Such a cute date night and weekend night dinner spot! This review is coming in fresh a few days after my reservation lol, but my friends and I enjoyed our time here! Service was attentive and pleasant--we were taken care of very well by the staff. I'm pretty sure at one point we met one of the managers. He introduced us to the Içli Köfte dish that we all shared. Honestly wish that dish was a lil bigger because it was that yummy! As for the main course, I was a fan of their chicken kebab. Would I come back? Most likely. Parking can be a hit or miss, since the restaurant is located next to a freeway entrance, so area is always busy. Thankfully my friend and I found parking across the street that night. read more

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Ilkem made the entire experience at Bosforo truly exceptional. From the very beginning, Ilkem was warm, attentive, and deeply considerate, ensuring that every dietary restriction and safety need was handled with genuine care and respect. Ilkem created an environment that felt safer, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated, going above and beyond in a way that felt both natural and sincere. That level of attentiveness transformed the meal into something memorable and meaningful. The Margherita pizza was beautifully executed, with a perfectly blistered, golden crust that balanced crispness and airy softness. The tomato sauce tasted vibrant and fresh, slightly sweet with a gentle acidity, layered beneath creamy, melted cheese that stretched with each bite. Fragrant basil added a bright, aromatic finish, tying everything together into a simple yet deeply satisfying dish. The Cukurova flatbread was rich, warm, and incredibly comforting. The bread itself was soft and pillowy almost like it wasn't there if it wasn't for the amazing flavor it provided, acting as the perfect base for its flavorful topping. Each bite carried a savory depth with subtle spice, delivering a balance of boldness and warmth that made it both hearty and memorable. The kofte--beef meatballs--were truly outstanding. The meat was unbelievably tender, almost unreal in how soft and juicy each bite felt. The spices were layered and aromatic, not overpowering but instead building a deep, soulful flavor that lingered pleasantly. The accompanying sauce added richness and complexity, while the pickled onions brought a bright, tangy contrast that elevated the entire dish and created a perfect balance of flavors. The sutlac rice pudding was the perfect ending. Thick, creamy, and deeply comforting, it had a richness that felt like home. Each spoonful was smooth and indulgent, with a gentle sweetness that never overwhelmed. The texture was luscious and satisfying, making it both nostalgic and luxurious at the same time--a truly beautiful finish to an unforgettable meal. read more

San Diego must be an amazing place to live if you have restaurants like Bosforo. What an absolute treat. Turkish cuisine is at its finest here. There were five of us, and we ordered four or five meze along with a couple of mains. By the end, we were completely full and satisfied. There wasn't a single bad dish on the menu. I especially loved the kofte tartare and the eggplant with richly spiced beef and tomato sauce. Go here and explore some of the best that Turkey has to offer. Be sure to finish your meal with Şalgam--a fermented drink made from turnips and beets. It's the perfect way to aid digestion. No pics because food was so amazing I forgot! read more

My boyfriend and I were so excited to try this place in our neighborhood. FOOD: Eggplant atom is like an eggplant dip. There was only a dollop of eggplant surrounded by yogurt. It came with lavash on the side. Just kind of wish it had more eggplant to really bring out the flavor. I would rate a 3/5. Cukurova lahmacun is a Turkish flat bread which had minced beef, onion, parsley, pepper and tomatoes. I was really looking forward to this dish but sadly, it came out room temperature - the bread and meat were not hot. I thought since it was in their wood fired oven it would come out hot. It could be a timing issue? I don't know. I would rate it a 3/5. It was lacking flavor as well. Bosforo kebap came out warm. But I didn't like how to lamb flavor it was too strong. I also didn't like that since this dish was a "main" it didn't come with rice or salad. For the price the we paid, you would think a main dish would come with a few sides instead of the lavash. Would I come back? Maybe? The food lacked flavor and the hot items we got were not warm or hot. I hope they improve and review all feedback they received from Tiktok and yelp :) read more

