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Paid $32 for a shish kebab that was one tiny skewer of overcooked lamb, a small scoop of rice, and mostly raw veggies that were supposed to be grilled and include asparagus (they didn't). The bag felt so light I checked it before leaving and immediately knew I'd been ripped off. They didn't even start my order until I arrived, and when I questioned the portion size, the owner came outside to confront me instead of making it right. Bad food, tiny portions, and worse service. Won't be back.
It is hard to find good Turkish food in the US. Especially in the middle of the country. It was a surprise to see Cafe Istanbul on Yelp. Very friendly service, good prices, and delicious Turkish food. Started with the fresh from the oven Lavash bread. Tried the amazing "spicy" or "ezme" as it is originally named. Then a great finish with İskender kebap. Highly recommended. The food was some of the most authentic Turkish cuisine I've had outside of Turkey. The lavash bread was lightly charred on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. It was the perfect vessel to scoop up the ezme, which was a delicious blend of tomatoes, peppers, onions and spices. The heat was subtle and built nicely, allowing the other flavors to shine through. For the main dish, the iskender kebab did not disappoint. Thinly sliced lamb was cooked to tender perfection and laid over slices of pita. It was then topped with a tangy tomato sauce and melted butter. Each bite was a revelatory mix of flavors and textures. The portion was also quite generous. In addition to the outstanding food, the staff provided excellent and friendly service. They were knowledgeable about the menu items and happy to provide recommendations. It was refreshing to find such high quality Turkish cuisine in an unexpected location in the middle of the country. I will definitely be returning next time I'm craving authentic flavors from that part of the world. Cafe Istanbul should not be missed if you find yourself in the area. .
This place is incredible and features very authentic Turkish cuisine. I asked the waitress what was one of the most authentic Turkish items on the menu, and she recommended the Bursa Iskender (seasoned ground lamb in a delicious red tomato-butter sauce with yogurt and a pita on the side). Their cheese-filled rolls were great, as were their Turkish cherry and apricot juices - which I never had before. Their bread (more of a pita) was also very unique and can be dipped in the Iskender tomato-butter sauce. Moreover, the dessert of the Turkish flan was amazing - if you finish it all off with the tea you will be in paradise. Service was also prompt and very attentive. The interior decor is also awesome, featuring many cool Turkish artifacts and designs, plus a cartoon caricature doll of a chef I was told was Turkish somehow but I'm not sure if it was just a random cartoon character. Highly, highly recommended! Especially if you are searching for authentic Turkish cuisine!
Pro tip: check into Yelp for free hummus and thank me later! It was my first time here and the food was hot and fresh, the service was fantastic and I left feeling full but not heavy. I am not super familiar with Turkish food so trying a little bit of everything was great. My favorite was the gyro looking meat and the lamb chops. Wish there were more sauce varieties with the meats but besides that, I had a wonderful meal and can't wait to come back.
We were cruising and perusing The Shops at Legacy for a restaurant to partake of our lite evening snack and came across Cafe Istanbul. I very seldom give a venue 5 stars on my first visit but I was totally impressed with the service, atmosphere and most importantly, the delectable delights. To set the gastric juices in motion, we started off with Old Fashioneds. Whilst waiting for the main course, we enjoyed the Turkish Lavash bread along with the Shepherd Salad, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, dill, and parsley served with olive oil and red wine vinegar. My main course was the Lamb Sauté lamb sautéed with green peppers, red peppers, onions, tomtoes, garlic and soy sauce, served with rice pilaf and the Selendi Cabernet Sauvignon paired very with the lamb. And last but certainly not least was the dessert, Kunefe, prepared with shredded wheat and Turkish sweet cheese, baked and served on a hot plate, topped with syrup and chopped pistachios. Our server Gursel was excellent. A Turkish coffee and snifter of Amaretto brought our absolutely magnificent culinary experience to a delightful end.
