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Istar Restaurant

4.4 (31 reviews)
Open Open 24 hours

Istar Restaurant Photos

Business Info

ISTAR RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Istar Restaurant

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Reviews With Photos

Beef suqaar
Ve T.

Went to this place on a whim and I'm so glad we did. It was quite busy when we went, people coming in and out! That's always a good sign that this place is good. Got the beef suqaar and it was so good. They pileddd it up! Flavours, immaculate. It came with rice that had shredded carrots and raisins and that was also flavoured so nicely. My partner got the beef ribs and it was lip smacking good. The beef sambusa is so gooooood. Flavour bomb in every bite. Definitely going to come back here for more - cause the way those desserts were looking.. calling my name tbh. Dangerous for this to be 24 hrs because you know i'll be there at 2am for breakfast . Service was amazing despite how busy it was!

chicken and rice in a styrofoam container
Yush H.

First time eating Somali food and it's pretty darn good. The shopping center seems a little shady. The way the restaurant is set up is very awkward too, you walk in and it's very narrow and you've got to walk past the register to order then walk back towards the register where people are lining up towards you. It's a bit of a cluster. The fried chicken was ok. The price point was good as you get a full container of food. At first I felt they were putting too much rice in there. After i tasted it, it almost wasn't enough I ate it so fast. They out a bunch of whole spices in the rice, it was so fragrant and delicious. If nothing else, go try some of their rice. Highly recommend it.

Bilal S.

Taste of Somalia!!! I found this hidden gem when looking for different places near my work place. I was up there with my team for lunch. The restaurant is located in a old plaza, this here is a self serve restaurant where you walk up to the front as ask them to make you a plate and then you pay and enjoy your food. Service here was top notch, I asked the server how does it work and he was very nice and helped us with making the plate, he explained the dishes. I believe you could have up to three or four items from different areas and instead of choosing those, he offered us bunch of things to try on our plate. All the servers were very friendly from the person making out plate to the person who came with drinks to our place. The restaurant has plenty of seats. Now coming to the food, the menu was amazing so many things to choose from. As I said we had many bits of thing so on my plate, I had Rice, Beef stew, Fried chicken, BBQ sauce chicken, salad and a Somalian dish eaten instead of rice with gravy. I topped the plate with hot sauce on the side. Let me tell you all the meat on my plate was tender, tasty and good to the bone. Loved all of it! While we were eating, one of the server came and told us, we also get a juice drink with a sit in meal. So I went with mango juice, he was very nice as asked us how the food was and as he notice it was our first time, they brought us some samosas (purely filled with spicy meat and not lime your usual samosas) and Mandhasi (a sweet bread/ donuts) on the house. Overall, very good experience! P.S. They serve halal food.

Mehrab M.

My first time here. They have mostly somalian food and the staff were super friendly. Explained the goods to us and helped us place our order. Atmosphere is clean and inviting. Great for families. Food tasted good and the mango and lemonade are free.

Khadija K.

One of my favourite Somali restaurant. Their food is always enough cause their hearts are always big. They even offered us to come get more if we need. Mango that's the best part about these restaurants. Love their food and customer service!

Yup, I ate the whole thing. Beef ribs!
Afsheen M.

Value: amazing Halaal western food options: big win. I'm rating this for hallal food purposes. To be able to take mom out for dinner where she can enjoy a steak or ribs in peace and no pretention (black ox bistro comes to mind) is a big win for me. I had the ribs and pasta - sure as heck going back for that. The potato side dish was very delicately flavoured and I loved it. Huge portions I actually had to ask what was Somali on the menu, and the gentlemen behind the counter gave us a sample of yummy rice to try. The beef stew wasn't ready yet, but I will go back to try. My partner in crime had the chicken wrap- instead of a pita like in a shawarma the contents were in a flaky light scrumptious paratha type roti thingy. Will definately have that again. Great, clean, economical, family run joint. The fact that a whole bunch of women kept streaming in with kids, was testament to the home cooked quality of the food. Will go back.