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I will have to admit that Bosforo offers some delicious Turkish food. I came with a group of friends. I was not in charge of ordering, we left that to Dulce, and she ordered the Smoked Cacik, Icli kofte, the kucurova lahmacum, and the Sultan's Delight. We shared all the food, including the Sutlac or rice pudding. The meal started with a palate cleanser which was great. The smoked Cacik was delicious and came served with a side of house baked flat bread with poppy seeds. The bread alone was amazing which was made from quality fine flour. The yogurt was not only beautifully presented, but offered great flavors.The fresh herbs and oils on top were great. The Icli kofte was great, too. The seasoned ground beef inside was tasty but I really loved the combination of the red pepper sauce and yogurt on the bottom. The lahmacum or giant flat bread topped with minced meat, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and parsley was very good. Dulce applied the lemon juice and spread the parsley and onions on the 12" flat bread and then rolled it up. We cut it into three sections and enjoyed it. It was good but I would have liked some kind of sauce to come with it to dip it in. Then hit of the night was no doubt the Sultan's Delight. It was a pleasure to share and eat. The eggplant purees was very well made and delicious. The beef on top was well rendered to a tender touch, and the sauce it was braised with offered a great depth of flavors. Well done. The service was very attentive but not overly intrusive. I liked that when I asked the floor manager, regarding a certain item, she took the time to explain, not only the ingredients involved but the process of bringing it to presentation. Bosforo is an exceptional eatery. read more

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We started with the Girit Ezme, a rich Turkish white cheese dip topped with basil and pistachio, and the Bosforo Humus, served warm and topped with crispy pastrami and chili-burned butter. Both were addictive and perfect with the fresh bread. For mains, the Chicken Kebap was our favorite. The skewers were grilled to perfection and served with sumac onions, grilled veggies, and soft lavash bread. Also delicious was the Manti. These small baked beef dumplings were topped with garlic yogurt, tomato sauce, and more of the burned butter. They reminded me of tortellini, but with Middle Eastern spices and flavors. The space is cozy and decorated with Middle Eastern touches, making it ideal for a date night or relaxed group dinner. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. read more

Bosforo - Chicken kebap and manti - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

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Wow! What a lovely dinner we had at Bosforo. Everything; atmosphere, service, food was amazing. We started with a few meze. The eggplant atom was divine. I love labne and this was a labne dream. The girit ezme was a nice counterbalance to the labne, it was more pungent and packed more of a punch. Both were amazing. The kalamar dolma was very interesting but also really good. The rice inside had a good depth of flavor and the calamari wasn't too chewy in that form. This was my first time having lahmacun and I loved it. Especially dipped in the labne (save some meze for your lahmacun). The tenderloin was so soft and cooked med rare which is perfect. It melted in my mouth. I will say the only thing I wish was better was the baklava. After the amazing meal it kinda fell short, it was like every other baklava I've had and it wasn't too crispy. I guess I was expecting something spectacular. But it didn't detract from everything else. I will be back to try other items and I can't wait. read more

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Love Bosforo! I drive by here often and we decided to try it for Valentine's Day. As expected it was busy on Valentine's Day but they nailed it. Wonderful prix fixe menu with nice wine pairing. Service was excellent, very attentive but not intrusive. The dining area was lovely and, although it was crowded, not too loud. Highly recommend the Silk Road cocktail. We will definitely be going back to try the full menu. read more

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Beautiful, upscale, modern Turkish restaurant. Definitely make reservations, as this spot is popular and crowded. Earliest reservation we could get for a party of 3 on a Saturday night was for 9pm. We were seated at a comfortable high top table by the bar. Started with "The Silk Road" - a refreshing gin cocktail which our server helpfully recommended. Then ordered three items to share: - Eggplant Atom - this was my favorite dish, a yogurt dip topped with eggplant and chili oil, and served with delicious homemade bread. A must try! - Vegan Lahmacun - a Turkish flatbread topped with herbs that you roll up and slice into pieces. I've never had a vegan version, and thought it was well done. Flavors were on point. - Bosforo Kebap - this was the most anticipated dish but sadly missed the mark. The meat was tough, chewy, and not easy to eat. I would skip this one and try a chicken kebap instead.' read more

Bosforo - Eggplant Atom - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

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I had to circle back here again because I enjoyed my visit the first time around. I arrived promptly to my reservation and I was seated right away even though my party was running late. As usual, love the ambiance of this place but it does get busy pretty quickly! As a palate cleanser, they give you an orange drink with ginger. I thought this refreshing prior to my meal. We tried - Bosforo hummus - Good but couldn't taste the pastrami at all. Mersin crispy chips - This was not as crispy as I would have liked. It was better last time. Cig Kofte Tartar - Not as flavorful as I was expecting with the pomegranate sauce. Lamb Chop Keskek - This was actually pretty good. Not gamey at all with a perfect sear. Fish of the Day - A nice sized red snapper with a light salad on top. The beurre blanc was a nice pairing but it took up a lot of the plate space. Lastly, the baklava was a nice finish to the meal as it was a bigger slice than expected! Some hits/misses. This was a 3.5 experience for me this time around. read more

