The doner sandwich was AMAZING. This spot is just so cute! The service was really great too. It's in a nice little shopping complex so we walked around afterward.
(5)
Branson S.
Wonderful place to eat! Tastes just like straight from the cart on the streets of Istanbul or Jerusalem. And the Turkish coffee - fantastic! The owners are so kind as well. The only complaint I have is a certain server who was very rude. Other than that, I love this place!
(5)
Robert H.
By far my favorite Mediterranean food so far. I had the Doner sandwich, basically a Gyro. The meat was seasoned very nicely and tender. The Shepherds salad was refreshing and delicious with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and a homemade dressing. I also had the Lentil soup which was perfectly prepared. The Turkish coffee is why I stopped in. I needed a boost of energy and this as just what the doctor ordered. The server was attentive and friendly. I will definitely be coming back next time I'm in town.
(5)
Carey B.
Very nice! Doner sandwich (gyro) was really good. Best gyro I have had in a long time. Atmosphere was pleasant and the service was excellent!
(5)
Jhomer R.
Great food and service. My favorite dish is the Chicken A LA Turka. I would reccomend that dish as well as the kabobs.
(4)
Saniya H.
Amazing place to eat! They have great food at very reasonable prices! I love their tomato soup and their burger. Their customer service is very professional and very friendly. They help you decide whenever you're confused and you can tell them what your feel like eating and they will always have recommendations. This place is a must try! Love it!!
(5)
Lexi H.
Service was great and staff was very nice, but overall price was expensive on the menu. I ordered Mediterranean pizza - vegetable version. It was 10 dollars but have only a few thin slices of olive, green pepper, cherry tomato, mushroom, and mozzarella cheese - I don't consider this as Mediterranean pizza. Also, when I asked if I can get just beef, not the mixture of lamb and beef meat on my pizza, the server said it comes as mixed when they receive - which made me think they don't make their food from scratch. I don't mind paying money for good quality delicious food although the position is small, but I was very disappointed for their pizza.
(2)
Tina L.
Great, casual place to get mediterranean food. The service is quick and friendly. We had the donor sandwiches, tomato soup, babaganouch (sp?) and some kind of turkish hamburger, and they were all delicious. The babaganouch with warm pitas were my favorite. We opted for their steamed vegetables, and they were cooked perfectly. Nothing fancy about the veggies, but if you are trying to be healthy, it is a good option for sides. I left my credit card there a few days ago, and they still had it. Thank goodness!
(4)
Ashley J.
Great small restaurant. Amazing appetizers and delicious food. Enjoyed the donor pizza and tomato soup. Only downside is they do not serve alcohol.
(5)
Devon D.
One of the best falafel ive ever had! Most places in LR its super dry and mealy. Here it was not dry and not soggy, but perfect! Sauce was good too. I had never had grilled onions on it before and it may be my new "thing!" Yummmm
(4)
Dave K.
I came here with family that I hadn't seen in a few years and we all loved it. I got the Doner sandwich. It was delicious! The meat had a crispy texture to it, but at the same time wasn't too dry. It was very flavorful. When you're in Little Rock, you should definitely come here.
(5)
Aliya Y.
This is my favorite Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant in Little Rock. All the grilled items are great - they really are spot on with their seasonings. And while all the appetizers/sides I've tried are delicious, the greek salad, baba ganoush and lentil soup are my favorites.
(4)
Bobby M.
