I had the lentil soup, cabbage with chicken over rice, pine forest pudding dessert and Turkish coffee. The lentil soup was fairly standard and very nice. The cabbage with chicken was a lunch special. It was light and tasty, not overly filling. The pine forest pudding was more like a corn flour custard flavored with mastic (a type of pine resin also sometimes used as a natural chewing gum). This was the clear winner of the meal for me; it was quite interesting. The Turkish coffee was lovely with fragrant ground cardamom seeds and the familiar sludge of fine milled coffee and cardamom sloshing around the bottom of the cup. Delicious. read more

A small cafe-style restaurant hidden in the back of a shopping center north of North Campus, this place is a little gem. Ayse (pronounced eye-sheh), the proprietor, is almost always out front greeting guests with a friendly smile. She rotates the menu regularly, with around six daily entrees from a selection of thirty or more. Most are Turkish dishes or at least heavily influenced by that cuisine. If you order an entree, it includes a salad and yummy pita bread. Or you can order a la carte from the display cooler -- most items in there are vegetarian or vegan. I strongly recommend the (red) lentil soup: its flavors are subtle but wonderful. Any of the lamb dishes are very good. The desert selection is also first-quality, and with a reasonable variety. The only downside is that their hours are limited: they're open from 11-2 and (I think) 5-8 on Mon-Thu, and close earlier on Friday. I think they're open all afternoon on Saturday, but I can't say for sure. read more

I have been here twice. Both times, same experience. I really dig the interior, there are two sections and I prefer the side by the counter. Both times I have been here have been late and the place has been mostly empty. It's got really good vibes. However, the food, while good, is only so-so good. It's rather bland, to be honest. This seems like the kind of place you come when A) you have the money to blow and B) you really just want some coffee, tea and snacks. The place is really charming and I've stayed for over an hour just sipping Turkish tea. It's a good place for a lunch, but as a place to get dinner, not so much in my opinion. But still a place I think everyone should stop by, I'll certainly be back. read more

Ayse's Turkish Cafe - Turkish Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

This place was quite disappointing for me. I used to live in a mostly Turkish neighborhood in Germany, where I shared an apartment with two Turks whose girlfriends/angels from heaven often came over and cooked delicious traditional Turkish meals, so I do have some background knowledge of Turkish cuisine. Ayse's didn't really taste particularly Turkish to me - in fact, it didn't really taste like anything at all. The menu at Ayse's changes daily depending on what fresh ingredients they're able to stock, so I was excited to find out what my options were. I ended up trying a dish with lamb on the bone and braised beef with peas and potatoes, and my girlfriend ordered an eggplant dish of some sort. We also shared some spinach börek and a couple bottles of Uludağ soda. We both found everything but the Uludağ to be very bland. The lamb and beef just tasted like they had been stewed with very little seasoning or spices to speak of, and the peas and potatoes were basically raw. The börek was very dry and tasted like it had been sitting out for a while, which was especially disappointing as börek is one of my favorite foods and is also very easy to make - I'm guessing we were served a piece of börek that had been made early that morning, even though it was around 7 PM by the time we came to eat. Nothing we had was truly bad, I suppose, but it wasn't very good either. This would've been fine if the prices weren't so ridiculously high. Our meal ended up costing over $50. The location itself is also pretty drab - Ayse's is located at the back of a small shopping plaza in what was clearly intended to be a commercial space. Nothing about our dining experience justified the high price tag. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there are any authentic Turkish restaurants in southeast Michigan, and although Ayse's appears to have a devoted clientele, I can't say that I'm likely to come back. read more

Food is still pretty good, even after all this time has passed. I don't like the fact that she uses the microwave to heat the food up. It is so loud and apparent and kind of makes the whole experience a little less charming. Prices are still about the same, but I have noticed that portions have definitely gotten smaller. Probably just 1-2% smaller in size. The wait staff is completely different now than the last time I was here over a year ago, and they are all pretty young. Some are more efficient than others, but they do a decent job. On a Friday night, this place was packed, so that was a great thing. I like that it still feels pretty cozy, and that the food is reflective of that. Stick with their lamb dishes if you are a meat eater. Her vegetarian entree options are not as good. Also, get the bird's nest dessert if you're a fan of baklava, and they have a pine-scented rice pudding that is REALLY GOOD. read more