A vegetarian plate.
John F.

This is my second time coming here. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. The food has always been fresh and very tasty. I'm a vegetarian so I just ask them to make me up a vegetarian plate and they have always been happy to do it. Large portions as well with a very reasonable price.

Mara S.

Somali food, packed with Somali people. That's all I need to know the food is authentic. Get the malawah or anjero, Somali flatbreads. Malawah is sweeter. Softly spiced rice and hearty meals. Don't be dissuaded by the exterior. It is clean and staff are welcoming and friendly. What a treat to experience Somali food without leaving Canada!

Seating area.  Some booths are ripped/dirty but tables are clean.

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9 months ago

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2 years ago

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6 years ago

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7 years ago

Delicious food and very friendly and accommodating staff! Great variety of traditional and non-traditional food as well.

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9 years ago

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11 years ago

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5 years ago

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10 years ago

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7 years ago

Amazing food, and amazing workers. The ribs are my absolute favourite! Very good food

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Review Highlights - Istar Restaurant

Out of curiosity, I asked the gentleman, he wasn't Somali - he looked Middle Eastern to me, if there was a vegetarian option.

Mentioned in 6 reviews

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Party Supply Depot

Party Supply Depot

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I believe in supporting local business. But what a terrible experience this AM at Party Supply…read moreDepot. I was going to order tons of items for a 60th birthday event. Walked into the store. The cashier - female and older - was with a customer. I waited patiently until the customer left. Then very politely said: Can I get some assistance please. She basically shouted at me: I NEED SOME TIME. I HAVE TO WORK ON AN ORDER and stomped off glaring at me all the while. I left the store and vowed never to return.! There was nobody else in the store. Why not attend to a customer about to drop $200 and do your paperwork later? I have never been so abused and treated so abominably in my life. Never was like this under previous management. Shocking attitude and zero customer service. Hence these terrible reviews. Sad.

I had purchased balloons elsewhere and had wanted to get them filled but was refused (older lady at…read moreleftmost cash register - a tad rude) due the the quality of them. I honestly wouldn't have minded if something had happened to them after they're filled. Plus I was willing to pay the minimal charge $2.50. I think they just didn't want to deal with anything not purchased from them. Next time I will get my balloons done elsewhere. Other staff were nice as I had asked about cake boxes (they didn't have any for over 10") and how the helium balloon tanks work. Prices similar to that of Party City. They did have almost everything you'd need for a party.

Victoria Party Store

Victoria Party Store

(4 reviews)

Unprofessional, rude and threatened to call the police!…read more My party planner and I ordered 60 sets of plates and utensils for a surprise party. When I returned with my cousins two days later, I expressed that I was disappointed that they didn't set aside the large order. The primary issues started when we asked to count the items to verify quantities before signing off for them. Krishna, the sales girl became flustered and we found that they short on the items when the manager came out and insisted quite bluntly that I needed to sign the rental contract. When I stated I could not until we got the actual number of items on the invoice as we would be charged for these on return. The manager, got the owner on the phone and she, "Told us she didn't want our business and to leave" and they would return our money. At this point several clients where leaving, the manager and Krishna became expressly aggressive and threatened to call the Police, even though we were actually leaving. CRAZY! I was happy to give my money to another business. My advice: Take your money elsewhere! When you are forced to sign a contract based without having all the items, WATCH OUT! They will charge you for an ENTIRE set when you return. These guys are CON ARTISTS!

Truly the poorest display of customer service I have witnessed. They harassed a family of black…read morecustomers threatening them with police action if they didn't leave. Their crime asking to count items before signing rental agreement. I honestly left in disgust. Shocking that the BBB gave them accreditation. Highly recommend taking your business elsewhere as I did, Kitchener residences.

Istar Restaurant - african - Updated May 2026

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