To find good Mediterranean can be few and far between anywhere. Especially here in the confines of Little Rock, but I've been learning the city a little more as of late. Istanbul is Mediterranean, but it may not fit some peoples ideal. This is no Coney Island Style Mediterranean restaurant, no, no! This, as the name suggests, is a little more Turkish, and I am quite alright with it being such. At Istanbul my friend and I were greeted quickly, and were sat just as fast. It was nice, quiet, and just all around comfortable. When I peered at the menu I saw there were salads, Shwarmas, Doner Kababs, and all of those fantastic ethnic dishes I like to find. I decided to go with a Mediterranean Salad and Turkish Pizza (the real name of the dish fleets me in this moment). The pizza took me back to my small amount of time in Konya, Turkey. Thin crispy, sauced, meat'd, light veggies in the middle, and a few lemons to drizzle over it all. It was good, and pleasant to find on the menu. The salad was as American as an American-Mediterranean Salads can be. Which is fine, and as it didn't disappoint in the flavor department, I was happy. I wanted to finish it all off with a Chai (Traditional Turkish Tea), but sadly all they had was hot tea. Womp. Woommpp. Sadly, that's why I can't give a solid "five star" rating, but a "four start." Maybe I held my expectations a little high. Maybe for what is a fantastic Turkish dining experience... Maybe it should be added to their menu. Maybe, just maybe. Overall the food was above average in my opinion, and the price was pretty on par for Pleasant Ridge Town Center. Honestly, when I'm here I don't expect to pay less than $20 for a meal at any of the small businesses. It's the price we and they pay. All in all it was a fine experience. I'll make my way back to dine here again, and as good Mediterranean is few and far between it may happen a few times.
(4)
Mike H.
My wife and I ate at Istanbul on Friday night. Managed to miss the crowds as we arrived about 8pm. The woman who greeted us at the door was very pleasant, and she provided excellent service throughout our dinner. We ordered the roasted pepper hummus as a starter and were both quite pleased with it. The accompanying pita bread was hot and fresh. The soup, salad, and entrees were all well-prepared and tasty. We will definitely return. One thing to note is that Istanbul does not have a license to sell alcohol, so don't expect to order wine with your dinner.
(4)
Rhonda S.
Slow to notice me, and someone who came in after me, was given a menu, before I was even acknowledged. Actually, I had time to walk out, but I wanted some falafel, and now I'm glad I stayed. I ordered a falafel sandwich. That's 4 fried falafel patties, with [pita bread, and Turkish dressing. I removed the tomatoes. My side was rice. The rice tasted buttery, and I really enjoyed it. The falafel sandwich was $8.00, and worth it. The falafel wasn't strongly seasoned, as I've had at other Mediterranean restaurants. It was lightly seasoned, but the Turkish sauce made the sandwich fantastic. As for a drink,I had just been to Pinnacle State park, and ordered water. The server kept my water full. It's in a very nice location, that I love, across from Belk. The restaurant is very small, and would be a cool place for a first date, as I believe several of the patrons were on.
(3)
Amber L.
(3.5 stars would probably be more fitting, but since Yelp didn't give me that option...) This was my second visit, with the first being a few years ago when they had just opened. I remember the food being decent, yet it being pricey for the portion sizes. Also, they seemed to have a limited menu back then. After seeing them on Groupon, we decided to give them another go. The Good: The food really was delicious. It was the perfect blend of spices and seasonings. We started with the Cigar Pastry appetizer (a blend of cheeses wrapped in phyllo dough and fried). My husband tried the Lamb Doner Sandwich, while I had the Falafel Sandwich - both with sides of rice. Both were good portion sizes and were great tasting. The Bad: Upon walking in, no one greeted us (or others who came in after) - nor do they have a sign telling you to seat yourself - so it's somewhat awkward. Also, the service was spotty. Although our waitress only had 4 tables, she failed to keep our drinks full. It wasn't terrible service, yet not great either.
(4)
Kurt H.
I was looking for a Greek restaurant for lunch today (2.24.13), but when I couldn't find the one I was looking for, I Yelped and found this one. I have not had good Turkish food since I was in Australia and New Zealand. I was a bit skeptical of the restaurant but decided to try it. The restaurant is small inside but it was half full when I got there ~12:00. About 15 minutes later the restaurant was full with people deciding to wait for a table. I would agree with them. Waiting for a table would be a good idea. I started with the spinach pastry, which was the Turkish version of spanakopita. It came with yogurt dressing. It was good. I had the doner lamb/beef platter with pita bread, rice, and sumak salad. The platter also comes with a choice of soup and salad. I ordered the lentil soup, which was a bit on the watery side, and a bean salad, which I forget its name. For me, the meal was a lot, I took half home. I would not order an appetizer next time probably just have a doner sandwich. The inside of the restaurant is decorated with pictures from Turkey with a large mural on the back wall. The light fixtures are long red twisted fixtures and are somewhat unique that can be a conversation starter. The seats for the tables and booths are nothing special and could be upgraded. I also think the dinner menu could be expanded slightly. There is no beer, wine or bar offerings. This might be due to the zoning of the restaurant itself. Might be classified as fast food. This restaurant should be moved to a bigger location with an expanded menu with adult beverages, at least beer and wine. If this is done, I think Istanbul could be a unique date night option. As of right now, it is more of a "let's stop for lunch" place. I will return.
