M Imran

Istanbul cafe is must visit for lovers of Turkish food. The flavors were spot on, the portions generous, and the experience overall delightful. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their menu.

+1

Dan Mazz

This was our first time at the restaurant and we were seated right away and had a warm welcome from our waitress. She made some excellent recommendations for us as this was our first time there we ordered those recommendations and everything was fantastic. Everyone that worked, there was kind, polite, considerate, and even offered us a small little treat at the end possibly because it was our first time there. We will definitely be coming back when we’re in the area! Even my kids enjoyed the meal who can be picky eaters.

Ashley Lam

There is an amazing bakery on the side of this restaurant - both the restaurant and the bakery are amazing. The staff is really nice and helps out with suggesting different dishes. I’ve tried so many Turkish desserts for the first time and they have become my favorites. I wasn’t too familiar with Turkish food before coming but my family have become regulars and we’ve tried the whole menu but keep coming back. The bread is so fresh and tastes so good with the appetizer platter. The shrimp is some of the best in the area! I always get the manti- a beef dumpling in a yogurt mint sauce. Highly recommend!

+1

Stefany S

The desserts are absolutely delicious! Every bite is full of flavor and made with love. You can truly taste the care and talent in each treat. 100% recommended!

Leo Dior

The best part of our vacation was stopping by here every night for a sweet treat. Big thanks to our Azerbaijani brother who took great care of us each time. Best Turkish flavors in the area!

Muhammad Rana

Food exceeded expectations in taste combined with Good service. Authentic Turkish tea. Dubai Chocolate. Great Baklava. Food was fresh. Gyro is a must item to try during your visit. I did not have reservations and was accommodated. I would definitely be going back whenever I get a chance.

Mustafa Đerahović

Istanbul Cafe is hands down one of the best places to experience authentic Turkish cuisine! From the moment you walk in, the warm and inviting atmosphere transports you straight to Turkey. The decor is a delightful blend of traditional Turkish elements, and the friendly staff make you feel right at home. Now, let’s talk about the food—absolutely phenomenal! The menu is extensive and packed with authentic Turkish dishes that cater to all tastes. We started with the meze platter, which was a perfect introduction to the flavors of Turkey. The hummus was creamy, the baba ganoush had a smoky richness, and the stuffed grape leaves were perfectly seasoned. The freshly baked bread served alongside was soft and fluffy, with just the right amount of crisp on the outside. For the main course, we tried the mixed grill platter, which was a highlight of our visit. The lamb chops were tender and flavorful, the chicken shish was juicy and perfectly spiced, and the kofta was a melt-in-your-mouth delight. Each bite showcased the chef’s expertise in blending spices and grilling techniques. The accompanying rice and salad were fresh and complemented the meats beautifully. We also couldn’t resist trying the pide, often referred to as Turkish pizza. The combination of gooey cheese, fresh vegetables, and perfectly baked dough was irresistible. For seafood lovers, the grilled fish was fresh, flaky, and cooked to perfection. To round off the meal, we indulged in their traditional Turkish desserts. The baklava was layered with just the right amount of sweetness, and the kunefe was a masterpiece—crispy on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside, and topped with a generous drizzle of syrup. The Turkish tea and coffee were the perfect way to end the meal, offering a rich and authentic taste of Turkish culture. The service was impeccable throughout—attentive, friendly, and accommodating. Istanbul Cafe is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience. Whether you’re familiar with Turkish cuisine or trying it for the first time, this place will leave you impressed. We can’t wait to return and try more dishes from their amazing menu. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy exceptional food, a cozy ambiance, and genuine Turkish hospitality!

Yimin Zhu

One of my favorite restaurants near Stony Brook! Must-try: lamb shank, a piece of cake (I forgot the name but I uploaded its picture, it has brown wave-like pattern on it) Recommendation: I found this gem restaurant a few years back. The lamb shank is a must-try, but it's a limited option and can sell out, so you'll need a bit of luck. One or two years back, the lamb shank started becoming too salty, but you can request a less salty version, and it's seasoned perfectly. They have a huge dessert counter after the renovation, offering a wide variety of options. I haven’t tried them all yet. I am updating my review after my recent visit on 06/26/24. It’s still a solid 5/5! And I discovered a delightful dessert this time around. When we arrived at the restaurant, it was pretty late, around 9 PM. I asked for the lamb shank and the first dish from the yogurt section, but unfortunately, both were sold out (which just means I made the right picks—LOL). We tried two other dishes, and they were good, but what really surprised me was the dessert. I can’t recall the name, but it is a cake with brown wave-like pattern on the top and tastes like it has been soaked in milk. The moist texture and perfectly balanced sweetness with the rich milk flavor make it a must-try. Please don’t miss it! We also ordered the Turkish tea and coffee. The cup is cute while the portion is tiny. Parking: Plenty of space in the front of the restaurant. Disadvantage: They do not provide tap water and you need to pay for bottled water.

