Cafe Gulistan
13581 Red Arrow Hwy, Harbert, MI, 49115
Cafe Gulistan Menu
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Address :
13581 Red Arrow Hwy
Harbert, MI, 49115 - Phone (269) 469-6779
- Website https://www.cafegulistan.com/index.htm
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Julia W.
Oh, Cafe Gulistan, I'm still so curious how you came to Harbor Country, which doesn't exactly scream Haven of Incredible Turkish and Middle Eastern Food. My father, who lives in the area, has enjoyed your delicious presence for many, many years now and I'm so glad I've finally had the pleasure of dining there, too. It's hard to choose at a place like this. I've been to many Middle Eastern places and gorged myself on appetizer combo platters of hummus, babaghanoush and falafel, so this time, my husband and I decided to just stick with babaghanoush. It was a good choice, as the serving was large and in charge--garlicky good with a nice smoky undertone from the roasted eggplants. I was disappointed that the pitas were just regular ol' pita pockets instead of freshly-made ones, but the babaghanoush saved the day. We also had a grilled Tiger shrimp dish served with sesame seeds and an apricot sauce--perfectly cooked shrimp and lovely flavor profiles. My entree just about made me lose my mind, it was so freaking delicious. I ordered the Ispanak (without mushrooms) - falafel with sauteed spinach, onions and peppers in a garlic-mango-walnut cream sauce. Shut. The. Front. Door. Amaaaaazing. The sauce was absolutely dreamy with a luxurious texture and incredible flavor. I was full after the first falafel, but soldiered on just to get another glorious taste. Holy cow. That was fantastic. So much so that I suggested we get it the next day for dinner again (we didn't; we were heading out of town--BOO). My husband had a lamb dish he really enjoyed, but even he had to pause and say "wow" when he tried a bite of my dish. I had to try the baklava, of course, and it did not disappoint. Flaky, sweet, crisp--quite tasty and a nice treat. I would've taken another serving of the Ispanak, though. :) I don't get to visit the area nearly enough anymore now that we've moved to St. Louis, but trust that I will be on Cafe Gulistan's doorstep the next time we visit my dad. Have the Ispanak ready, Gulistan.
(4)Jason L.
Had a great experience there. The falafel starter was not bad. We had 2 lamb dishes, one of which was the rack of lamb and they were delicious! Also had Lebanese red wine. Who would have thought the Lebanese made delicious wine!
(4)Krishna P.
I had the chicken dish, and the flavors were really good. The rice was quite tasty as well. The hummus had a distinct Turkish twist to it, this isn't your standard Lebanese hummus. The only down-side is that this place is quite expensive. Overall, 4-star food, but loses a star for higher prices.
(3)Thomas C.
We thought this place was not as good as several of the other reviewers rated it. The food was average - not as good as others in the area. The atmosphere was fair, at best. And, the service was below average. If you've exhausted your other options, it is worth a visit, but wouldn't be our first choice.
(3)Suleman D.
Excellent place for good, delicious food. Worth it for sure. The portions are a bit small for the price but the taste more than makes up for it and so does the service. The staff is friendly and the manager (who I believe is the owner) incredibly nice and accommodating. They messed up one of our orders due to an error in communicating what exactly was in the dish and its quantity. It was a pricey dish that they brought out and clearly not what we were expecting. However, they rectified the situation and got us not only two separate entrees but also let us keep the erroneous pricey dish free of charge so we could eat with our friends. Super nice. Oh and their lamb shank special is really really good. Do try it if you get a chance. Enjoy.
(5)Erdal B.
Better than restaurants in Turkey. If you want to taste Anatolian food go to Gulistan. Ibrahim adds his history into the kitchen and you can smell Anatolia from the food. Can't wait to go there again.
(5)Gretchen D.
Oh Yelp, you've done it again. We're on the road, looking for dinner. Fire up the smartphone and start looking for places on Yelp. Up pops Cafe Gulistan. It is clean. It is nice. The service is good. the food is EXCELLENT. We had the falafel appetizer and the feta salad. All good. the feta was fresh and fabulous. Mom had the wedding beef stew. Can you make it without the mushrooms? No problem. It was delicious. Hubby had the lamb stew dish--he loved it. I had the hummus and tabbouleh platter. Everything was great. As someone else noted, the colors and presentation are well-done. This place is a class act.
(5)Maureen T.
Always looking forward to going for good ethnic food in Harbor Country( hard to find) and Cafe Gulistan usually comes through. Unfortunately, this past Tuesday was not so. Service was so slow-it was not that crowded. Our food came luke warm ( because I am sure it sat waiting for our waitress to deliver). The meal despite the tepid temperature was good ( 3 stars) but the experience was not. Our waitress comped us dessert BUT I would much more preferred correct service.