(4)
S M.
Great food and wonderful atmosphere. If you are in West Little Rock and want something different to eat this is a place to go.
(5)
Saul K.
Above average service and food. The price was eh, but overall a happy dining experience and worth trying if you're craving mediterranean food.
(3)
Jenn X.
My favorite Mediterranean restraurant in Little Rock. Nice balance of salt and spice. Friendly service.
(4)
Rose I.
This is a solid good, mediterranean restaurant. Love their feta filled cigars. :)
(4)
Suzanne L.
Love!!! No liquor license so better for lunch.
(5)
Beez H.
Small place. "Eh" service. Same for the food. Lots of people like it though, perhaps I should try again
(3)
El T.
Great lunch specials and great service! I love their Falafel and I think that it is the best in town! Their Hummus and Lentil Soup are very tasty. This place hits the spot where others miss.
(4)
K M.
Best mediterranean salad in town. Perfect for a light lunch, too. The Tomato soup is freshly prepared, also. Very reasonable.
(4)
Sam E.
I dine here at least once a month. They have a variety of Mediterranean dishes. I believe I've tried all of them, and I have enjoyed everything I've tried. I recommend the Iskender kabob and the hummus the most, but you can't go wrong with anything. The service has been consistently friendly and accommodating.
(4)
John B.
A nice little change-of-pace place to have lunch if you happen to be shopping nearby and want to try something different than Chick-fil-A or some other fast food joint. Very small, locally owned, and the food is wonderful.
(4)
eric p.
wanted something beside layla's. used to live in europe and always ate a ton of doner kebob (aka kebap). this one was pretty good. not the best i've ever had, but since it's the only one you can get in LR, it's the best in LR. but really, not bad at all. also had some kind of beef tortilla wrap thing (forgot the name, think it started with a "C", on bottom left of inside 1st page of menu). was yummy!!! had bhabaganoush and it was yummy. best bhabaganoush is at yaya's (the complimentary small portion you get with bread at the beginning of your meal). i'd have to say this was 2nd best behind yaya's. everything seemed really fresh. place was clean. service was fine, no complaints. cute ambience. good date place (if the girl is cool). if she's not, then either don't take her out or take her to some overrated place like vesuvio & waste your money. :-)
(5)
Tony P.
Finally an authentic Turkish restaurant in Little Rock! I'm a fan of the Doner Kebab which is about as good as you can get it IN Turkey. The iced tea is definitely made from Turkish leaves. One cannot mistake that flavor!
(5)
Joel W.
I never write reviews but had too because the reviews were so off on this place. I love all kinds of Med food, but what I received was right off a fast food truck.
(2)
Rob M.
Came back this week for their dinner menu; had the Iskandar kebab, which was phenomenal. (I only wish I had known about the pita underneath, which I would have substituted more vegetables for.) Very good meal for the price, and we'll be back on future trips to Little Rock.
(4)
GC Y.
Good Med. type food. Very well prepared Worth the trip for lunch. Have not tried dinner entrees.
(3)
Beky O.
I loved this place! In fact, my friends and I have a blog that is dedicated to writing restaurant reviews in Little Rock, AR. We added our review of Istanbul to our blog today! Read our full review at: theyumyumsisterhood.word…
(5)
Stan S.
i'm going to be charitable and go with 4 stars but really think its more like 3.5. some things are very good but some are bland. i think the shawarma needs some kick, maybe garlic paste?? hummus too is a little bland. however, its still pretty good, service is prompt and nothing is bad.
