Had a wonderful experience at Istanbul Bay Restaurant in Brooklyn! The food was delicious, fresh,…read moreand full of flavor. The atmosphere was welcoming and comfortable, and the service was excellent. Everything was well prepared, and you can really appreciate the quality and care that goes into the food. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great Turkish food and a lovely dining experience. Definitely worth visiting again!

The staff were very attentive and polite considering how busy their location is. The star for us is…read moretheir special Turkish balloon bread which you want to eat with everything while it's piping hot. The foods were very good and tasted exactly as you expect in a Turkish restaurant. Ambience was busy but pleasant and a great distraction for a busy corner location in Brooklyn with the tiresome job of finding a parking spot you just want to relax and enjoy your meal before venturing out to the crazy traffic made extremely difficult from all the double parked cars and buses. I forgot that the baklava was so good that a second piece found my plate mainly because of the terrific ground to order Turkish coffee. Whenever in Brooklyn and in the mood for Turkish food this will be my go too place

We've been ordering delivery for a couple years now, but finally went in person. What a treat!…read moreFood, space, and service perfect! We went around 4pm on a Sunday. The food is so good. The chicken shish was tender and so flavorful. Whatever herbs they use for that and the shrimp...yum! The rice too is delicious. The sausage and kashkaval pide was gigantic! The salmon was perfectly cooked and we were all told that none of us could sample the mashed potatoes that accompanied said salmon...else we'd get stabbed with his fork. For dessert the kazandibi (milk custard) stole the show. Creamy and sweet and heavenly. Looking forward to going again soon. Oh! Nearly forgot to mention their zucchini pancakes are the best I've ever had.

pretty good turkish food and definitely huge portions great for family style. there was no wait on…read morea weekend dinner which was great for a larger group. overall good food and good vibe.

My family and I were on our way to Coney Island, we were looking for a quick bite to eat, we…read morethought we would get donor kebabs in a wrap. This restaurant came up as highly recommended. When we arrived, we were surprised to see that it was a more formal setting as we were looking for something more of a quick takeout type of place. The restaurant is very nice, it has two dining room rooms and sit down service only for the dining rooms. We were approached immediately and sat down at a table by the window. When we explain to the waitress what we were looking for she let us know that we would be able to order gyros or wraps. We ordered two chicken wraps, and one lamb wrap, as well as lamacune. The wraps came with french fries, they were tasty and they came with a white yogurt sauce on the side. The Turkish pizza (lamacune) was delicious, each order has three pieces. The waitress brought us, complementary, hummus and yogurt sauce along with their fresh bread as a starter. Overall, the experience was good and I would go back to this restaurant if I am in the area.

Great food and a local gem. If you crave meat off a skewer charred to perfection still juicy and…read morenot cooked to hell and back this is the place for you. Great service and in an upscale environment then this is the spot. Prices are a bit on the higher side but you're paying for quality.

