Istanbul Restaurant

Took my wife for a first date here before we got married. Was an interesting experience, ok grilled food. Great baklava! I have not been back since and probably wont come again as it was just an average dining experience.
And now it is closed.

i went there for my bday dinner with my family. i cannot emphasize enough on how great the food was. i ordered Kofte for my main dish with a side of turkish soda and for dessert i had the famous rice pudding and turkish tea. The food and service were great, the price is perfect for the amount of food that we got. My mom couldnt stop talking about the food, which only means we will be back again very soon.

Finally tried this place since I adore Turkish food. I ordered delivery from them tonight and the food was surprisingly good (I’ve walked by Istanbul many times and it looked… «sketchy»?)
They even sent that yummy homemade Turkish bread and some thin yogurt dip similar to tzatziki. Anyway! So I got the phyllo cigars appetizer filled with feta cheese. It was pretty good but I’ve had better. The cheese filling was kinda skimpy but it did taste good.
I also got the chicken adana. It was a large portion served over rice with some onion salad and a charred pepper and tomato. It was reeeally good. They have a good ratio of charred to juicy to spice going on, they know how to grill. I think meat is their specialty here along with the bread as that was my favorite part of the meal! Also, gotta dip in that hot sauce they send. That stuff is great.

After a night of fine steak and wine in LA, staying up all night, taking a 7am flight back to NYC, landing at 4pm, and getting picked up, I felt like trying something different. I haven’t had much Turkish food… or maybe I have collectively, because it seems very similar to the food of the region. A mix of middle eastern, greek, halal… you’re sure to find something to satisfy your Mediterranean cravings.
Maybe it was because it was a lazy Sunday, or maybe it’s primarily a take out location, but the service we received could be summed up as casual. We walk in, and of the 15 some odd tables, 3 were occupied; 1 with a mother-​daughter combo, 1 with a man and little girl with his laptop out, phone charging, half eaten plate of food, and scattered papers, and the final table with 2 workers enjoying a chat. We were seated right away when we asked for a table of 2 which led us to believe there was waiter service. However, no menus were given. Why seat us without menus? Unless they thought we wanted to just hang out? I had to actually ask for a menu. Thus a further layer of confusion wraps us.
The menu was a legit, lamented, folding menu… typical of a restaurant were you order from a waiter. As opposed to paper menus which suggest take out establishment. Once again, a flag down was necessary when we were ready to order. «We are out of Falafel…» O… M…G…It’s like a Chinese restaurant saying they are out of rice! Just something you would never think would happen at a Turkish, Egyptian, Halal place… period. I was so in shock, I decided to add a beer to my meal.
«I’ll try this Turkish beer»
«Oh I ran out of that as well, but should get a shipment next week.»
«Oh…then I’ll have a Corona.»
Having gone 24 hours without sleep, I just didn’t care anymore and was fully prepared for a disaster in food. But like the light at the end of the tunnel being the exit and not an on coming train, the food was TERRIFIC! The mixed grill platter provides a symphony of lamb cooked and prepared differently. So good, I forgot about their lack of Falafel.
Satisfied with the meal, I was ready to go, have a few more drinks, and call it an early night, but once again, there was the awkward waiting for the check. Adding to the perplexity was the fact our water glasses were refilled after our meal. Maybe they just didn’t want us to feel rushed, or maybe they didn’t want to rush us out, or maybe they were just having too much fun at the other table, who knows. Overall, I couldn’t be annoyed with the service because I don’t think this is the type of establishment, and no one comes here for the service. Food is good, get it take out and skip the confusion. By the way, they have a back garden with tables… I don’t think the service there would be much better since you’ll really be out of sight, and out of mind, but it looks nice.

Love the hummus here. It is the best I had so far. The lamb gyro is pretty good. The only thing I did not like was the falafels because they were very hard and did not taste fresh. The décor is very old and it is more of a take out place. Staff here were very nice.

I love this place!
We always just order takeout, but the people are extremely friendly, and the sandwiches are always AWESOME and make you crave for more. The baklava could be a bit better — a lil too much honey for my taste, but I love the entrees.
I would not really sit in and eat, because it is one of those plastic table type places.
Ive tried most of the lamb/​chicken gyros, and they have all been awesome, so definitely worth a try.

This restaurant is a bit on the shady side if you know what I mean. Being and outsider and not Turkish they kinda look at you funny when you walk in. The food is ok at best. Had what they called a Gyro and as far as i’m concerned they need to leave that to the Greeks. Sorry but no thanks. We took our order to go because like I said before they are on the shady looking side and they got a B rating so noooooooo eating there.

Great Turkish food! Reasonable prices and the staff is nice. I love all the dips and appetizers like the grape leaves… oh yea! Everything’s good here. There’s an outside area too! It’s a neighborhood restaurant so expect to see the Turkish guys in the corner watching Turkish news.