(3)Roseann M.
Summer's lease has all too short a date. In between the many rains of June, a few sunny days dawned, and we trekked back to SW Michigan in search of, among other things, a few good meals. I ate in Cafe Gulistan twice within the same week, a Thursday night dinner with the very-cool Purple Grandma, and a late Saturday lunch with the Sibling and the PhD. We explored the vegetarian entrees, so I cannot tell you anything about the dead flesh on a plate. However, if you believe that care in preparation, beautiful well-balanced ingredients, and attention to detail can translate across menu items, you should definitely give the dead stuff a try. We had excellent food, drink, service, and atmosphere. What's not to like? Believe it or not, SW Michigan is not swimming in good restaurants. Oh sure, you won't have a problem finding pizza, burgers, or Olive Garden-style Italian places. But really good food? Cafe Gulistan has it; not many others do. * Sultan's Tava - fresh spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, carrots and chickpeas, sauteed in curry-garlic sauce, with Basmati rice; * Ispanak - chickpea patties with spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers in garlic-mango-walnut cream sauce, with Basmati rice * Falafil platter - chickpea patties served with Basmati rice, sumak salad (red cabbage), garlic-dill-yogurt sauce, and seasonal vegetables * Pasta pesto - penne pasta in garlic cream sauce with basil-almond pesto and topped with parmesan cheese * Fattoush salad - romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, in their homemade dressing. For drinks, I can't tell you everything. We had three different reds, and a Turkish pilsener beer. The PhD had the beer; he said it was fine, a pilsener, nothing to rave about. The girls, who had the wines, were all happy. They do have some interesting selections that are available only by the bottle, but we were trying to stay mostly sober. There are tables in front of the building. Yes, they face the Red Arrow Highway, which is pretty busy, but there is a beautiful herb and flower garden in front and to the side, which makes the experience of outdoor dining even better. The weather was so nice, we ate outside each time. We had a lady server on Thursday, and a man server on Saturday. Both did very well - no problems, questions, or complaints with the service. The best meals we've had in SW Michigan. By the way, I almost strayed from the True Faith and ordered the Chicken Kabob, when I saw it being delivered to another table. But I succumbed to peer pressure and stayed meat-free. Well, it's only June. Plenty of time to get back and enjoy the bounty of Cafe Gulistan again. I've eaten 3 times at Cafe Gulistan, and had three good experiences. Highly recommended. I will try to post some photos, so you can see how gorgeous this place is.
(5)Adam K.
One of the top places in the area. I think I already said that in another review, oh well. Here is the review again. This is my favorite restaurant in this area. They have an absolutely GORGEOUS outside seating area, its like you are eating in a garden. There are frogs and streams, love it. The food is top notch, I am always comparing this place to any other place in the area and they all pale in comparison. The owner is hands on and inviting, the staff is nice and attentive. I am so glad they are doing well.
(5)Sohp F.
Amazing middle eastern food...the service is wonderful the falafel burger is outstanding try it. I recommend it and hope to come back soon
(5)Susie I.
You don't expect there to be a Turkish restaurant in the middle of Harbor Country, but right there on the Red Arrow Hwy, there it is. A dear friend suggested it to us, so on a weekend jaunt to the area, we stopped for dinner. It was fantastic. Yes, I'll agree that at first our server wasn't the warmest bun in the basket, but after a couple of trips to our table she became downright perky. Maybe our reaction to the food was contagious. First, as a visual artist, I am finally understanding how colors on a plate can stimulate the appetite. The appetizer we ordered couldn't have been more beautiful! And it was delicious. Second, I would usually turn up my nose at any kind of pickled cabbage, but the red color of this cabbage made me want to eat it, and am I glad I did! It was phenomenal. Crunchy and fresh with just enough pickling. It was in our appetizer (shrimp) and in my felafel platter. The felafel was like none I had ever had, too. I am a regular felafel eater, and this had some flavors in it you don't usually get, very subtle and gentle and delicious. Third, when my boyfriend requested a dessert menu, our now cheerful server said "We've been told our baklava is the best" and he said "sold" and handed her back the menu without looking at it. Good suggestion. Again, a winning course. I love Harbor Country, mostly for the Lakeside Inn we stay at, the wineries, the fires on the beach, and the hikes at Warren Woods and Warren Dunes. Cafe Gulistan will also become a spring-time ritual.
(5)Rosenda L.
