I have several diet restrictions currently, many of which are related to preservatives and additives (sugar and sodium) added to most foods when dining out. Istanbul Cafe was suggested to me as a place that offered fresh ingredients and could accommodate my diet. I was pleasantly surprised by the menu that even stated they didn't add preservatives. I even check further with our server and she confirmed they don't add additional sugar to sauces or unnecessary salt to preserve food. We were able to get a great seat outside and split, between two adults, the Ezme, Shepard Salad (with feta on the side) as well as the dinner portion of the Shish Kabob and Chicken Kabob. The appetizers came with fresh, warm pita and was perfect for sharing. The Ezme stated it has hot red peppers but was definitely not hot, but still delicious. Dinner plate portions were good size, perfect for splitting as each Kabob came with exactly six pieced of meat. Prices are fair and you get what you pay for, fresh, not processed, real food. The Shish Kebab was around $20 for the dinner portion but between the appetizers and generous portion of pita bread, we both had our full and still left some of the bread and appetizers. Overall a great experience, wonderful atmosphere, superb services and excellent food. I was very impressed to see their Shepard Salad didn't come premixed so they were able to accomodate for dietary needs. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Morgan K.
Huuuuge let down. I went here after reading others' reviews and had a horrible experience. The staff was friendly but the food had NO flavor. Worst overall entre I've ever encountered. Like couldnt bring myself to eat it. The rice might as well be minute rice, the veggies seem as though they were from the freezer section and the lamb was rubbery and bland. The feta borek that's supposed to taste like feta and parsley was fried bread with no flavor. People said that they were reasonably priced (this may be true for lunch), but I spent $40 for one person to get flavorless food I ended up throwing away. Super bummed. The only thing that made this semi worth my time was the pita bread....which seemed to be more food that the entre and apetizer combined. ? Annnnd it was again flavorless and does not come with anything. Luckily I had hummus at home to eat it with. Again, just super disappointed.
(1)
Simon P.
Exactly what I was looking for. This place reminded me my trip to Turkey. Authentic food and turkish beer (Efes !!!) and wine. I had the red lentil soup and the shish kebabs with yogourt. Both are authentic and delicious. Adding manti to your menu would give you an extra star! Great food, awesome service, I recommend!
(4)
Kelli K.
This place was fabulous! I loved the chicken kebab-it was very juice and savory. The restrooms and restaurant area was very clean and bright and the service was friendly and prompt. I wished there were more lunch menu options, but overall it was great!
(5)
Sam R.
My family and I have had lots of different Mediterranean food, but before going here, we hadn't been to a specifically Turkish restaurant. I'm on a never-ending crusade to have food from as many countries as possible, so I was delighted to discover Turkish food in Indy via Yelp. Bosphorus seemed like the other option, but this one was nearer to where we were at lunchtime. Upon walking in, we quickly discovered that this is a dinner restaurant. Just from the decor, the (almost annoyingly) low lighting, and the fact that no one else was in there for lunch. The menu had a lot of options on it, and tons of appetizers. When we walked in, we had planned on ordering one or more of these...but upon looking at the prices on the menu, we quickly discovered that appetizers were not going to be an option. The food was good. I had the chicken adana kabob. It was good, but not great...it basically just tasted like chicken. Nothing super special. My mom had kabobs with yogurt...same deal, good but not outstanding. My dad had an eggplant dish with beef on it. Once again, good, but not great. That was the main problem here...everything was good, but nothing was great. (They do have a kick-butt basmati rice. I'd eat that like every day.) We feel like it might have partially been the prices that made us feel the food wasn't great. For what we payed (almost $70 for lunch.. we're $30 kinda people) the food just wasn't good enough, and upon further thought, we concluded that the food was a little overpriced for the ingredients, especially in my mom's dish. Oh, well...this was good, but a one-and-done. It was just too expensive, and there weren't enough great items to make a second trip down to Indy for it.
(3)
Rachael H.
My husband and I love ethnic cuisines of all kinds. But, Turkish and Mediterranean are definitely our faves. If you're looking for a great Turkish place on the north side, Instanbul Cafe is where it's at. They have an outdoor patio (my preferred way to enjoy a meal) and a full bar. If you've never tried Turkish food, the appetizer sampler plate is a great place to start--humus, babaganoush, roasted tomatoes, stuffed grape leaves, served with warm pita. For dinner, I recommend anything with lamb in it, but my personal favorite entree at Instanbul is the tilapia. Don't let the menu prices discourage you from trying anything. All of their entrees are big enough to share between two to three people. And don't forget about dessert....you just have to try the baklava! Great little place for a date or to take friends for a unique dinner spot.
(5)
N H.
It's been a while since I visited, but I neglected a review then. This place? Superb. It may very well be the best hummus in Indy. It was a reasonable price, $6 or so, (when it comes to indy prices) but the amount was rather small. However their lamb entree was also beautiful. There's outside dining so it's great for a lazy afternoon. My only reluctance in going back is the location is rather pricey for a poor education professional like myself. But if you have the funds, DO IT. Your tummy will be pleased.
(4)
Nat C.
We inundated this restaurant with 10 people for lunch this week. We were made very comfortable and accommodated with our drinks and appetizers. Many of the lunch specials come with hummus or red lentil soup. Both were very good including the pita bread, which kept coming. I'm a big lover of chicken kabob since my days in Reston. No one has beaten the Reston Kabob flavor in my mind - until this luncheon. Great chicken Kabob.
(4)
Raechel H.
Take it a step up from the kebab shop and go Mediterranean chic! This Turkish delight shines in its shady corner cafe. The low lighting ambiance compliments the simple white and wood decor. A trifecta of fabulous flavors, fine dining and fantastic service. A shy, yet friendly, girl asked us what we'd like to drink. Before she finished her sentence, I already had my phone in her face, asking about the free Turkish tea Yelp deal. This delicate, exotic pleasure is a must-try! A perfect balance of flavors, and will please even the most snobbish tea drinker. My husband had never tried it, so he asked for some milk on the side. The server was confused at first, but then she asked, "Oh, you mean like cream?" He responded with, "Yeah, but like milk." Nice. Opening act: - Red lentil soup. Gorgeous. Creamy. Flavorful. - Calamari for the hubs. Fresh squid. Light, crispy batter. - Pita bread. Warm pillows on a plate. True comfort food. Star of the evening: - Gyro and steak kabobs. - My gyro kebab was like Carnivore Central; a plate of meat with rice and steamed veggies. - The hubs indulged his meat fix with a steak kebab, rice and steamed veggies. Simple, but packed with flavor! A northside treasure. I dare you not to love it.
(5)
Naser A.
I can probably can tolerate anything, except the fact being ignored by the waitress and the staff over there Well this happened to me three hours ago when I entered with my wife, and my sister who is visited for the holiday. I told her so many good posts about this place, but unfortunately they let me down We were seated and were left there hanging without being served or even asked if we cared for something to drink or order We probably stayed there a good fifteen minutes and the place was not even busy Sad story, we just got out of our seats and left.
(1)
Taelend S.
My first time having Turkish food, but I have had Mediterranean food many times. The food was outstanding. Very light, fresh. tried to get the things I haven't seen at other Mediterranean restaurants and loves it all. The free Turkish tee coupon courtesy of yelp was great too.
(5)
Alex P.
I do like this restaurant for the food quality. But they need to do something price wise for a lunch menu on a Sunday. At prices like that I am not surprised why we were the only two people in the restaurant.
Great food, great service! If you are looking for a low key place for some delicious Mediterranean food, you should check out Istanbul Cafe. I came based on Yelp reviews, and was not disappointed. Started off with the hummus and pita. The hummus was fresh and awesome and the pita was warm and the perfect combination of crisp and soft. My friend and I split the kabob sampler (4 types of kabob) and loved it! The lamb was incredible and the chicken was some of the juiciest, most tender chicken I have ever eaten. Service was great, our waiter was newer to staff but did everything to make us feel welcome.
I dined here on 7/22/2014. upon entering, the aromas of freshly prepared Mediterranean food hit me and I knew instantly I had made a good choice. I ordered the Shepherd Salad - full of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell peppers & onions, topped with feta cheese and parsley - all coated in a tasty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. Yum!! I also ordered the hummus, which came with freshly heated pita, and there was more than 1 person could eat all at once! I also ordered the Chicken Adana kabob, which came with basmati rice and veggies. The chicken was tender and juicy and the marinade was incredible. The rice and veggies were perfectly cooked. They also give you olive oil seasoned with s&p, garlic, crushed tomatoes and chili peppers to dip the pita in - i can't wait to make that at home! I would definitely go back there and know I'll fill up as well as get my money's worth! Definitely a must-visit if you're in the area!
(4)
Robert M.
In Indy for work and wanted to go somewhere that wasn't standard chain highly processed food. Found Istanbul Cafe online and thought we'd give it a try. Went with a party of 5, had the babaganoush app, and beef kebab/ Really liked both. The dishes that were in the yoghurt sauce seemed a bit on the heavy side but others said they were tasty. Would definitely return if I was in the area.
(4)
Elizabeth S.
This place used used to be my favorite in Indy. The last two times I've been here, I have been really disappointed. The food is overpriced. Last time I has the falafel, which was burnt. The lentil soup was too salty. Not worth it!
(2)
L G.
This place is great! Came here for dinner with my husband and we will definitely be back. The food was really good (doner kabob and shish kabob), but the best part of dinner was the pita bread and oil they bring before the food. By far the best pita bread!
(5)
DeAnna P.
Before you read any further -- check in on your yelp app for a free Turkish tea! Ok, now that's out of the way, on to the review! I loved the food here. On Mondays and Tuesdays, they have half priced bottles of wine. The selection looked good and reasonably priced. However, it was 17 degrees outside, so the hot Turkish tea (black tea from Turkey, in case you're wondering) really hit the spot. And I loved that it was served with a sugar cube. There's something so adorably fancy about sugar cubes. But I digress. Onto the food! Do you ever hear a food combination and think -- ok, that will either be gross or superb? That was one of our dishes, and it was SUPERB. Donor (gyro) meat with a tomato sauce similar to the one for Greek-style green beans. Then topped with yogurt sauce sans cucumbers. And underneath the yogurt sauce, chunks of fried pita bread that somehow managed to stay crispy under all that sauce. It was a perfect marriage of ingredients. Best of all for a carnivore like me, it came topped with a couple small chunks of roasted pepper, but other than that, it was all meat and bread. Perfect! We had also hedged our bets by getting the regular donor platter to share. It came with meat (no sauce), rice, and vegetables (green beans, carrots, and maybe squash?). It was good, but didn't hold a candle to the donor in yogurt. The vegetables were flavorful, but the rice was forgettable. The meat was seasoned very well and was moist. We started the meal with the phyllo wrapped feta straws. They were good, but I probably would not get them again, just because the free pitas and oil were so good, and I want to save room to try dessert next time. The pitas are served with an olive oil containing tiny bits of fresh red bell pepper, black pepper, and oregano. We could have drunk a bottle of the oil. The only downside of the meal was the service. I would not call it bad so much as non-existent. The restaurant was dead when we arrived (literally, we were the only ones there). Still, it took a bit to get someone to the table. Throughout the meal, we only saw our server (the owner, I believe) once or twice. He was very nice when he came over, but we had to keep flagging him down and there were long intervals where he was in the back unavailable. Hire and extra server and this would be a five-star rating. Two main dishes (with enough leftovers for one lunch the next day), and appetizer, pitas and oil, and two free hot teas (with refills): about $45.