(4)
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Address :11525 Cantrell Rd,Ste 914
Little Rock, AR, 72212
Sara M.
The doner sandwich was AMAZING. This spot is just so cute! The service was really great too. It's in a nice little shopping complex so we walked around afterward.
(5)Branson S.
Wonderful place to eat! Tastes just like straight from the cart on the streets of Istanbul or Jerusalem. And the Turkish coffee - fantastic! The owners are so kind as well. The only complaint I have is a certain server who was very rude. Other than that, I love this place!
(5)Robert H.
By far my favorite Mediterranean food so far. I had the Doner sandwich, basically a Gyro. The meat was seasoned very nicely and tender. The Shepherds salad was refreshing and delicious with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and a homemade dressing. I also had the Lentil soup which was perfectly prepared. The Turkish coffee is why I stopped in. I needed a boost of energy and this as just what the doctor ordered. The server was attentive and friendly. I will definitely be coming back next time I'm in town.
(5)Carey B.
Very nice! Doner sandwich (gyro) was really good. Best gyro I have had in a long time. Atmosphere was pleasant and the service was excellent!
(5)Jhomer R.
Great food and service. My favorite dish is the Chicken A LA Turka. I would reccomend that dish as well as the kabobs.
(4)Saniya H.
Amazing place to eat! They have great food at very reasonable prices! I love their tomato soup and their burger. Their customer service is very professional and very friendly. They help you decide whenever you're confused and you can tell them what your feel like eating and they will always have recommendations. This place is a must try! Love it!!
(5)Lexi H.
Service was great and staff was very nice, but overall price was expensive on the menu. I ordered Mediterranean pizza - vegetable version. It was 10 dollars but have only a few thin slices of olive, green pepper, cherry tomato, mushroom, and mozzarella cheese - I don't consider this as Mediterranean pizza. Also, when I asked if I can get just beef, not the mixture of lamb and beef meat on my pizza, the server said it comes as mixed when they receive - which made me think they don't make their food from scratch. I don't mind paying money for good quality delicious food although the position is small, but I was very disappointed for their pizza.
(2)Tina L.
Great, casual place to get mediterranean food. The service is quick and friendly. We had the donor sandwiches, tomato soup, babaganouch (sp?) and some kind of turkish hamburger, and they were all delicious. The babaganouch with warm pitas were my favorite. We opted for their steamed vegetables, and they were cooked perfectly. Nothing fancy about the veggies, but if you are trying to be healthy, it is a good option for sides. I left my credit card there a few days ago, and they still had it. Thank goodness!
(4)Ashley J.
Great small restaurant. Amazing appetizers and delicious food. Enjoyed the donor pizza and tomato soup. Only downside is they do not serve alcohol.
(5)Devon D.
One of the best falafel ive ever had! Most places in LR its super dry and mealy. Here it was not dry and not soggy, but perfect! Sauce was good too. I had never had grilled onions on it before and it may be my new "thing!" Yummmm
(4)Dave K.
I came here with family that I hadn't seen in a few years and we all loved it. I got the Doner sandwich. It was delicious! The meat had a crispy texture to it, but at the same time wasn't too dry. It was very flavorful. When you're in Little Rock, you should definitely come here.
(5)Aliya Y.
This is my favorite Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant in Little Rock. All the grilled items are great - they really are spot on with their seasonings. And while all the appetizers/sides I've tried are delicious, the greek salad, baba ganoush and lentil soup are my favorites.
(4)Bobby M.