What a jewel! Everything was to die for! The ispanek was wonderful, and the tabuleh and babaganush where fresh and light! Perfect closing for a day in the beach!
(5)Fred S.
Just wonderful middle eastern fare served by friendly people. Never had a meal there that wasn't wonderful. My only caveats are A) service can be slow, especially when it gets busy. They run short staffed and it shows. B) I wish they would update their menu to add new items, or create some off-menu items seasonally to supplement their main menu,
(4)George H.
Incredible food and great service! It was the best Turkish/Kurdish food my wife and I have ever had. The rack of lamb (as everyone recommended) was delicious, tender and PERFECTLY cooked and the side of rice and the chutney were great. The Ispanak was also delicious and the sauce was incredible. I wish I could get the recipe!
(5)I P.
My husband and I were in the area for our anniversary and went to Café Gulistan the first night and were so disappointed. First off the food was overpriced for the quality and quantity. The only dish I enjoyed was the shrimp appetizer for about $10 but they only gave you 4 pieces! We then tried to order the dish again because I did not like anything else there and the waiter told us the kitchen closed (we ordered at 10:15pm and the restaurant closes at 11pm). He tried to make up for it and gave us a really good baklava dessert which was really kind of him! Overall, we left hungry.
(2)Melissa C.
Amazing service, fresh food with surprising tastes! Beat medditerranean and I live in Chicago. Come eat here and you won't be disappointed! Such a special meal with my husband an I! Get the baclava!!!
(5)Henry C.
Can you say " diamond in the rough " --- Amazing Turkish food in New Buffalo, Michigan? Really? YES, YES, and YES! When my wife and I have any chance to flee Chicago, we head to southern Michigan with our two kids. A stop we never fail to make is Cafe Gulistan. I would go here just for the "Oz" service. This young man must be the owner's right hand but his genuine and sincere service is second to none. In fact, when we enter Cafe Gulistan we request that Oz be our server. This weekend and after a year of not going to New Buffalo, he remembered each of my familys' names and asked for their well being. The food -- OMG! Th food is fresh, bountiful, and made from scratch. Did I mention delicious. The location -- IDEAL! Off Red Arrow Highway - "steps" away from Lake Michigan. Support this restaurant - tell your friends about it - Cafe Gulistan, you are a gem! And Oz, thank you for making our trips to New Buffalo, Michigan such a truly wonderful and cultural experience.
(5)Ed K.
Excellent lamb dishes. Went with some foodies from Chicago and all liked it. Reasonably priced wine list.
(4)L. R.
This place is absolutely fantastic!!!! Can't say enough about it. The food is delicious. The service is excellent and the owner of the restaurant is a wonderful person. The food is very different (Middle Eastern) but comforting. It's great for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I love the veg entrees, my husband loves the lamb. You won't be disappointed. Sit by the garden-side window and watch the butterflies flit about as you enjoy your meal.
(5)Kate X.
This is the only healthy restaurant I have found in "Harbor Country". I have been there more than five times. We have ordered Sultan's Tava which is a kind of a vegetable stew, but super good. The appetizer platter was great. As vegetarians, they had something that was GOOD and on the menu. We took our inlaws here who are serious meat and potatoes fans. He ordered chicken and she got lamb and they both commented on how they liked it. The coffee with cardamom is a great ending-they were out of the baklava.
(4)Jean Z.
Wonderful sampling of turkish cuisine while on the right side of the lake.
(4)Rodger W.
Probably 4.5 stars, but the being the best cuisine in a beautiful location earns the extra bump. I am quite familiar with most Near/Mid Eastern cuisines, but Turkish/Kurdish was new for me. I started with a Shiitake Mushrooms appetizer that contained shiitakes and basil sautéed with a walnut-tomato chutney in a red wine and soy sauce. It was very delicate and delicious. The main courses that we enjoyed were Ispanak, which others have mentioned in other reviews: Crispy chickpea patties topped with sautéed fresh spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, in a garlic-mango-walnut cream sauce, served with Basmati rice. Quite sweet and savory, with great texture in the patties. I had the Gulistani, New Zealand ground lamb sautéed with spices and spring onion, served over a bed of Basmati rice, and garnished with our house special sumac salad. It looked a lot like an Indian queema, but with a unique, delicate spice profile. The rice was lightly dilled and perfectly cooked. The baclava was honey based and home made. Not as sweet and crunchy as the reference Shatilla Bakery in Dearborn, MI, but served with strawberries and chocolate sauce. A winner. Also, they served Shorts beer. Excellent! The server was excellent, and the prices were reasonable.
(5)Jeffrey G.