Had the eggplant dish and cabbage rolls. They were both delicious. Will definitely come back!
(5)
Diane R.
Place is clean, cozy & the music playing was nice , there was a small bar area on the right side of the restaurant ... we came in for lunch & there was like 4-5 tables being served by one lone waitress,so although I still need to ask & wait for my drink to be refilled ,u kinda jst understand her situation BUT what I don't want to understand is when they ran out of Mac & Cheese for the kids , they just took it upon themselves to serve us Fries instead. Note to Chef: customers need to be informed first so WE can decide what to order instead.
(3)
Susan F.
This was an amazing dining experience. We were celebrating a birthday. All of my friends got different entrees, so we got to try a few things. I personally had the "chicken kabob with yogurt." Seriously amazing. Rich, but delicious flavor. I tried the zucchini pancakes, too, which were so good! Perfect sear. We had the combo appetizer: several spreads for pita bread. I love restaurant pita bread! I cannot find an equivalent in grocery stores here... We also had three desserts: the kunnefe (I think thats what it was called); the baklava; and the chocolate pistachio cake. My favorite was the chocolate cake-but I guess the kunnefe is supposed to be the best. It is goat cheese with kind of a breading on it. My friend Kait, who doesn't love desserts, actually really liked it. Our server was amazing. Very kind and funny and fit well with our group. We noticed a table getting what looked like shots, so of course we asked what shots they were doing; it was tea. :) BTW, there is a free tea with yelp check-in. Very fun place, yet excellent food. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
(5)
Mark L.
Amazing fresh Turkish foods. Many vegetarian choices to go with fabulous Lamb Chops and other proteins. Lunch specials were quickly served at $12-14. Make sure to try the authentically prepared Turkish tea.
(5)
Betsy R.
Had the opportunity to have dinner here last night. I was so pleased with the total package! The staff was pleasant and knowledgable. The food was delicious. Try the kabobs-they're great. I don't recall the name of the wine, but it was very smooth and light. I know it was from Turkey, but can't remember the name. We finished with a Turkish coffee and a dessert made with shredded dough! I also thought the price was very reasonable. Will go back for sure!
(5)
Bassam R.
Awesome choice , im in my way to re visiting you again and again everything cooked perfectly you the best Mediterranean in Indianapolis.
(5)
Elizabeth P.
Went to Istanbul with a party of 11 people last night. The service was slow, The server was a complete airhead and the food was worse. There were several mixups, the food was not cooked as requested and the extra items ordered were never received. I am sorry this horrific decline has happened with this cafe which used to be at the top of the heap.
(1)
Katherine G.
Delicious. Great, attentive waiter. The pita was warm and their spiced olive oil was amazing. I split the mixed grilled kabobs.
(5)
Margaret S.
Food is pretty good. But for lower price the Parthenon down the street is just as good if not better.
(4)
Sara M.
Not filling...shrimp were over cooked. Service was good. Not a place I would go again for the price at all.
(2)
Paul H.
Fabulous Mediterranean delicacies with many vegetarian options. I've eaten here five times and each time I'm amazed at the wonderful flavors and culinary surprises offered. The Vegetarian Sampler Platter is a must. My wife usually gets the chicken kebab and I usually get the salmon. She loves hers, I love mine. We don't share the entrees. Short, adequate wine list , including some very good Turkish wines and a full bar. Takeout is available, but more fun to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere in this establishment. Nice decor inside, despite a strip mall location. Outdoor seating available in nice weather. Excellent and knowledgable service. I can't wait to go back. (4 1/2 Stars would be more accurate.)
(4)
Stephanie B.
Wow! We were on our way to one of our regular places when we came upon Istanbul Cafe and decided to try it.... and it was awesome!! We had the hummus, shared the mixed grill kabob, and baklava for dessert. Will be coming back soon!
(5)
Jan N.
This was our first visit. It was lunch on a very cold day. What a surprise! This is probably the cleanest restaurant we have been in for years. The crystal and silverware just shined. Our server was rather shy, but very kind. The food was good. Everything cooked properly. We will return!!
(4)
Brittany S.
*I visited Istanbul Cafe with the International Supper Club - our meal served family-style with a prix fixe menu. I was especially excited about this month's restaurant selection by the fabulous Alex due to an Istanbul visit in 2009. I can't say the Turkish food has been one of my favorites, but the experience and cozy feel of most Turkish establishments makes up for it - as was the case with Istanbul Cafe. Our menu consisted of Tarhana, Lahmacun, Kokorec, Cig Kofte, Patlıcan Dolma and Imam Bayildi. (say what?) We sampled everything from lamb intestine and grape leaf rolls to tomato-based soup. I was surprised to find that my favorite dish was the Patlican Dolma given that I typically am not a big fan of grape leaves. Tucked inside the mild leaves was a mixture of vegetables and meat with parsley. I was very impressed by Istanbul Cafe's service throughout the evening. A group of 32-35 can be quite difficult to handle, but our drinks were constantly filled and the food kept flowing. Every ounce of me fought of the idea of ordering some sort of dessert given the day's massive consumption of sweets. Next time - we're going allllll out. Not ordering some rakia liquor was my biggest regret of the visit.
(4)
Trista T.
So great! The served pita bread and some olive oil dip with our drinks. I tried dolma as an appetizer, which was rice wrapped in grape leaves. Very different but awesome! I also ordered the lentil soup which had more of a tomato soup texture because the lentils were blended in. Yum! Last, I had the tabouli which had more of a tomato flavor in it than other versions I have tried. I also was excited to try some free tea! (courtesy of my check in) Their tea and coffee comes in very very tiny baby tea cups fyi. The We sat outside where they have a few tables scattered. Service was awesome; they never let our drinks run out. What a great change of flavors from the usual american meals I have.
(5)
May K.
My husband and i went there and shared zucchini pancakes, and he had some sort of a kebab and I had veggie stuffed cabbage rolls. The food was bland and underwhelming. Perhaps they're trying to cater towards Americans. They have certainly not put into their food any spices that I associate with Turkish cuisine. On a good note, the service was good.. but then, we were the only people there.
(2)
Shaikha A.
One of the best Turkish restaurant I have ever tried. I do recommend that you try the Adana Kebab and the chicken Adana Kebab; these two dishes are really good.
(5)
Kate S.
Amazing food! Plus super helpful in trying to decide what to order for new customers!
(5)
Ari A.
I really like to eat Mediterranean food because its healthy and tasteful. Since last 4-5 years i think i have been into many Turkish and Mediterranean restaurants and i think this place represent the best taste and the quality. I have tried almost all of their salads and appetizers each of them are tasteful and most important " fresh". I recommend you to try Ezme, Grape Dolma and Shepard salad.
(5)
Gordon C.
The place is pretty inviting -- IMO better than other mediterranean places in Indy for a date the pita bread they served came out hot, fluffy and was a perfectly delicious pre-meal warm up My date and I ordered the mixed grill kebabs -- it was indeed great for sharing as it was a sampling of the doner, lamb shish, chicken and adana kebabs The chicken was very savory and the lamb shish kebab were verry tasty and delicious; the adana (ground lamb) was decent; but the gyro (doner) meat were muchhhh too salty The waiter could have been a little more attentive (I drank a bunch of water b/c of the salty meal) The rice and sauteed vegetables were decent 3.5/5
(3)
Marcia R.
Appetizer sampler for two - worth every penny (yes they will refill your pita bowl & bring tasty oil when u run out of sampler options). We were full by the time our food came! Main Meal: cabbage rolls w lamb - kinda bland I prefer the veggie ones - more flavor. Shish kabob (marinated lamb) - excellent! Not as spiced as Gyro meat but more tasty than wout the marinade. I also prefer to get the big kabob meal split it and order extra sides of veg & rice. The rice is surprisingly super yummy! Dessert: goat cheese pastry (thing) OMGsh so very tasty!!! I would say order w extra whip cream if you like a very sweet last dish! Very good for sharing (it was the size of a small plate). We ended up taking food home - stuffed. The place was packed! Had several Turkish people eating there as well :).
(5)
Adriana V.
This is an awesome restaurant with a very nice owner from Isatanbul and a dynamic server, Danielle. The sampler appetizer was so yummy. The seafood stew was tremendous. The chicken kabob juicy and well seasoned. As the only wine drinker of the group, the house pinot grigio was very good. I would keep this place at the top of my list. AV
(5)
Kate G.
will not go back. Our falafel was freezer-burned (?) And the pita chalky. The meal did not feel unified at all but instead just a bunch of sub-par meat and tasteless vegetables thrown towner on a plate. The people we went with are from Greece and they couldn't recognize any of the food that came out. Two stars, but just for the company.
(2)
Maaz B.
Five stars all the way. They remind me of Ala Turka Sultan, a great restaurant in New York which also serves Turkish cuisine. The food is fresh and authentic Turkish. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated with just about the right kind of lighting. I have tried the desserts as well and love most of them :-) I go there at least once a month. I'm hooked.
(5)
V S.
Two visits - the first, with kids for dinner, was very good. The second was star crossed. The appetizers and the ayran were good. But then alas, the entree. Cafe Istanbul aspires to veggie friendliness. The menu even contains a note "great option for vegetarians" next to the vegetable stuffed cabbage rolls. So being of the vegetarian persuasion we order it. The meal comes out, and shortly after the waitress informs us we have been served the lamb cabbage rolls instead. Despite us turning down the specials, and telling her we were vegetarians. High drama between the kitchen and the waitress ensues, ending in her asking us "well how do you want to handle this?". I just wanted to leave. And then insult was added to injury when the staff on hand refused to take the item off our bill. No other restitution was offered either. I was assured that this would not have happened if the owner had been on the premises. Cold comfort. Always sad when I have to pan a place with good food for human factors. But getting the customers what they ordered, and not substituting something they have excluded from their diet, is beyond the pale. The way they handled the situation - worse. I think I'll look for other alternatives for my middle eastern food. Preferably alternatives that know how to spell "Mediterranean". (I kid you not, look at the glass front as you go in).
(1)
Evelyn H.
Went with a large party. Food was over cooked and the service was really mediocre. Had alot of mishaps with our ordering, and service was so slow despite there were not very many tables. Will not go again with large groups.
(3)
Deirdre G.
Knocking off one star because my dad's meal was late coming out. I highly recommend the Turkish flan for dessert.
(4)
Abdulrahman A.
We were four adults, a 7 month old baby, and a three year old girl. After asking for the bill they included the %18 tip because we are 6 people. They counted the 7 month old baby!! I have not seen any resturant doing that !!! The waiter said, this is the rule and I am not the owner!!!!! I won't come again and I won't recommended it. I hate the idea of using loophole to take people money.
(1)
Katelyn A.
Where do I begin? The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic, it is somewhere that you would be able to go dressed up or dressed down. The hummus was fantastic and large portioned! At first glance I thought that the prices were a little expensive until I saw the portions of the meals. The money was well worth it. Their baklava was the most amazing baklava I have ever had! It was so fresh and tasted absolutely amazing paired with their coffee. Will definitely be becoming a regular here!
(5)
David H.
I will definitely be coming back to Istanbul. Everything, the food, the service was top notch. You have to try the stuffed grape leaves!
(5)
Jennifer V.
I was in town for a conference and stopped in for lunch. Well, I came back for dinner and then again the next day. The food was wonderful and the service even better. The staff was fun to talk to and told us all about Turkey. I recommend: kebabs with yogurt, the appetizer sampler and the Turkish tea and coffee.