Came to Istanbul Restaurant in January with about 5 people after reading all the good reviews on Unilocal.First off, this place is not fancy at all, but it is more like a place that you want to casually visit all the time because the food is awesome and it feels like home. Our waiter was so nice and helpful; it was our first time eating Turkish food and he helped us to pick out a hummus appetizer, as well as lamb and chicken kebabs, which came with rice, pickled cabbage, and tomatoes– all great! We also got a bunch of free Turkish bread, and a free dessert as well (I think it was milk pudding). We ordered a dessert similar to Greek kataifi, which was pretty good also. Overall this was a fun experience, and I would love to go back soon. In fact, the waiter told us that in the summer they have a backyard open and that its BYOB. Also– very reasonable prices. Loved this place.

One of the best places to go during the week in Queens for something quick.

Istanbul is the kind of restaurant that makes all the trips to outer boroughs worthwhile!
I would not have chanced upon the restaurant, but for Pinky and the B’s glowing review that prompted me to make my way to Rego Park. Unassuming from the outside, and unremarkable from the inside décor, this restaurant packs more flavor in its dishes than almost all other Turkish restaurants in the city.
I let the owner/​manager help me order the first time. He didn’t let me down. While I insisted on the spicy Ezme dip (which turned out to be way spicier than I had expected), he guided me towards the eggplant appetizer. Perhaps, best in class and paired off well with the Ezme dip. However, the grill is where the restaurant really shines. I ordered the chicken grill mix and from the Shish to Adana to Chicken «Chops», all the three were excellent, as was the rice. They spice the Kebabs really well, and they are a good blend of char and juiciness. I don’t think I’ve had better Turkish Kebabs in the city!
However, the second trip was merely average by comparison. While the fried liver cubes were amongst the most fragrant (abetted by cumin?) version in the city, the Iskendar Kebab was positively bland in comparison, and they couldn’t master the complexity of the yogurt, lamb, tomato sauce, and croutons. Even the complimentary Lavash bread (accompanying the appetizer) disappointed compared to my first visit. I can’t be sure whether the desserts are homemade, or are assembled — but, I’ve tried, and liked, both the milk pudding (Kazandabi) and the Kunafe.
However, there isn’t anything for the vegetarians beyond the cold appetizers and the Falafel, and truth be told the prices are more Murray Hill, Manhattan than Queens. They might be 25% lower than that in UES, but still higher than what people would expect to pay in Rego Park. It’s not surprising then to see the number of clients that come in only for sandwiches.
On their day, one could be tempted to consider them the best Turkish in the city. But, that appears tougher to declare conclusively than who really was first person to reach the North Pole. (4.5 stars)

At least 4 and a half stars!
Istanbul stands out among Turkish restaurants as an original!
It was the Time Out review that convinced me to go.
Many Turkish restaurants seem to serve the same thing and try to duplicate each other but Istanbul has a unique and varied menu. I actually didn’t try it until now due to poor Unilocal reviews but the low ones are fake and they have not been filtered for some reason. I could not find the menu on line. I do not understand why menupages is in Manhattan and Brooklyn and not Queens.
The food was super delicious! The service was warm and friendly! It really stands out in terms of food, and service! The sauces for the dishes we had were outstanding! (see pictures)
You can ignore the bad reviews here they mostly look fake it looks like! It is worth a trip from the other boros. The owner served us and walks around greeting people and making sure things run smoothly! He’s a really genuine guy! Plus the restaurant was heated.
We went to a Persian restaurant in Manhattan when it was cold, and there was no heat and a line to get in. This is the real deal, great food, heat, good service and a nice atmosphere. There should be a line here!
The only thing that leads me not to give them 5 stars is the prices are a bit high for Queens. Also there were not many hot vegetables. The vegetables were all cold and it is cold right now and I would have liked to have vegetables. I am on an anti inflammatory diet. If I eat meat it is only as an addition to vegetables. I mainly keep a Chinese diet. The only thing the other Turkish restaurants had over this one is they had many more vegetable dishes to choose from. And for Queens it is expensive. But the quality and taste of the food and service were top notch! If it doesn’t matter to you that they do not have hot vegetables then you would give it 5 stars, that is just something that is particular to me so I thought I would mention it.
It is far better than Turkish Grill in Queens! Turkish Grill was bizarre in their service and food was okay nothing special.
Tacis (which opened in Forest hills and the original is in Brooklyn though the owner sold it is family and now is in Forest Hills) has more vegetables and better prices but what we did have here was more unique than Tacis or any other Turkish restaurant we have been to. Here is my list according to preference since I do not consider a 5 star rating system worth anything.
1.Tacis
2. Ala Turka
3. Istanbul restaurant
4. Beyoglu
5. Agora
6. Usador
7. Turkish Grill
Tacis and Ala Turka tie but Ala Turka has high prices but is in Manhattan. It is also more elegant. Tacis has better prices and Turkish pizza. I didnt see Turkish pizza on the menu. But the menu was so big I might have missed it. Tacis and Ala Turka tie but Istanbul is a close second only because the prices are high and the lack of vegetables. But it was great and we are already planning our next trip back!