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The beginning of my 1001th review. Bosforo is a new Mediterranean/Turkish restaurant right down the block from my home (well over the bridge). I have looked at the reviews and it sounded like a great place. It was a birthday celebration for me with my fellow Yelp Elites (Alicia, Kelly and Jimmy along with our new soon to be future Yelper - Logan). This is the first time with a baby on the restaurant, he is over a year old and can be on high chair. Our reservations included a space for him. Treat your baby like another person so you are seated in a comfortable table ( there were high tops which would have been not good with a baby). First of all, although most of us have eaten at Mediterranean restos before, this is a Turkish influenced menu including a wonderful wood fire oven you can see as you check in. The hostess and the service are a good start and they were very friendly. Although our server was relatively new, he was very helpful in suggestions and questions. The menu lists various items that are definitely better understood if you have had Turkish cuisine here or abroad. So this is where your server can help you really well. Since our group often share when we eat at new places, we definitely ordered several starters and a couple of entrees. First the starters, bosforo hummus - woodfired so a crust on top is visible, eggplant atom, beet root salad and woodfired turkish lahmacun. The lamachun has a thin crust that you roll, this could have eaten by one person as opposed to a whole pizza (that might be ordered next tim). All of the starters were delicious, instead of mixing it with spice, you were given a hot pepper that you can either mix in or add in to your own hummus (which I did). It was enough kick to help add texture to the hummus. The pita served along with the hummus(es) were freshly warmed and very good. The lahmacun is a must try. The beet root salad added a freshness to the rest of the starters. The entrees; bosforo kebap and the lamb chop keskek. Again we shared this entrees between the four of us (lamb chops were four pieces - perfectly cooked for me) loved the char and seasoning. The bosforo kebap, scrumptious! (a word I rarely used in my reviews). For dessert; we were given gratis for my birthday, the sutlac - a delectable oven cooked rice pudding with whole hazelnuts on top. This was a great end to a delightful evening with friends. The best thing besides the company and the food was our well behaved future Yelper eating his meal. He got a taste of some of the dishes but still too young for hard items. I think he thought the beet was a watermelon but once no sweetness was tasted, it was spit out. This visit was on a busy Friday night but there was no sense we were being rushed out. Although after a few more raves and this place might be hard to get a reservation on Fri and Sat nights. Parking is street (but as mentioned it was a walking distance for us). read more

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Definitely make a reservation! We had a reservation for 5:30pm and it was already busy when we got there. There was good service and everything seemed to be run in an organized way. Parking is pretty hard as usual. We ordered the Bosforo Kebab, Smoked Cacik, Bosforo Hummus, and Cukurova Lahmacun. The hummus was ok- it was a bit dry. The Cukurova Lahmacun was good with a strong bell pepper flavor and interesting flavors. The kebab was flavored well and the smoke cacik was probably a favorite. I believe the bread that comes w the dips are house made but were too tough for my liking. Overall good meal but not sure I'd come back unless it was for a special occasion. read more

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Super cute spot on Adams with a clean white aesthetic and minimal décor that still feels incredibly warm, welcoming, and elegant. The pizza oven adds a cozy glow and keeps the space perfectly comfortable. Service was exceptionally friendly and fast, and it was great to see the owner actively involved--delivering food, chatting with guests, and pitching in wherever needed. The food was outstanding: full of flavor, thoughtfully paired ingredients, and clearly made with care. We loved everything we ordered and can't wait to come back to try more. Really hoping this place becomes a neighborhood staple--it absolutely deserves to be. read more

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Bosforo is a great date night spot !!! Service is kind and attentive, everything on the menu is delicious, and the atmosphere is delightful! Kevin, our waiter, was the best! read more

Bosforo - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

Ambience: I come here with groups a lot and is excellent for large groups of people looking to share plates with each other. I've come several times and it's always been a great experience. Service: Highly recommend making reservations due to how busy it is. Staffing is done well: despite being a very, very busy restaurant, our waiters/waitresses were keeping up to speed really well. Food: Also amazing and always going through a rotation so there's always something new to get. I'm usually really afraid of getting chicken kebabs from fear of being dry, but this is one of the few places that gets it right! I highly recommend the Bosforo kebab as well as the baklava ice cream at the end. read more

