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Istanbul Bay

4.1 (64 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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ISTANBUL BAY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Istanbul Bay

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My awesome wrap ! Picture doesn't do it justice
Jon B.

I waltzed into This Turkish delight on a non eventful evening craving a good ole Doner wrap. With humble expectations , I ordered it and they actually didn't ask me what wanted on it ( yet I mentioned the yogurt and hot sauce please). Quick and easy the slabs of lamb were sliced off and added to my quite larger than expected wrap with all the fixings . I raced home in anticipation as I finally unwrapped my promising dinner . I was happy and delighted! Hot , fresh, tasty and a generous amount of meat as well! So happy I found The Bay as I officially have a Doner "Go to!"

Menu 6/5/22
Thuy H.

Wow, food is beyond flavorful and truly authentic. Everything tasted so fresh. I had the platter with lamb and rice. I even got to try babaganush for the first time. My gf who had it tons of times elsewhere said this was one of the better ones she's had. She said it definitely tasted authentic. Very friendly staff. As for seating, it's very limited as it's more of a take out spot. However, my gfs and I were able to grab the seats and enjoy our food right on the spot. We did come off peak hours though, so please keep that in mind. I will be back when I make another trip to NY.

Mix Doner Gyro Wrap
Vivian Z.

Fantastic place, super clean facilities and nice friendly staff. Quick service, courteous and caring folks operate Istanbul Bay. We ordered a mixed doner wrap for each of us and fries, it was SO much food. One wrap totally could have been two meals for me but I wasn't about to be weak so I tore through the entire thing in one sitting bc I'm competitive with my athletic trainer SO lol The meat is tender, hot, juicy, and flavorful. Very generous portion of protein in that packed wrap. The veggies were fresh and crisp and I loved the feta cheese. I added probably a whole pint of their yogurt/dill/mint sauce, it was so addicting. And of course the fries were arguably some of the best fries I've ever had at a quick place like this. So perfectly thin and crisp and perfectly salty. They've also got a few options for traditional turkish beverages, my partner got the Ayran since it's similar to a traditional drink he has back home but I opted for some good old coca cola. This place really hit the spot. Wish they got some more business, come out and support them folks!

Adrienne G.

Delish falafel wrap alert! Stopped in here on a whim as it was pouring rain and I wanted something how I could take back to my room. The falafels wee small but super dense & after about half way through, I was thinking to myself whoa I'm full..... but somehow I managed to polish off the whole thing. Next time, I'll make sure to order a side of their spicy sauce to see what that's like but the flavor was delish as it was - you can't go wrong with the falafel Freshly made to order, staff was super friendly. Thank you for the perfect, quick & easy takeaway on a cold, rainy day

Chicken Gyro
Kyle W.

I ordered a chicken gyro and French fries. While it was clearly fresh and made-to-order, it seemed like it really lacked any kind of seasoning. The chicken was just kind of bland. Not horrible and certainly edible, but overall that was the one critique me and the other person I was dining with had. The fries were really good and had a great amount - shoe string type.

Excellent Doner sandwich!
Numone S.

The food was very good and plenty. Plus friendly service. Sit in or order to go, but no outlets for charging.

Lamb Doner Pita
Heying D.

We walked by here and grabbed a quick bite. The meat was so so. We ordered a wrap but were given a sandwich. The bread was too doughy and just overwhelming. Not the best food. I prefer the pizza slices next door!

Lamb Pita
Brandon N.

I think this place is criminally underrated: they load you up with one of the best lamb I've ever had (tastes and feels like brisket tbh). Great volume, great price point, and well it's nowhere as good as the Turkish food I had in Germany years ago but it's still very solid and will satisfy you. Their chicken is inconsistent, sometimes it's a hit and the juiciest softest chicken, sometimes it's a little firm and dry.

Chris G.

If you were in DE at any point, you know how amazing and plentiful döners are. Me and bestie had to check it out. It reminded us of after club days in the Cobblestone streets of Heidelberg. When they showed me their wraps are traditional Turkish (yufka), I decided then to take one wrap to go as I left today. I'm here on this train waiting to get home to devour it. For those unfamiliar with the the spike it's on, they do shave it and cook it to the appropriate temp, so you are never eating undercooked meat. The veggie I got with yesterday's wrap was so fresh, but today. Nothing but meat and sauce. It's gonna be magical! Please don't hesitate, come try it. You won't regret it.

Diana A.

