Open List Home >> Decatur, GA >> Restaurants & Food >> Restaurants >> Cafe Instanbul
For great food and live music come by our family dining bar and grill.
Join us for lunch or dinner for Kobe-style beef, sushi and much more.
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For four star Turkish, try Istanbul Cafe And Pizzeria in Decatur. This is a great place. It's known for its pizza. It's been awarded the Best of Mediterranean Food award. When you step inside the restaurant, you'll notice a romantic atmosphere. This restaurant is inexpensive. This place features catering. This place is handicap accessible and good for groups. People who have eaten here found the food fresh (i have visited the kitchen).
3.0 of 5 stars.
I've been to this place several times with a group of friends. The atmosphere is great and has a very authentic feel to it. I believe we ordered the mint berry hookah, and it was great. The food...
yelp.com - user review - 09/28/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
One of the most original and fun placesin Atlanta. My favorite placeis Chiken Kabab. It is pretty close to a typical Restaurant in Turkey.
yelp.com - user review - 07/30/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
cafe Istanbul is an Ok place. I love the atmosphere, the dancers and the drinks. I never tried to Hookah (i'm a non-smoker and haven't got the nerves). this seems to be a very popular place. When i...
yelp.com - user review - 07/30/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I've dined here twice & love the decor, sitting on pillows and the food. The borek is delicious, as is the zatar bread. The chicken choban is very yummy. My only complaint is that a child (not...
yelp.com - user review - 07/19/2009
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Different Experience. Great Atmosphere. The Food was only ok. The service....absolutely horrible. It makes no sense for a group of people who ordered food at the same time to receive their orders an...
yelp.com - user review - 07/12/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
As an after dinner lounge for drinks this place is perfect. I went for my first time this past Friday night for dinner and drinks with my boyfriend. The food was good. He loved it more so than I. He...
yelp.com - user review - 06/17/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
My friend's got the connections so we rarely wait very long in line, which can be a stretch on some nights.First off, parking sucks. The lot is tiny and I always worry my little head about either...
yelp.com - user review - 05/27/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I like this place. The food is pretty good and seems authentic (I've never been to Turkey, so who knows?). The place gets loud when the belly dancer comes out (every 15 minutes or so). You sit on the...
yelp.com - user review - 05/06/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I've been a fan of Cafe Istanbul since I first tried it. I always make reservations and haven't had an issue getting a great seat. Last night was no exception, 6 people at 8:00 PM and we were seated...
yelp.com - user review - 03/22/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
During my college career, I had the pleasure of stopping by this place a few times. I gotta say, the first time I ever went I couldn't even stay inside because the hookah smell was overwhelming. I...
yelp.com - user review - 03/17/2009
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Not very good. Not very authentic. If this is your idea of authentic "Middle Eastern", you've been watching too much Fox News.Parking wasn't an issue for me, but the general cleanliness of the...
yelp.com - user review - 03/17/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Definitely a fan of this place. Rather garish on the outside, but looks super legit on the inside. Looks a little like Turkish Disneyland with the painted walls and low lighting. Make a reservation...
yelp.com - user review - 03/11/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
While the service isn't top notch, and it can get very crowded very quick, I always enjoy my time at Cafe Istanbul. The guys (servers) are all very nice, the belly dancers always give a good show...
yelp.com - user review - 01/27/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Cafe Istanbul is quite alright... nothing amazing, but well worth a visit. The service was a bit slow but we didn't mind since we were drinking on Bass and Amstel Light while puffing on the Hookah....
yelp.com - user review - 01/26/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This place serves up some tasty kabobs. I love the atmosphere and the voluptuous belly dancers on set nights. Opt for floor seating, that's where all the action is on the weekends. It gets packed...
yelp.com - user review - 01/22/2009
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This place is terrible. I complained about the poor service and owner began violently yelling at me and my date. He told me not to come back and that he didn't need my business. This was because I was given...
citysearch.com - user review - 12/31/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I have never come here on a Friday or Saturday night, so I can't speak to the service or atmosphere during the busiest nights. However, I have had lunch and early dinners here on weeknights, and have...