(5)
Hugh D.
Went here with friend who grew up in Instanbul. She loved it!! Very pleasant surprise.
(5)
Phillip H.
Other than a month spent in Israel-Palestine for school, I admittedly don't have much experience w/ Mediterranean food. But I quite enjoyed the food at Istanbul Cafe. I started with a sampler plate with some hummus, roasted eggplant, grape leaves, and other appetizers. I likes this sampler better than my lamb entree, to be honest. The restaurant is worth visiting, if just to try something different
(3)
Lynn J.
I arrived here "blind" one evening when my daughter booked and we took a relative from outside USA to dinner. We wanted to put our best foot forward because he had hosted my wife in South Africa. We were not disappointed. We ordered several dishes and some appetizers for the table and it was notable hardly a scrap remained on the table when we finished. He had a whole fish which surprised and delighted him. Very dramatic and fun. I appreciate a quiet ambiance and table cloths and this was pleasantly dim with quiet hum. Wait staff were quick and attentive without hovering. If I were in town (I live 55 miles away) I would become a semi regular for the evenings I want ethnic alternatives to "American cuisine." There are fun new flavors and dishes to explore here. Try it out.
(4)
Rich B.
Food, atmosphere and service are all top notch! We started with an amazing appetizer with hummus, tabouli, baba ganoush and a few other dips, all were great - in fact the hummus was the best I've ever had. They kept the warm, fluffy pita bread coming. I had the lunch special, a few options were available - I went for the red lentil soup - which was excellent, and the stuffed cabbage - which really felt authentic, had tasty rice and meat inside and covered in a red sauce with a subtle zing. Veggies on the side were a great complement. There were two servers working at the time; our main one took great care of us and if he wasn't around the other one was happy to jump in. We were well taken care of and they interjected just enough fun banter.
(5)
Jennifer L.
Can't say enough nice things about this place. Even though it's in a strip mall, the food is exquisite. The ambiance is calm. The staff is cheerful. The food is reasonably priced, and most especially delicious.
(5)
Jan P.
Having travels to Turkey before, I have to admit this food is truly authentic. Now personally I do not care that much about authenticity after all it's all about flavor and texture. This place hits it on all three. Yup, we'll be back!
(5)
Diane E.
Because I don't live near this neighborhood, I had never heard of the Istanbul Cafe. However, I was able to go on an urban hike this evening and the meeting place was the parking lot between the Istanbul Cafe and Blockbuster Video (are they still in business?!). Since I arrived early, I decided to meander over to the Istanbul to check out their menu. As soon as I walked in the door and smelled the heavenly delights, I immediately placed an order for the shish kabob (lamb) and a side of the Pureed Eggplant to pick up after our hike was finished. I have to say that the lamb was spectacular! So tender and juicy, I didn't mind eating it out of a to-go container :-) I didn't know what to expect with regard to the pureed eggplant, but OMG! I have never tasted anything so flavorful! It came with some flatbread that was also very moist and soft...perfect to dip into the eggplant. If I do this same hike again -- and I'm sure I will -- I plan on dining in and enjoying the entire ambiance of this charming little restaurant. Don't let the stripmall deter you. It is a nice shopping area at the corner of W 86th and Ditch Road.
(5)
William D.
We love Istanbul Cafe. The lamb and chicken kababs are always tender and delicious. Also the feta cheese in phyllo dough appetizer is yummy too. Desserts are very nice with Turkish coffee for the brave. American palates will not enjoy the salty yogurt drink (Ayran). The staff are very friendly, though some nights they seem to be a bit short handed. Try Istanbul Cafe, it is worth the price!
(4)
Dana G.
Great food. Everyone enjoyed their food. We started with the stuffed grape leaves. Our party ordered the Stuffed Eggplant, Adana Kabob, Doner Kabob, Feta Borek, and Shepherd Salad. The pita served with our meal was soft and warm. We finished with Kunefe for dessert.
(5)
Kelly M.
Istanbul cafe does not have a gluten free menu, but our waiter knew which dishes contained flour. I have a weakness for lamb and ordered the shish kebab and it was tender and flavorful. I also ordered the lentil soup (usually gf) and our waiter quickly told me it contained flour! I was grateful for the warning. We did order the Turkish flan for desert and I have now found another favorite dessert! I plan on returning often.
(4)
David I.
We ate here for dinner last night and really enjoyed the place. We were eating at "old people" time at around 4:30. We were the only guests in the entire place and they had the interior lights off. I'm going to say the lights were off to save money because that makes sense if the place is empty. By the time we left at 5:30 there were a few tables full. The decor is nice, and the place is very clean. I'm willing to bet the owner has a serious case of OCD. It would also explain the lights. We were waited on immediately and the service was consistently good. We had the Shepards Salad as an opener and loved it. I enjoyed how the veggies were chopped into even sizes and small. Great flavors and it'll be a dish that I remember for a long time. Next we had the zucchini pancakes and had to share them between us. They were fresh, light and very tasty. Perfectly cooked. My entree was the chicken kabob. I don't like lamb so 1/2 the menu is out of the question for me. The chicken was perfect, great flavors and moist. The rice was also perfectly cooked. The veggies were probably not cooked to order but they still tasted great. My wife had the Adamo (sp) Chicken. She enjoyed it but the pepper flavor was a little too strong. It ended up being finished as lunch the next day. The experience was much more "upscale" than Bosphorus, and the zucchini pancakes (and salad) were better, but the cost was double. We will probably come back, but it will depend on our budget. If were were going to drop another $60, we'd rather have sushi more often than not. There were no hot waitresses, or any waitresses at all when we were there.
(4)
Mike R.
We went Friday evening to have a food adventure - our first time for Turkish food in Indy. Place was pretty empty when we got there, a few people at the bar, but it filled in slowly as we sat. Justin our waiter is really the bartender, and he was very personable and attentive (humorous as well). We had the Fela Borek appetizer and while it was quite tasty I thought it was a little sparse for $6 - just four thin tubes of phyllo wrapped feta with flavorings. My wife had the Adana kebab with yogurt, cubes of ground lamb and onions in a sauce on small squares of pita bread, with yogurt. It had a good mix of flavors and the portion was large enough to make a good meal. I had the cabbage rolls which came with some very well prepared and flavored mixed vegetables (green beans, carrots, squash). The rolled cabbage leaves were stuffed with a ground lamb/rice mixture and covered with a tasty reddish sauce. Again the portion was certainly sufficient - I finished all of it but was not stuffed. The bottom line - it is a nicely decorated, well staffed restaurant, and the food is good. I am sure we will come back again when we are in the mood for Turkish or Mediterranean fare.
(4)
David W.
Great taste. A must try. Staff is very friendly. If you've never had Turkish food this is a perfect place to start. If you have before, you will not be disappointed here.
(5)
Nathan C.
Did takeout. Maybe I ordered wrong. But everything was pretty bland and over-priced. The $9 salad was soggy, the lamb had little flavor, and the wrap was on a tortilla. I don't know who that's catering to. At it's best Turkish food is among my favorite cuisines, and I've had some wonderful experiences. This was not one of them. It seems like this place is cutting corners. It's 2 stars because the host/waiters were friendly. Was astounded with the rating this place gets on Yelp. Could be a Yelp machine.
(2)
Theresa K.
This place was kinda fancy! I didn't expect anything in particular, but I wasn't expecting that. There were a few things other than kebabs on the menu, but that was the main thing. I had the Adana Kebab. It was delicious. Between that, the Feta Borek (appetizer) - fried phyllo filled with feta) and the large amounts of pita and oil, I was able to bring half of my dinner home.... and I usually scavenge the crap out of my dinner, eating it ALL, most of the time. If anything is ever left behind, it probably wasn't edible in the first place. As mentioned, pita bread came... and when that was empty, the server offered to bring more (and did). And we didn't ask for more because I ended up bringing the last piece home, but crap. They gave us a LOT of bread. And it was always hot. The Adana Kebab was $14, and my boyfriend had the Chicken Kebab with yogurt, and that was $15. My Adana Kebab contained two lamb kebabs, plain rice and green beans & carrots... and not an overwhelming amount for the price. Our server was very sweet. She asked us about our super bowl plans, and she generally seemed very down to earth. She seemed to be handling the whole restaurant by herself (they weren't terribly busy), but she was still very attentive.
(4)
Katie W.
Delicious vegetarian meal. Fresh and well-prepared. Somewhat expensive, but worth it. And the waiter was exceptionally nice!
(4)
Wendy S.
I ate here, it was fantastic! I wish I could give specifics, but Supper Club, and time have killed names of dishes. Let me say, though, of the things I tasted b
(5)
Kate L.
This was a very unfortunate meal. The waiter was incredibly un-attentive, and we didn't feel like the menu descriptions matched what we received. After asking specifically if I could have no peppers in my meal, he brought out my dish with peppers, and tomatoes (which was not listed on the menu). If these were not the 2 veggies I hated, it wouldn't be a big deal, but, they are. The fried eggplant appetizer came out a cold dish which was more like sauteed peppers & tomatoes with an after thought of super mushy eggplant. The Doner Kebab my dining partner ordered came out as greasy chunks of meat - not at all what she expected. (I'm not sure how they're usually served, but she expected something completely different.) :(
(2)
Dawn T.
I don't even know where to begin, because everything was really wonderful. I guess I'll begin with the appetizer plate which is where we began. My husband and I shared an appetizer plate for 2 and both enjoyed everything. The babaganoush was the best we have had in a very long time if not ever. I also loved, I mean LOVED the fried eggplant in tomatoes. The ezme was also really, really good. For dinner we shared the mixed grill plate. We were able to try shish kebob, chicken kebob, adona kebob and donner kebob. All of them were delicious. Shish kebob (lamb) was my favorite. The lamb was so tender and the seasoning was super. Really, all of the kebobs were very good, so it is difficult to explain why I like shish kebob the most, but I did. I would happily eat any of them, anytime though. Typically, my son doesn't care for mediterranean food, but he had to go with us last night, and he ended up loving it.
(5)
Melanie T.
The chicken kabob is where it's at! The best-seasoned chicken I've had in years. We started with an appetizer of hummus, which came with fresh, warm bread for dredging through the smooth waves of tastiness. My hubby had the baked eggplant and enjoyed it, but he didn't recommend that I even taste his dish after trying one of my chicken pieces--he knew that I'd been too spoiled by the chicken to properly appreciate his eggplant. Vegetables, no matter how carefully prepared, can never compete with the meat, I think. The baklava we shared for dessert was divine. We will be returning to this place in the future to try out more of the kebabs. Oh, our waiter dude was friendly and deserved the big tip we gave him.
(4)
Josh F.
What a wonderful little place...so glad the sushi place was closed, so I had the oppurtunity to try it. The atmosphere is very nice...bright windows, tile floors, soothing colors really give the place a relaxing feel. It was pretty much empty when I arrived, granted it was almost 14:30. The service was excellent, friendly, and attentive. I had the veg stew with humus and a Turkish tea...all of it was outstanding. The stew consisted of fresh garden veggies, in a lite tomato stew sauce and rice. The humus was a good consistancy, and had just enough garlic to taste, but not overpower. The pita bread was fresh, warm, and soaked up the humus and olive oil nicely. Opted for a Kunefe for desert...not my usual thing to have desert after lunch, but it sounded so interesting, I had to. Shredded dough, surrounding unsalted goat cheese, topped with crushed walnuts and honey glaze! Wow...it was good...not overly sweet, but just enough to keep it in the desert realm. The goat chese inside was very savory. A great lunch, and a must try.