Everything, I had was delicious, homemade, and was quite different than anything, I have eaten before. We decided to order to lunch entrees their spicy ground lamb in an eggplant puree and their Cornish game hen. I also had to try the Turkish pomegranate soda, which was absolutely wonderful. Soup or salad also comes with the entrée we tried the cold cucumber soup and the lentil soup. The cucumber soup is very similar to Tzatziki sauce you get with Gyros, the lentil soup was nice had tomato and rice in addition to the lentils, very flavorful. The spicy ground lamb and hen were served with rice pilaf which has a golden color. This dish was unlike anything, I have ever tried and it was wonderful, would definitely order again. The game hen reminded us of a Chinese style chicken. The hen was cooked with plum sauce and had a bit of a sweet flavor. The meat was fall of the bone tender. The service was outstanding, very knowledgeable and friendly. The only reason why, I took a point off is they do not offer all of the menu items listed online. When you walk in only a portion of the menu items are offered, the menu items are written above the register and change daily. So the problem is unless you call ahead you really do not know what they are exactly offering form day to day, other than that an outstanding experience. read more

The service is warm and friendly but the food was so terrible that I can't give it more than two stars. We ordered a pepper stuffed with ground lamb and a braised lamb with eggplant sauce. The food was very bland, salty, sloppy/wet, and honestly overpriced. read more

What an amazing experience! Ayse's Cafe has amazing food and an excellent atmosphere. I had a lamb dish with an apricot sauce that included whole almonds and pomegranate seeds. The red lentil soup as a highlight of the meal. The variety of the menu was nice and everyone was able to order something different. I also recommend trying a Turkish drink with the meal. Like a previous reviewer I too found the baklava delightful. I can't wait to go back again! read more

We just had a lovely lunch for a very reasonable price. We ordered a variety of dishes, and everything was fresh and tasty. The yam borek is something I'd definitely like to have again, and the lima bean and artichoke heart dish was delicious. We finished with some very yummy desserts (the bird's nest, which is similar to baklava, and a carrot walnut bar). The staff were knowledgeable about ingredients, which was helpful for those of us with restrictions. read more

This place is amazing. My daughters went crazy for it. Everything is home made and delicious.

Amount of food served was ridiculously small and ridculously expensive...Located at the back of a small shopping center. We come back home and ate again. Stars for cleanliness... read more

Amazingly delicious place! The salmon with crushed almond topping and red lentil soup were fresh and perfectly seasoned. I topped off the meal with a special treat of Noah's Arc Pudding and Turkish coffee. Everyone was very friendly and the restaurant is a cozy respite. I look forward to my next visit to Ann Arbor just so I can enjoy another special meal here! read more

This was my first time trying Turkish food. But I spent $15 and got 3 meat (lamb) balls with some mashed potatoes over it and soup or salad. The taste wasn't bad (3 star), but it's so small it's definitely not worth $15. Lentil soup was also meh; kind of bland. 2 stars. read more

The food is home cooked and very tasty and the service is warm and personal. My husband and grandkids have numerous food restrictions including gluten and dairy and Ayse is always ready with multiple options, oftentimes including dessert. This is not a one-off occurrence but a 20 year pattern since we've started frequenting this restaurant, without ever encountering a problem with regards to the dietary restrictions. Absolutely remarkable and greatly appreciated! read more

One of my very favorite restaurants. Interesting and healthy food. Reasonable prices. Quiet casual atmosphere. The lentil soup and lamb dishes are especially good. Also a very good place for people on a gluten free diet. There are always a few different GF choices and the owner knows about GF diet. Seems like there are always vegetarian choices too. I've been there many times over the last several years and never once had any issues with service. It isn't a fast food joint - but never seemed any slower then the typical sit down restaurant. Ayse and the staff are always very kind. How to find it: It's in the a shopping center on Plymouth (near the big curves in the road just west of UM North Campus. The shopping center is Courtyard something (maybe Courtyard Shops?) You can see a Wendy's and Subway from the road. Ayse's is on the other side of the building. You can drive around the back or park in front and follow the walkway next to the Subway. read more

Outstanding food and service. We have been a couple times and have had a great experience (we have only been on the weekends). The menu is displayed on a chalkboard above the counter when you walk in. You order your food and sit down, and everything is brought out to you. On weekends, they bring around a display of appetizers (like a dessert cart) and you can select if you like. The red lentil soup is excellent. I had the vegetarian plate tonight, which was lima beans cooked with carrots and served with a pilaf of sorts and it was easily the best meal I'd had in weeks. Great stuff. read more

