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    Istanbul Restaurant

    4.4 (223 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Istanbul Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

    Istanbul Restaurant Photos

    ISTANBUL RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Kofta Kebab, Lamb Chops, rice, Turkish Salad (Çoban Salatası)
    Furkan K.

    We ordered the large family platter and got to try a little bit of everything. From lamb chops, to chicken and beef kebabs. It was all savory. We also finished with tea and baklava. The service is always exceptional when I come here.

    What we ordered and what we got. Gyro wrap literally had two think pieces of meat.
    Dafiba D.

    It was my first and last time ordering here. I ordered on their website two Gyro wraps which literally had two thin pieces of meat. The meat was tasty, but c'mon! I received a message my order would be ready by 6:45-6:50, and I arrived at 6:50... did t leave until 7:20. I had to wait 30 minutes.

    CHICKEN SHISH

    I think this place is pretty decent. The chicken tasted pretty good, but I didn't really like the rice or the salad it came with, it wasn't bad, it was just meh, it kind of had a bitter taste to it. I think it was okay for the pricing, but the portion was pretty small honestly. I don't ever finish my plates when I go out tot eat, but i finished this plate and I wasn't even hungry. The service was decent. They are friendly but pretty slow with their service. Also the first cup of water I was given had a piece of parsley in it, and wasn't cleaned properly. Other than that it was nice that they gave us extra bread to take home. I think its a cute little place to grab a bite if you want decent food, not amazing food. EDIT: i just clicked the post review and there was A BUG ON THE WALL BEHIND ME . i dont know if this place is that clean .......

    Jessica C.

    Everything was delicious; good quality food. The generous potion of bread was served warm. The lentil soup was very good. I also really enjoyed my spinach pide, which tasted like spanakopita. The service was fast and friendly. I tried to use the 10% off check in offer, but they told me they weren't offering that. I suggested they contact Yelp to get the discount removed. Overall, it was tasty and I'd come back again.

    Tea
    Amneris M.

    We came here last minute to celebrate my nieces birthday. They were able to accommodate our party of 8. The food was delicious and fresh. I started with the stuffed grape leaves and then the chicken shish, I finished it with hot tea. I'm not from around here but I would definitely be back if it were close to me.

    a view of the front counter
    Virginia B.

    Two of us came here for a late lunch. Located on Kildare Farm Road near Maynard Drive. It is a stand alone building so there's plenty of parking. The decor and music was nicely done middle eastern . It was both tables and booths . The menu is Middle East foods and has a wide variety. Chicken, beef, lamb and seafood are all here along with some good looking appetizers. We we seated and brought nice glasses of water, oil with spices and warm bread. Very nice! I got the kofta kabob and it came with a small salad and rice. When they have grilled on the menu you can believe it is truly grilled! The meat was cooked perfectly, not dried out like some places. Nice sized portions, but we were too late for the lunch menu which ends at 2:00. My friend got the burger and said it was wry good and came with fries. The burger had 2 patties of meat and was really grilled. A nice, clean place with very nice decor and good service. I will be back!

    28. MIXED GRILL  lunch portion
    Surelyne L.

    Passed this place many times but never had the chance to stop by. Decided to try it for a late Sunday lunch. Dining room was very spacious, clean & busy. It took a while to place our order since they were obviously short staffed. Our server apologized multiple times to us for the wait although we were expecting it. The deliciously fresh complementary bread was served with herbed olive oil. Kashkaval was delicious & freshly baked like their bread. Lamb shish was flavorful and tender. Mixed grill was a generous portion of Adana kebab, chicken shish & kofta kebab. The chicken was the star of this dish! The only dish I wasn't a fan of was the Iskander kebab since it was completely drenched in a tomato sauce but the yogurt served with it was really good. Definitely will be back!