(5)
Sharon W.
It should be noted that I am often called a food snob, and am hyper critical of bad service, particularly when paying upscale prices. That being said - I find nothing to criticize in this lovely restaurant. The menu is varied, the service is beyond polite and the food is uniquely and deliciously prepared. The clean white table cloths and decent wine list cap off a wonderful evening. The kebabs are great, the lamb chops tender and succulent and the seafood casserole was like a paella - fabulous all.
(5)
Mohamed E.
Excellent restaurant .... all the food was good from apppetizer till dessert ...
(5)
Matthew B.
My high school buddies and I went to Istanbul for spring break a few years back. How appropriate that when 3 of us went out for a reunion dinner, we went for Turkish. Food was good: The appetizer dips hummus, etc., clearly are homemade and have a nice texture. The kebabs were solid -- the chicken kebab and the yogurt sauce kebabs were the best that I tried, but everything was fine. Service was attentive without being overbearing. The only quibble I might have is that in retrospect, I should have had my raki without ice. Next time....
(5)
Marc K.
First time at Istanbul Cafe and we had quite a nice time. As noted by Ozgur, the decor is really clean and modern. I can highly recommend the Appetizer Sampler platter for first time guests. The tabuleh and hummas were very nice, but the show stopper was the fried eggplant with tomato sauce. The eggplant was really perfectly cooked and super tasty. There are several vege options. I had the vege stuffed cabbage rolls which were tasty. Will definitely return if for nothing other than the fried eggplant appetizer!
(4)
Lisa M.
I'm kind of disappointed in this place. I went here for a late lunch today and was not impressed at all. It was a bit warm out so I decided to dine indoors. I was one of only two tables seated inside. Yes it was bright inside with all the windows, but it was also kind of shadowy since they didn't have any interior lights turned on. It felt like they didn't want to be serving anyone in there at the time. They filled my water glass after a couple minutes, but didn't ask if I wanted anything else to drink. I had to flag the server down to ask for an iced tea. On to the menu. I had high hopes for one of the kebabs. I was torn between the Chicken Adana Kebab and the Iskander Kebab. Asking the waiter for an opinion on the two he highly recommended the Iskander, so I went with that. The menu describes it as "Slices of Turkish Gyro placed over cubes of pita bread and immersed in rich tomato sauce and topped with hot butter. Served with homemade yoghurt on the side". It was tasty, but swimming in oil and not much of the rich tomato sauce. The menu also stated that "All Kebabs served with Basmati Rice and Vegetables". They never showed up. Normally I would speak up about that, but I wasn't really craving them and thought perhaps they weren't included with lunch and it would be at a cheaper price. Upon getting my bill (which I also had to flag the server down to get), it wasn't discounted for no rice or veggies. Had it not been for the fact that I wasn't that hungry and that I'll be getting reimbursed for this meal from my work, I would have pitched a fit about not getting all the food that the menu stated I would get. Sitting in the shadows, no refill on my tea that I had to beg to get, not getting the rice and veggies promised with the dish, alright tasting, but nothing noteworthy food all for $22 equals the worst meal I've had while spending time here in Indy. Disappointing indeed.
(1)
Batu Y.
Great Mediterranean cuisine with friendly atmosphere. Food tastes very authentic and delectable. I enjoyed eating the Iskender kebab and eat it every time im there
(5)
Susan H.
We've eaten here twice--wow, what fantastic food! We are recent transplants from Portland, Oregon, and our quest for decent food here has been sadly unrewarding. However, this restaurant is a shining exception. We've eaten in restaurant (nice, clean, tastefully decorated) and had take out. The vegetarian appetizer platter was delicious (I strongly recommend the eggplant, much to my surprise) and my picky husband inhaled his chicken wrap. The pita puts store-bought pita to shame, and the baklava was a perfect ending to the meal.
(5)
Lisa M.
We had lunch at Istanbul a few weeks ago with our large group of 19. I'm familiar with Middle Eastern food so I was looking forward to it. The restaurant is clean and very attractive (white tablecloths). The bathroom is immaculate (a good sign to check out before eating anywhere). I thought the food (hummus and my grilled vegetables) were very bland. Compared to the terrific, very garlicly hummus at Athens on 86th, Istanbul's hummus had very little if any garlic. The pita bread was crisp, fresh and wonderful. I expected more spices and garlic in my veggie dish though. Iced tea had a very nice unusual flavor. My mother had the vegetable stew and was disappointed that there were only 2 or 3 very tiny pieces of eggplant. And no flavor or spices but there was an over abundance of sauce. Others in our group seemed to enjoy their kabobs, Turkish coffee, desserts and other selections but remarked that the food was not too exciting ~not bad; just "ok". For our large group we had one waiter and while he was quietly reserved he was very quick in delivering our lunches all within minutes and checked on us. We didn't feel any warmth or distinctive welcoming but maybe it was an off day for him, their culture is more reserved, or the language barrier was challenging for him. He did thank us for coming and was agreeable when we requested separate checks. I'll try Istanbul again but if it doesn't meet my expectations, I'll have to make Athens my #1 choice for Middle Eastern/Greek food.
(3)
Karhma D.
Friendly servers, though we were never asked if we wanted anything aside from water to drink. I see another reviewer experienced the same thing, so maybe they expect you to just tell them if you do want something else. Anyway, the food was really great. They had normal Mediterranean fare, but with more of a Turkish flair than you'd find at most Mediterranean places, which seem to swing either Middle Eastern or Greek usually. We tried an appetizer called esme, which I'd never heard of & can only find one recipe online for. It was addictive. It's sort of a Turkish bruschetta/salsa w/ tomatoes, pomegranate sauce, peppers, & other ingredients culminating in a pile of yum. The pitas are piping hot & deliciously soft & fluffy. I tried their hummus, which is creamy & has a decidedly cumin flavour to it. Good, but I like lemony, garlicky hummus better. My husband got the doner kebab & ate in silent joy. Apparently it was that good. Also pronounced delicious on the carnivore side was my younger son's chicken wrap. My older son & I got veggie options. He had the veggie grill, which comes w/ a tomato sauce much like what my stuffed cabbage came in & a creamy dill sauce I thought looked like a runny tzatziki, but was way dillier. His vegetables were nicely grilled with a great smoky flavour. My vegetarian stuffed cabbage rolls were great & reminded me strongly of a warm dolma, which they also have. The vegetables they served w/ the meal were perfectly crisp-tender w/ an addictively tasty butter sauce on them & the basmati rice was light & fluffy. We were all too full to try baklava, but I really thought about it even though we weren't going to be home for hours. The inside is very tasteful, with light green walls & beautiful 2-toned wood everywhere w/ modern metal accents. There are lovely blue glazed plates hanging on the walls & I really loved the tile floors in the bathroom. I'll be back for some baklava & Turkish coffee soon.
(5)
David S.
Having never eaten at a Turkish restaurant before, I have to say that I'm already a fan. We were actually trying to go to the nearby Oakley's Bistro, which was closed for a private party. As we drove in, I noticed that the special board at Istanbul had Lamb Shank (my wife's favorite) and Broiled grouper (my sister's favorite), so I figured it was worth a shot. We wandered our way down and peaked at the menu as a server was clearing off an outdoor table. He asked "First time here?" When we said yes, he said that we would hate it, but that if we hated it, he would buy our dinner. Who could refuse that? After zucchini pancakes, hummus, lamb shank, grouper, seafood casserole, and cabbage rolls, he was definitely wrong. We really loved it. 4 stars because of a couple small service hiccups, but we will definitely be back. Great food!
(4)
Allen R.
Good food and quickly served piping hot. Courteous staff with a sense of humor.
(5)
derek s.
My Aunt brought me here and I was impressed with the decor, the service and the amazing kebabs. The staff was pleasant and courteous and we enjoyed our dinner this evening very much. No complaints and I plan to be back soon to enjoy something else from their menu. Again, kebabs were amazing.
(5)
jennifer l.
I went there for the first time this past Friday for a friend's b-day. There was a large group of us and we had a reservation. Our service was AWFUL. I've never had a waiter say "If you need anything, let me know" and mean it... to the point of having to flag her down to order drinks and dinner. She seemed put out to be waiting on us. We all felt like she didn't care about our table, perhaps b/c her gratuity was already built in. Who knows... The food, however, was delicious. We had an appetizer platter for the table and I had the vegetarian stuffed cabbage leaves for my entree. All of the food was nicely seasoned and tasty. I'm sure I'll go back at some point... but I'd choose Bosphorous over Istanbul Cafe anytime.
(4)
Amanda Z.
I've been meaning to try the Istanbul Cafe and finally made it there yesterday for lunch with some coworkers. The decor was a lot fancier than our typical lunch spots, but we managed to keep our elbows off the table and keep the conversation PG. I ordered a cup of their lentil soup- expecting it to be the thick yellow lentil kind I'm used to- it was red lentil and thin, but really tasty, with a more roasted red pepper flavor than I'm used to (again, still yummy). I also ordered the zucchini pancake appetizer and it came with 3 good sized pancakes on the plate. That's way more food than I can handle, so I gave 2 away and had one for myself. YUMMY! I'm not one for fried food, but this pancake was delicious- with zucchini, carrots, maybe something onion-like and the real kicker was the dill sauce that came with it. It really made the dish! There are a lot of other good looking things on their menu that I want to try for dinner, but for a quick lunch, this was perfect! Prices were pretty reasonable too- I think I paid about $10 with tip for my soup and the 3 pancakes. Brave the strip mall and give this place a try!
(4)
Kasey J.
I have to say, hands-down, that this restaurant has it all: Great decor, great servers, great menu (with great desserts!). The Istanbul Cafe has a bit of everything you'd expect on a Mediterranean menu and more. Gyro dishes and kebab dishes of lamb and beef and more served with rice and fresh vegetables. I guess it makes sense that this Turkish delight feels authentic: according to the Web site, the chef is from Turkey. My advice: Try one of the kebabs or gyro platter. I promise they're better than any gyro you've had around town (yes, even the ones at the State Fair!) I've only visited during the lunch hour (it's near my workplace at 86th and Ditch), but I read on their site that they offer half-price bottles of wine on Mondays and Tuesdays! (Probably not wise to drink a bottle during your work lunch!) One other thing: I must point out the absolutely beautiful decor. The green color on the walls is unlike any paint job I've ever seen. It's stunning. If you want to try something different, check out Istanbul Cafe. You won't be sorry.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Megan B.
I have several diet restrictions currently, many of which are related to preservatives and additives (sugar and sodium) added to most foods when dining out. Istanbul Cafe was suggested to me as a place that offered fresh ingredients and could accommodate my diet. I was pleasantly surprised by the menu that even stated they didn't add preservatives. I even check further with our server and she confirmed they don't add additional sugar to sauces or unnecessary salt to preserve food. We were able to get a great seat outside and split, between two adults, the Ezme, Shepard Salad (with feta on the side) as well as the dinner portion of the Shish Kabob and Chicken Kabob. The appetizers came with fresh, warm pita and was perfect for sharing. The Ezme stated it has hot red peppers but was definitely not hot, but still delicious. Dinner plate portions were good size, perfect for splitting as each Kabob came with exactly six pieced of meat. Prices are fair and you get what you pay for, fresh, not processed, real food. The Shish Kebab was around $20 for the dinner portion but between the appetizers and generous portion of pita bread, we both had our full and still left some of the bread and appetizers. Overall a great experience, wonderful atmosphere, superb services and excellent food. I was very impressed to see their Shepard Salad didn't come premixed so they were able to accomodate for dietary needs. We will definitely be back.
