that I wanted to try more but they were closed for Christmas Eve. Not a lot of parking but I found one right in front of the store. Have to pay, didn't know that, thankfully i got out within 10 minutes before I got a ticket. I ordered a combo plate since I didn't really know what to get. I didn't get to eat it until 2 hours later and I had to microwave it, still very flavorful! The rice has a good amount of salt, and all the meats were easy to bite through, not tough at all. My only complaint would be that I feel like it might be better complimented with a sauce. It was my first time so I didn't know if they typically give any sauces. I think I saw some hot sauce on the tables (unless that was ketchup). Very good and would try again!

Watani Spot - Chaplee Kebab with Rice

Watani Spot

(60 reviews)

This afternoon, May 2, 2026, I decided to try out a local spot for Afghan food since it's been a…read morefew months since I last had kabuli pulao. I ordered the kabuli pulao and a Coke for pickup through DoorDash, planning a tidy lunch to enjoy near the bay once I got off work. When I arrived at the food truck, the gentleman working there unfortunately informed me that the items I had just ordered were sold out. He kindly suggested an alternative of tikka kabob, which I gladly accepted. The tikka kabob was tasty and well-seasoned, delivering a satisfying depth of flavor with each bite. The rice was fragrant with softly shredded carrots and raisins, adding subtle sweetness and texture that complemented the smoky kabob nicely. A generous addition on top of my order were complimentary Watani fries, drizzled with a sauce reminiscent of a tangy chimichurri. The food truck itself sits in the same lot as the mosque in Burlingame, which is a convenient spot to park. It's also just a couple of blocks away from the bay shore as well, making the entire experience easy to fit into a pleasant outing for lunch by the water: While I initially sought kabuli pulao, the recommended tikka kabob turned out to be a great alternative. The flavors were strong, the rice provided a nice counterpoint, and the chimichurri-like sauce on the fries was a standout touch. Service was friendly and kind. Definitely open to trying the original kabuli pulao on a future trip, but I'd gladly rely on the team's thoughtful substitutions again. Overall, this place was lovely and definitely will return again.

Every single item here was purely out of this world! We ordered chapli kabob wrap, chicken kabob…read morewrap, chicken kabob plate, watani fries, and we wanted the mantu but they were out. Every single item was nothing short of amazing, full of flavor, and perfectly served. They do big portions here. They make the fries fresh here and you can taste it. They put alot of tlc into their food which is why it can take a bit. Only thing forgotten yesterday was chutney, and we missed it with every item. We will have to go back and try more again soon.

Naan Point - Tandoori Chicken Tikka lunch plate!!!!

Naan Point

(388 reviews)

$$

This is my favorite Indian restaurant in the upper peninsula. It's located in an unassuming strip…read moremall in San Bruno. Parking is very easy here. The restaurant decor is minimal and I did not have to wait to be seated during my visit. The people working there were friendly and it didn't take for our food to arrive. While I enjoyed eating at the restaurant, I find myself "lazy" most of the time and then end up ordering for delivery. I have a tendency to order the same things again because I like them. One of my favorite dishes here is the Aloo Tikki Chaat. I almost always get this, but I also mixed it up by getting the Papdi Chaat and this one is also delicious. Kadai Chicken is another favorite. I also like getting the Garlic Naan. Who doesn't like carbs? Indian breads are so addictive. They also have wraps and these are HUGE! See my photo, where I include a pen next to the Chicken Tikka Masala wrap to show how big it is.

The food was enjoyable overall, especially for those who may not be deeply familiar with…read moretraditional Indian flavors or are trying Indian cuisine more casually. While some dishes felt a bit milder and less authentic to an Indian palate, the overall taste was still good and approachable. The pricing is slightly on the higher side compared to the portion sizes, but the shorter wait times are definitely a plus, especially during busy hours. The ambience is cozy and works well for a relaxed family dinner or small gathering. Seating inside is somewhat limited, but the comfortable atmosphere helps make up for it. There is plenty of parking in front of the restaurant.

Boiling BeiJing - Beijing Style Traditional Roast Duck Comb (Halal Duck)

Boiling BeiJing

(858 reviews)

$$

I came specifically for the crispy red bean rice cake, and it did not disappoint. The outer layer…read morehad that soft, glutinous rice texture, and it tasted freshly fried in clean oil. The chicken meatball soup, hotpot, and sliced tofu also all met expectations. This is easily one of the better Chinese restaurants in the Bay Area. I'll definitely be back to try more dishes from the menu.

Came here after hearing about the Peking Duck being one of the best in the Bay Area. Pre-order the…read moreday before. The duck came last but it was definitely good. We ordered crepe pancakes but didn't realize it already came with some. They carve the Peking duck and serve the skin and meat nicely on a platter with nice condiments but perhaps needed a little more salt. They also offer you the option to have the bones and can order as a soup or pan fried for a small price. We misunderstood what the server was asking and ordered them fried with hot chillies...it was tasty and crispy but next time we would try as a soup. Restaurant was crowded so glad we made a reservation so seated right away. Tried some other tasty dishes, too. The cumin lamb was very good, and the pepper beef and salt pepper fried chicken wings were pretty good, too. A little pricey ($60/person without drinks) but some unique northern Chinese dishes. Would likely come back again for the Peking Duck but might try to compare to a few other places known for theirs, too. Also, was curious about a hanging pancake dish that several other tables ordered!!

Cafe Istanbul - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...