After our delightful first visit, my wife and I knew we had to come back to Istanbul Kebab House…read morefor a proper meal. Last week, we decided to turn our date night into something special with dinner at this Turkish gem followed by a Broadway musical, Newsies, at the Flynn Center. We made a reservation in advance, as this spot is quite popular in the evenings - especially when there's a play happening nearby. The ambiance was inviting and warm, with soft lighting and traditional Turkish decor creating a perfect setting for a romantic evening. The service was exceptional, and our server, Alexandra B., made the experience even more memorable with his attentiveness and friendly demeanor. We started with the Small Meze Platter ($16.99), an excellent choice for sharing. The platter featured haydari, hummus, babaganoush, Turkish salsa, and stuffed grape leaves, all served with soft lavash bread. For those seeking a gluten-free option, fresh-cut veggie sticks are available. Each dip and spread was bursting with flavor, making this a must-try appetizer. For the main course, I chose from the Earthenware Casseroles and ordered the Lamb Guvec ($27.99). The tender, marinated lamb pieces combined with tomato, mushroom, onion, pepper, and eggplant were served sizzling hot, and the aroma alone was irresistible. It was hearty, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the recommended 9oz glass of Vinkara red wine ($16.50). My wife selected the Chicken Adana Kebab ($22.99) from the Traditional Kebabs menu. The mildly spicy, hand-ground chicken seasoned with Turkish maraş pepper and parsley was grilled to perfection and served with Turkish rice pilav, a side of greens, house pickled red cabbage, and marinated onions. She enjoyed every bite and complemented her meal with a 9oz glass of Ancyra white wine ($16.50), which was light and refreshing. To close the evening, we indulged in a classic Turkish dessert, Baklava ($9.99). The layers of fresh phyllo, walnuts, and crushed pistachios, finished with a simple syrup, were the perfect sweet ending to our meal. Istanbul Kebab House continues to impress with its excellent food, cozy ambiance, and impeccable service. Whether it's a casual dinner or a special occasion, this restaurant is a must-visit in Burlington. We'll definitely be back again!

Food was tasty and flavorful and the service was fantastic and welcoming. We did find it very…read moreoverpriced for lunch (small lentil soup $8, wrap with no sides $15). Loved the Turkish black tea, which is a must for tea drinkers!

This was my second time ordering from Kismayo Kitchen, and it was just as amazing as the first --…read moreif not better! We ordered dinner takeout this time, and everything from the service to the flavors was truly top-notch. We ordered from The Classic Somali Dish menu. I had the Somali Rice with Goat Meat, which was incredibly flavorful. The rice was perfectly seasoned and aromatic, and the goat was tender, well-cooked, and beautifully spiced. My wife had the Coconut Chicken Stew with Rice, and she couldn't stop talking about how delicious and comforting it was -- the coconut sauce added a rich, creamy touch that paired so well with the perfectly cooked chicken and rice. We also shared two beef samosas, which were crispy, savory, and packed with flavorful filling. They were the perfect appetizer to start our meal. The service was friendly, prompt, and welcoming, just like the first time we visited. Even though we ordered takeout, the staff made us feel valued and took great care to package everything carefully to keep it fresh and warm. The ambiance of Kismayo Kitchen is always warm and inviting. Even though we didn't dine in this time, you can still feel the vibrant, welcoming atmosphere when you walk up to place your order. Kismayo Kitchen continues to impress with its authentic flavors, generous portions, and wonderful service. It's quickly becoming one of our favorite go-to spots for Somali cuisine.

Small place, best for takeout. I had the coconut chicken with rice and it was delicious!…read more Decent portions. Personally, I'd like more spice heat. Nothing fancy and reasonable prices.

Nice couple that owns the place! The food was good! We did the Sunday buffet and enjoyed the food…read more Kheer was fabulous!! Homestyle food!

After having visited Burlington (first time ever) I discovered a magnificent Indian eatery. Since…read moreI've been preparing Indian food for 36 years, and have eaten Indian food all over the US, Spain, Sweden, England, Taiwan, and Chile, I'm not easily impressed. This place was excellent: we had the Saag Paneer, which had such a rich flavor, and the Shahi paneer, which was also a wondrous dish; the two dishes complemented one another very well. The rice was well prepared (it felt as if I were having one of the rice dishes I prepare myself.) If I ever visit Burlington again, I will definitely be a returning customer.

Plastic bowls, unlike images, eating inside, place not the cleanest tables,…read moreStaff is good. Most days cant get them to pick up phone and order, depsite saying open. Naan bread not alway served fresh, faal soup way to watery, vs others... Some glitches they need to fix.