    Food is amazing and a great deal for lunch. Sarash ( I know I'm spelling incorrectly) but you were great! Thank you so much

    51. CARAMELIZED PUDDING and Turkish coffee

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    1 year ago

    I've been looking for good Turkish food for a while and this place is it! Amazing food and service!

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Delicioso. Meat filled me very quickly at an affordable price with fine service. One of the busboys is a cutie patootie.

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    1 year ago

    Amazing food and some of the best service I've experienced. It's cash only for dine in, so make sure to bring cash!

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    Istanbul Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Istanbul Restaurant

    Which food is good for lunch time?

    Any of the kabobs! I've had the lamb and chicken both are great.

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    Bosphorus - Adana and Pepperoni pide

    Bosphorus

    4.3(974 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Absolutely incredible flavors from the heart of Turkey. We walked in at 3:15 pm on a Thursday…read moreafternoon for an early dinner before we went to the Chinese Lantern event, We were greeted warmly by the host and seated at a comfortable table. Our server was so gracious and brought us delicious warm bread and a dipping sauce that exceeded all others. Our order was placed and we loved the shrimp appetizer and lamb grilled entree. The flavors out of this kitchen are authentic and flavorful. We will return many times for the great service and fabulous flavors!

    I recently ate at Bosphorous and overall it was a decent experience. The staff was friendly and…read morewelcoming, and the food was really good. The chicken shish kabob and lamb kabob were both flavorful and cooked well. Those were definitely the highlights of the meal. The disappointing part was that they were already out of the Doner plate by 2:30 p.m., even though we came for dinner service. It was frustrating because that's one of the main dishes people go there for. What really stopped me from giving this place a higher rating was the condition of the men's bathroom. It was pretty gross, with visible mold and a wet towel on the floor that looked like it was there because of a leaking toilet. A lot of people say the bathroom reflects how clean the restaurant is overall, and honestly that crossed my mind while eating there. The food and service were good, but the restaurant really needs to improve the cleanliness and do a better job keeping popular menu items available.

    Photos
    Bosphorus
    Bosphorus - Tea

    Tea

    Bosphorus

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    Sassool - My wife's meal

    Sassool

    4.3(469 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I absolutely love eating the fresh salads and sides at Sassool! It can get pretty busy during…read morelunchtime, so plan ahead if you're in a rush--but that just shows how good the food is. I usually order the two chicken skewer kabobs with rice, a super salad, and the jalapeño cilantro hummus. The hummus is *so* good that I often grab a small container to take with me when I travel. Everything tastes incredibly fresh, and you can really tell they use quality ingredients, especially with olive oil as a base. They offer both fresh pita and gluten-free pita, which is great for anyone with dietary restrictions. Honestly, I could make a meal just out of all the sides--they're that good. The menu is consistently solid, and I feel like you really can't go wrong with anything you order. It's a perfect spot for a low-key lunch or dinner. Also worth noting: on Tuesdays, kids eat free with a paying adult, which is a great bonus for families. Highly recommend!

    Sasool is one of my go-to spots when I want fresh, satisfying Greek and Mediterranean food. The…read morevariety of options is one of the best parts--you can build a plate exactly how you like it, and there's always something that fits what you're in the mood for, whether that's lighter and veggie-forward or something more hearty. Everything tastes consistently fresh, from the salads and sides to the proteins and sauces. The flavors are bright, clean, and well-balanced, and the portions are generous without feeling heavy. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, and it's an easy place to relax and enjoy a good meal. It's clear that care goes into both the food and the experience. I've been here multiple times and it's been consistently good every visit. Definitely recommend if you're looking for fresh, flavorful Greek/Mediterranean food with lots of choices.