We went there last Friday night, 6/27/14. It was a great find! Beautiful gardens and outdoor dining! The food was excellent and the service was outstanding! We had the shiitake mushroom appetizer that was incredibly flavorful. There were walnuts and basil in the sauce with the shiitakes, creating a treat for the taste buds. For dinner, we had the pesto pasta and the falafel platter. The pesto pasta was made with a feta cream sauce, basil and almonds - it was delicious. The falafel platter was excellent, the rice was cooked perfectly and the red cabbage salad complimented the falafel. The wine selection was very good! Next time you're in Harbert check it out, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Robin S.
We stopped in after 7 on a Wednesday night. There was no waiting. The gardens were beautiful but it was a bit too chilly so we sat inside. The staff (manager? Owner?) was very nice and accommodating. We enjoyed the feta salad, falafel platter, chicken izgara, Kavurma, and a nice bottle of Turkish wine. Our picky kids were able to find something on the menu for themselves as well. We wanted the baklava for dessert but he was out so he threw in a free chocolate cheesecake. The food was excellent and authentic. Great place!
(5)Christopher R.
Fantastic! Being vegan in SW Michigan can be a challenge when you go out for dinner, buy Cafe G makes it so easy! Felafel plate made to order for vegans is amazing! Tons of veggie friendly options and they don't mind walking you through the menu!
(5)Vi C.
I have traveled the world and and experienced amazing cuisine and still I dream about this SW MI gem! It is one of my favorite restaurants in the world! Don't miss the Turkish Coffee!
(5)constance k.
I Love Cafe Gulistan!!! Amazing food, lovely ambience and good service. My favorite dishes are Falafil, Pesto Pasta & Ispanak! Be sure to call ahead, their hours change seasonly.
(5)Erin K.
We were incredibly disappointed in our entire experience here. The food was mediocre at best. It was bland and under spiced. As far as we could tell, parsley was the only herb at play. The shiitake appetizer was ok. The vegetarian entree of sauteed veggies over chickpea patties with a mango walnut coconut cream sauce was unbearably sweet. The Kurdish wedding dish had the same palate range as the appetizer and the lamb cubes were over cooked. To top it all off, our server Aleisha never asked us once how our food was even though we ate less than half of our entrees. We thought it was WAY overpriced for the quality and left hungry. Thankfully Soe's is right down the street: same price range but SO much better!
(2)Aivilo E.
I wanted to love this restaurant. I didn't. And I really don't understand why it gets rave reviews. If you don't know Middle Eastern food very well, you might like this. 'Cause this place is not Middle Eastern, its Turkish, and they are NOT the same. Gulistan is not posing itself as anything but Turkish. But what we ate? Blech. Pretty. Nice natural landscaping. Well appointed. That's what I liked. What I didn't like: mediocre food, unreasonably high prices, surly waitstaff, and a meal that took much, much too long because ... well, I don't know why it took so long, they had only a four seated tables in the place at the time. I cannot stress this enough - the service is terrible. Uninterested. Rude. All the employees payed attention to a few particular individuals at one table, but not the other three tables. My husband got up, walked over to our waitress to ask for some water because our glasses were empty. All four of our glasses. So was our wine. She came over and filled HIS, but nobody else's, and went back to the table to laugh with the other table. REALLY??? My husband hollered over to her and asked if were possible that she could fill our OTHER glasses? It was then when I ordered a second glass of wine. It arrived at the END of the meal. After a second request for it to be served. What gives? There were only three other tables seated? They just didn't give a rat's ass about us because they had never seen us before, we weren't regulars. I've heard that about Gulistan, if you aren't a regular, good luck. I wonder why anyone becomes a regular? Fatoosh - are you kidding me? It was inedible. First time ever I could not finish a salad. The dressing is not good. It was awful. The thing was tiny too, so that should make it clear how awful it was. That Falafel was good, but c'mon, I know for a fact that it costs less than 25¢ to make one of these things and the prices Gulistan charges are ridiculous. The hommos and baba ghannoush were fair, but dang it, I sure expected more on the platter. The lamb was tough and dry - perhaps reheated from another day? Let me put it this way: our family of four ordered two appetizers and four adult entrees plus salads. My kids are kids, not adults. We were still hungry at the end of the meal and had to order more. We're not big people either. The portions were so small, it reminded me of that old Clara from Wendy's, "Where's the beef?" Maybe they gave some of our portions to the regulars or to the people who were more dressed up? I love to support our local, independent restaurants. Unfortunately, I can't give my money to Ibrahim.
(2)Jeffrey D.