(5)Morgan K.
Huuuuge let down. I went here after reading others' reviews and had a horrible experience. The staff was friendly but the food had NO flavor. Worst overall entre I've ever encountered. Like couldnt bring myself to eat it. The rice might as well be minute rice, the veggies seem as though they were from the freezer section and the lamb was rubbery and bland. The feta borek that's supposed to taste like feta and parsley was fried bread with no flavor. People said that they were reasonably priced (this may be true for lunch), but I spent $40 for one person to get flavorless food I ended up throwing away. Super bummed. The only thing that made this semi worth my time was the pita bread....which seemed to be more food that the entre and apetizer combined. ? Annnnd it was again flavorless and does not come with anything. Luckily I had hummus at home to eat it with. Again, just super disappointed.
(1)Simon P.
Exactly what I was looking for. This place reminded me my trip to Turkey. Authentic food and turkish beer (Efes !!!) and wine. I had the red lentil soup and the shish kebabs with yogourt. Both are authentic and delicious. Adding manti to your menu would give you an extra star! Great food, awesome service, I recommend!
(4)Kelli K.
This place was fabulous! I loved the chicken kebab-it was very juice and savory. The restrooms and restaurant area was very clean and bright and the service was friendly and prompt. I wished there were more lunch menu options, but overall it was great!
(5)Sam R.
My family and I have had lots of different Mediterranean food, but before going here, we hadn't been to a specifically Turkish restaurant. I'm on a never-ending crusade to have food from as many countries as possible, so I was delighted to discover Turkish food in Indy via Yelp. Bosphorus seemed like the other option, but this one was nearer to where we were at lunchtime. Upon walking in, we quickly discovered that this is a dinner restaurant. Just from the decor, the (almost annoyingly) low lighting, and the fact that no one else was in there for lunch. The menu had a lot of options on it, and tons of appetizers. When we walked in, we had planned on ordering one or more of these...but upon looking at the prices on the menu, we quickly discovered that appetizers were not going to be an option. The food was good. I had the chicken adana kabob. It was good, but not great...it basically just tasted like chicken. Nothing super special. My mom had kabobs with yogurt...same deal, good but not outstanding. My dad had an eggplant dish with beef on it. Once again, good, but not great. That was the main problem here...everything was good, but nothing was great. (They do have a kick-butt basmati rice. I'd eat that like every day.) We feel like it might have partially been the prices that made us feel the food wasn't great. For what we payed (almost $70 for lunch.. we're $30 kinda people) the food just wasn't good enough, and upon further thought, we concluded that the food was a little overpriced for the ingredients, especially in my mom's dish. Oh, well...this was good, but a one-and-done. It was just too expensive, and there weren't enough great items to make a second trip down to Indy for it.
(3)Rachael H.
My husband and I love ethnic cuisines of all kinds. But, Turkish and Mediterranean are definitely our faves. If you're looking for a great Turkish place on the north side, Instanbul Cafe is where it's at. They have an outdoor patio (my preferred way to enjoy a meal) and a full bar. If you've never tried Turkish food, the appetizer sampler plate is a great place to start--humus, babaganoush, roasted tomatoes, stuffed grape leaves, served with warm pita. For dinner, I recommend anything with lamb in it, but my personal favorite entree at Instanbul is the tilapia. Don't let the menu prices discourage you from trying anything. All of their entrees are big enough to share between two to three people. And don't forget about dessert....you just have to try the baklava! Great little place for a date or to take friends for a unique dinner spot.
(5)N H.
It's been a while since I visited, but I neglected a review then. This place? Superb. It may very well be the best hummus in Indy. It was a reasonable price, $6 or so, (when it comes to indy prices) but the amount was rather small. However their lamb entree was also beautiful. There's outside dining so it's great for a lazy afternoon. My only reluctance in going back is the location is rather pricey for a poor education professional like myself. But if you have the funds, DO IT. Your tummy will be pleased.
(4)Nat C.
We inundated this restaurant with 10 people for lunch this week. We were made very comfortable and accommodated with our drinks and appetizers. Many of the lunch specials come with hummus or red lentil soup. Both were very good including the pita bread, which kept coming. I'm a big lover of chicken kabob since my days in Reston. No one has beaten the Reston Kabob flavor in my mind - until this luncheon. Great chicken Kabob.
(4)Raechel H.
Take it a step up from the kebab shop and go Mediterranean chic! This Turkish delight shines in its shady corner cafe. The low lighting ambiance compliments the simple white and wood decor. A trifecta of fabulous flavors, fine dining and fantastic service. A shy, yet friendly, girl asked us what we'd like to drink. Before she finished her sentence, I already had my phone in her face, asking about the free Turkish tea Yelp deal. This delicate, exotic pleasure is a must-try! A perfect balance of flavors, and will please even the most snobbish tea drinker. My husband had never tried it, so he asked for some milk on the side. The server was confused at first, but then she asked, "Oh, you mean like cream?" He responded with, "Yeah, but like milk." Nice. Opening act: - Red lentil soup. Gorgeous. Creamy. Flavorful. - Calamari for the hubs. Fresh squid. Light, crispy batter. - Pita bread. Warm pillows on a plate. True comfort food. Star of the evening: - Gyro and steak kabobs. - My gyro kebab was like Carnivore Central; a plate of meat with rice and steamed veggies. - The hubs indulged his meat fix with a steak kebab, rice and steamed veggies. Simple, but packed with flavor! A northside treasure. I dare you not to love it.
(5)Naser A.
I can probably can tolerate anything, except the fact being ignored by the waitress and the staff over there Well this happened to me three hours ago when I entered with my wife, and my sister who is visited for the holiday. I told her so many good posts about this place, but unfortunately they let me down We were seated and were left there hanging without being served or even asked if we cared for something to drink or order We probably stayed there a good fifteen minutes and the place was not even busy Sad story, we just got out of our seats and left.
(1)Taelend S.
My first time having Turkish food, but I have had Mediterranean food many times. The food was outstanding. Very light, fresh. tried to get the things I haven't seen at other Mediterranean restaurants and loves it all. The free Turkish tee coupon courtesy of yelp was great too.
(5)Alex P.
I do like this restaurant for the food quality. But they need to do something price wise for a lunch menu on a Sunday. At prices like that I am not surprised why we were the only two people in the restaurant.
(3)Ann L.
I have had many excellent kebabs and appetizers here on previous trips, but decided it was time to break out of my kebab rut and order something different. I was not disappointed! I started with the red lentil soup which was perfect for a chilly evening! I then had the stuffed cabbage rolls and was intending to eat just two of the three saving the third for lunch tomorrow...well...they were so good, I guess I'll be making a sandwich to bring to work tomorrow! I just could not stop at two! Tasty cabbage stuffed full of nicely seasoned lamb and rice all In a wonderful tomato sauce. The sautéed green beans, carrots, and zucchini that accompany many of the entrees here are always good too. I really appreciate fresh vegetables as a side. The warm pita bread is always delicious too. Service is always excellent here, the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed, and the prices are extremely reasonable. This is definitely one of those Indianapolis "hidden in a strip mall" places not to miss!
(5)Anthony J.
Great food, great service! If you are looking for a low key place for some delicious Mediterranean food, you should check out Istanbul Cafe. I came based on Yelp reviews, and was not disappointed. Started off with the hummus and pita. The hummus was fresh and awesome and the pita was warm and the perfect combination of crisp and soft. My friend and I split the kabob sampler (4 types of kabob) and loved it! The lamb was incredible and the chicken was some of the juiciest, most tender chicken I have ever eaten. Service was great, our waiter was newer to staff but did everything to make us feel welcome.
(4)Jason A.
Istanbul was Constantinople now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople been a long time gone, Constantinople now it's a Turkish delight on a moonlit night. TMBG So now that I got that out of my system, yes it is a Turkish delight, started off with the Turkish tea, very hot and fresh, delightful. Wife got the lentil soup was expecting beans but instead was smooth and creamy, delightful I got the baked eggplant with lamb wife got the kebabs both of us got sautéed vegetables along with your standard basmati rice. Everything was shall I say delightful, eggplant was cooked perfect, ground lamb wasn't greasy, wife's lamb was moist, service was quick, attentive without being overbearing, nice menu selection. No disappointments here.
(4)Kevin C.
I dined here on 7/22/2014. upon entering, the aromas of freshly prepared Mediterranean food hit me and I knew instantly I had made a good choice. I ordered the Shepherd Salad - full of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell peppers & onions, topped with feta cheese and parsley - all coated in a tasty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. Yum!! I also ordered the hummus, which came with freshly heated pita, and there was more than 1 person could eat all at once! I also ordered the Chicken Adana kabob, which came with basmati rice and veggies. The chicken was tender and juicy and the marinade was incredible. The rice and veggies were perfectly cooked. They also give you olive oil seasoned with s&p, garlic, crushed tomatoes and chili peppers to dip the pita in - i can't wait to make that at home! I would definitely go back there and know I'll fill up as well as get my money's worth! Definitely a must-visit if you're in the area!
(4)Robert M.
In Indy for work and wanted to go somewhere that wasn't standard chain highly processed food. Found Istanbul Cafe online and thought we'd give it a try. Went with a party of 5, had the babaganoush app, and beef kebab/ Really liked both. The dishes that were in the yoghurt sauce seemed a bit on the heavy side but others said they were tasty. Would definitely return if I was in the area.
(4)Elizabeth S.
This place used used to be my favorite in Indy. The last two times I've been here, I have been really disappointed. The food is overpriced. Last time I has the falafel, which was burnt. The lentil soup was too salty. Not worth it!
(2)L G.
This place is great! Came here for dinner with my husband and we will definitely be back. The food was really good (doner kabob and shish kabob), but the best part of dinner was the pita bread and oil they bring before the food. By far the best pita bread!
(5)DeAnna P.
Before you read any further -- check in on your yelp app for a free Turkish tea! Ok, now that's out of the way, on to the review! I loved the food here. On Mondays and Tuesdays, they have half priced bottles of wine. The selection looked good and reasonably priced. However, it was 17 degrees outside, so the hot Turkish tea (black tea from Turkey, in case you're wondering) really hit the spot. And I loved that it was served with a sugar cube. There's something so adorably fancy about sugar cubes. But I digress. Onto the food! Do you ever hear a food combination and think -- ok, that will either be gross or superb? That was one of our dishes, and it was SUPERB. Donor (gyro) meat with a tomato sauce similar to the one for Greek-style green beans. Then topped with yogurt sauce sans cucumbers. And underneath the yogurt sauce, chunks of fried pita bread that somehow managed to stay crispy under all that sauce. It was a perfect marriage of ingredients. Best of all for a carnivore like me, it came topped with a couple small chunks of roasted pepper, but other than that, it was all meat and bread. Perfect! We had also hedged our bets by getting the regular donor platter to share. It came with meat (no sauce), rice, and vegetables (green beans, carrots, and maybe squash?). It was good, but didn't hold a candle to the donor in yogurt. The vegetables were flavorful, but the rice was forgettable. The meat was seasoned very well and was moist. We started the meal with the phyllo wrapped feta straws. They were good, but I probably would not get them again, just because the free pitas and oil were so good, and I want to save room to try dessert next time. The pitas are served with an olive oil containing tiny bits of fresh red bell pepper, black pepper, and oregano. We could have drunk a bottle of the oil. The only downside of the meal was the service. I would not call it bad so much as non-existent. The restaurant was dead when we arrived (literally, we were the only ones there). Still, it took a bit to get someone to the table. Throughout the meal, we only saw our server (the owner, I believe) once or twice. He was very nice when he came over, but we had to keep flagging him down and there were long intervals where he was in the back unavailable. Hire and extra server and this would be a five-star rating. Two main dishes (with enough leftovers for one lunch the next day), and appetizer, pitas and oil, and two free hot teas (with refills): about $45.