    Photos
    Sassool
    Sassool
    Sassool - Storefront

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    Storefront

    Mediterranean Grill & Grocery - Chi ken shawarma platter with hummus and falafel - lifewithhanny

    Mediterranean Grill & Grocery

    4.7(422 reviews)
    11.0 mi
    $$

    Small and very clean, almost hole in the wall kind of place in an old shopping center in a…read moreresidential neighborhood. Arabic music playing. Service is very friendly, and as quick as possible, considering that stuff seems to be made to order. I ordered a chicken kebab platter which comes over a bed of basmati rice, possibly with saffron. Whatever the rice tasted great and it wasn't dry like at a lot of places. The chicken was marinated in a tangy yogurt-spice mix, grilled and topped with a tahini sauce. Delicious! As sides I got mujadara and roasted vegetables which were also tasty. I'll be back for takeout for sure in the future.

    "Bodega-like Mediterranean Grill & Grocery in Parkwood area of Durham"…read more This place is WAY off the beaten path for most, but I'm so happy to have gotten to try it out. Nestled in a little strip between a Muslim school and a mosque is this grill and grocery. We came on a Wednesday evening, and almost every table was already taken by diners. You order your food at a counter, and it has the Middle Eastern foods you'd expect-- kofta, shawarma, gyros, falafel, baba ghanouj, hummus, baklava, etc. I opted for the lamb gyro sandwich with a side of baba ghanouj, and my dining partner had the falafel sandwich. They call your number when it's ready. Food took maybe 10 minutes to receive, so we browsed the market area. It's not a huge selection, but very traditional-- nice seeing so many labels in Arabic, and along with standards (e.g., canned fava beans for Ful Medames), they also had things like frozen chopped mulukhiyah leaves-- that's definitely a rarer sight. Lots of good spices too. The food was EXCELLENT. The lamb was juicy and perfect (unlike what another Yelp review said), the tzatziki sauce was delicious, and the baba ghanouj was perfectly cooked and textured. I had a small bite of the falafel, and it was indeed one of the best I've had in the US. Price was fair, too-- the sandwiches are all under $10 before tax and tip, and making it a combo with side and drink cost just something like $2.50. And service was friendly-- although they called out numbers, they did walk out with the food to try to find and bring you your dishes. And while it was an older space, it was overall still generally clean. Overall, I'd VERY happily come back.

    Photos
    Mediterranean Grill & Grocery
    Mediterranean Grill & Grocery - Curry Chicken Platter

    Curry Chicken Platter

    Mediterranean Grill & Grocery - Service with a smile

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    Service with a smile

    CAVA

    CAVA

    4.0(212 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    Very first experience. I was a little nervous because it felt too much like chipotle. But the…read moreflavor profile is completely different. The food tastes fresher it is full of flavor. And those pita chips...10/10! You gotta ask for a fresh chips it's amazing! I also enjoyed their different drink offerings the cucumber mint is my favorite. Service was great. The gentleman who made my first salad was very helpful, he knew his product, he made helpful suggestions which made my first experience 100/100! I wish I had gotten his name. The atmosphere gives chipotle vibes. I'm not sure if I'm crazy about it. But the food was great it super exceeded my expectations.

    First let me say, my family loves Cava. This review is not about cava. It's about this Walnut st…read moreCava in Cary. Let me just enumerate all the problems in our single visit yesterday: 1. The service was apathetic, slow and rude to everyone 2. One guy dropped an object into the rice and just pulled it out like nothing happened 3. All of the toppings and the proteins were almost completely gone, except for some dried up chicken and completely burnt lamb meatballs. 4. Another guy decided that because they were so low on one of the toppings that he couldn't get his enough on a spoon, decided to reach in there and just use his hand to scoop out the toppings and dump it into the bowl. 5. The guy at the register was yelling at us to make sure we had all the details for our order before we had even finished the order so that he could conveniently ring us up. "You guys getting avocado??! Drinks?! What proteins?!" 6. One of the guys barked at my daughter for pointing at one of the toppings and daring to touch the safety glass. 7. I found my pita just sitting at the bottom of the bag loose when I got home. 8. Multiple loud bangs of large pans falling to the ground That will be the last time we go there. I found a new place that's identical to Cava called Farmside Kitchen.