This is definitely a hidden restaurant in North Campus. It is worth finding though. The restaurant itself was cozy and the staff was very friendly. I wasn't familiar with Turkish food, but I enjoyed it. It tasted fresh and homemade. It's slightly pricey, and would be a good meal to share with someone especially if just giving it a try. read more

I had a lentil soup and half chicken (can't remember what it's called exactly) and they were amazing. The decoration was lovely and neat. I'd love to go back but since I was from out of town, I will have to wait until the next visit to Ann Arbor. read more

Ayse's Turkish Cafe - Lentil soup, Ayse's Turkish Cafe - Turkish Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

First stop at Ayse's while visiting my son on North Campus. Very good hot tea, great chicken vermicelli soup, and awesome Turkish meatloaf over rice. Then, some desert to go! I will be back! read more

The lamb shank is amazing and the staff is warm and friendly. The turnip-shaped Turkish tea seems authentic enough, and they also have some exotic pop can beverage. But the menu changes everyday, so you gotta be prepared for that as well. read more

I grew up eating good Turkish food. I also KNOW how to cook all kinds of food from different countries and from scratch, so my foods look fresh and certainly taste fresh. That wasn't the case with what we ate here. 1. I don't understand a 1"x1" piece of baklava, cold! so you can't taste it's rich flavor (and $$$ for its size) 2. I'm sure the pilaf was made with Minute rice...that's just not right 3. The red lentil soup tasted like bean soup; watery 4. The spinach burek tasted funny, like old oil or something...I tried to ignore it. 5. I was aghast how $$$ the food was for what you got. I hate the usual huge amounts of food that is served in restaurants, but for what we got at Ayse's and the cost...?? There were other mehs but I'm stopping here. I had been to Ayse's a few years ago and obviously didn't remember what it was like. It can be assumed I won't be returning. read more

A charming cafe with amazing food! Ayse is a charming hostess who's glad to discuss her food and make suggestions. I also appreciated that she treated her staff with the same courtesy as her guests. I had the lamb stuffed peppers, which I'd totally recommend. The lentil soup is great as well. read more

I went to Ayse's for lunch with my mother. She had the spinach lamb stew and I had the stuffed baby eggplant. Both entrees were delicious. For the side dish, my mother chose the side salad, which was not your typical iceburg and ranch dressing. It was a delicious salad complete with pomegranate seeds. I had the cold yogurt and cucumber soup, which will be a hit with any fan of tzatziki. The service was great. the atmosphere isn't particularly romantic, but it definitely suffices for a mother-daughter lunch or a dinner amongst friends. I've had better pita bread, but the rest of the meal more than made up for that. I'll definitely be coming back. Loved it. read more

We went for dinner, which started with meze of roasted vegetables with pita and delicious vegetable soup. For entrees we tried the lamb dumplings - hand-made, tiny little packages of flavor with a savory yogurt and mint topping and also lamb cooked in a small clay pot with sides of bulgar and green beans. Everything was so fresh and flavorful, it was really a delightful meal. Highly recommended! read more

Ayse's serves tasty and healthy home cooking that can't be beat. This is not typical Turkish restaurant food, but what people cook at home, including great deserts. The restaurant is not in a scenic location, but is very clean and comfortable, and with great friendly service. read more

Tasty, fresh food, and a good choice of vegetarian dishes. We enjoyed eating here a lot!

Great home style feel. I'm not familiar with Turkish food, but what I had there was excellent. Cornish hen, tea, some nutty sticky cookie. My co worker knows the family there, so the service was ok, but I could see Mae S's point; if there was a big pickup order (feeding the visting Turkish Yagli Gures team, for instance) they would be paralized... read more

Been coming here for years. Comfort food that is always fresh and healthy. Great service and location. It isn't often you can park close to the front door of a great restaurant in Ann Arbor! Hubby says it is a tad overpriced for lunch. read more

As always, we were treated to dishes with flavors that didn't disappoint. Always fresh. Friendly, helpful staff. A gem.