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We came in on a Wednesday night, and the place was already packed. They handed us an orange, ginger hibiscus drink the moment we sat down. Service was friendly, and the space felt warm and inviting. Dinner started with Ayran (the salty yogurt drink), hot hummus, eggplant, and some crispy chips. Then came the minced beef pizza (Lahmacum) followed by our mains: kebab and lamb. We ended with a baklava with marsa ice creams (the stretchy Turkish type) Verdict: 1. Hot hummus -- 4/5 (grainy, comforting, could happily eat more) 2. Eggplant -- 5/5 (the star of the night, silky and so flavorful) 3. Crispy chips -- 2.5/5 (meh, I could skip these) 4. Minced beef pizza (lahmacum) -- 3/5 (interesting, and we squeezed in extra lemons to increase the flavor) 5. Kebab -- 3.5/5 (solid, but not the standout) 6. Lamb -- 4/5 (juicy and satisfying, definitely worth ordering) 7. Baklava with mares ice cream -- 5/5 (crispy, right amount of honey, and the pistachio nut gave it that slightly bitter, nutty taste, so delicious) read more

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Great service and amazing food. It's been about 6 months since I went and was reminded of it and decided it needed a mention. I knew this spot before and I have to say they did a great job transforming it from its former Mexican Restaurant status. It's chic and elegant. A little noisy but that space always has been. Some of the best Turkish food I've had. The boiled bulgur balls stuffed with meat and served over a cool yogurt and topped with a chili butter sauce was my favorite bite. I could have eaten 4 of those and called it a night. The hummus with its brown butter and crispy pastrami hit every savory note possible. The meats are all outstanding as well. The only thing I didn't love was my cocktail. It was fine but a little too sweet and one note. I can't wait to return and eat all the same things, try and few new ones, and enjoy a different beverage. :) read more

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*As the owner insists on berating guests that didn't enjoy the food & also making a point to say we are no longer welcome in his restaurant, let me clarify some lies. We canceled our main dishes as the 4 appetizers (for 3 people) we ordered were ALL bad. Secondly, the dishes were not even half eaten (which by the time 3 people try it and then season it and try again is half for these small dishes) which is indicative of how terrible they were since we were all hungry & had wanted a full meal. We never asked for our meal to be free & also said we were giving our honest opinion as politely as we could when asked. It is extremely aggressive and confrontational to come argue with your guests because one decided to write the review at the time of dinner. She had been there before & was rightfully frustrated as the level of service and quality of food were severely lacking. You obviously have some people who like your food but I suggest you learn to take constructive criticism from the guests who don't instead of badgering them on yelp and in private messages. * I really wanted to enjoy Bosforo but that was limited to the pleasant decor and atmosphere. This was by far the worst I've ever had for a variety of reasons. Two chefs came out to speak to us and were quite defensive when we said we frequent a lot of restaurants & pride ourselves on being "foodies" & we tried to explain why the dishes missed the mark, which I will do again here. We ordered 3 hot meze & 1 cold meze and drinks. We also ordered one of their specialty kebaps & said we'd start there and add more later: None of the mezes were actually hot & let me break them down for you: 1) the cold meze we ordered was a "feta" appetizer with mint & olive oil. Even if you want to focus on highlighting the clean simple flavors of your ingredients, which we were told repeatedly, your dish still needs flavor. The olive oil should be of good quality that you can taste, whether peppery or lemony or something! The same for the feta, which lacked in salt or any flavor, which was the general sentiment for everything we had. It was cold, clumpy and tasted like nothing. 2) The eggplant dish looked good but again tasted like a cold boiled eggplant, no flavor, stuffed with bland meat and bland yogurt. Even if it didn't present with the flavors I was expecting, I was hoping for SOME flavor, and there was none. 3) the Bosforo hummus we were told was their most popular appetizer and was described as hot with pastrami and chili butter was again completely lacking in flavor. The pastrami was more like a garnish and the butter had no flavor of chili or anything else. 4) the potato hot meze described as thinly sliced potato crisps with lemon, garlic , parsley and a green yogurt dip was cold, burnt potato chips on a bland yogurt with an occasional chunk of raw garlic. 5) Even the bread they served with the dishes was cold and chewy, when there is a literal bread oven there and yet that couldn't even be hot and fresh! We were so disappointed in all the dishes that we asked to cancel the main dish and didn't order more. We don't take time out of our lives to spend money on an establishment and leave hungry. So when the chefs decided to come to our table and later berate my friend who wrote an honest review that we didn't order any main dishes, this is why! We were questioned on why we expected lemon or salt or flavor in dishes that they wanted to keep simple. Turkish cuisine is not simple! Even if you want to keep it simple, then one should have high quality ingredients that carry the dish. No one comes to a restaurant to have to try and find something to add flavor to the dish. We were told they have elderly clients so they avoid salt. How about preparing the dish the way it should be and adjusting salt when requested by people? When the 3 of us tried to be polite yet honest, we were talked to so aggressively. The anger of the chef was palpable and the comments he made like if you're a foodie, maybe you just don't know Turkish food or later messaging my friend to say we are not welcome at Bosforo anymore because Turkish food is not for us is outrageous!! (as if we would ever step foot in there) They even stooped so far as to mark her a no show on open table so she couldn't leave her review there (which thankfully open table corrected when presented with our receipt) . For a restaurant to go to these lengths, instead of appreciating constructive criticism and listening to their guests, is unacceptable. The server didn't respond to anything we said, was absent from the start, and was extremely passive aggressive. This was by far the most disappointing restaurant experience I've had in San Diego all around. I hope the chefs think twice before approaching their guests in that manner in person and behind doors in their messages. We share reviews here and other forums to share our honest opinions. So unfortunate! read more