Authentic food, authentic people. We went the Saturday before my birthday, also Valentine's Day, also the Super Bowl. I'd never heard of this place, but it had great reviews and a table, so I made last minute reservations. I headed there with my partner for 5:30 reservations. Parking was easy at that time, though when we left close to 7, it was B U S Y. We were offered two tables and chose the one behind a tiny wall behind the host station. It was private and protected from the door opening. Our server was Memet, who informed us he was Turkish when we asked for appetizer recommendations. Outside of our normal preferences we ordered what he recommended. Everything that came out was delicious. The sausage appetizer was very good but it is essentially four small slices of a sausage. The felon love in Istanbul cocktail was fine but not memorable. If you like the licorice flavors of Ouzo order the Raki. It is very very very very very strong. Have a designated driver! We sipped and shared half and were done. My husband had the Istanbul doner (doner meat is gyro meat). It was too tomatoey for me and my husband devoured it. I had the Kuzu Incik / Lamb Shank (Shank of lamb, slowly cooked and braised with its seasoned broth. Served on a bed of mashed grilled eggplant, red bell pepper mix with mashed potatoes and topped with tomato sauce). You Guys. First off, I didn't realize it was mashed grilled eggplant until he told me after one bite he couldn't get past that--it was amazing. Next, that lamb was tender and juicy -- perfectly cooked! We finished it off with Baklava (don't ask how we had room--that's rude!). It was good as well, served cut into 4 little squares. Overall a lovely evening, lovely service, lovely company. The owner/manager/bartender was on his feet all night pitching in and actively involved in the restaurant which made the whole experience that much more authentic.
We ended up here by default as we were going to get drinks and a light lunch but decided we'd try this Turkish restaurant. We went on a Friday around 3 pm so the place was pretty empty but we were immediately greeted. We wanted to sit outside (it was a little chilly) but were told there was no gas available for the outdoor heaters. No biggie! We were seated inside by the wall since it was two of us dining. The server was nice and the menu was pretty easy to maneuver around. I forgot the name of my drink but it was a martini with mango and was very refreshing. My honey and I ordered the Babaganoush and Spicy tomato blend for our bread. *chefs kiss*. It was literally the perfect combination to start off with. I would definitely suggest trying both. And the Spicy was just that! Lol Entrees: we asked the waiter what he would suggest and of course it was the most expensive thing on the menu. I mean we understood it but thought it was a bit tacky but weren't turned off by it the least bit. We ordered the lamb shish kebab and the chicken shish kebab. If I came back, I would order the lamb. It was much better seasoned and was very tender. It was served with rice and grilled tomatoes and peppers, which I enjoyed! Service was good and the restrooms were clean. Our overall experience was a 4 out of 5 stars. I'm giving it 4 just off the strength that the food could've been a little more seasoned but I'd definitely go back! And the timing was perfect! So if you're looking for a quaint lunch/early dinner dining experience that won't leave you full yet satisfied this is your place!
4 years ago
Cafe Istanbul is a regular stop on our local dining out rotation. The food is always fresh, well prepared and served with a warm and friendly customer service. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu but we keep going back to the Mixed Grill for two which is an excellent way to try out several meats on the menu. The freshly baked Lavash bread is an absolute treat to pair with the entrees. They also have a really great selection of red and white Turkish wines to pair with the excellent kebabs. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
As nice as this set up is it was cold and lacked flavor. For the amount of money you spend you would expect to have some flavor the garlic sauce was the only thing on the plate with any flavor. Also I have never been to a Turkish restaurant where they charge you for tea. Would not recommend this place at all. read more
5 years ago
Decent Mediterranean-style food. Bread is fresh and good. Good atmosphere and friendly staff. It could be better if the waiters actually waited for you to finish eating before rushing your plates off the table. Also, tables are next to each other and we were uncomfortably close to other tables. read more
Unexpectedly ended up here due to my gal's yelp searching skills assuming this was a coffee shop. Lively spot for classic Turkish cuisine which lots of good restaurants in the area. Order: ---------- Apricot Martini -- Decent Baklava -- Pretty good, Not too sweet Hummus -- Ok Hunkar Begendi --- Lamb is not cooked Properly and it was too hard, Felt $24 for this dish with out a side of Bread or Rice is not the right pricing. Pros: ---------- Patio Decent Food Complimentary Bread Free Hummus for Yelp Check in Street Parking and Garage Parking Lots of food options close by Cons: --------- Food can get better read more