yelp.com - user review - 12/30/2008
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We visited this place on December 11th. The restaurant was dimly lit, and a bunch of staff members were sitting about, chatting. The service was friendly, but distracted... too many friends hanging out. The...
citysearch.com - user review - 12/11/2008
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We had our food catered from Cafe Istanbul and it was phenomenal! We received large quantities and EVERYTHING was a favorite at our open house! I highly recommend them for any catering event. They provided...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/17/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
People are giving this place bad reviews for service, and I guess it can be on the slow side. Despite what other reviewers have said, I have never noticed any cleanliness issues. This restaurant is...
yelp.com - user review - 11/15/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Meh. The food was okay. It was more expensive than I expected it to be. The turkish wine is a ripoff. The glass was $7, and it was like 1/3 of a glass of wine. It cost me like $20 for my stuffed...
yelp.com - user review - 10/25/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I've had fun times at Cafe Istanbul. It's almost always busy on weekends, with big groups sitting on the floor and smoking hookah. I love the mix of Turkish, Indian, and Middle Eastern music, which...
yelp.com - user review - 10/15/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Really, people aren't lying about the horrible service. From the moment you walk in you just kind of stand awkwardly in the corridor wondering if you're supposed to seat yourself or if the host/ess...
yelp.com - user review - 07/27/2008
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If for nothing else you should go for the experience is the best thing I have to say about the Istanbul Cafe. The worse thing I have to say about it is - the parking - there just isn't enough of it. Other than...
citysearch.com - user review - 07/17/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I didn't take part in the main attraction for a lot of people, namely the hookah. Thus my experience was limited to the food and service, both of which were mediocre. I recommend the Mediterranean...
yelp.com - user review - 07/11/2008
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An Arabic or whatever ethnic restaurant trying to make name using a famous Turkish city.Staff is rude, food is bad and overpriced; and neither food nor owner and staff are Turk! Find a real Turkish restaurant!
citysearch.com - user review - 06/22/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Go for the experience! Go for the atmosphere! Go for the hookah! But do not go for the services or the food! Both mediocore!
yelp.com - user review - 06/16/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Service! and it's summer it's the owner of this place familiar with A/C???
yelp.com - user review - 06/16/2008
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This is one my favorite places to eat. The staff is always so friendly to me. I think the food is the closest you can get to authentic Turkish food. They offer all my favorite dishes and I think the atmosphere...
kudzu.com - user review - 06/14/2008
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It is not your typical Chili's or Appblebees you go to all the time. This Mediterranean place features a family style service where the 2 owners themselves will treat you like they have known you for years....
kudzu.com - user review - 06/12/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
We haven't been here in a while, since we moved south... But let me tell you how much we love this place!!!! The food is delicious, it's great fun with the belly dancers. They also have hookas with...
yelp.com - user review - 06/10/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
A great experience and a great value. I've been going there for almost 10 years, and have seen it through better and worse times, but it is always a pleasure to go back.
yelp.com - user review - 06/03/2008
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I believe the food is average at best, although it is ethnic and nothing I've ever had before. It is a fun place to go with your friends, however, to experience the hookah.
kudzu.com - user review - 05/20/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I love this place!!! really good food... and Hookah. definitely a place to go with a good group of people. it gets crazy on the weekends so call ahead or con a friend to get there early to get a...
yelp.com - user review - 05/18/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Went here with some friends on a Saturday night at around 8 and waited in a line. By 10 pm we are still in line but further back?? Everyone seems to know the waiter's brother or his brothers mothers...
yelp.com - user review - 05/17/2008
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I loved sitting on the ground with Arabic music playing the background. The walls, celling, and floors make you feel like you're in the middle east. The food was fine but the prices were way higher than I...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/16/2008
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Go here if you're looking for authentic cuisine and a unique cultural experience. There's a big dining room with low tables and seating pillows on the floor and along the wall, and also a room with regular...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/14/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
We had a great time here for a friend's birthday party. from the outside and surrounding neighborhood, you would never think that this little place would be so cool and the food was actually really...