To find good Mediterranean can be few and far between anywhere. Especially here in the confines of Little Rock, but I've been learning the city a little more as of late. Istanbul is Mediterranean, but it may not fit some peoples ideal. This is no Coney Island Style Mediterranean restaurant, no, no! This, as the name suggests, is a little more Turkish, and I am quite alright with it being such. At Istanbul my friend and I were greeted quickly, and were sat just as fast. It was nice, quiet, and just all around comfortable. When I peered at the menu I saw there were salads, Shwarmas, Doner Kababs, and all of those fantastic ethnic dishes I like to find. I decided to go with a Mediterranean Salad and Turkish Pizza (the real name of the dish fleets me in this moment). The pizza took me back to my small amount of time in Konya, Turkey. Thin crispy, sauced, meat'd, light veggies in the middle, and a few lemons to drizzle over it all. It was good, and pleasant to find on the menu. The salad was as American as an American-Mediterranean Salads can be. Which is fine, and as it didn't disappoint in the flavor department, I was happy. I wanted to finish it all off with a Chai (Traditional Turkish Tea), but sadly all they had was hot tea. Womp. Woommpp. Sadly, that's why I can't give a solid "five star" rating, but a "four start." Maybe I held my expectations a little high. Maybe for what is a fantastic Turkish dining experience... Maybe it should be added to their menu. Maybe, just maybe. Overall the food was above average in my opinion, and the price was pretty on par for Pleasant Ridge Town Center. Honestly, when I'm here I don't expect to pay less than $20 for a meal at any of the small businesses. It's the price we and they pay. All in all it was a fine experience. I'll make my way back to dine here again, and as good Mediterranean is few and far between it may happen a few times.
(4)Mike H.
My wife and I ate at Istanbul on Friday night. Managed to miss the crowds as we arrived about 8pm. The woman who greeted us at the door was very pleasant, and she provided excellent service throughout our dinner. We ordered the roasted pepper hummus as a starter and were both quite pleased with it. The accompanying pita bread was hot and fresh. The soup, salad, and entrees were all well-prepared and tasty. We will definitely return. One thing to note is that Istanbul does not have a license to sell alcohol, so don't expect to order wine with your dinner.
(4)Rhonda S.
Slow to notice me, and someone who came in after me, was given a menu, before I was even acknowledged. Actually, I had time to walk out, but I wanted some falafel, and now I'm glad I stayed. I ordered a falafel sandwich. That's 4 fried falafel patties, with [pita bread, and Turkish dressing. I removed the tomatoes. My side was rice. The rice tasted buttery, and I really enjoyed it. The falafel sandwich was $8.00, and worth it. The falafel wasn't strongly seasoned, as I've had at other Mediterranean restaurants. It was lightly seasoned, but the Turkish sauce made the sandwich fantastic. As for a drink,I had just been to Pinnacle State park, and ordered water. The server kept my water full. It's in a very nice location, that I love, across from Belk. The restaurant is very small, and would be a cool place for a first date, as I believe several of the patrons were on.
(3)Amber L.
(3.5 stars would probably be more fitting, but since Yelp didn't give me that option...) This was my second visit, with the first being a few years ago when they had just opened. I remember the food being decent, yet it being pricey for the portion sizes. Also, they seemed to have a limited menu back then. After seeing them on Groupon, we decided to give them another go. The Good: The food really was delicious. It was the perfect blend of spices and seasonings. We started with the Cigar Pastry appetizer (a blend of cheeses wrapped in phyllo dough and fried). My husband tried the Lamb Doner Sandwich, while I had the Falafel Sandwich - both with sides of rice. Both were good portion sizes and were great tasting. The Bad: Upon walking in, no one greeted us (or others who came in after) - nor do they have a sign telling you to seat yourself - so it's somewhat awkward. Also, the service was spotty. Although our waitress only had 4 tables, she failed to keep our drinks full. It wasn't terrible service, yet not great either.
(4)Kurt H.
I was looking for a Greek restaurant for lunch today (2.24.13), but when I couldn't find the one I was looking for, I Yelped and found this one. I have not had good Turkish food since I was in Australia and New Zealand. I was a bit skeptical of the restaurant but decided to try it. The restaurant is small inside but it was half full when I got there ~12:00. About 15 minutes later the restaurant was full with people deciding to wait for a table. I would agree with them. Waiting for a table would be a good idea. I started with the spinach pastry, which was the Turkish version of spanakopita. It came with yogurt dressing. It was good. I had the doner lamb/beef platter with pita bread, rice, and sumak salad. The platter also comes with a choice of soup and salad. I ordered the lentil soup, which was a bit on the watery side, and a bean salad, which I forget its name. For me, the meal was a lot, I took half home. I would not order an appetizer next time probably just have a doner sandwich. The inside of the restaurant is decorated with pictures from Turkey with a large mural on the back wall. The light fixtures are long red twisted fixtures and are somewhat unique that can be a conversation starter. The seats for the tables and booths are nothing special and could be upgraded. I also think the dinner menu could be expanded slightly. There is no beer, wine or bar offerings. This might be due to the zoning of the restaurant itself. Might be classified as fast food. This restaurant should be moved to a bigger location with an expanded menu with adult beverages, at least beer and wine. If this is done, I think Istanbul could be a unique date night option. As of right now, it is more of a "let's stop for lunch" place. I will return.