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I have to preface my review by saying I am by no means any expert on Turkish food. In fact, I know very little about it. I've tried it a few times here and there and know I enjoy the flavors of it. That being said, I found Bosforo just average. Parking: horrible! No place to park. Everything was street parking, and on a weekend, it's a nightmare. Food: We had the eggplant atom, which is cold eggplant "dip" that's served with bread. This was my favorite thing of the night. The eggplant was bursting with flavor. It had a spicy kick. The bread that came with it was fantastic. Chewy but not tough. We also ordered lahmacun, which the server said was like a "Turkish pizza". The flavor was great. But because it's so thin, I feel there was not much there. We also ordered the Bosforo kebap and the chicken kebap. I felt the house special did not live up to my expectation. The protein was a bit tough, which was surprising since it's minced beef. The chicken I enjoyed a bit more. However, I wish it was just entirely made of chicken thigh instead of a mix of breast and thigh. The breast parts were a bit dry, but the chicken thigh was tender. The both came with sumac onion which paired great with the protein. Drinks: I ordered Silk Road, which was a mixed drink with gin, melon, lime, kefir and basil. It wasn't as refreshing as I hoped. I couldn't taste the melon at all. Price: overall, personally I thought it was a bit pricier than it's worth. But again, I don't have a lot of experience with Turkish food so I don't know what it usually costs. Service: the server was snarky. He didn't make us feel like we were welcomed there. At the end, when we wanted to pack up what we didn't finish, he was sarcastic. We asked to take the bread we didn't finish. He made a comment, "did you want to take this too?" referring to the crumb on the table. That was rude and uncalled for. I didn't understand why he felt he can behave in such an unprofessional way. Overall, will I come again? Definitely not. I wasn't wowed by the food. And the last interaction with our server pretty much ruined any chance I would want to go back. I'm sure there are other restaurants that will appreciate our business more. read more

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Great place! Below is everything we ordered. My favorite was the kofte and the marinated sea bass. I also really enjoyed my red snapper. The service was super friendly and ambiance was cozy and inviting. They also made a superb dirty martini!! My only gripe is that the high top chairs are really uncomfortable so if you have the option opt for a table in the main dining room. read more

Bosforo - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

Easy to reserve on OpenTable and trendy Turkish spot with really great service. Meze plates to share and also pizzas and entrees. The crispy potato was delicious and the wood fired pizza was great. The fish entree was elegant and tasty but the bosforo kebab wasn't at good as the chicken kabob in our opinion. Overall the service was 5/5 stars, most of our dishes were tasty. The dough on the pizza was better than the house bread we ordered, they were prepared differently. Street parking and cool ambiance inside. Prices were fair for the quality of food and service. read more

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We had a reservation and were promptly seated upon arrival. The atmosphere was lively and the place was packed and busy. That didn't hinder our service. Our server was helpful in recommending dishes and would check in on us. The food was delicious and flavorful. The humus was warm and had a smoky flavor I haven't tasted with it before. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked and the kebab was a hit. Definitely would recommend this place, a cute place for date night too! read more

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Bosforo is a great Turkish restaurant in University Heights with a warm and intimate ambiance! We tried a bunch of dishes including the Girit Ezme, Kalamar Dolma, Lahmacun, and the Branzino. Our favorites were the Kalamar Dolma and the branzino. They were flavorful and beautifully seasoned. We were not a fan of the vegan Lahmacun- it tasted like bread with tomato paste and was lacking in flavor. For drinks we enjoyed the Silk Road and martinis but did not like the Toros. Service was excellent! We were given great recommendations and the chef even came out a couple of times to share more details about the dishes we ordered. Definitely a restaurant worth checking out! read more