yelp.com - user review - 04/24/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Cafe Istanbul is...one of a kind.Yes, there are other hookah restaurants in Atlanta. This one's different because it doesn't really attempt to be upscale. It's in a cruddy shopping area, with...
yelp.com - user review - 03/21/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I love this place and I was tempted to rate it much lower since its more recent popularity has made it increasingly difficult to get a table on Fri and Sat nights. The food is great, even though they...
yelp.com - user review - 03/03/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
Too bad I could not select a 0 for the rating or even minus -50 for the cleanliness. I cannot believe that we are talking about the same restaurant. I do have to admit the food was good and oh what an...
yelp.com - user review - 01/15/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
If you want a place to take some friends or family that is off the beaten path and a complete curve ball, then this is a good candidate. This place is definitely in a unlikely location and if you...
yelp.com - user review - 12/12/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I'm torn. Four? Five?I came on a sunday afternoon, listened to the strains of Bangra, had a glass of Efes, and had Tas Kabob. Brilliant way to spend an afternoon with a pal. No Hookahs for me; the...
yelp.com - user review - 11/05/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This restaurant has improved in the past year. There is much more space to relax instead of being cramped in or having to wait for a seat. People say they don't go to a Turkish restaurant for pizza...
yelp.com - user review - 10/25/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
The food was very good but thought it was kinda "icky" on the inside. I think my wife would rate it higher than me, and I am NOT usually one to complain about decoration, but the seats were falling...
yelp.com - user review - 10/17/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Disappointing. All the right signs are there. The menu looks good. There are hookahs, occasional belly dancers, and a good lunch deal. I guess the sitting-on-the-floor thing could go either way,...
yelp.com - user review - 09/22/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Where to begin?????Friends brought me to Cafe Istanbul shortly after moving to the Atlanta area. Although it is on the other side of town from my home, I am willing to make a 45 minute trek there for...
yelp.com - user review - 08/29/2007
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The service and food are great. When the resturant gets busy with patrons the wait staff becomes forgetful and distracted. A side of that oh so good yogurt took 20mins to get to me. The oh so tender meat was...
kudzu.com - user review - 07/28/2007
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I've been to cafe Istanbul once to celebrate a friend's birthday. I'd go again. I really liked it - for the food and the atmosphere. I remember meeting the owner because he was really friendly and he and some...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/11/2007
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Actually to comment back to the review from mr./mrs. jacksonviga, the owners are quite nice, i have never heard them yell at anyone or be rude to any of his customers, we have been going since they opened 10...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/31/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Hookah Bar!&Belly Dancers!What more can a person want from a guaranteed fun, exciting night! Caf Istanbul has been one of my favorite adventures in Atlanta since I discovered it back when I could...
yelp.com - user review - 05/24/2007
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I have been a regular customer at this restaurant for over two years, I can not imagine how a slug would turn up in ANY restuarants kitchen! Cafe Istanbul is one of the more popular restaurants in Atlanta and...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/16/2007
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That should be all I have bad to say about the restaurant, but it is not. First, I went there last night. My friend had heard it had gotten better and expanded. We made a reservation for 730 because I waited...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/05/2007
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I was surprised to read some of the poor reviews. What do you expect when a huge group goes to share one pizza and has two hookahs for the table. I am not sure that any other sit down restaurant would allow...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/04/2007
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If you are in the mood for a romantic dinner, or a great place to hang out w a group of your friends, this would be the place to go!!!!!! The Turkish Kebobs are delicious and their appetizers are awsome!!! You...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/03/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I've been wanting to go here for a while. I went on a Thursday night, so it wasn't as lively as on the weekend, but it still was everything I expected and more. We ordered the baklava, which...
yelp.com - user review - 03/22/2007
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Atmosphere ok, good crowd (mostly college students) but the parking was terrible, the food not of good quality, only beer and wine served, and the belly dancer while pretty was not all that good!! The service...