I stopped by for dinner on the go. Place has decent seating. I ordered the Chicken Douner that came with a side of bread. I ordered the large and it was enough to save 1/2 for two meals for me. For desert I ordered this yummy little pastry that was super delicious and comes in two pairs. Food was fresh and delicious highly recommend. Price was worth it.

Mix doner (chicken + lamb)
Amy R.

Istanbul Bay is a casual Turkish & Mediterranean spot at the corner of 42nd and 9th. It is a new and welcomed addition to the neighborhood and an delicious and affordable meal. The restaurant is very small - standing room only with a couple of bar stools. The menu offers an array of salads, apps, salad, rice plates and sandwiches and wraps. The guys behind the counter are friendly and passionate about their food. I ordered the doner (lamb gyro plate), mix doner (lamb+chicken gyro plate), and a side of falafel (not on the menu). The plates come with bread, rice, and salad. They kindly threw in a container of what I think is keskul (milk pudding with almonds + pistachio) for me to try. The plates were generously portioned. I think we got more meat than we did rice! Definitely had to split it into 2 meals. The thin slices of meat were moist, tasty and flavorful. Salt level was balanced. Salad was refreshing, though a bit heavy on the parsley for my taste. I could do without the bread. Istanbul Bay's falafel is solid - crispy on the outside, soft and flavor-packed on the inside. They are on the larger size too. A side order of these guys isn't on the menu, but you can just ask. The keskul was the perfect dessert. Great smooth texture, delicate milk flavor and lightly sweetened. It's not listed on their menu but you can grab it from the drink case. I'm excited that Istanbul Bay has opened up, especially when many businesses here have closed during the pandemic. I look forward to many future meals from here.

The lamb gyro at Istanbul Bay,

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2 years ago

Had chicken plate. Excellent flavor and tender. Salad was simple and dressing was exceptional. Easily worth more than five stars.

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Sahara's Turkish Cuisine - Cheese Pastries

Sahara's Turkish Cuisine

3.9(341 reviews)
1.4 miKips Bay
$$

Sahara is my favorite restaurant when I am in NYC. Was there recently and loved the chicken chops,…read moreand the cold appetizer platter. The portions are great, the price is right, and the service is fabulous. Can't wait to go back.

I was really excited to try this place but honestly it was a huge disappointment. The presentation…read moreof the food was very nice and Instagram‑worthy, but that's the only good thing I can say. The food itself was bad -- like really bad. From start to finish everything missed the mark: The hummus was bland and tasted like someone forgot the spices. The doma (dolmas) were disappointing and didn't have the rich flavor they should. Even the baklava, which should be a sweet highlight, was dry, lackluster, and honestly not enjoyable. The Turkish coffee was so bitter it was almost undrinkable -- if you like bitter coffee, maybe it's your thing, but it wasn't what I expected. They market themselves as Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine, but what I ate didn't come close to what I'd consider good food in that category. My stomach was still growling afterward -- and not in a "I want more" way, but in a "why did I eat this?" way. The staff and service were fine and the atmosphere is pretty, but at the end of the day it's just not worth it when the food itself is so underwhelming. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for authentic or tasty Turkish/Middle Eastern food.

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Sahara's Turkish Cuisine - Atmosphere

Atmosphere

Sahara's Turkish Cuisine - Beyti Kebab

Beyti Kebab

Sahara's Turkish Cuisine - Arnavut Cigeri (Calf Liver)

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ilili NoMad - Lamb & Beef Shawarma (6.5/10)

ilili NoMad

4.1(2.9k reviews)
1.0 miFlatiron
$$$

Gorgeous upscale dinner spot in midtown! We came as a group of 7 and were seated comfortably, lots…read moreof room within the restaurant. Great place to share several food items with a group. It was a little hard to hear and converse at times as it gets crowded, but the food was delicious and there are really unique items on the menu. Food: The duck shawarma was one of our favorites! The lamb and scallops were also flavorful and tender. The dips were delicious with the pita, but I wish the serving size for the dips were bigger. The fries were great - well seasoned! Also recommend the milky pudding, it was a nice refreshing way to end the dinner. Service: Our server was super helpful in letting us know what items are more shareable and his suggestions for cocktails. Definitely try some of the arak based cocktails. Vibe: Gorgeous interior, the mirrors and lighting really elevates the space and makes it a lovely spot for group dinners or dates.