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Was fun trying bosforo, which has a beautiful interior reminiscent of Turkey. The service is top notch and the ambiance is about as good as it gets. The food I found to be good but not outstanding. Had the girit esme, the eggplant, and the bosforo kebab. The portion size is on the smaller side and the prices on the higher side. Overall it's a fun place to try on a date night but nothing blew me away food wise for the price. Would still return for a fun night out due to the ambiance and service! read more

Bosforo - Menu as of 10/2025 - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

When my friend's long-distance girlfriend came to visit it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a double date. My friend originally saw this restaurant posted on a food editor's TikTok page. He had been trying restaurants from their recommendations and enjoying them so far so I was excited when he recommended we go there and expecting big things. I had never had Turkish food before, but am a pretty adventurous eater and like trying new foods. They have a pretty extensive menu and offer plenty of both warm and cold appetizers. Additionally, when you first are seated they give you a complimentary palate-cleanser "shot" of carrot ginger orange juice. I will say the two things I disliked was the tables are very close together and they check on you quite frequently throughout the meal. While I appreciate having the water refilled and being checked on once, our conversation was frequently interrupted. The food was very flavorful, however, and the fish I ordered as my main was cooked perfectly. The main was also a very large portion. This is great restaurant for a date night or catching up with friends. It's not too loud, has low lighting, and a fun and trendy vibe without being kitschy, plus there are plenty of small bites to share. read more

Bosforo - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

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Service was great. Food amazing. Owner came with food and explained what it was and how Turkish people eat it and when they serve it in their traditions. Very yummy flavors. read more

Amazing food, atmosphere and service. The authenticity and narrative storytelling about the appetizers, mains and desserts enriched our dining experience. Everyone who works there takes pride in what they do. Bosforo makes a great date night and celebration spot. read more

I had been wanting to try this place ever since I heard about it -- I love Turkish food, and the idea of modern Turkish cuisine sounded so intriguing! It just so happened to be my friend's birthday, so I made a reservation for an early Friday night celebration. Our reservation was for 6:30 PM and the place was packed -- clearly a popular spot. We had to wait about 15 minutes past our time, but the host was great about checking in and let us know the table was wrapping up. They even offered us a high-top, but since I'm not a fan of bar-height seating, we chose to wait it out for a regular table. Once seated, I really appreciated the ambiance -- cozy yet modern, with beautiful Turkish-inspired décor and an open kitchen that added to the warm, lively atmosphere. What We Ordered We ended up trusting our server's recommendations, and I'm so glad we did -- he was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout the meal. * Appetizers: We started with the Turkish cheese plate and the carrot dip, served with chewy, fresh bread that I couldn't stop eating. Simple but flavorful. * Flatbread "Pizza": I forgot the official name (oops!), but it was served on an ultra-thin flatbread with herbs and spice blends that made it so savory and delicious -- definitely a must-try. * Beef Kebab: This was our main dish, and it didn't disappoint. You could smell and taste layers of spice and aromatics, and the meat was juicy, flavorful, and clearly well-marinated. My only minor gripe is that it didn't come with any rice or pilaf, and for the portion size, it felt a little pricey. A side would have really rounded it out. To finish, they brought out a rice pudding with a candle to celebrate my friend's birthday -- such a thoughtful gesture! I'm usually not a big fan of rice pudding, but this one was perfectly balanced -- lightly sweet and creamy without being too heavy. I'd actually order it again. Overall, we had a lovely evening. The food came out at a good pace, the stuff were attentive, and we enjoyed every bite. I'm already planning to come back to try a few more things on the menu. read more

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Our server Michelle was delightful and we enjoyed a wonderful meal after a concert we attended nearby. Restaurant was a little cramped inside and there was lots of noise given the number of people in the space. Lighting was soft and the interior was decorated in a way that highlighted the woodfire oven and drew attention to the stone archways and bar in the back of the restaurant. We sampled the lahmajun , stuffed eggplant , bulgur dumpling, kebab, kufte, rice pudding, and ice Cream. All were great, including the Ayran which was authentically delicious. read more