citysearch.com - user review - 02/23/2007
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This place gets worse and worse everytime i go! The food is horrible and the service is even worse, plus they just expanded the resturant but were still crammed in like sardins, your litterally on top of the...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/26/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Another typical Mediterranean restaurant? Hardly. In fact, I feel like I've left Georgia upon entering this Turkish paradise. Professional belly dancers dressed in long skirts and tiny beaded tops...
yelp.com - user review - 01/21/2007
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This was my first time to a turkish restaurant and it was okay. The place was much smaller than I thought it would be, but we were seated fast (make prior arrangements) and our server came to help pretty soon...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/17/2007
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I love this place, It was my first time going here on one of my breaks at school and me and my friends wanted to experiance something new so we came here. At first we were a little weirded out but then we...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/27/2006
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There are Kurdish cultured people from Turky, they are born and raised Turkish, just because your heritage is Kurdish does not make a born and raised citizen of Turkey any different. I am a regular customer of...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/12/2006
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The Kurdish owners capitalize on Turkish name and heritage. Food is mediocre and overpriced. The place caters to pothead college kids during the day with hookah pipe service.
citysearch.com - user review - 11/05/2006
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Istanbul Cafe is an exciting dining experience. The food is wonderful. We always start with the appetizer sampler with hummus, tabouli and bean salad. The pizzas and kebabs are always good. But, it's the...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/27/2006
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The inside decoration is very nice, but it is too dark that we could not see the menu easily. The food was a bit dissapointment. Our waiter forgot my order, so when all of my friends almost finished their...
kudzu.com - user review - 09/11/2006
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I went with my partner on a busy sunday night and unfortunately we could not get one of the pillow seats since we hadnt reserved earlier and the seats were all booked. so that's your first cue. the music was a...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/04/2006
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My husband took me here on a Saturday night to see the belly dancing. I have to say I was disappointed. The food was OK. Neither one of us really liked our entree that much. The hummus and pitas were good...
kudzu.com - user review - 08/24/2006
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SURPRISE!!!! Cafe Istanbul serves one of the best pizzas in town. They only have a few selections of pizzas but they are one of the best you will have, I highly recommend everyone to go and try the pizzas,...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/16/2006
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Great appetizers. Mediocre entrees with marginal (or no) flavor. Stay away from the homemade pasta. The lamb that supposedly is used in the dish is non-existent, and the dish is devoid of any flavor...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/16/2006
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Citysearch, maybe move this out of the Pizza category. Unless I am wrong, this is not a pizza place.
citysearch.com - user review - 08/03/2006
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I invited my family to Cafe Istanbul for Mother's day after I found it to be the best mediterranean restaurant on city search. Even though it's a definite value restaurant, the ambience was not cut out for...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/24/2006
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This is one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta! If you go, definintely choose to sit on the floor. The pillowed room is adorned with billowing silks on the ceiling and walls, and holds the seductive scent...
kudzu.com - user review - 05/09/2006
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When I eat here I feel I am home. The owners are nice, the food is good, and the ambience is unbeatable.
citysearch.com - user review - 04/24/2006
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To be honest I was pretty surprised. This is the truest Turkish restaurant that made its statement to me. They serve Efes beer which was great.It reminds me of well made Bavarian styled pilsener, but Efes is...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/24/2006
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Every Atlantan should go here. It looks like a dump from the outside, but once you step inside you feel like you're in Turkey. Get reservations for the pillow room and plan on staying several hours. The food...
kudzu.com - user review - 03/17/2006
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The food is great and ofcourse you cant beat the belly dancing. The food is awesome too, but it is really expensive. People usually go to Istanbul cafe to hangout, watch some belly dancing and have some...
kudzu.com - user review - 03/08/2006
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Cafe Istanbul, after one visit, became my favorite restaurant to take friends and visitors. Mustafa and Kemal, the owners, are high energy, fun and serious proprietors who know and enjoy their food! For...
kudzu.com - user review - 03/07/2006
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Does not look like much from the outside but once inside you feel like you're in Turkey. Sit on the floor on the right side of the restaurant and enjoy the show!