(4)S M.
Great food and wonderful atmosphere. If you are in West Little Rock and want something different to eat this is a place to go.
(5)Saul K.
Above average service and food. The price was eh, but overall a happy dining experience and worth trying if you're craving mediterranean food.
(3)Jenn X.
My favorite Mediterranean restraurant in Little Rock. Nice balance of salt and spice. Friendly service.
(4)Rose I.
This is a solid good, mediterranean restaurant. Love their feta filled cigars. :)
(4)Suzanne L.
Love!!! No liquor license so better for lunch.
(5)Beez H.
Small place. "Eh" service. Same for the food. Lots of people like it though, perhaps I should try again
(3)El T.
Great lunch specials and great service! I love their Falafel and I think that it is the best in town! Their Hummus and Lentil Soup are very tasty. This place hits the spot where others miss.
(4)K M.
Best mediterranean salad in town. Perfect for a light lunch, too. The Tomato soup is freshly prepared, also. Very reasonable.
(4)Sam E.
I dine here at least once a month. They have a variety of Mediterranean dishes. I believe I've tried all of them, and I have enjoyed everything I've tried. I recommend the Iskender kabob and the hummus the most, but you can't go wrong with anything. The service has been consistently friendly and accommodating.
(4)John B.
A nice little change-of-pace place to have lunch if you happen to be shopping nearby and want to try something different than Chick-fil-A or some other fast food joint. Very small, locally owned, and the food is wonderful.
(4)eric p.
wanted something beside layla's. used to live in europe and always ate a ton of doner kebob (aka kebap). this one was pretty good. not the best i've ever had, but since it's the only one you can get in LR, it's the best in LR. but really, not bad at all. also had some kind of beef tortilla wrap thing (forgot the name, think it started with a "C", on bottom left of inside 1st page of menu). was yummy!!! had bhabaganoush and it was yummy. best bhabaganoush is at yaya's (the complimentary small portion you get with bread at the beginning of your meal). i'd have to say this was 2nd best behind yaya's. everything seemed really fresh. place was clean. service was fine, no complaints. cute ambience. good date place (if the girl is cool). if she's not, then either don't take her out or take her to some overrated place like vesuvio & waste your money. :-)
(5)Tony P.
Finally an authentic Turkish restaurant in Little Rock! I'm a fan of the Doner Kebab which is about as good as you can get it IN Turkey. The iced tea is definitely made from Turkish leaves. One cannot mistake that flavor!
(5)Joel W.
I never write reviews but had too because the reviews were so off on this place. I love all kinds of Med food, but what I received was right off a fast food truck.
(2)Rob M.
Came back this week for their dinner menu; had the Iskandar kebab, which was phenomenal. (I only wish I had known about the pita underneath, which I would have substituted more vegetables for.) Very good meal for the price, and we'll be back on future trips to Little Rock.
(4)GC Y.
Good Med. type food. Very well prepared Worth the trip for lunch. Have not tried dinner entrees.
(3)Beky O.
I loved this place! In fact, my friends and I have a blog that is dedicated to writing restaurant reviews in Little Rock, AR. We added our review of Istanbul to our blog today! Read our full review at: theyumyumsisterhood.word…
(5)Stan S.
i'm going to be charitable and go with 4 stars but really think its more like 3.5. some things are very good but some are bland. i think the shawarma needs some kick, maybe garlic paste?? hummus too is a little bland. however, its still pretty good, service is prompt and nothing is bad.
(4)