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So, I was planning on going somewhere else, but I couldn't get a reservation there on a Tuesday night. Enter Bosforo, A place I'd never heard of, but I really wish I had. The environment is gorgeous. White walls and ceiling, but there's a clear view of the kitchen, some art here and there, and there's a wood-fired oven off to the side, where some mustachioed dude is making lacahamun, pizza, and some of the best pita I've ever had. This isn't your store-bought pita. It's got texture, sesame seeds, and amazing flavor. My Permanent Date and I had the cold hummus and this cheese spread as our appetizers, and they were both delicious and beautiful. The hummus had some pickled beets, pomegranate arils, and crushed pistachio. The cheese also had crushed pistachios, and they both had some Turkish olive oil that had a nice strong taste. We probably could have just gone home, but that's just not us. We ended up ordering mains which were kind of two variations on the same theme, the Bosforo kebap and the Turkish köfte. The köfte had a bit more cumin while the kebap was a bit more juicy. Either way, the lavash, pickled onions, roasted cherry tomatoes and shishito peppers (it's misspelled on the menu) each added another dimension of flavor which both stood out and blended well with the other flavors. The lavash was just a fantastic delivery method for each bite. The köfte also came with a heap of arugula dressed with a vinaigrette that just added the right bit of acid to each bite and stood on its own well enough to eat by itself. We finished out the meal with the rice pudding which had some charred spots on top, along with crushed hazelnuts, but it was refreshingly cold and not too sweet. Overall, I'm planning to come back to try as much of this menu as I can. Before I forget, they start everyone off with these palate cleansing drinks which are citrusy and delightful. I could have had a pitcher of that. read more

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We had a great experience at Bosforo. The wait time was short, which was a nice surprise, and they started us off with a complimentary palette cleanser--an unexpected touch. Our server was very attentive and even recommended a wonderful Turkish wine that paired nicely with the food. The plate stood out with its generous variety of meats and sides, and the pizza had excellent flavor. The potatoes, however, were more like chips, which I had expected to be more scalloped-style or gratin, so that part was a little underwhelming. Overall though, the food was very enjoyable, the atmosphere welcoming, and the service top-notch. I'd definitely come back to try more from the menu. read more

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Well it took a while to get a reservation here but we did manage to snag one. The vibe here is just lively. The restaurant is quite open with some noise but we were still able to carry on a conversation. Service was excellent. Our waiter even offered to let us try a couple of wines before deciding on one. Of course the food is the most important thing in a restaurant. I would give our dishes somewhat mixed reviews. The ezme cold appetizer was delicious but the crispy potatoes were simply not crispy and the accompanying yogurt dip tasted a bit like those dips they sell at the fair. I ordered chicken kebap and hubby got the fish if the day which was a branzino. My chicken was perfectly cooked but incredibly underseasoned as were the accompanying onions. It was good but not great. the branzino was good and hubby especially liked the accompanying arugula salad and caper tomato relish. I had. rey high expectations for this restaurant and I was a bit let down. Overall it was very good just not great. Imho this restaurant is just a bit over hyped read more

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Cute, cozy Turkish restaurant and a true neighborhood gem. From the moment you walk in, the space feels warm and inviting with beautiful cultural details throughout. My cousins and I ordered several dishes to share, and overall the food was delicious. Our server was friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. The only letdown was the bread. It was a bit tough and hard to chew, which was disappointing since many of the appetizers are meant for dipping. I was hoping for something softer and fresher from the oven, but I'd still happily give it another try next time. Despite that, I'd absolutely recommend checking this place out. read more

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This place is amazing. We were up to our knees in dips. The waitress said "let us know when you need more bread" and as she turned around we said "oh we need more bread". We got the girit ezme, tarator, smoked cacik, bosforo hummus, icli kofte, cukurova lahmacun, bosforo kebap, and chicken kebap. Im glad the car was parked close by Our favorites were the tarator, icli kofte, and cukurova lahmacun. We were also shocked that we LOVED the chicken kebap. It was so juicy and didnt have the taste that thighs sometimes have. The icli kofte I wished we would have gotten 5 of instead of 1. The hummus was incredibly warm which was a nice touch. The portions were massive!! The energy was amazing!! There people dressed casually (hoodies and athletic wear) and some folks in blazers (just like any other nice restaurant in san diego, so laid back). I think this place was really well priced. Although not my favorite dip they give you a gallon of smoked cacik. We will 1000% be back soon, and we are gonna buy every icli kofte that they can make. read more

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Went there for a birthday and it turned out to be a great choice because the restaurant was so special and unusual. We arrived 30 minutes early, having snagged a parking spot right away, when it could have taken a lot longer. The hostess was very welcoming and sat us at the pizza bar to wait where we watched pizzas being made in a huge wood-fired oven. A waitress came right over and said she would be our server once our table opened up and offered to get us started with drinks and appetizers. So much better than most restaurants that just shuffle you aside and tell you to wait. As to cocktails, highly reccomend the Midnight in Istanbul, a mix of kahlua, vodka, coffee, and some other magical flavors. Best cocktail I've ever had. We had some warm hummus with cheese and bread along with the drinks that was excellent. Once we moved to our table we ordered an assortment of sides and mains. Everything was delicious and well spiced and seasoned. Standouts were the meatballs, the oven roasted eggplant, and the Turkish pizza that's rolled up and sliced. The beef kabob was good, but very similar to the meatballs and next time I'd try the chicken kabobs instead. The service was outstanding and everyone was friendly and helpful. The big challenge here is parking, which sometimes is near impossible. As we left, everyone gave us an acknowledgement and thanks for coming in. read more