(3)Leona P.
The food was delicious. I had the Lamb Sauté and my daughter had the Grilled Shrimp, both of which were on the Chef's Specialties menu. Generous portions of well-seasoned fare. The Turkish tea and Dirty Martini were both tasty. The service was a bit inattentive, but cordial. Two entrees, one martini, one soft drink, and a complimentary tea was around $62.
(4)Kim H.
Had the eggplant dish and cabbage rolls. They were both delicious. Will definitely come back!
(5)Diane R.
Place is clean, cozy & the music playing was nice , there was a small bar area on the right side of the restaurant ... we came in for lunch & there was like 4-5 tables being served by one lone waitress,so although I still need to ask & wait for my drink to be refilled ,u kinda jst understand her situation BUT what I don't want to understand is when they ran out of Mac & Cheese for the kids , they just took it upon themselves to serve us Fries instead. Note to Chef: customers need to be informed first so WE can decide what to order instead.
(3)Susan F.
This was an amazing dining experience. We were celebrating a birthday. All of my friends got different entrees, so we got to try a few things. I personally had the "chicken kabob with yogurt." Seriously amazing. Rich, but delicious flavor. I tried the zucchini pancakes, too, which were so good! Perfect sear. We had the combo appetizer: several spreads for pita bread. I love restaurant pita bread! I cannot find an equivalent in grocery stores here... We also had three desserts: the kunnefe (I think thats what it was called); the baklava; and the chocolate pistachio cake. My favorite was the chocolate cake-but I guess the kunnefe is supposed to be the best. It is goat cheese with kind of a breading on it. My friend Kait, who doesn't love desserts, actually really liked it. Our server was amazing. Very kind and funny and fit well with our group. We noticed a table getting what looked like shots, so of course we asked what shots they were doing; it was tea. :) BTW, there is a free tea with yelp check-in. Very fun place, yet excellent food. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
(5)Mark L.
Amazing fresh Turkish foods. Many vegetarian choices to go with fabulous Lamb Chops and other proteins. Lunch specials were quickly served at $12-14. Make sure to try the authentically prepared Turkish tea.
(5)Betsy R.
Had the opportunity to have dinner here last night. I was so pleased with the total package! The staff was pleasant and knowledgable. The food was delicious. Try the kabobs-they're great. I don't recall the name of the wine, but it was very smooth and light. I know it was from Turkey, but can't remember the name. We finished with a Turkish coffee and a dessert made with shredded dough! I also thought the price was very reasonable. Will go back for sure!
(5)Bassam R.
Awesome choice , im in my way to re visiting you again and again everything cooked perfectly you the best Mediterranean in Indianapolis.
(5)Elizabeth P.
Went to Istanbul with a party of 11 people last night. The service was slow, The server was a complete airhead and the food was worse. There were several mixups, the food was not cooked as requested and the extra items ordered were never received. I am sorry this horrific decline has happened with this cafe which used to be at the top of the heap.
(1)Katherine G.
Delicious. Great, attentive waiter. The pita was warm and their spiced olive oil was amazing. I split the mixed grilled kabobs.
(5)Margaret S.
Food is pretty good. But for lower price the Parthenon down the street is just as good if not better.
(4)Sara M.
Not filling...shrimp were over cooked. Service was good. Not a place I would go again for the price at all.
(2)Paul H.
Fabulous Mediterranean delicacies with many vegetarian options. I've eaten here five times and each time I'm amazed at the wonderful flavors and culinary surprises offered. The Vegetarian Sampler Platter is a must. My wife usually gets the chicken kebab and I usually get the salmon. She loves hers, I love mine. We don't share the entrees. Short, adequate wine list , including some very good Turkish wines and a full bar. Takeout is available, but more fun to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere in this establishment. Nice decor inside, despite a strip mall location. Outdoor seating available in nice weather. Excellent and knowledgable service. I can't wait to go back. (4 1/2 Stars would be more accurate.)
(4)Stephanie B.
Wow! We were on our way to one of our regular places when we came upon Istanbul Cafe and decided to try it.... and it was awesome!! We had the hummus, shared the mixed grill kabob, and baklava for dessert. Will be coming back soon!
(5)Jan N.
This was our first visit. It was lunch on a very cold day. What a surprise! This is probably the cleanest restaurant we have been in for years. The crystal and silverware just shined. Our server was rather shy, but very kind. The food was good. Everything cooked properly. We will return!!
(4)Brittany S.
*I visited Istanbul Cafe with the International Supper Club - our meal served family-style with a prix fixe menu. I was especially excited about this month's restaurant selection by the fabulous Alex due to an Istanbul visit in 2009. I can't say the Turkish food has been one of my favorites, but the experience and cozy feel of most Turkish establishments makes up for it - as was the case with Istanbul Cafe. Our menu consisted of Tarhana, Lahmacun, Kokorec, Cig Kofte, Patlıcan Dolma and Imam Bayildi. (say what?) We sampled everything from lamb intestine and grape leaf rolls to tomato-based soup. I was surprised to find that my favorite dish was the Patlican Dolma given that I typically am not a big fan of grape leaves. Tucked inside the mild leaves was a mixture of vegetables and meat with parsley. I was very impressed by Istanbul Cafe's service throughout the evening. A group of 32-35 can be quite difficult to handle, but our drinks were constantly filled and the food kept flowing. Every ounce of me fought of the idea of ordering some sort of dessert given the day's massive consumption of sweets. Next time - we're going allllll out. Not ordering some rakia liquor was my biggest regret of the visit.
(4)Trista T.
So great! The served pita bread and some olive oil dip with our drinks. I tried dolma as an appetizer, which was rice wrapped in grape leaves. Very different but awesome! I also ordered the lentil soup which had more of a tomato soup texture because the lentils were blended in. Yum! Last, I had the tabouli which had more of a tomato flavor in it than other versions I have tried. I also was excited to try some free tea! (courtesy of my check in) Their tea and coffee comes in very very tiny baby tea cups fyi. The We sat outside where they have a few tables scattered. Service was awesome; they never let our drinks run out. What a great change of flavors from the usual american meals I have.
(5)May K.
My husband and i went there and shared zucchini pancakes, and he had some sort of a kebab and I had veggie stuffed cabbage rolls. The food was bland and underwhelming. Perhaps they're trying to cater towards Americans. They have certainly not put into their food any spices that I associate with Turkish cuisine. On a good note, the service was good.. but then, we were the only people there.
(2)Shaikha A.
One of the best Turkish restaurant I have ever tried. I do recommend that you try the Adana Kebab and the chicken Adana Kebab; these two dishes are really good.
(5)Kate S.
Amazing food! Plus super helpful in trying to decide what to order for new customers!
(5)Ari A.
I really like to eat Mediterranean food because its healthy and tasteful. Since last 4-5 years i think i have been into many Turkish and Mediterranean restaurants and i think this place represent the best taste and the quality. I have tried almost all of their salads and appetizers each of them are tasteful and most important " fresh". I recommend you to try Ezme, Grape Dolma and Shepard salad.
(5)Gordon C.
The place is pretty inviting -- IMO better than other mediterranean places in Indy for a date the pita bread they served came out hot, fluffy and was a perfectly delicious pre-meal warm up My date and I ordered the mixed grill kebabs -- it was indeed great for sharing as it was a sampling of the doner, lamb shish, chicken and adana kebabs The chicken was very savory and the lamb shish kebab were verry tasty and delicious; the adana (ground lamb) was decent; but the gyro (doner) meat were muchhhh too salty The waiter could have been a little more attentive (I drank a bunch of water b/c of the salty meal) The rice and sauteed vegetables were decent 3.5/5
(3)Marcia R.
Appetizer sampler for two - worth every penny (yes they will refill your pita bowl & bring tasty oil when u run out of sampler options). We were full by the time our food came! Main Meal: cabbage rolls w lamb - kinda bland I prefer the veggie ones - more flavor. Shish kabob (marinated lamb) - excellent! Not as spiced as Gyro meat but more tasty than wout the marinade. I also prefer to get the big kabob meal split it and order extra sides of veg & rice. The rice is surprisingly super yummy! Dessert: goat cheese pastry (thing) OMGsh so very tasty!!! I would say order w extra whip cream if you like a very sweet last dish! Very good for sharing (it was the size of a small plate). We ended up taking food home - stuffed. The place was packed! Had several Turkish people eating there as well :).
(5)Adriana V.
This is an awesome restaurant with a very nice owner from Isatanbul and a dynamic server, Danielle. The sampler appetizer was so yummy. The seafood stew was tremendous. The chicken kabob juicy and well seasoned. As the only wine drinker of the group, the house pinot grigio was very good. I would keep this place at the top of my list. AV
(5)Kate G.
will not go back. Our falafel was freezer-burned (?) And the pita chalky. The meal did not feel unified at all but instead just a bunch of sub-par meat and tasteless vegetables thrown towner on a plate. The people we went with are from Greece and they couldn't recognize any of the food that came out. Two stars, but just for the company.
(2)Maaz B.
Five stars all the way. They remind me of Ala Turka Sultan, a great restaurant in New York which also serves Turkish cuisine. The food is fresh and authentic Turkish. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated with just about the right kind of lighting. I have tried the desserts as well and love most of them :-) I go there at least once a month. I'm hooked.
(5)V S.
Two visits - the first, with kids for dinner, was very good. The second was star crossed. The appetizers and the ayran were good. But then alas, the entree. Cafe Istanbul aspires to veggie friendliness. The menu even contains a note "great option for vegetarians" next to the vegetable stuffed cabbage rolls. So being of the vegetarian persuasion we order it. The meal comes out, and shortly after the waitress informs us we have been served the lamb cabbage rolls instead. Despite us turning down the specials, and telling her we were vegetarians. High drama between the kitchen and the waitress ensues, ending in her asking us "well how do you want to handle this?". I just wanted to leave. And then insult was added to injury when the staff on hand refused to take the item off our bill. No other restitution was offered either. I was assured that this would not have happened if the owner had been on the premises. Cold comfort. Always sad when I have to pan a place with good food for human factors. But getting the customers what they ordered, and not substituting something they have excluded from their diet, is beyond the pale. The way they handled the situation - worse. I think I'll look for other alternatives for my middle eastern food. Preferably alternatives that know how to spell "Mediterranean". (I kid you not, look at the glass front as you go in).
(1)Evelyn H.
Went with a large party. Food was over cooked and the service was really mediocre. Had alot of mishaps with our ordering, and service was so slow despite there were not very many tables. Will not go again with large groups.
(3)Deirdre G.
Knocking off one star because my dad's meal was late coming out. I highly recommend the Turkish flan for dessert.
(4)Abdulrahman A.