    Photos
    CAVA
    CAVA
    CAVA

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    Kebab Skewer - Chicken Schwarma is awesome!! We love the garlic sauce and always get extra!!

    Kebab Skewer

    4.6(139 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    This spot is solid. If you're looking for food that's delicious, fresh, and won't make you question…read moreyour life choices afterward, this is the place. The quality and portions are excellent--no skimpy skewers, no mystery meat. It genuinely reminds me of the Persian and Afghani kebab shops in Northern Virginia that know their way around a charcoal grill. Everything tastes clean, well-seasoned, and cooked with intention. A couple of small suggestions (because nothing is perfect): I'd love to see a wider variety of sauces for the kebabs, and personally, I'd prefer a larger piece of taftoon bread instead of the pita slices. That said--credit where it's due--the pita tastes fresh and not like it was pulled straight from a plastic bag, which already puts them ahead of most places. Bottom line: this is the best kebab spot I've found in the area, hands down. Highly recommend--and yes, I'll absolutely be back.

    After enjoying Baba Ghannouj Mediterranean Bistro in Cary last week, my girl & I decided to explore…read moreanother kebab/gyro restaurant in Cary, so we went to Kebab Skewer & dined in on a Saturday night. This is located close to Milklab, which I also reviewed here on Yelp. My girl ordered a gyro wrap, then the young adult cashier asked if we wanted to add fries & drink for additional $3+. She asked if she can swap the fries for another side: baba ghannouj, our favorite Mediterranean side dish, and the cashier said she can. The menu overhead is clear, so we didn't have trouble deciding what to order. I ordered the Kebab Platter - Double Skewer that comes with salad, rice, a tiny cup of tzatziki, a tiny cup of salad dressing, and pita bread. Platter costs $15.99 + additional $1.99 because I chose lamb kebab. We also ordered the 4-piece falafel & a lamb kofta skewer. Total cost was about $50+. As always, we tried each other's foods, split the falafel & lamb kofta. The lamb gyro wrap was delicious with fresh meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce. The few bites I had of the gyro were pure bliss; part of me wish I ordered a gyro wrap too, but I wanted us to have different orders. The baba ghannouj that came with her gyro was excellent unlike what we tried from Baba Ghannouj Mediterranean Bistro (BGM Bistro). The texture of the mashed eggplant and mix of spices were perfect, and the amount was good enough for the 2 of us to share. I also enjoyed my double skewer lamb kebab platter. The salad was fresh, the basmati rice wasn't as sopisticated as other spiced varieties but it went well with the lamb kebab, fresh from the grill. However, for an $18+ meal, wish it included another small side like baba ghannouj. BGM Bistro's platters let you choose 2 sides along with the rice and salad for about the same price, so you get more value there but the baba ghannouj tastes better here. Falafel is a good-tasting side, about the same quality as BGM Bistro's. It comes with tahini sauce. The lamb kofta skewer, which looks like a sausage, was well-spiced and went well with tzatziki. Our orders were served in less than 12 min, and we had to pick up our trays at the front when they were ready instead of bringing to our table. It looks like this is the kind of place that's better for take out than dine in as the ambiance isn't inviting. There was one area where the floor was left uncleaned and the dull illumination of the fluorescent lights inside doesn't make this restaurant ideal for a romantic date. We were somewhat satisfied with our dinner with the gyro and baba ghannouj being the highlights. Lamb kebab & lamb kofta tasted good but I don't think the whole platter is worth $18+. We might alternate BGM Bistro & this as each has their own pros & cons. Or we might explore another we haven't tried before.

    Photos
    Kebab Skewer - Inside Kebab Skewer.

    Inside Kebab Skewer.

    Kebab Skewer - Double Skewer Kebab Platter

    Double Skewer Kebab Platter

    Kebab Skewer - Waffle Fries

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