My wife and tried Cafe Gulistan a few weeks ago after my wife went there by herself a month or so ago on one of her trips to SW Michigan. Enjoyed the place very much. We ate on the outdoor patio which is just lovely and overlooks a beautiful landscaped area with a pond with live fish. Was end of very warm day and buggy during the day, but due to the insect burners did not experience any issues. We split one of the salads and one of the lamb dishes. Since I love lamb, no brainier. Both were terrific with just the right amount of spices and taste. Overall, hard to go wrong. They pull of the Turkish food without flaw. Will be back soon.
(4)Jerod C.
Splurge for the rack of lamb. It was cooked perfectly and the nut chutney was awesome. Salad was great too with a yummy yogurt and honey dressing. Sat at the bar with great service.
(5)Louis P.
The service and cheerful staff is tops. Love the lentil soup, babaganush, falafil, hummus which are all outstanding. In fact we have been their with lots folks who order different things including a varity of lamb dishes and everyone is very happy and satisfied with their meal and experience in this mideast type restaurant
(5)Wink B.
As much as I support the Kurdish resistance movement, and despise the Turkish decimation and ethnic cleansing of the natives of Eastern Antolia, I cannot offer the same support for this mediocre restaurant. The "Gulistani" was like a pile of taco meat on rice surrounded by purple kraut. Their signature lamb dish was kind of a rip off... 8 little chunks of lamb, a few vegetables, and some kind of tomato sauce. Their pita bread was obviously store bought. I'm never a stickler for service, but this place took the cake. I don't know, maybe it's because I didn't look like some effete Chicago tourist... it seemed like our waiter was more interested in playing slap-dick with the olde brigade boys at the bar than in getting us our bill. Shitty experience all-around. I'll leave this one for the fruitcakes who honestly like to call this area "Harbor Country".
(2)Natalie S.
After reading other reviews on this place, I see a common "bad service" theme so I should have been prepared when we went. We were staying in the area at the Rabbit Run Inn. The owners recommended this place and since my husband and I are from Chicago and "ethnic eaters", we figured we would give it a try. It took a little longer than normal for a server to come take our order. No biggie. We ordered an appetizer plate and two entrees. Waited. Waited. Then suddenly had two entrees in front of us. No appetizer. Since my husband and I each used to work in the service industry... big petpeeve of ours. We mentioned it to the server. She kinda blew us off. Said the kitchen was swamped. That didn't really explain why it is our entrees came out and our appetizer didn't, but whatever. What bugged me was that was her reaction to our situation... and that was it. We finally had to ask to see a manager. He is the one who finally apologized for the mixup, got me another glass of wine on the house and brought out the appetizer plate a few minutes later, free of charge. Our entrees were delicious. Our appetizer plate mediocre. The babaganoush (sp?) was REALLY awful. The humus and falafel were ok... nothing remarkable. We were on vacation in the area which is why we went. I'll bet that if I lived in the area, I would give them one more shot. I think it's pretty silly for one server to turn you off a place forever.
(4)M.A. M.
I second the earlier reviewers comments about the Ispanek. There are no words to properly describe how amazing it is. Rich but light, sweet but not too sweet, and bursting with flavor. The chickpea patties are not the mushy falafel so often served in restaurants. They are crispy, crunchy and tender, all at the same time. The sauce is to die for. My dining companions (including my two kids) all enjoyed their food very much. And June is the perfect time to enjoy the lovely grounds and koi ponds. LOVE this place.
(5)Marion D.
A real gem in an unexpected place! The service is always warm and friendly. The food is very good and there are decent options for a vegetarian meal. You can sit inside or outside on the patio overlooking the colorful garden. Very pleasant and always on our list when we visit the lake.
(4)Molly E.
I ALWAYS get chicken dolma without the chicken. It is the best sauce in the whole worldddddd. If I could put TEN stars I would. I love their fattoush salad too! Rock on, Ibrahim!!!!
(5)Jason L.
This place is superb. The style of the place seems to be from the Southeast region of Turkey. The ingredients are almost all fresh, many of them locally sourced, and they take on a flavor that seems very earthy. For example, in other places, the tabouleh is often dressed with too much strong acidic vinegar which overpowers the vegetables and demotes them to nothing more than a crunchy element. However, at Café Gulistan, they put just the right amount of a lightly flavored dressing so that the delicate flavors of the greens and other veg really comes out. Other notes: The basmati rice is quite sweet while still retaining its grain identity. The hummus features the chickpea's actual flavor instead of the common strong smokiness or spiciness. The fatoush was exellent in that the eggplant was the star of the dish. The coffee is exactly what you would expect from Turkey: strong and bitter --- how it should be. The lamb shank special was incredible. It fell right off the bone and just shredded with every turn of the fork. This food is all about the ingredients. This is a rare gem in a region in which the Yelpers frequently rate fast food mega-chain restaurants five stars.