We were four adults, a 7 month old baby, and a three year old girl. After asking for the bill they included the %18 tip because we are 6 people. They counted the 7 month old baby!! I have not seen any resturant doing that !!! The waiter said, this is the rule and I am not the owner!!!!! I won't come again and I won't recommended it. I hate the idea of using loophole to take people money.
(1)Katelyn A.
Where do I begin? The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic, it is somewhere that you would be able to go dressed up or dressed down. The hummus was fantastic and large portioned! At first glance I thought that the prices were a little expensive until I saw the portions of the meals. The money was well worth it. Their baklava was the most amazing baklava I have ever had! It was so fresh and tasted absolutely amazing paired with their coffee. Will definitely be becoming a regular here!
(5)David H.
I will definitely be coming back to Istanbul. Everything, the food, the service was top notch. You have to try the stuffed grape leaves!
(5)Jennifer V.
I was in town for a conference and stopped in for lunch. Well, I came back for dinner and then again the next day. The food was wonderful and the service even better. The staff was fun to talk to and told us all about Turkey. I recommend: kebabs with yogurt, the appetizer sampler and the Turkish tea and coffee.
(5)Hugh D.
Went here with friend who grew up in Instanbul. She loved it!! Very pleasant surprise.
(5)Phillip H.
Other than a month spent in Israel-Palestine for school, I admittedly don't have much experience w/ Mediterranean food. But I quite enjoyed the food at Istanbul Cafe. I started with a sampler plate with some hummus, roasted eggplant, grape leaves, and other appetizers. I likes this sampler better than my lamb entree, to be honest. The restaurant is worth visiting, if just to try something different
(3)Lynn J.
I arrived here "blind" one evening when my daughter booked and we took a relative from outside USA to dinner. We wanted to put our best foot forward because he had hosted my wife in South Africa. We were not disappointed. We ordered several dishes and some appetizers for the table and it was notable hardly a scrap remained on the table when we finished. He had a whole fish which surprised and delighted him. Very dramatic and fun. I appreciate a quiet ambiance and table cloths and this was pleasantly dim with quiet hum. Wait staff were quick and attentive without hovering. If I were in town (I live 55 miles away) I would become a semi regular for the evenings I want ethnic alternatives to "American cuisine." There are fun new flavors and dishes to explore here. Try it out.
(4)Rich B.
Food, atmosphere and service are all top notch! We started with an amazing appetizer with hummus, tabouli, baba ganoush and a few other dips, all were great - in fact the hummus was the best I've ever had. They kept the warm, fluffy pita bread coming. I had the lunch special, a few options were available - I went for the red lentil soup - which was excellent, and the stuffed cabbage - which really felt authentic, had tasty rice and meat inside and covered in a red sauce with a subtle zing. Veggies on the side were a great complement. There were two servers working at the time; our main one took great care of us and if he wasn't around the other one was happy to jump in. We were well taken care of and they interjected just enough fun banter.
(5)Jennifer L.
Can't say enough nice things about this place. Even though it's in a strip mall, the food is exquisite. The ambiance is calm. The staff is cheerful. The food is reasonably priced, and most especially delicious.
(5)Jan P.
Having travels to Turkey before, I have to admit this food is truly authentic. Now personally I do not care that much about authenticity after all it's all about flavor and texture. This place hits it on all three. Yup, we'll be back!
(5)Diane E.
Because I don't live near this neighborhood, I had never heard of the Istanbul Cafe. However, I was able to go on an urban hike this evening and the meeting place was the parking lot between the Istanbul Cafe and Blockbuster Video (are they still in business?!). Since I arrived early, I decided to meander over to the Istanbul to check out their menu. As soon as I walked in the door and smelled the heavenly delights, I immediately placed an order for the shish kabob (lamb) and a side of the Pureed Eggplant to pick up after our hike was finished. I have to say that the lamb was spectacular! So tender and juicy, I didn't mind eating it out of a to-go container :-) I didn't know what to expect with regard to the pureed eggplant, but OMG! I have never tasted anything so flavorful! It came with some flatbread that was also very moist and soft...perfect to dip into the eggplant. If I do this same hike again -- and I'm sure I will -- I plan on dining in and enjoying the entire ambiance of this charming little restaurant. Don't let the stripmall deter you. It is a nice shopping area at the corner of W 86th and Ditch Road.
(5)William D.
We love Istanbul Cafe. The lamb and chicken kababs are always tender and delicious. Also the feta cheese in phyllo dough appetizer is yummy too. Desserts are very nice with Turkish coffee for the brave. American palates will not enjoy the salty yogurt drink (Ayran). The staff are very friendly, though some nights they seem to be a bit short handed. Try Istanbul Cafe, it is worth the price!
(4)Dana G.
Great food. Everyone enjoyed their food. We started with the stuffed grape leaves. Our party ordered the Stuffed Eggplant, Adana Kabob, Doner Kabob, Feta Borek, and Shepherd Salad. The pita served with our meal was soft and warm. We finished with Kunefe for dessert.
(5)Kelly M.
Istanbul cafe does not have a gluten free menu, but our waiter knew which dishes contained flour. I have a weakness for lamb and ordered the shish kebab and it was tender and flavorful. I also ordered the lentil soup (usually gf) and our waiter quickly told me it contained flour! I was grateful for the warning. We did order the Turkish flan for desert and I have now found another favorite dessert! I plan on returning often.
(4)David I.
We ate here for dinner last night and really enjoyed the place. We were eating at "old people" time at around 4:30. We were the only guests in the entire place and they had the interior lights off. I'm going to say the lights were off to save money because that makes sense if the place is empty. By the time we left at 5:30 there were a few tables full. The decor is nice, and the place is very clean. I'm willing to bet the owner has a serious case of OCD. It would also explain the lights. We were waited on immediately and the service was consistently good. We had the Shepards Salad as an opener and loved it. I enjoyed how the veggies were chopped into even sizes and small. Great flavors and it'll be a dish that I remember for a long time. Next we had the zucchini pancakes and had to share them between us. They were fresh, light and very tasty. Perfectly cooked. My entree was the chicken kabob. I don't like lamb so 1/2 the menu is out of the question for me. The chicken was perfect, great flavors and moist. The rice was also perfectly cooked. The veggies were probably not cooked to order but they still tasted great. My wife had the Adamo (sp) Chicken. She enjoyed it but the pepper flavor was a little too strong. It ended up being finished as lunch the next day. The experience was much more "upscale" than Bosphorus, and the zucchini pancakes (and salad) were better, but the cost was double. We will probably come back, but it will depend on our budget. If were were going to drop another $60, we'd rather have sushi more often than not. There were no hot waitresses, or any waitresses at all when we were there.
(4)Mike R.
We went Friday evening to have a food adventure - our first time for Turkish food in Indy. Place was pretty empty when we got there, a few people at the bar, but it filled in slowly as we sat. Justin our waiter is really the bartender, and he was very personable and attentive (humorous as well). We had the Fela Borek appetizer and while it was quite tasty I thought it was a little sparse for $6 - just four thin tubes of phyllo wrapped feta with flavorings. My wife had the Adana kebab with yogurt, cubes of ground lamb and onions in a sauce on small squares of pita bread, with yogurt. It had a good mix of flavors and the portion was large enough to make a good meal. I had the cabbage rolls which came with some very well prepared and flavored mixed vegetables (green beans, carrots, squash). The rolled cabbage leaves were stuffed with a ground lamb/rice mixture and covered with a tasty reddish sauce. Again the portion was certainly sufficient - I finished all of it but was not stuffed. The bottom line - it is a nicely decorated, well staffed restaurant, and the food is good. I am sure we will come back again when we are in the mood for Turkish or Mediterranean fare.
(4)David W.
Great taste. A must try. Staff is very friendly. If you've never had Turkish food this is a perfect place to start. If you have before, you will not be disappointed here.
(5)Nathan C.
Did takeout. Maybe I ordered wrong. But everything was pretty bland and over-priced. The $9 salad was soggy, the lamb had little flavor, and the wrap was on a tortilla. I don't know who that's catering to. At it's best Turkish food is among my favorite cuisines, and I've had some wonderful experiences. This was not one of them. It seems like this place is cutting corners. It's 2 stars because the host/waiters were friendly. Was astounded with the rating this place gets on Yelp. Could be a Yelp machine.
(2)Theresa K.
This place was kinda fancy! I didn't expect anything in particular, but I wasn't expecting that. There were a few things other than kebabs on the menu, but that was the main thing. I had the Adana Kebab. It was delicious. Between that, the Feta Borek (appetizer) - fried phyllo filled with feta) and the large amounts of pita and oil, I was able to bring half of my dinner home.... and I usually scavenge the crap out of my dinner, eating it ALL, most of the time. If anything is ever left behind, it probably wasn't edible in the first place. As mentioned, pita bread came... and when that was empty, the server offered to bring more (and did). And we didn't ask for more because I ended up bringing the last piece home, but crap. They gave us a LOT of bread. And it was always hot. The Adana Kebab was $14, and my boyfriend had the Chicken Kebab with yogurt, and that was $15. My Adana Kebab contained two lamb kebabs, plain rice and green beans & carrots... and not an overwhelming amount for the price. Our server was very sweet. She asked us about our super bowl plans, and she generally seemed very down to earth. She seemed to be handling the whole restaurant by herself (they weren't terribly busy), but she was still very attentive.
(4)Katie W.
Delicious vegetarian meal. Fresh and well-prepared. Somewhat expensive, but worth it. And the waiter was exceptionally nice!
(4)Wendy S.
I ate here, it was fantastic! I wish I could give specifics, but Supper Club, and time have killed names of dishes. Let me say, though, of the things I tasted b
(5)Kate L.
This was a very unfortunate meal. The waiter was incredibly un-attentive, and we didn't feel like the menu descriptions matched what we received. After asking specifically if I could have no peppers in my meal, he brought out my dish with peppers, and tomatoes (which was not listed on the menu). If these were not the 2 veggies I hated, it wouldn't be a big deal, but, they are. The fried eggplant appetizer came out a cold dish which was more like sauteed peppers & tomatoes with an after thought of super mushy eggplant. The Doner Kebab my dining partner ordered came out as greasy chunks of meat - not at all what she expected. (I'm not sure how they're usually served, but she expected something completely different.) :(
(2)Dawn T.
I don't even know where to begin, because everything was really wonderful. I guess I'll begin with the appetizer plate which is where we began. My husband and I shared an appetizer plate for 2 and both enjoyed everything. The babaganoush was the best we have had in a very long time if not ever. I also loved, I mean LOVED the fried eggplant in tomatoes. The ezme was also really, really good. For dinner we shared the mixed grill plate. We were able to try shish kebob, chicken kebob, adona kebob and donner kebob. All of them were delicious. Shish kebob (lamb) was my favorite. The lamb was so tender and the seasoning was super. Really, all of the kebobs were very good, so it is difficult to explain why I like shish kebob the most, but I did. I would happily eat any of them, anytime though. Typically, my son doesn't care for mediterranean food, but he had to go with us last night, and he ended up loving it.
(5)Melanie T.
The chicken kabob is where it's at! The best-seasoned chicken I've had in years. We started with an appetizer of hummus, which came with fresh, warm bread for dredging through the smooth waves of tastiness. My hubby had the baked eggplant and enjoyed it, but he didn't recommend that I even taste his dish after trying one of my chicken pieces--he knew that I'd been too spoiled by the chicken to properly appreciate his eggplant. Vegetables, no matter how carefully prepared, can never compete with the meat, I think. The baklava we shared for dessert was divine. We will be returning to this place in the future to try out more of the kebabs. Oh, our waiter dude was friendly and deserved the big tip we gave him.