The best Indian/Nepali food in the area. The spice blends and sauces are outstanding.read more

They have the best chicken chow mein ever. Love their momos. The server is nice. It takes a bit of…read moretime to cook but worth the wait. Roomy restaurant.

I hate to write a bad review, but I think I am spoiled in CA which is a mecca of people and great…read moreethnic foods. But.... this food just wasn't very tasty. To me, it just did not taste like it was made with fresh ingredients. It tasted more on the side of the packaged Indian curries you get at the grocery store. It was fine, but I would never go back for more.

An unexpected discovery. The food and service were excellent. Everything was delight full.read more

Kismet Mediterranean Restaurant -- 5/5…read more We had a wonderful dinner at Kismet Mediterranean Restaurant on October 11. The restaurant has a clean, sophisticated atmosphere with white tablecloths, and it was pleasantly quiet and uncrowded. We were seated immediately for our 6:30 reservation, and the evening got off to a great start. We enjoyed glasses of Kavaklidere Angora red wine along with a small cold mezze platter featuring babaganoush, a particularly wonderful ezme, haydari, hummus, and stuffed grape leaves, served with lavash bread. Everything was flavorful, and the mezze made for an excellent start to the meal. The lentil soup was delicious as well. For our entrees, we tried the Karniyarik, a whole eggplant stuffed with ground lamb; Izgara Tavuk, grilled chicken; and Döner kebab with thinly sliced lamb and beef. All were excellent, offering a satisfying taste of Turkish cuisine. But the real star of the evening was dessert: the rice pudding with orange. Honestly, it was the best rice pudding I've ever eaten! Our excellent server told us that his father makes it, which made it even more special. I finished with strong Turkish coffee, a perfect end to the meal. Our server was outstanding throughout the evening, attentive and welcoming without being intrusive. A well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. Everything was excellent, from the atmosphere and service to the food and wine. I'd happily return for another full dinner, but I'd go back for that rice pudding alone!

Amazing flavors and unique spices! The Kebab had a nice sweetest slightly to it very good!read more

VERY much enjoyed a big, diverse, satisfying meal here. I asked the young fellow (probably about…read moreage 8), what's his favorite. He said the chicken, so I got it and it was marvelous. My husband's lamb was also excellent. I don't have a lot of experience with authentic Afghani food, but this place makes a great case for it. Service was kind and warm. We'll be back.

Daves is the best fast food out there i love it every sing time i go here I always leave with a…read morefull stomach and the food is always great thank you daves for everything

Long wait time, ghetto unprofessional and rude staff. Fast food quality food. 1/5 starsread more

Zaytoona has very quickly become my favorite restaurant in Vermont…read more At this point I have ordered everything on the menu, and every single thing is consistently phenomenal. The drinks -- especially the pomegranate lemonade -- are not only very tasty, they enhance the flavors of the food. My boyfriend and I order a few appetizers and a couple entrees to split, usually both have a drink or two, and occasionally get dessert. The bill is somehow under $100! Servers are always friendly and attentive. Music is pleasant and not too loud. Decor is nice. I recommend this restaurant to every visitor and new Vermonter. I bring my friends here for celebrations. It's my boyfriend's and my default date night spot. Don't miss Zaytoona!

Got around to trying the (not as) new (at this point) Zaytoona restaurant in South Burlington…read more Don't let the hidden shopping plaza location fool you, Zaytoona is a real gem. Everything we had was delicious and even the picky eaters (grandpa/kids) found something they like. The owners/chefs at Zaytoona come from Jordan and Yemen I believe and the cuisine is an eclectic and unique mix of middle eastern food with some of the classics like kebabs, shawarma, falafel, lentil soup, and Kafta. My kids actually loved the lentil soup, but our fav. pre-main was the Muhammara although I wish they had given more pita bread to match the amount of sauce that comes with it. We tried the fatoush and rocca salads and while both were good, we preferred the latter. For mains we shared the mixed lamb and beef shawarma, lamb shish kabab (we had wanted to try the special slow cooked lamb shank but they were all out and the waiter said the shish kebab was just as good), and the fries. Everything was tasty and fairly priced. For deserts we shared the saffron cake, mango coconut like pudding, and my fav, the kunafa. The latter reminded me of a very crispy, perfect blend of salt and sweet mozzarella stick and was so so good. The pomegranate lemonade helped wash it down and I liked the tangy sourness of it. Our kids enjoyed the special mango drink. Service was prompt here and staff were friendly. The ambiance was great here and seating area is more upscale than I expected. Glad that this place exists in the Burlington area and I would love to come back.