The food is good, but the service is severely lacking. The person who answered the phone rushed me to finish my order and did not fully explain the options on my order. Little surprise that the order was wrong on delivery. When I called back, I was told me that the fault was mine because I didn’t explain what I wanted when I ordered, when neither the menu nor the people on the phone fully explain the options. When I requested delivery of the correct order, I was told I’d have to pay for redelivery!
This restaurant is a no-​go.
Written by Jeff Bush on behalf of Rashad Brewster

Sandwiched between Chase Bank and Sake Sushi on busy Queens Blvd is Istanbul Grill. There is such a variety of eats in this area which is right across the street from Sears and Marshalls. Just several stores away from Istanbul Restaurant is Andy’s Seafood & Grill, a Taiwanese restaurant that makes a kick-​ass Taiwanese hamburger, Dunkin’ Donuts, Subway and Tandoor.
Istanbul Grill has about 12 tables in the main dining area and two tables in the area near the counter and take– out area. There is also a television screen mounted against the back wall. The waiter, a very pleasant man comes to my table and gives me a full pitcher of water. I tried the Yogurt Chicken Platter and I had the chicken Adana. You get a huge platter that has an onion salad, pickled red cabbage, a charred hot pepper, rice pilaf and 2 strips of chicken Adana on top of the rice pilaf. The rice pilaf is delicious. It has bits of toasted orzo mixed in with the rice and parsley. This rice pilaf is smooth and creamy. It also comes with fried pita bread that comes in a bread basket with a towel covering it because it comes to you nice and warm. The bread is definitely homemade and you can taste the yeastiness in it. The waiter also brings a yogurt sauce and a hot sauce. He warned me the roasted pepper on my plate is really hot. There is gaminess to the chicken Adana, it is minced chicken mixed with red peppers, and spices and shaped into logs and then grilled The chicken Adana was melded well with the yogurt sauce. The yogurt sauce had dill, garlic and I’m sure blended cucumbers. It reminded me of a Greek tzatziki sauce. Waiter service here is extremely attentative. A concerned waiter came to check on me several times.
For a full experience, I decided to go for some dessert. I had the rice pudding, which is made of rice, milk, sugar and is baked, unlike the Spanish version. It comes in a take-​out tin, but don’t let that detract from the goodness of this rice pudding. It is definitely runnier than the Spanish rice pudding, but it is really yummy and very creamy. There is a skin that develops on top of this pudding, probably because it’s been baked and there is a taste of the browned sugar that you get when you brulee a custard and I get that taste when I eat the top of this rice pudding. Oh hurt me!
On another occasion, I tried the chicken kebab sandwich with homemade bread to go. The chicken kebab was stuffed inside this beautiful Turkish bread and there was iceberg lettuce and sauce on the side. This is a pretty substantial sandwich, which when ordering you decide if you want it in a pita, homemade bread or a wrap. You can get sandwiches here for under $ 7.50 depending on your choice of bread, with wraps being the most expensive.

I’m very happy that I tried this place. Now I have somewhere other than Dallas BBQ to go after a day of shopping! The bestie wanted to feast on meat and a crap ton of meat is what she got from here.
We ordered the hummus, chicken mixed platter for her and lamb adana for myself. The hummus was on the bland side and the bread that came with it was OK. Her mixed grill was nuts– came with grilled chopped chicken, chicken kabob and chicken adana (the ground chicken). Mine had two sticks of the lamb adana (ground lamb). It was very flavorful. Both entrees were served with rice, pickled red cabbage, raw onions and a roasted tomato. I love roasted tomatoes and was looking forward to it, but it was the in between, odd type of «doneness», where it was smokey, but just raw/​mushy on the inside. Portions were just right. Ate the whole dish and was full. They also give you a creamer container each of hot sauce and yogurt sauce… needless to say we drenched our food with that sht.
We were pretty surprised with the service here. It’s not a fancy place by any means, but the owner (I think he was at least) kept checking on us, and kept telling the waiter to check as well. On our way out, he said goodbye, thank you, come back again, etc. at least three times. I will definitely be back very soon.