kudzu.com - user review - 03/04/2006
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This is not a typical restaurant. I have never been to any restaurant where I feel I am being served in a house atmosphere. The owners and staff are Turkish and Kurdish and they welcome you into their house....
citysearch.com - user review - 01/29/2006
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Beware: this estabilishment does not respect it's customers. A 9:00 reservation turned into a 9:45 struggle for a table that had been promised to 2 parties, that I know of. Just before our food came out, the...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/28/2006
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This place is really horrible. The food is really really, bad. For those people who think this is Turkish food, please do not consider it so. This place give a bad name to Turkey, to its beautifull culture and...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/15/2006
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Very enjoyable experience. Fun place for a group. Don't go here hoping for a quiet date.
kudzu.com - user review - 01/05/2006
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A smallish restaurant with exotic and excellent Turkish food. Everything we tried was delicious. Enjoy the Turkish coffee and deserts. A belly dancer topped off the evening. Great place, lots of fun!
kudzu.com - user review - 12/26/2005
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All I can say is you won't be disappointed.
kudzu.com - user review - 12/12/2005
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This taste of Turkey (no pun intended) is tucked into an old strip shopping center off Lawrenceville Hwy. This interior has been transformed, and I just wasn't sure that I wasn't in Jeanne's bottle! The food...
kudzu.com - user review - 12/12/2005
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The one restaurant I've been to more number times than any other - Great food and very very friendly service (they treat you like royalty). They also play very good music and you'll always see customers...
kudzu.com - user review - 12/02/2005
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this place first of all has an old school look to it and serves some very good food. it has a lot of turkish influences and they have combined it with usual pizza here.they have quite a variety and some very...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/31/2005
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You are in for a completely different dining experience if you end up in Cafe Istanbul. The ambience has a medival air with the floor seating arrangement and nice interiors. Thid coupled with flavored...
judysbook.com - user review - 08/17/2005
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The food is fresh, perfectly spiced, and savory...and extremely affordable. Their lamb is incredible! While the staff is rather slow, you don't really care unless you trying to rush through your meal. Make...
citysearch.com - user review - 07/28/2005
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Don't be fooled by its outside appearance. Though it looks a bit sketchy from the outside, Istanbul Cafe serves great meals in an all-inclusive environment that anyone, no matter their level of familiarity...
citysearch.com - user review - 07/06/2005
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Fun atmosphere and great mood lighting. Get a feel of old-world Turkey in this authentic dining experience. Complete with dining on the ground on ornate pillow and walls lined with hookah pipes. The food is...
citysearch.com - user review - 05/05/2005
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As an armchair gourmet and world traveller, I can highly recommed Cafe Istanbul for an authentic, family-style neighborhood dining experience. Once you walk inside the restaurant doors, the outside world...
citysearch.com - user review - 07/28/2004
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This place is my favorite. The ambience is amazing, you MUST sit in the pillow room, it completes the experience. Mostafa is the best waiter, talk to him once and he remembers you every time. You'll feel like...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/05/2004
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This has been one of my favorite restaurants ever since a friend introduced me to it a few years ago. I love the middle eastern decor, and the food is delicious. The food, atmosphere, and music delight the...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/01/2003
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I love this restaurant. I would live there if they'd let me. The food, people and ambience are incredible!! You'd be surprised to know that this place has the best PIZZA in town and it has a lot of yummy...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/26/2002
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This place is awesome. Here, I've had one of the best lamb based entree ever. This place adds a good cultural flavor by its decorations, belley dancers etc. The owner has a great potential to succeed more. I...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/04/2002
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Love this restaurant!! Whether I am dining here alone or with friends I know that I'm in for a treat. The food is wonderful and staff is extra friendly. The "pillow room" is great especially after you finish...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/14/2002
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Wonderful ambience, delicious food and very attentive and gracious host!
citysearch.com - user review - 06/12/2002
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enjoy authentic middle eastern cuisine...
cityguide.aol.com - user review
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