(4)carmen o.
Good service! Beautiful atmosphere! This is a great place to go if you feel like something different! I went for lunch, so the prices were much lower which was nice. This was my first time eating kurdish food so my husband and I split the sampler platter. I enjoyed everything on our plate.
(4)Andrea J.
Absolutely amazing food, and a breath of fresh air for a vegan visiting this otherwise non-veg friendly area. My husband had a lamb dish and I had the tava. Both were incredibly delicious. Our server was attentive, but not overly so, and had a hilarious attitude about life that made dinner fun. The atmosphere was inviting and the wine was cheap (and good!). We'll definitely be back.
(5)Christina M.
After an afternoon of lounging on the beach at Warren Dunes we decided to drive aimlessly along in hopes of stumbling on a restaurant. This place looked intriguing so we decided to pull a u-turn and give it a try. We were definitely not disappointed. In spite of our beach bum appearance we were greeted cordially and seated on the patio. A lovely garden separates the dining area from the small highway, improving the view immensely. We opened the menu to find that this was a Middle Eastern restaurant, but with specialties beyond the usual kebab and falafel. Our server suggested that we start off with the appetizer sampler plate, which we enjoyed with 2 glasses of a delicious Turkish red wine. The soft red wine complemented the delicately spiced hummus and tabbouleh perfectly, setting the stage for a great meal to come. And I can't forget to mention that the homemade pita is great! I wish I could recall the name of the dish I ordered - it was described as a "Kurdish wedding dish" and consisted of tender chunks of lamb with a thick tomato and green onion sauce, served on fragrant basmati rice. Again, the wine was the perfect accompaniment, and I was in heaven. My husband ordered one of the evening's specials, a quail dish that he enjoyed. The only sour note for him was the aioli which he said didn't go well with the quail and tasted of "deviled eggs." Oh well. Our server was attentive and gracious, and knowledgeable about the wine and food. It's very rare to stumble across such a gem, and rare that service, food, and atmosphere combine to make a restaurant experience so enjoyable. We will definitely be back - and hopefully dressed a little more appropriately next time!
(5)Chris S.
I had been told of a great Turkish restaurant in the vicinity of New Buffalo, Mich, and I had to go there the next time I was in the area. From the moment I walked in in the door, I and my party was welcomed and given nothing but attentive service that went beyond out expectations. A history of the restaurant and owner was offered after we asked a couple questions. Can't decide between the 2 soups of the day? No problem. We were brought a little bowl of both to help us with that decision. Our server seemed happy to have us there, as if we were company that had just dropped in. This warm feeling accompanied us throughout our meal. The food was great, and portions were huge. To-go containers were needed. This place is a great Turkish restaurant, right where I wouldn't expect one. I'll be returning, I'm sure.
(4)jamie k.
Well, after my last visit the stars almost slipped down to a ... 2. Yikes.... bad bad service. I would chalk it up to one person, who obviously had no real interest in the vibe of the place. After spilling a glass of white wine on my friend (which totally happens, and is an accident, believe me I understand) -her reaction was only a tad tad apologetic...after seemingly annoyed by my friend and her laps attraction to wine, she sopped some of it up, only to return 5 minutes later... No glass of wine in hand to replace the entire glass that was emptied, no nothing - most importantly - no true apology... and just strange...after waiting a good 15 minutes to pay our check as she swooned over the large group of obviously wealthy vacioners, I went inside to pay -- being 3 people, we all paid with 20's...yes, one extra..she came back and declared she could not break the extra 20. huh?! Sighhhh....I only minused one star, because I do love this place - the food is still amazing! But invest in better wait staff ... it's important.
(4)Ben S.
Some excellent vegetarian choices: The falafil platter was very good. The Ispanak was extremely tasty (almost like a curry). The pesto pasta was fantastic--a creamy delicious pesto with nutty richness. All the food was fresh and tasty, with well-balanced flavors and nice presentation. We are looking forward to our next visit!
(5)Kshitij N.
we were driving back from chicago to Detroit when we just found this place on the GPS. We were just expecting to have a quick meal before getting on our way again. But the ambience and the food was so good that we ended up spending a lot more time. The Ezme (similar to spicy salsa) was amazing. We also loved the mango cheescake. Next time I would also like to try the wine
(5)Paul L.