We went for Mother's Day brunch. When we arrived a few minutes early we did have to wait a bit. The…read morerestaurant had two floors, nicely decorated and cozy. We were lead upstairs to a table. There were 7 of us The seating was cozy but not cramped. We started with 7 family style small dishes: Hummus with Falafel Pops (chickpea purée, tahini, falafel, olive oil), Spring Burrata (roasted cherry tomatoes, toast, basil oil), Hamachi Crudo (passionfruit vinaigrette, citrus zest, cucumber, mint, sesame tuile), Scallops (carrot puree, serrano pepper, brown butter sauce), Tenderloin Skewer (zaatar chimichurri, fresh herb salad), and Shiitake Stuffed Grape Leaves (tomato coulis, yogurt foam, herbs). Everything was delicious. The hummus was well seasoned the falafel had a nice crunch. It went well with the warm puffy gyro bread that came to the table. The burrata was wasm and creamy. I love the vinaigrette on the fish. I ended up eating most of it. The scallops were the sweetest, most tender ones I have ever had. The tenderloin skewers were tender and well seasoned. I liked the grape leaves but the rice consistency was very soft almost mushy and you can barely tell there were mushrooms. There was barely any mushrooms flavor. Next we all chose an entree. I got the duck breast, my husband and daughter each had the beef tenderloin. The duck breast was smaller than i expected. The skin was nicely seared and very crispy but boy did it give my jaw a workout. It was done medium rare. It was juicy but tough. The small beef tenderloin was tender and smoky. The waiter poured the sauce over the tenderloin for added flavor. Finally dessert was a fruit plate with ice cream and pudding. The fruit was fresh and the flavors of the ice cream and pudding unique. It was a nice end to a good brunch. The price was a little expensive at $85 a person.

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ilili NoMad - Ilili Restaurant NYC's outdoor dining

Ilili Restaurant NYC's outdoor dining

ilili NoMad - Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts

ilili NoMad - Glass of Chateau Ksara 'Blanc de Blancs' 2023 (~$17)

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Glass of Chateau Ksara 'Blanc de Blancs' 2023 (~$17)

Sophra Grill - Entrees

Sophra Grill

4.6(187 reviews)
1.1 miMurray Hill, Midtown East
$$

Absolutely amazing spot for Turkish food in Murray Hill. It was close to my hotel, so I figured to…read morestop in. I'm so glad I did. I got to try a variety of different items, inducing: ayran, chicken Adana sandwich on home bread, Turkish tea, and rice pudding. The ayran was probably the best I've ever had in my life. It was so refreshing, the perfect amount of salt, so good. And it's homemade. I would highly recommend you try this drink regardless of what you order, it's that good. The chicken Adana sandwich was also quite nice. The chicken was fresh and well seasoned in a good portion with some lettuce, onions, tomatoes as well. The bread was great. It's served with two wonderful, flavorful sauces: hot sauce and yogurt sauce (I much prefer the latter). Portion is incredible for the price. Then, I was initially interested in trying the fig pudding for dessert but they were out of it, so I went with the rice pudding. Again, a huge portion that is well worth the price. So creamy, so good. And, they brought out 2 Turkish teas for free to make up for not having the fig! The people are just very nice here, and the tea was also lovely, piping hot and just perfect. It's a pretty small restaurant but doesn't get crowded early on. They were playing some Turkish music while I ate, and I really enjoyed it. The people are very kind and attentive and the food is just incredible. Must try!

Great Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern flavors in Murray Hill... perfect for take out or dining in…read moretheir restaurant where you can stare at their amazing desserts in the display case. Fast, friendly, yummy. From salads, apps (bababganush, hummus, muhammara, tabouli, etc.), gyros, pides and platters. Everything looks delicious. For take out I love their chicken gyro on home bread, with "white sauce" no hot sauce. $13.50 plus tax.