Excellent Turkish food. One of the most popular locations for lunch near North Campus. Great service. Now has wine and beer for dinner. Ayse's home cooking can't be beat. read more

The food isn't bad per se, but nothing too special, and the tiny portions are certainly not worth the price. If you feel compelled to give Ayse's a chance, the red lentil soup is decent, and the creamy eggplant salad (similar to baba ghanoush) has a nice smoky flavor. Noah's pudding (mix of rice, figs, walnuts, pomegranate seeds, etc) is a more unique dessert and pretty tasty. The entrees seem to change from day to day, so you'll have to check the menu board when you get there. Maybe my initial expectations were too high given some glowing reviews I had read, but each time I've left this place feeling rather disappointed, so I don't think I'll be going back. read more

For balance: why I WILL NOT be coming back to Ayse's: we waited over half an hour just for some soup. The staff were all busy with a large pick-up order and clearly didn't think we were worth bothering about. It's been a while, since I WILL NOT be coming back. No food is good enough to justify being disrespected. read more

This is a perfectly delicious, tasty and delightful place for simple lunch and suppers. Yummy food, good service.

We drove 45 minutes to find out there closing for the summer without updating there site bad business specially we been looking for a Turkish food for a long time. read more

I have been here a few times as a treat from riding my bike from Plymouth, MI. This is a gem hidden away behind some stores. Hunt for it. You will be treated with the utmost care and eat delightful dishes of fresh made food. Save room for desert. John read more

My mom and I went to lunch at Ayse's this week and had an excellent time. The cucumber yogurt soup was exquisite, so fresh and flavorful, and the cornish hen with fruit sauce and rice melted perfectly together. Definitely can't get these results in my home kitchen. The staff were warm and friendly, and the cleanliness of everything (including the restroom) was impressive. Our bill for two meals including 20% tip was $35, which was a fair price for the freshness and quality of the food, and the overall ambience and experience. read more

I have no idea why this isn't a "recommended review." I'm a genuine long-time fan of Ayse's; my family has been eating at Ayse's since we moved here nine years ago, and we count it as one of Ann Arbor's hidden gems. We love the warm, family atmosphere, the spotless, comfortable surroundings, the friendly and attentive service--and most of all, of course, the splendid food! We're picky about food--we travel internationally a great deal and moved here from Silicon Valley. The lamb and Cornish hen dishes at Ayse's are always, without exception, delicious and beautiful. Our son loves the Turkish sodas (no corn syrup, good flavor!), and the yogurt-cucumber soup is *so* good. The decor is warm and informal--it's nice to have a place where you can be relaxed and spend as much or as little time as you like. When we've come in and said we were in a hurry because we needed to get to a movie or performance, the staff has always helped us get out in time, and when we want to relax and chat, no one makes us feel we should leave. Honestly, I can't imagine Ann Arbor without Ayse's! We have relied on the restaurant for small catered events a couple times (the spinach borek and lentil rolls were great hits) and everyone raved about the food. And now, there's a terrific indie bookstore twenty steps away, so you can have a great dinner and then browse for books. What a wonderful evening... read more

My first time here, shared a lamb shank, cauliflower stew and lentil soup, topped with Noah's pudding and Turkish coffee. Everything is exceptional, a perfect dinner for two. read more

If I didn't know better, my experience here would tell me that Turkish food is largely comprised of canned, overcooked, microwaved fare. I'd been anxious to check this place out after write ups on annarbor.com and the Ann Arbor Observer (and lots of positive Yelps), but I found no redeeming value in my dining. We waited about 15 minutes for our coffee and tea. We waited nearly 30 minutes just to place our food order. We were there about an hour, total. I should note there were only two other seated tables in the entire restaurant, so this wasn't an issue of a busy night. I kept letting all these things slide, keeping a positive attitude, because the food would be worth the wait. If those green beans they were featuring weren't canned, they've nailed down a cooking process to make them look and taste like Del Monte had a hand in the prep. If you're someone facing life without teeth, the brussel sprouts and carrots (in two different dishes), would be for you, as I was able to mush them in my mouth with just my tongue, they were THAT overcooked. With scalded mouthes (what happens when you take a bite that's on the colder side, followed by a bite on the inferno side...thanks, microwave!), and $50 lighter, we left, wondering what bizarro world we'd stumbled into. read more

We've had many fantastic meals at Ayse's -- this is definitely one of our favorite restaurants of all time. Everything has an amazingly home-cooked quality to it and everything is delicious. The place is unpretentious and quiet. It has top health inspection ratings, too. read more