Have you ever seen the misadventures of Nedim Sahin, the guy who went viral with videos at his…read moreBaruthane Pilavcisi restaurants? He claimed to taste the first spoonful of each new batch of food to ensure that it meets his mom's standards. There is a well-known Turkish proverb he quotes from - "pilavdan dönenin kaşığı kırılsın". In literal translation it's "break the cooking spoon of the pilaf maker who falters in its task". It's understood as either "see it though come hell or high water" or "bring your A-game or don't bother showing up". Eh, I wonder if the guy who served me this kofte platter at BayRidge Turkish cafe has ever heard the quote? When it came to Turkish food, certain items are universally loved, like çorba (soup) and kofte (meatballs). Çorba has such an elevated status that a commander of the Ottoman elite military corps (Janassary) is known as a çorbaci (soup man). Even today, the term is used in modern Turkish slang as "boss". There's an old saying in Turkish that the best kofte is made by your mom, but the best çorba is from the local kebab joint. What makes for good Turkish kofte? It's supposed to be fluffy juicy pillows of meat the size of say, a mini Snickers bar, made with ground beef and sometimes lamb, with some diced lamb tail fat whipped into the mixture, seasoned with sweet and savory spices like cumin, mint, coriander, mace and such, then grilled over coals. In Turkey the usual service is with a bowl of buttery Turkish lentil soup (often accompanied by their bread), ice cold Ayran, piyaz (navy bean salad), then kofte fresh off the grill, and maybe some rice pilaf (buttery rice with bits of toasted orzo within) on the side. Who does a good version in Brooklyn? Kofte Piyaz in Sunset Park - it ain't cheap, though. So what is up with this 15 dollar kofte platter I got at Bayridge cafe? Well, the size of the kofte is odd, like breakfast sausages (my wife is much less charitable on the comparison and said it looked like something from a kitty litter box). It tasted dry and shriveled up, with no flavor at all, like it was air fried once too many. The iceberg lettuce and tomato salad that came on the side just bleeds off the mediocrity. The rice is just white rice and not pilaf. The inexplicable part is when they serve up lentil soup and gave us slices of American white bread. Not toasted, not buttered, and certainly not Turkish bread. Me and my wife bursted out laughing. The soup is...serviceable, but it certainly won't make any Ottoman Sultan dance for joy or fuel warriors into battle - it tasted flat (the version that I make has tomato and pepper paste, onions, garlic and dried mint...which this didn't have) and we didn't see the usual shaker of aleppo (pul) peppers for sprinkling onto the soup to give it a kick. The bean stew that we ordered (Kuru Fasulye) was watery and without much distinctive flavors. So, eh, is this place bad per-se? Not really. Despite the disappointing kofte, it comes with a small bit of eggplant salad that was honestly not too bad. The Turkish tea was on-point (well, they used Caykur Tomurcuk, which is a Turkish Earl Grey grade) and they used a double boiler to do the tea, which means that it's legitly brewed in the Turkish fashion with the right flavors. The Tulumba wasn't nearly as good as, say...Safa in Istanbul, but it isn't a disappointingly soggy mess like the ones at Djerdan Borek or coyingly sweet with salad oil stench like the ones at Artion bakery in Astoria. It was like how you imagine a good churro would be - warm, not too oily, sweet but not too much so. Crisp exterior, honeyed interior, goes well with a cup of hot tonic Turkish tea, served strong and fragrant. So yeah, it's not hopeless. But geez, guys, save your wonderbread for the American sandwiches and toss pitas or Turkish bread with your Turkish fares, and talk to your mom about serving up proper kofte. I can excuse the soup but that kofte is a travesty. Köftedan dönenin isgaralar kırılsın - either make something worthwhile or don't bother at all.

I could make this restaurant a weekly habit. The employees provide excellent customer attention…read more The small footprint of Bayridge Turkish Cafe doesn't compromise cleanliness or comfort. Our minimal menu exploration was adequately rewarding. This restaurant delivers well.

Afte the sauce and spice barrage here I've almost forgotten my anti-bowl era. At first the…read more6-topping limit seemed arbitrary but these aren't mere lettuce equivalents. Highlights included tabouleh and ezme. With a strong falafel and a fiery orange sauce, I never regretted the non-carnivorousness of the occasion.

Food: The food is excellent here! I tried the beef and lamb shawarma in a pita, and it was…read moredelicious. The pita is also one of the best I've ever had. The quality of all of their ingredients is very good. You have the choice of making a salad, platter (rice based), pita, or wrap with your choice of protein. All toppings and sauces are displayed, and you can customize your entree with 4 toppings and sauces. Entrees average about $16 each so it's a bit pricey, but the quality is there! They also have soups, fries, and desserts. Service: Staff were friendly and welcoming. Ambiance: The place is very small with 3 small tables inside and a bunch of outdoor seating. Space is tight so it's not ideal for large groups. The tables inside can seat 2-3 at most. Overall, I would highly recommend this place!

I was here on Thursday for dinner with my date. We had mozzarella sticks for our appetizer, I had…read morethe Chicken Adana Wrap with fries, and he had the Opera Burger. The food was good, the service was good, and the ambiance was nice but just a bit chilly for us as we were sitting outside,

This was the first time I had a horrible experience here . I have given them such a great review…read morein the past . My friend and I sat outside about 5:20 . We both ordered the lamb doner gyro. The waiter did not put her order in. He was not attentive to her at all. She basically felt invisible. I ate my entire meal and he was no where to be found. It wasn't a full establishment at this time. There wasn't water brought to the table. I I had to keep repeating to him about water . Imagine she had to watch me eat my entire meal and hers didn't come. When I mentioned it he said she didn't order. The food wasn't as fresh or good as it was in the past . It was not worth it. The hostess had a few of her teenage friends visiting her at her station. Those friends were not employees or patrons. They were obnoxiously loud and aggressive in their tone of voice. It was extremely distracting to me I was unable to enjoy my meal. If I didn't look at her she would not have asked her friends to lower it down . I at one time recommended this over and over again. Now don't waste your time or money . It went down hill with food and customer service. I had multiple occasions here in the past not any more ..