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Sophra Grill - Lahmacun

Lahmacun

Sophra Grill - Hummus & Muhammara

Hummus & Muhammara

Sophra Grill - White Wine

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White Wine

Ravagh Persian Grill - Lamb Chops Kebob

Ravagh Persian Grill

4.0(1.2k reviews)
0.9 miMurray Hill, Midtown East
$$

What an absolutely wonderful experience we had at Ravagh! From the moment we walked in, we were…read morewelcomed with genuine warmth that immediately set the tone for the entire evening. The atmosphere is cozy, elegant, and inviting -- exactly the kind of place where you instantly feel at home, whether you're there for a quiet dinner or celebrating with friends. The quality of the food was outstanding across the board. I ordered the Sultani Kebab, which was perfectly grilled, beautifully seasoned, and incredibly tender -- every bite melted in my mouth. My friend had the Lamb Shank, and it was equally phenomenal: slow-cooked to perfection, falling off the bone, and bursting with rich, authentic Persian flavors. The saffron rice was fluffy and fragrant, the bread was fresh and warm, and even the appetizers and salads showed real care and attention to detail. We literally cleaned our plates -- not a grain of rice left behind! What truly elevated the experience, though, was the service. Musa, the manager, is in a league of his own. Despite the restaurant being absolutely packed on the night we visited, he handled everything with grace, professionalism, and a genuine smile. He made sure we were seated quickly, checked in on us throughout the meal, and made every single guest feel like a VIP. Musa and his team are a powerhouse -- incredibly strong, well-coordinated, attentive, and passionate about what they do. You can tell they take real pride in their work, and that energy radiates throughout the entire restaurant. The prices were very reasonable, especially considering the generous portions, the premium quality of the ingredients, and the top-tier service. It's rare to find a place that nails all three -- food, ambiance, and hospitality -- but Ravagh absolutely does. My friends and I left feeling completely satisfied, well-fed, and already planning our next visit. If you're looking for authentic Persian cuisine in a warm, welcoming setting with a team that truly cares, Ravagh is the place. A huge thank you to Musa and the entire staff for making our evening so memorable. We'll definitely be back -- and we'll be bringing more friends with us!

Delicious from start to finish!…read more A colleague recommended Ravagh for a team dinner in the Chelsea location and I am so grateful we came here. To drink, I ordered the Tehrani Mule; a take on the moscow with a house made ginger lime juice. 8/10; a tad watery. We decided to go family style with ordering and chose the mediterranean salad, kotlet, and falafel to start. The falafel was perfectly crisp with a slightly smoky outer crust that added really great texture and flavor. A bit dry tho -- Needed the hummus and Mezze Platter to dress it up a little. Salad was refreshing, crispy and a great palette cleanser across the table. The combo platter + mixed rice was fabulous. Chicken was tender and came right off the bone (something I'm new to but it was good!). It came with a side of tzatziki and persian zhoug (?) - a minty and herby chutney that just added another layer to the aromatics of the dish. Although the rice was great, it was a really large portion even for the group of 5. It would've been nice to have the option to split to a half portion of vegetables or different grain to balance quantity. Overall 8.9/10 - Definitely worth a visit with a group for business dinner or catching up on a friend's night out. The service is great, everyone is super attentive and you can really feel that the food with made with love. So glad I tried this place and I'll be back to give their dolmeh and dessert a taste!

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Ravagh Persian Grill
Ravagh Persian Grill - Salmon Kebob

Salmon Kebob

Ravagh Persian Grill - Dining area

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Dining area

Turkish Kitchen - Yum.

Turkish Kitchen

3.8(637 reviews)
1.3 miKips Bay
$$$

Turkish Kitchen is my neighborhood mainstay, I can't even count how many times I've been over the…read moreyears. The birthday coupons are what had brought me in every year, but even though they stopped during Covid, I still enjoy visiting. My go-to dish is the Iskender Kebab - delicious slices of lamb with tomato sauce and yogurt over baked pita bread. I also enjoy the combination platter with dips - the baba ghanoush is delicious. The atmosphere is classy but down-to-earth. The cocktails are tasty. The service can be slow, but it means we are never rushed out. The prices are mid-high, but commensurate with the quality of food. I recently came with a large group, including kids. Service was welcoming despite the chaos. Our bread was frequently replenished and our bottles of wine poured. On top of that, we were given tastes of dessert & liqueur - such a nice treat at the end of a long meal. I especially appreciated that the head guy alerted us that gratuity was already added to the check. We had such a great time, that we opted to tip more! I was happy that my group had such a positive experience, and surely will continue to return.

A group of my friends were in town, and we happened to pick this place just by walking down the…read morestreet in the area until we saw something that looked tasty. We could not have been happier with what we got for a place that we picked totally randomly. First of all, the place is popular and we did not have resos, but the staff were super nice and found us an open table that we could eat at as long as we put in our orders quick so they could get the table ready for a later reservation in an hour. Then the food itself arrived and was really delicious and well presented, just look at those kebab plates and dips! They also gave our group free baklava at the end I think just because they felt a little bad they had to rush us, which wasn't even their fault and was super appreciated. Also, the interior decoration is fantastic. The restaurant feels super classy and elegant. Great vibes for a date, a business dinner, or just a fancy dinner. Overall, easy 5 stars. Great food and amazing service. Oh and the wine was delicious too.

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Turkish Kitchen
Turkish Kitchen
Turkish Kitchen

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Istanbul Bay - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

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