(4)Josh F.
What a wonderful little place...so glad the sushi place was closed, so I had the oppurtunity to try it. The atmosphere is very nice...bright windows, tile floors, soothing colors really give the place a relaxing feel. It was pretty much empty when I arrived, granted it was almost 14:30. The service was excellent, friendly, and attentive. I had the veg stew with humus and a Turkish tea...all of it was outstanding. The stew consisted of fresh garden veggies, in a lite tomato stew sauce and rice. The humus was a good consistancy, and had just enough garlic to taste, but not overpower. The pita bread was fresh, warm, and soaked up the humus and olive oil nicely. Opted for a Kunefe for desert...not my usual thing to have desert after lunch, but it sounded so interesting, I had to. Shredded dough, surrounding unsalted goat cheese, topped with crushed walnuts and honey glaze! Wow...it was good...not overly sweet, but just enough to keep it in the desert realm. The goat chese inside was very savory. A great lunch, and a must try.
(5)Sharon W.
It should be noted that I am often called a food snob, and am hyper critical of bad service, particularly when paying upscale prices. That being said - I find nothing to criticize in this lovely restaurant. The menu is varied, the service is beyond polite and the food is uniquely and deliciously prepared. The clean white table cloths and decent wine list cap off a wonderful evening. The kebabs are great, the lamb chops tender and succulent and the seafood casserole was like a paella - fabulous all.
(5)Mohamed E.
Excellent restaurant .... all the food was good from apppetizer till dessert ...
(5)Matthew B.
My high school buddies and I went to Istanbul for spring break a few years back. How appropriate that when 3 of us went out for a reunion dinner, we went for Turkish. Food was good: The appetizer dips hummus, etc., clearly are homemade and have a nice texture. The kebabs were solid -- the chicken kebab and the yogurt sauce kebabs were the best that I tried, but everything was fine. Service was attentive without being overbearing. The only quibble I might have is that in retrospect, I should have had my raki without ice. Next time....
(5)Marc K.
First time at Istanbul Cafe and we had quite a nice time. As noted by Ozgur, the decor is really clean and modern. I can highly recommend the Appetizer Sampler platter for first time guests. The tabuleh and hummas were very nice, but the show stopper was the fried eggplant with tomato sauce. The eggplant was really perfectly cooked and super tasty. There are several vege options. I had the vege stuffed cabbage rolls which were tasty. Will definitely return if for nothing other than the fried eggplant appetizer!
(4)Lisa M.
I'm kind of disappointed in this place. I went here for a late lunch today and was not impressed at all. It was a bit warm out so I decided to dine indoors. I was one of only two tables seated inside. Yes it was bright inside with all the windows, but it was also kind of shadowy since they didn't have any interior lights turned on. It felt like they didn't want to be serving anyone in there at the time. They filled my water glass after a couple minutes, but didn't ask if I wanted anything else to drink. I had to flag the server down to ask for an iced tea. On to the menu. I had high hopes for one of the kebabs. I was torn between the Chicken Adana Kebab and the Iskander Kebab. Asking the waiter for an opinion on the two he highly recommended the Iskander, so I went with that. The menu describes it as "Slices of Turkish Gyro placed over cubes of pita bread and immersed in rich tomato sauce and topped with hot butter. Served with homemade yoghurt on the side". It was tasty, but swimming in oil and not much of the rich tomato sauce. The menu also stated that "All Kebabs served with Basmati Rice and Vegetables". They never showed up. Normally I would speak up about that, but I wasn't really craving them and thought perhaps they weren't included with lunch and it would be at a cheaper price. Upon getting my bill (which I also had to flag the server down to get), it wasn't discounted for no rice or veggies. Had it not been for the fact that I wasn't that hungry and that I'll be getting reimbursed for this meal from my work, I would have pitched a fit about not getting all the food that the menu stated I would get. Sitting in the shadows, no refill on my tea that I had to beg to get, not getting the rice and veggies promised with the dish, alright tasting, but nothing noteworthy food all for $22 equals the worst meal I've had while spending time here in Indy. Disappointing indeed.
(1)Batu Y.
Great Mediterranean cuisine with friendly atmosphere. Food tastes very authentic and delectable. I enjoyed eating the Iskender kebab and eat it every time im there
(5)Susan H.
We've eaten here twice--wow, what fantastic food! We are recent transplants from Portland, Oregon, and our quest for decent food here has been sadly unrewarding. However, this restaurant is a shining exception. We've eaten in restaurant (nice, clean, tastefully decorated) and had take out. The vegetarian appetizer platter was delicious (I strongly recommend the eggplant, much to my surprise) and my picky husband inhaled his chicken wrap. The pita puts store-bought pita to shame, and the baklava was a perfect ending to the meal.
(5)Lisa M.
We had lunch at Istanbul a few weeks ago with our large group of 19. I'm familiar with Middle Eastern food so I was looking forward to it. The restaurant is clean and very attractive (white tablecloths). The bathroom is immaculate (a good sign to check out before eating anywhere). I thought the food (hummus and my grilled vegetables) were very bland. Compared to the terrific, very garlicly hummus at Athens on 86th, Istanbul's hummus had very little if any garlic. The pita bread was crisp, fresh and wonderful. I expected more spices and garlic in my veggie dish though. Iced tea had a very nice unusual flavor. My mother had the vegetable stew and was disappointed that there were only 2 or 3 very tiny pieces of eggplant. And no flavor or spices but there was an over abundance of sauce. Others in our group seemed to enjoy their kabobs, Turkish coffee, desserts and other selections but remarked that the food was not too exciting ~not bad; just "ok". For our large group we had one waiter and while he was quietly reserved he was very quick in delivering our lunches all within minutes and checked on us. We didn't feel any warmth or distinctive welcoming but maybe it was an off day for him, their culture is more reserved, or the language barrier was challenging for him. He did thank us for coming and was agreeable when we requested separate checks. I'll try Istanbul again but if it doesn't meet my expectations, I'll have to make Athens my #1 choice for Middle Eastern/Greek food.
(3)Karhma D.
Friendly servers, though we were never asked if we wanted anything aside from water to drink. I see another reviewer experienced the same thing, so maybe they expect you to just tell them if you do want something else. Anyway, the food was really great. They had normal Mediterranean fare, but with more of a Turkish flair than you'd find at most Mediterranean places, which seem to swing either Middle Eastern or Greek usually. We tried an appetizer called esme, which I'd never heard of & can only find one recipe online for. It was addictive. It's sort of a Turkish bruschetta/salsa w/ tomatoes, pomegranate sauce, peppers, & other ingredients culminating in a pile of yum. The pitas are piping hot & deliciously soft & fluffy. I tried their hummus, which is creamy & has a decidedly cumin flavour to it. Good, but I like lemony, garlicky hummus better. My husband got the doner kebab & ate in silent joy. Apparently it was that good. Also pronounced delicious on the carnivore side was my younger son's chicken wrap. My older son & I got veggie options. He had the veggie grill, which comes w/ a tomato sauce much like what my stuffed cabbage came in & a creamy dill sauce I thought looked like a runny tzatziki, but was way dillier. His vegetables were nicely grilled with a great smoky flavour. My vegetarian stuffed cabbage rolls were great & reminded me strongly of a warm dolma, which they also have. The vegetables they served w/ the meal were perfectly crisp-tender w/ an addictively tasty butter sauce on them & the basmati rice was light & fluffy. We were all too full to try baklava, but I really thought about it even though we weren't going to be home for hours. The inside is very tasteful, with light green walls & beautiful 2-toned wood everywhere w/ modern metal accents. There are lovely blue glazed plates hanging on the walls & I really loved the tile floors in the bathroom. I'll be back for some baklava & Turkish coffee soon.
(5)David S.
Having never eaten at a Turkish restaurant before, I have to say that I'm already a fan. We were actually trying to go to the nearby Oakley's Bistro, which was closed for a private party. As we drove in, I noticed that the special board at Istanbul had Lamb Shank (my wife's favorite) and Broiled grouper (my sister's favorite), so I figured it was worth a shot. We wandered our way down and peaked at the menu as a server was clearing off an outdoor table. He asked "First time here?" When we said yes, he said that we would hate it, but that if we hated it, he would buy our dinner. Who could refuse that? After zucchini pancakes, hummus, lamb shank, grouper, seafood casserole, and cabbage rolls, he was definitely wrong. We really loved it. 4 stars because of a couple small service hiccups, but we will definitely be back. Great food!
(4)Allen R.
Good food and quickly served piping hot. Courteous staff with a sense of humor.
(5)derek s.
My Aunt brought me here and I was impressed with the decor, the service and the amazing kebabs. The staff was pleasant and courteous and we enjoyed our dinner this evening very much. No complaints and I plan to be back soon to enjoy something else from their menu. Again, kebabs were amazing.
(5)jennifer l.
I went there for the first time this past Friday for a friend's b-day. There was a large group of us and we had a reservation. Our service was AWFUL. I've never had a waiter say "If you need anything, let me know" and mean it... to the point of having to flag her down to order drinks and dinner. She seemed put out to be waiting on us. We all felt like she didn't care about our table, perhaps b/c her gratuity was already built in. Who knows... The food, however, was delicious. We had an appetizer platter for the table and I had the vegetarian stuffed cabbage leaves for my entree. All of the food was nicely seasoned and tasty. I'm sure I'll go back at some point... but I'd choose Bosphorous over Istanbul Cafe anytime.
(4)Amanda Z.
I've been meaning to try the Istanbul Cafe and finally made it there yesterday for lunch with some coworkers. The decor was a lot fancier than our typical lunch spots, but we managed to keep our elbows off the table and keep the conversation PG. I ordered a cup of their lentil soup- expecting it to be the thick yellow lentil kind I'm used to- it was red lentil and thin, but really tasty, with a more roasted red pepper flavor than I'm used to (again, still yummy). I also ordered the zucchini pancake appetizer and it came with 3 good sized pancakes on the plate. That's way more food than I can handle, so I gave 2 away and had one for myself. YUMMY! I'm not one for fried food, but this pancake was delicious- with zucchini, carrots, maybe something onion-like and the real kicker was the dill sauce that came with it. It really made the dish! There are a lot of other good looking things on their menu that I want to try for dinner, but for a quick lunch, this was perfect! Prices were pretty reasonable too- I think I paid about $10 with tip for my soup and the 3 pancakes. Brave the strip mall and give this place a try!
(4)Kasey J.
I have to say, hands-down, that this restaurant has it all: Great decor, great servers, great menu (with great desserts!). The Istanbul Cafe has a bit of everything you'd expect on a Mediterranean menu and more. Gyro dishes and kebab dishes of lamb and beef and more served with rice and fresh vegetables. I guess it makes sense that this Turkish delight feels authentic: according to the Web site, the chef is from Turkey. My advice: Try one of the kebabs or gyro platter. I promise they're better than any gyro you've had around town (yes, even the ones at the State Fair!) I've only visited during the lunch hour (it's near my workplace at 86th and Ditch), but I read on their site that they offer half-price bottles of wine on Mondays and Tuesdays! (Probably not wise to drink a bottle during your work lunch!) One other thing: I must point out the absolutely beautiful decor. The green color on the walls is unlike any paint job I've ever seen. It's stunning. If you want to try something different, check out Istanbul Cafe. You won't be sorry.
(5)