Thanks to grubhub, I now order take-​outs for my family from Istanbul on random nights or special occasions — my mom really loves their food!
I haven’t experimented too much yet with their drool-​worthy menu & stick to Karisik Igzara dish (or the Mixed Grill) and Adana/​Shish kabob dish topped with warm yogurt. Their kabobs are tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned and I have no qualms about the chefs here — because they know what the hell they are cooking! & also don’t forget to order the Ayran cold yogurt drink since that will compliment very well with the rich, flavorful Turkish cuisine you’ll end up enjoying!

I really like this place. I usually order Istanbul for takeout, great alternative to the typical Chinese or Italian food order. All dinner plate are served with rice pilaf, red cabbage, onion, roasted tomato, roasted jalapeño pepper, homemade bread and sauces. Great value. Here’s the run down:
Excellent
* Chicken or Lamb Adana Plate (flavorful grilled meatloaf sticks)
* Lebni (walnut yogurt dip)
* Shepherd salad with feta cheese (bright & amazingly fresh)
* Grape leave (luscious, the best I’ve ever had)
* Rice pudding /​Baklava
Very Good
* Chicken or Lamb Kebab plate
* Kebab or Adana wrap sandwich (it’s huge)
* Homemade bread (thick frisbee size dough discs)
Good
* Lentil soup
* Cacik (yogurt & mint soup)
Average
Hummus /​Babaganoush
Didn’t care for
The chicken sauteed in vegetables and tomato broth, a soupy mess lacking flavor.

Every time I walk along Queens Blvd, the smell of grilled meat wafts from Istanbul. If you’ve seen those cartoons where the smell of food lifts tom (or jerry) up and towards the food… that’s kinda what its like.
I order here a lot so here are some things I usually order.
Apps, i like to mix it up a little bit, but all of their apps are pretty top notch:
— shepherd’s salad — tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, parsley in a vinagarette. fresh and light. with feta, it’s a good dinner by itself.
— hummus. the usual. i’m actually allergic to chickpeas, so I try to stay away from this. Delicious, but makes my tummy hurt =\
— any of the eggplant dishes. once I ordered something that tasted a little funny (maybe it was the baba ghanoush?), it only happened that one time, but i have been a little wary since though…
— yogurt dip with walnuts. This is pretty amazing.
For all apps, it comes with the homemade bread. no one is exaggerating about how good it is. it is REALLY good.
Sandiwiches:
— chicken wrap — This is HUGE. chicken is amazingly flavorful and not dry, unlike the bland, boring meat at other places. The bf actually prefers this over the lamb.
— lamb adana sandwich– I love lamb. This hits the spot.
dessert
— rice pudding. It’s not rice to riches pudding, it’s a lighter and less sweet, which i actually really enjoy.
— baklava — I’ve had it at other places where it was waaay too sweet. This was just right. Still really sweet with the honey, but it wasn’t cloying or too overpowering.
— this baked pumpkin with syrup? I don’t know what it’s called. Sometimes, one of the guys tosses it in for free!(we eat here a lot) It’s yummy, but it’s not really something i would order otherwise.
Two thumbs up. Minus one start because of that one time… but I still keep coming back!

Thank you Unilocal!I had a fantastic experience today at Istanbul. Had it not been for Unilocal,I probably would have ignored this random Queens Blvd store front.
Let me just go through the laundry list of wonderful things that happened at Istanbul:
1. We were warmly greeted by Eugene, who seems to be the manager. He was extremely pleasant and offered menu suggestions without being pushy or overbearing.
2. The hummus was flavorful and balanced, as was the babaganoush.
4. There is a heavenly yogurt salad, with whole walnuts in it. Whoe
5. A variety of eggplant salads: spicy, sour, grilled. I still salivate when I think about them.
6. White bean salad — brilliant
7. The bread — warm, homemade, fresh, thick, doughy, perfect for the dips and salads
8. Chicken adana kebab (ground chicken), which was so nicely seasoned, both flavorful and subtle.
9. Milk pudding — the consistency of a thick yogurt with the flavor of a crème brûlée, including the taste (not texture, just taste) of the burnt top.
10. Turkish coffee
10 great things at a reasonable price!

I just happened to walk in to this place off the street. I had a lamb gyro, babaganoush (raosted eggplant spread), dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) and rice pudding.
The gyro meat was the best tasting I have ever had in my life! It is excellent and all kinds of umami.
The babaganoush has a chunky consistency. I tend to like a smoother ‘ganoush but the flavor was amazing!
The dolmas were odd to say the least. I ate them of course. They were fat and 5 to the order. Upon biting into one I discovered that they were savory and sweet. I am just not a huge fan of the sugary taste of them. There were pine nuts and I think raisins inside.
The rice pudding comes in a huge portion. It is super rich and nummy! It has a thick skin on top so if that turns you off don’t get it and leave more for me. I appreciate that there were no raisins in this one.
You have to go here A+