Really nice date experience at Cafe Istanbul tonight. Great place for a yummy Mediterranean dinner before a movie, as it's near the Angelika. Trendy and fun atmosphere for dining. Servers were friendly and attentive enough. We started with the dolmas and hummus. They bring a giant freshly baked flat bread to the table with it. Then came the Adani kebab, Sheppard Salad, and grilled vegetables. All of it was yummy. (They do need to work on their bathroom which was clean but weirdly brags a sign reading "don't flush toilet paper"--I'm certain they must've meant "only flush toilet paper". The door lock wasn't very good so they could improve that too, since that doesn't go with the good quality rest of the place.) read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Been here several times in the past and came by for the first time in a while with my wife last night. The maitre'd and server were both nice and cordial. Ambiance is good as well. For our starter, we had the hummus. The hummus was sub par and not as smooth/creamy as many others I've tried in the nearby surrounding area. For the quantity/quality the price was a little much in my opinion. The lavash was excellent. It's also worth noting that I paid $5 for a can of Diet Coke. Seemed like somewhat of a price gouge to me. Wife opted for an old fashioned and it was fine. For dinner, I had the chicken sautée. My dish was flavorful, warm and comforting. Portion size was slightly underwhelming considering the price. My wife opted for a house salad with a chicken kabob. I had a chance to try a few bites. Well rounded, flavorful salad with the kabob cooked to perfection. Other than the hummus, everything was good to superb. However, the value perception kept something to be desired. For about $50 more we could have dined somewhere more up scale. 3.5/5. read more
Having visited Turkey several times, I'm always a sucker to try out more Turkish places in DFW, and since we were in Plano for the afternoon, we had our minds made up to try out Cafe Istanbul. We arrived just before the lunch rush and after devouring a few servings of their amazing fresh-baked bread, The Wife and I both went with one of the lunch specials: the Adana Kebab sandwich. We were greeted with two hefty halves of a sandwich, with plenty of their delicious (and spicy) Adana Kebab stuffed into that great bread they make in house. A must order here I would say as it was both tasty and filling. This is definitely some of the best kebab to be had in DFW and combined with this great lunch special, makes this an easy 5 stars. The atmosphere was also pretty lively, so I am sure this place can make for some fun happy hour outings as well. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
Best birthday evening back at Cafe Istanbul! We came here years ago for my 42nd birthday and what a treat to relive it! Same cozy vibes, friendly faces and killer food! One thing that steps out for me is just how warm and inviting the staff is! They really take good care of their customers! I wished I had gotten our servers name but he was really wonderful! Bet your boots we WILL be back! We sat indoors towards the back which was nice. Next time we are going to trying sitting at the bar in the front that looked fun too! Loved sitting outside with our Turkish tea and coffee treat! Take aways: *The hot fresh n lavash bread with their hummus (so so good!) *Nice selection of Turkish wines (red/white) and they bring you samples to try if you're not sure *The music really set the ambiance up nicely - stole a few songs with my Shazam app * Their seasonal salad with salmon was DELISH * Turkish coffee and tea at the end ...YUM!! *Service was outstanding!! If you get a chance to have a date night...come here! read more
I was here approximately 10 yrs ago when they first opened but for the life of me can't remember.....which is surprising because this place is good...really really good. The appetizers, Conan Salata-tomato, cucumber salad with lime dressing and a hint of dill was delicious. I'll be back just for that salad! The Cacik, yogurt mixed with chopped cucumbers, garlic and dill was 5 stars and the acili, while a tad too spicy hot was very, very good and flavorful. Yelp gave us free Humus for checking in and all I can say it was very, very good. We tried to the meat combo board and was glad we did as it allowed us to try out multitude of lamb and chicken, prepared a multitude of ways. My only negative was the Istanbul Doner, essentially gyro meat with a lot less flavor and dry. The Adana Kebab was very, very well season...quite tasty as was the chicken version both of which we really enjoyed. The Sebzeli Guvec-vegetarian casserole was Devine! Not to be confused with atypical American casserole either....like a vegetable stew but very tasty! Service was impeccable! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
My boyfriend and I went here for a lovely date night. We didn't have a reservation but we're seated right away. Service was just a little slow once seated, but restaurant quickly got packed inside and outside. (Outdoor dining area looks so cute and fun but we sat inside) The drink menu was great with lots of unique $12 cocktails. Wine menu also available with Turkish wine options. My boyfriend got the Turkish Doner and scarfed it down before I got a pic. My beef Shish Kabobs were absolutely the best I have had, and the mashed potatoes were perfectly seasoned as well. The restaurant is kinda small on the inside for larger groups but Cafe Istanbul is great spot for a date night! read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