The only reason this place was docked a star was for our server, Ms. Woe-is-me, but that's the unimportant stuff. What is important is that this little cafe can be missed if you're not on the lookout for it. It's very cozy with summer people and locals alike, and the food is worth bragging about. We stuck with having a few appetizers so I can't comment on the entres. However, if they're anything like the appetizers with the fresh local veggies and tender meat, then they're amazing.
(4)Susan G.
This restaurant is run by very nice people and so I think that the reviews are a bit more charitable than they should be. Over a 3 year period we have eaten here probably 4 or 5 times. The food is okay, but nothing special. As you would expect the lamb dishes are probably the best items on the menu. The hummus is pretty good. However, I can't figure out why everything seems to be swimming in oil. I've been to other turkish/persian restaurants and have not seen this. We continue to come here with friends who are looking for something a little more different in Harbor Country. The prices are reasonable or quite honestly we wouldn't come here. Per person (including a glass of wine by the glass) is about $25.
(2)Oak Park D.
I've seen some complaints about bad service, but that wasn't our experience at all. We had a new waitress but she was very attentive and did everything well. The food was great! We had the falafil appetizer which was good; then for dinner I had the Ispanak and my companion (because what's a restaurant review without a dining companion?) had one of the specials - grilled scallops. Both dishes were excellent. The falafil in both the appetizer and the Ispanak had perfect texture, and the Ispanak had a wonderful sauce. Next time I'm in the area, I definitely want to go back.
(5)Tom K.
I wish they delivered to Chicago because they are way better than my local middle eastern restaurants! Had the Feta Salad, Combo appetizer, Izgara Lamb & all were great. Highly recommended. Supreme lamb & sweet atmosphere. Great staff.
(5)Jay W.
All the other 5 star reviews are for a reason: This place is excellent. I've had a lot of middle eastern food living in the Metro Detroit area all my life and working in Dearborn for a bit. Cafe Gulistan is the first Kurdish style I've had. The different seasoning is very welcome. The staff is courteous. They have an herb garden and must grow some of their own seasonings. I saw basil, thyme and rosemary from my table next to a floor to ceiling window overlooking the garden. My wife says the staff was helpful but not overbearing. You should go to here. My daughter says it is good. You should eat here every day.
(5)Dan G.
We've been talking about stopping at this place and finally did for dinner. We brought the folks with us and it was a big hit with everybody. We shared the app sampler to start with. The baba ganoush and hummus were solid. Sadly our mains dropped just as we were about halfway through with it. I recommended lamb to my FIL as that usually is reliable at Mediterranean places and I was right. The grilled lamb I had was perfectly done and they were good cuts too with no scrap. He enjoyed his ground beef and lamb as well. The ladies both had chicken platters and they were happy with it. We finished with a tiny portion of baklava that was decent. All said, we were happy although they had a few dropped balls.
(4)Ryan R.
This hidden "taste of Mediterranean" food is simply fantastic. We ate outside in their "garden" which was serene, with middle eastern music playing in the background. Had the Turkish chianti (awesome) and ate the falafel! They got the recipe down pat here, and the yogurt sauce...well let me just say the circus my tastebuds went to never stopped! Ate the left-overs the next day...and normally, I HATE left-overs! Kids had the chicken kabobs and the spices were delicious. We also had the vegetarian combo platter! Whoa, way too much food. Entries are more than enough to eat unless you are 4 adults! Bon appetite!
(5)Lisa G.
WE LOVE TURKISH FOOD!! Stopped here today in the late afternoon with a friend for a light bite. We each had a house salad and we split the Gülistan Appetizer and a bottle of wine (wine prices are very reasonable.) Our salad was delicious! Fresh, light and crisp!! The Gülistan Appetizer was AMAZING!! The lamb, grilled veggies and yogurt sauce were a wonderful combination!! The service was great! Very attentive and considerate ( he allowed us to sample the Turkish wine before we ordered.) I think we're going back tomorrow for dinner!! Hopefully, we can sit outside on the patio near the garden (tonight was a bit too cool!) Cheers!!
(5)Lizette Y.
What a gem! Harbert, Michigan is probably the last place you think you'd find a great Kurdish and Turkish cuisine, but this place is MONEY, BABY! The owners are so friendly and the food is out of this world. Truly authentic and flavorful. Interesting wine selection to mirror the unique menu. Service was prompt and lovely.
(5)Dean U.
Great Food! Relaxing atmosphere. The owner Ibrahim is as kind and caring as can be! Love Cafe Gulistan and look forward to eating there again soon. A must eat, in South Western Michigan.
(5)Bruce B.