From start to finish, a wonderful experience and delicious meal. Highly recommend this spot in Bay…read moreRidge if you have a family or large group. There are plentiful tables and even a downstairs special event space. Plus, the bathrooms are very clean so you know this is a quality place. Food: 5/5. Huge portions! You can easily feed two people with an entree. We had the Fahsah Chicken in a hot clay pot...so good! It had a plethora of spices and herbs but was not too spicy. And the shwarma was the best we have had in Brooklyn! Ambiance: 4/5. Clean and tidy, they have alot of Yemeni decorations and clay pots that add to the authentic vibe. The doors have a slight draft so it was a tad chilly but nothing too harsh. Overall a lovely spot Value: 5/5. Huge portions of quality food, great service and extra bread. We loved it!

Stopped by Brooklyn Kebab House for a quick takeout and decided on the lahem seghar ($18) which…read morecame with a massive round of homemade bread straight from the tannur. The staff member who took my order warned me that it would be spicy, but I thought it was quite manageable (or perhaps she made it non-spicy) but overall I thought the flavor was quite bold and the bite-sized lamb made it easy to scoop up with the bread. The restaurant space is fairly large so I'd like to return for sit-down service and to try more Yemeni specialties.

What an underrated spot! My boyfriend and I came for a date night and were astounded by the food…read moreand that we were able to get a same-day reservation. The Rana's Table gets you four mezze plates (small bites), all eight appetizers, and one entree, for $58 a person. Each person also gets a dessert at the end. Though you only get to share one entree, don't be fooled - there is a ton of food. I loved that we got to try everything and she made sure to separate the non-gluten free items and bring me a side of cucumbers. My favorite bites were the fava bean, labneh, and tuna tartare. The branzino added $10 to the total cost but it was phenomenal. The only thing that didn't blow me away was the cocktail, but the gin and tonic was strong which suited me just fine.

I love a good solo date, especially on a hot summer day, but I definitely made a mistake coming…read morealone because I think I've found my new favorite restaurant. I started with the Fried Calamari, which is always an amazing classic with its crisp and flavor, but I was so excited to try the Mussel Dolma. I didn't know what to expect, so I was definitely surprised to see it was served cold. The combination of the mussel, rice, currants, and warm spices were truly immaculate and blended together seamlessly. For the main course, I ordered the Iskender Steak: a 10-ounce grilled Black Angus strip served over flatbread with brown butter, tomato sauce, and yogurt. Every single bite was rich, savory, and satisfying. I paired it with a side of their Cherry Rice, and I would've never thought to add cherries in rice... but let me tell you, this was easily my favorite dish of the night.. It added the perfect touch of sweetness to the savory rice, making every bite more elevated. To finish, I had their pistachio dessert served with a ladyfinger cookie, and it was the perfect light and creamy ending to an incredible meal. I would love to come back and order Rana's Table to get a sample of all they have to offer.If you're looking to try something beyond the usual dinner spots, Rana Fifteen absolutely deserves a spot on your list!

Located in Hunter's Point, LIC, this spot is a gem. The ambiance is casual and cozy and the staff…read morewas absolutely so friendly and welcoming. As it was my boyfriend and I's first time trying Turkish food, they helped explain some of the dishes to us. We got their appetizer spread, their lamacun, and their manti. Everything was phenomenal, but I highly recommend their appetizer spread and their lamacun. I loved the spread as you got the chance to try multiple different dips and it was a huge portion. Their lamacun was also the first I've ever had and it made me think: "Why haven't I had this before?" It was so good. Will definitely be coming back.

Safir is a small, cozy restaurant that makes for a great, relaxed meal. The service was warm and…read moreattentive, and it ended up being the perfect way to wrap up the weekend. The atmosphere is comfortable without feeling crowded, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the meal. The food was excellent from start to finish. The sigar borek were perfectly crispy, cheesy, and just the right amount of salty. The lamb beyti kebab was packed with flavor, and the accompanying sauces really elevated the dish. We also had the manti, Turkish dumplings that were well-seasoned and incredibly satisfying. Portions were generous across the board, and everything tasted fresh and high quality. It's the kind of place that leaves you looking forward to your next visit.

At the center of a wonderful Turkish neighborhood. Very delightful dining experience. Everything…read moreis fresh and the staff is lovely. Pide is next level. All the special Turkish drinks. Topped off with the best desserts. Get off of the Belt Parkway and stop here.

My family and I had lunch at this restaurant after I read all of the good reviews they got on…read moreGoogle and Yelp. We like Turkish cuisine. The staff were friendly and helpful. We requested a high chair for my toddler and they had one available. I ordered a chicken pesto panini and my husband ordered the Sucuk kavurma burger meal with Turkish sausage, fries and a soda. The prices were reasonable for the quantity of food. The food was good but the panini was a bit salty for me. The fries were good. They had a good selection of dishes. I was happy to see they had kunefe with pistachios on the menu. I love this dessert. They also have niche drinks too choose from like the fermented black carrot drink. The ambiance was nice. They had ample seating and