Favorite place in Legacy. Great food . Great service . They are so nice and the food is amazing. Great Turkish wine and the lamb is so tasty. A must try!! read more
I've been here a couple of times now for lunch with my spouse who is from the Middle East. The restaurant is in a shopping center, and free parking is easily available in a parking garage nearby. This is his favorite restaurant to get Turkish cuisine. It is always fun to try out cuisines you may not as knowledgeable about with someone who is. They make lavash for you when you arrive. Who can say no fresh bread? I found the service to be friendly. The food takes some time to be prepared so don't come here if you're in a hurry. This is a nice restaurant to relax and enjoy your meal. From my two visits my favorite dishes were the Turkish Sausage and the Adana Kebabi with a Turkish coffee to finish! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
6 years ago
What a great experience this place was! We are on the hunt to try new restaurants and foods that we both haven't had, so we settled on Cafe Istanbul to kick off our Turkish experience. Our server (we are not sure on the spelling) Hamdi was very helpful in pointing out foods that were more authentic and ways that first timers can have a variety of foods. He made our dining experience quite enjoyable. I've taken a sommelier class, but it did not include Turkish wines. Hamdi recommended a lovely Turkish red wine that was a blend of merlot and three other varietals that came from Turkey. The wine was light bodied, soft tannins, and had a good mellow flavor for a 2018 vintage. Unfortunately I didn't catch the name of it because it wasn't yet on the wine list. It paired very well with our grilled meat and did not detract from the flavors of the meat and the meat did not detract from the flavor of the wine. Before our meat feast, we ate some hummus with the Turkish bread. The bread was delicious and interesting. It did not have a strong flavor at all but had a lovely texture and made a great vehicle in which we enjoyed our hummus and later our meat. The hummus was delicious and did not leave a flavor of garlic/onion in your mouth like some store bought varieties do. I greatly appreciated this as I love hummus, but am not a fan of having to brush my teeth after enjoying it. The meat feast was just wow. The presentation was stunning. It was definitely the right choice because we got to try so many different meats. You know meat is good when it needs nothing extra. We barely touched the tzatziki and other sauce because the meat needed nothing added. We only touched the sauces to sample their taste. My favorite and also my boyfriend's favorite was the doner. Pair it with the pickled cabbage and it's irresistible. We tried the pot of Turkish tea before our kanafeh came out since we both love tea but never had Turkish tea before. Honestly, it tasted like slightly watery lipton. It wasn't a special black tea, but it had a mellow flavor and wasn't bitter like lipton can be. The "pot" was really cute. reminded me of the beakers from my science classes. The kanafeh was delicious! It was sweet without being sickeningly sweet and had a savory taste with the cheese. The shredded wheat added a slightly crunchy texture and toasted flavor. The syrup was light and enjoyable. I want to find a recipe for it now, but we may just have to dine at Cafe Istanbul again to try the appetizer platter and have the kanafeh again. Overall, the experience and food was amazing. A meal is always elevated when you have a great staff taking care of you. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful with it's evil eye decor and beautiful tiled ceiling. It was a little hot for the patio, but I can't wait to sit out there when the weather cools down a bit. read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
So delicious!! Try it! Expand your taste buds!! Every time we come it's exceptional!! I wish I lived closer! read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Cafe Istanbul was super cute. We kept it light and got Turkish coffee and Turkish tea. We also had stuffed grape leaves. All were good. Only downside is that the owner did not honor the free hummus plate that came up as a perk when we "checked in" on Yelp. read more
5 years ago
One key to staying sane but somewhat safe in a pandemic is trying new restaurants. The Legacy area in Plano is a great middle point to meet a friend of mine for dinner. We had Mexican Sugar a few weeks ago so this time we tried Cafe Istanbul. My friend is vegan so this Turkish was a great choice considering all of the fresh options. She tried a Turkish red wine & was slightly tipsy by the end of dinner lol. I had the spicy appetizer and the rolled phyllo borek which was feta cheese and parsley rolled in phyllo dough and fried. Very light and tasty. The spicy appetizer reminds me of Mexican salsa. My friend had hummus, falafel and fries and we ate it all with the fresh, warm complimentary bread. I also had a margarita which was pretty good & refreshing. I would definitely be back for the falafel & rolled borek. read more