While at my vacation home in Harbor Country, I have driven past Cafe Gullistan many times but never stopped in. Last night was it! Many of the dishes were completely "foreign" to me so went for a safe choice, which was probably a mistake. I chose the Falafel Platter and it was fantastic. The Falafels were obviously home made. The dish came with basmati rice along with a mixed vegetables aide. Both were fresh and appealing. Each vegetable in the medley still retained its distinctive flavor! The service was exceptional with the manager twice to make sure I was being cared for and the dish met my expectations. Will I return? You bet, only next time I will be more adventuresome!
(4)Gail R.
The food here was amazing! We had shitake mushroom appetizer which was outstanding! Also the garlic chicken is a must. This is a special place and well wortha visit.
(5)Ilene T.
Fabulous Turkish food with a Kurdish influence! We tried the top two vegetarian dishes on the menu, and we loved them both. My husband enjoyed the top Lamb dish, but the serving of vegetables accompanying it was sparse. Definitely need to try the shiitake mushrooms appetizer!
(5)Harpa H.
Amazing food! Went there for the first time today, and will definitely return often. Had a hard time deciding what to order because it all sounded delicious. Once the food arrived, we were both blown away by how good it was.
(5)Matt S.
I stayed right by the cafe on a recent trip. I looked up the menu and was surprised to find out it was Kurdish fare. I brought my wife and kids for dinner- after some initial skepticism by the kids, I ordered them a sampler platter appetizer. All of a sudden, they are raving about him much they like tabbouleh,filafil, hummus, etc. I had the Kevin special, it was great- and my wife had s curried whitefish. Very satisfied!
(5)Noah L.
Pretty dank. Really good hummus and not absurdly over priced like a lot of small town restaurants. I got a chicken dish I couldn't pronounce, I ate it for two meals and it was as good the second day as the first.
(4)Josh H.
Cafe Gulistan is by far my restaurant of choice (sadly I don't have opportunity to dine here often). The food.. The drinks.. The atmosphere.. The staff. All wonderful. I could attempt to describe it more in depth but my lowly words would detract from their quality. Writing this makes me really wish I could stop in right now.
(5)Shawn M.
Only came for a latte and baklava. Wonderful server. The boss came out to personally make a dairy free coconut milk latte. Everything was delightful. Next time I'm coming back for dinner too!
(5)Mary B.
Have been to Cafe Gulistan and have always enjoyed the unique food. Nice to sit outside in the summer time. Right off of Red Arrow Highway but don't recall ever noticing the traffic when eating out. You won't find burgers and steaks here so make sure you know what you're coming for. If you do, you won't be disappointed. Definitely worth a try if you're in the area. Hard to recommend a particular menu item because it really depends on your tastes. I've come to this area for years and only discovered it due to my nieces suggestion. Service and food were very good.
(4)Amy J.
This was the best discovery of a hidden gem restaurant that I've made in a long time. On reference from a complete stranger (I asked for his favorite restaurant in the area -- he's been vacationing here for 16 years) he thoughtfully responded "Cafe Gulistan." He described it as authentic Khurdish food, and told me the owners have been part of the community for a long time. My husband and I brought our teen daughter and her friend. Hubby got a lamb dish, I got a vegetarian (spinach with coconut curry) and shared with each other. Both dishes were exceptional! The girls ordered a shrimp kabob (lots of shrimp!) and a wonderful chicken garlic dish. They raved. We had started with the combo platter appetizer (hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, and tabbouleh) -- perfect with the warm pita points. We were so impressed with our meals that we ordered one of everything on the dessert menu (took a couple bites then brought them home). The baklava was especially incredible -- not a hard brick like many. I finished with the most wonderful latte I've ever had: I believe it was the Turkish latte, flavored with cinnamon, honey and cardamom. I give this little restaurant my highest recommendation. I'm still dreaming about that latte!
(5)Leah R.
Picked up a to-go order with a friend on an evening that I wasn't feeling well and not up to cooking. When we called in our order we were told it would be 40 minutes until it was ready. It was a Friday night during tourist season, so fairly understandable. I was very surprised that the total came to $43 for two appetizers and an entree. The two appetizers and entree were all much smaller than expected. The pita was stale, the shrimp had a faint metallic taste (which means they were going bad and shouldn't have been served). The falafel was fine, but nothing spectacular. As it was a to-go order so I can't really comment on service. Overall, I'd be willing to give this restaurant another try, I'll just be keeping away from the seafood.
(3)Daniel R.
Had a good dinner and enjoyed the food. Waitstaff very accommodating. I had a chicken dish and my girlfriend had beef kabobs. I'll go back
(3)