+2

Denis Mantsurov

I highly recommend Istanbul Cafe to anyone craving authentic Turkish cuisine served with excellence! We tried fried liver, lamb shish, and lamb adana kabobs and they were amazing. The variety of delicious desserts they offer is impressive, catering to every sweet tooth. Absolutely delightful experience! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

+2

I recently dined at Istanbul Cafe Selden and enjoyed myself, had an average overall experience.I have been going to this place for almost 2 years. The taste is satisfying, and everything is well-prepared. While it wasn't the absolute best I've had, it still offers a pleasant dining experience with flavors that hit the mark. The desserts were not as expected, I found the pricing to be inconsistent and somewhat arbitrary, leaving me less than impressed with the overall value for the money

Emily Natasha

Lentil soup is great but the women have a horrible attitude. Went with my Turkish boyfriend and they were talking about why we asked so many questions about the bakery items in Turkish. we keep coming back every 3/4 days but will no longer since the attitude is so bad makes you feel stupid spending money here

ruff xm

We decided to try this place and do what we normally do with a new restaurant - try the basics first. For review purposes and to inform people...I wouldn't call it a true restaurant - it basically has a simplistic, no frills, bench-style seating area (like a pizzeria) with wait-service, so we decided to take-out. The place was clean and the showcase (mostly desserts) was very appetizing. We were very impressed (at this point) and were looking forward to the meal. We ordered two Falafel sandwiches and a chicken gyro. The Falafel was ok, but we wish the vegetables were shredded or sliced thin - the lettuce was large wavy leaves and the tomatoes were thick. It makes it difficult to eat as the large pieces get pulled out or fall out as you bite and you don't get all of the ingredients with each bite. While falafel generally has a bland flavor, it is typically enhanced by a yogurt sauce, which was included on the side. Also common is to offer a spicy chili pepper sauce. Other places usually ask you for this but they didn't here, so I asked if they had it. They did have it and charged me for it which is kind of petty - but that aside it tasted like nothing more than Franks Hot Sauce. I'd have no issue paying for an authentic, unique tasting sauce but this tasted like the vinegar-based bottled sauce that it was. I am also used to falafel sandwiches having cucumbers and onions - this one didn't. The chicken gryro was actually pulled chicken meat - but it was dry, tough, not very flavorful and seemed like it was laying around. The outer wrap was also stale - not soft and pliable like a fresh wrap. Overall, we were underwhelmed. We were so looking forward to it being good. I also noticed that there seemed to be a lot of friends of the staff just hanging out in the area where you order. That can be off-putting and unwelcoming for customers - it makes you feel like you're interrupting their socializing. We will usually give a place a second try, although this has been in operation for a few years and there wasn't much of an excuse for not hitting the mark. I must admit I may stop by to try their Baklava, as I am a big fan of it and some of the reviews claim theirs is very good. Since we were trying the place for the first time, we just stuck with the basics. Maybe they specialize in more authentic dishes and what we ordered was offered as a convenience to non-Turkish palates? Unfortunately, we weren't that impressed.

I had one of the most disappointing dining experiences I’ve ever encountered. The restaurant staff was extremely rude, especially the older lady with glasses. There were **no greetings, no thank you**, nothing resembling basic customer service. While we were still eating, she actually **pushed take-out boxes toward us**, as if rushing us out the door. To make matters worse, the **bill was never provided**. Instead, she came to the table and bluntly asked whether we were paying with cash or card. After we paid, **no change was returned**, and we sat waiting about **five minutes** for a receipt that never came. When we finally asked, she claimed she “couldn’t find” the receipt. How are customers supposed to know what they were charged for? They essentially **assumed the tip without showing us any detailed receipt**, which is completely unacceptable and unprofessional. I will not be returning, and I can’t recommend this place to anyone.

Selin Spells

I was eating and the longest piece of hair was in my durum sandwich, my waitress was really nice obviously it wasn’t her fault. But the prep and line cooks have long hair and clearly don’t wear a hair net and I’ve been traumatized. Can’t eat Turkish cuisine close by my house anymore.

Resul Ucar

The chicken was RAW!! We got a mixed grill and sucuk pide. There was chicken shish that was not cooked in the inside. It’s hard to see in the picture but it was cold in the inside. The waiter took it like he knew about the problem before he came over. They only offered to cook it more. No refund on the mixed grill. We were disgusted and couldn’t eat anymore. Update: The owner is just plain wrong here. Chicken should always be well done. It was cold in the inside and raw. I’m not ordering steak where I should be telling you the doneness. Your response just shows how much you don’t care. And on top of that, we didn’t finish our meal. We ate 2-3 pieces of red meat and then after we tried the chicken I asked for the check and left. $90 for a raw meal is disgusting.

Syed Zohair

Horrible place at least for delivery orders. Spent $55 on 5 items. One was missing completely. 3 chicken gyros were supposed to be wraps but they were just pieces of chicken without bread or vegetables. We had to throw away the entire order and get wendys. Serves me right for trying this place.