I've been here at least 3 times in the last 2 years (limited due to Covid) and each time it has been great! The food is ALWAYS on point, the chicken is NEVER dry (very hard to do consistently with Mediterranean food). We normally get a few things off the menu like the Babaganoush, Hummus, etc. When bringing a group of friends or family we normally go for the Mixed Grill (for two) because it gives you a great selection of all the meats for everyone to try. We had a group of (6) and ordered (3) of those as well as additional appetizers. The drinks are also on point! definitely can taste the strength of the alcohol so you don't feel skimped out but also the taste is very delicious. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting good Mediterranean food and a good night out! read more
5 years ago
Great introduction to Turkish food. We had the Mixed Grill and it got my friend and I very full towards the end of our meal. The Mixed Grill comes with a variety of meat that you can eat with the rice, vegetables, and lavash. Speaking of their lavash, it was SO warm and soft - made the meal! Lots of table space, indoor and outdoor options. Server was quick and attentive. Next time I come, I'd want to try some of their other menu options as well as their Turkish wine! read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
Service is exceptional and food is good as well, I have been to this place with my family asked for a patio seating to enjoy the street view for my dinner. Overall I had very pleasant experience read more
Istanbul. Where East meets West. Okay, I was in Legacy West area not Turkey! When meeting my dining buddy, I had to find the location where east met west with gas prices! Good thing I stopped at this quaint cafe located in Plano. The owner took time to greet me and my guest. He mentioned that the restaurant has been around for years so I wondered why I only visited just now. Little did he know, I once visited Turkey and had all the cuisine the location is known for. I can tell this owner maintains the preparation of the dishes considering its rich heritage. What didn't make my photos was the chicken kebab and baklava. I was so hungry that I devoured it. I could've done without the falafel because it was too charred for my liking. I loved the hummus and cheese stuffed Rolled Phyllo Bourek (Think crab Rangoon but as a taquito). You can't go wrong with experimenting with all the appetizer dishes. The waiter will let you know if it's too much of a portion or not. Trying Turkish cuisine for the first time? The kebabs are a standard "safe" dish to order. They don't overly season the dish here and the side garnishes can help you layer the dish well. I would work here just to access that baklava. Definitely a desert made with love. The pistachio toppings and layers were just constructed to perfection. Night lights and the pale moon in the distance...this cafe made me recall Turkish nights! Love the plating and family owned feel. read more
3 years ago
My first visiting this restaurant! The lamb chops were delicious. They're so juicy an full of flavor. read more
3 years ago
Erol (owner) and his entire team take good care of us and in fact, they remember our orders! We usually come with 20-30 guests. The food is fresh and is of the highest quality, very flavorful and simplistically presented, and cooked to perfection. There is a variety of proteins but the restaurant also caters to the vegetarian and vegan palettes, as they have a variety of veggie main courses, appetizers and side dishes. However if you are a meat eater, particularly beef and lamb... you'll be in heaven! They offer a free hot, delicious lavish and any add'l lavish is of a nominal price. Cafe Instanbul is a Go-To restaurant for a solo dinner, date night, business meal, and group events. They are super hospitable, very accommodating and excellent service. read more
2 years ago
Vegans - limited options here as the hummus contains mayo and the baba contains yogurt. There is a veggie "casserole" - veggies in tomato broth - but I wanted something more traditional. Went with the falafel, dolma, and a salad called "spicy" - tomato, bell peppers, parsley, onion, mint leaves, pomegranate molasses, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice. Portions were decent but a little small for the price, but flavors were good. (Note that my photo is not a full order - you get four grape leaves and four falafel + a nice serving of "spicy".) The "spicy" is definitely spicy! Falafel was excellent, crunchy outside and soft inside. Made fresh. No complaints about the grape leaves either. I can't say this is going to be my go-to spot for falafel - I need hummus and baba (plus tabouleh would be nice), but all in all a nice little lunch. Note : almost went three stars for price and lack of vegan options, but food quality is definitely a four. read more
4 years ago
More info about Cafe Istanbul
7300 Lone Star Dr
Ste 160 C
Plano, TX 75024
Directions
(972) 398-2020
Call Now
Visit Website
https://cafeistanbultexas.com
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Cafe Istanbul - turkish - Updated May 2026
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