The hype is real with this place. Not only is the staff so kind and attentive, but the interior and the food are equally as amazing! My friend and I ordered the Bosforo breakfast (full Turkish breakfast) which also come with a choice of Turkish or black tea, and it was delicious We can't wait to go back for dinner! read more

Bosforo - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

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This was our second time in less than a week at this amazing place. Think of it as a family owned secret recipe type restaurant which you would usually find in a hole in a wall type cuisine but with an authentic style decoration in a happening spot in North Park. We definitely made reservations ahead of time but it's not like Leila where you have to be up at midnight to reserve a spot for 30 days in advance. I must say the food is way more tastier than many Mediterranean and middle eastern and Turkish cuisines I've tried in the western hemisphere. Must try: Bosforo hummus, their signature kebab which apparently they only make 50 per day and you absolutely must try their eggplant atom because it's a bomb. The combination of lebna and eggplant is genius. And last but not the least on the entrees, you got to try their pizza and if anything try their Turcu pizza because it's just a perfect mix. We did try their desserts and this time we could only go for the baklava since they already ran out of the rice pudding. BUT if you do get to have the rice pudding, definitely order it. It's nothing like your typical rice pudding and it's very tasty. Service was great and very welcoming. I'll be back there again. read more

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I tried this placing after coming back visiting turkey and it definitely is authentic. Most everyone that works there is from turkey and the Mediterranean food is delicious. The service was amazing and they were very informative. I can't wait to go back and would definitely recommend to make a reservation since it does get busy. read more

This was by far the worst restaurant I've been to. The food was incredibly bland -- it honestly tasted like there was no salt or seasoning at all. Everything we ordered lacked flavor and was very disappointing. The service was also quite poor. Our waitress came across as condescending and dismissive, which made the experience even more uncomfortable. Instead of feeling welcomed, the interaction felt unpleasant and unprofessional. I do appreciate that the chef and the executive chef came over to speak with us after we left our review. However, the explanation given for why the food was so bland still didn't make much sense. I also have to be honest that it felt a bit intimidating when the executive chef came to the table. He appeared very upset about the review and seemed to be trying to control his frustration while repeatedly asking why we gave the restaurant a one-star rating. As I mentioned to the chef, I may be Middle Eastern, but I was raised in the United States and am very familiar with cuisines from many different parts of the world. I understand that ingredients and spices vary by culture and region. The only reason we suggested adding lemon to one of the Turkish dishes was because the executive chef kept insisting on why we had given a one-star review, and we were simply trying to offer an honest suggestion. I want to be clear that I would never ask a restaurant to change their ingredients or alter their menu to suit my personal taste. However, since we were asked multiple times why we left the review, we felt we had to provide some feedback. We only ordered appetizers during this visit. After trying three different appetizers and finding all of them very disappointing, we decided not to move forward with the entrée we had ordered and asked to have it canceled. For context, this was actually my second visit to this restaurant. During my first visit I tried different menu items and didn't care for those either, but I wanted to give the restaurant another chance. Unfortunately, the experience was just as disappointing the second time. The check was ultimately voided by the restaurant. I did insist on paying, but they chose to void it anyway. Overall, it was a very disappointing experience and unfortunately not a place I would return to. read more

Bosforo - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

Bosforo San Diego absolutely blew us away. This was hands down the best Turkish food I've had in the U.S.--and that's coming from someone who has eaten at many top restaurants in Turkey. Every dish we tried was exceptional. The flavors were authentic, rich, and perfectly balanced. The kebabs were cooked flawlessly, the lahmacun was spot-on, and the appetizers (especially the dips and eggplant dishes) were next level. You can tell there's real attention to detail and respect for traditional recipes, but with a refined presentation. The atmosphere adds to the experience--warm, stylish, and inviting without feeling overdone. It feels like a place you can enjoy both a casual meal or a special night out. Service was also great--attentive without being intrusive. If you're looking for truly authentic Turkish cuisine done right, Bosforo is a must. We'll definitely be back. Gurur duyuyoruz. Tebrikler read more

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