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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i've been wanting to go here for a while and decided to go for a friend's birthday. My server was Jon and he was so helpful. he helped my friends and i walk through the whole menu, gave us recommendations, and helped us pair our food with wine and cocktails. i can't wait to come back and i hope i get Jon as my server! read more

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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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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Authentic Turkish Food Beautiful thought out interior design. With cultural artifacts, photography and unique decorations. Even the ladies bathroom is pretty. Dinner consistented of some delicious foods ... Girit ezme was delicious and delicate Shrimp casserole lacked flavor icli kofte pretty tasty with sauces Tomato salad very good accompanied by the basil , but it's just tomatoes. Bosforo Kebap definitely the best we tried the beef and seasonings all merged together into one delicious dish. I believe the antep it's what does it for this dish. They only make 50 a day! Fun eating experience. Service was friendly and welcoming. 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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The food and service are excellent! The kabobs are flavorful and a must order. I definitely recommend checking it out.

Came here for the first time with a group of friends, and I'll start with the positives -- the ambience is beautiful. Clean, aesthetic, and thoughtfully designed. It's definitely a place that looks good and feels nice to sit in. Our server was super friendly, which made the experience smoother. We shared the platter, which was fine. It was cool for the table, but honestly, nothing really wowed me. As a foodie, I want to feel excited about what I'm eating -- and this just didn't give that. Like, I wasn't rushing to tell someone, "You have to try this spot." It was more like, "Yeah, I tried it... it was alright." It's not that everything has to be mind-blowing, but when I leave a place feeling nothing, it's hard to picture myself going back. So overall, cute space, nice service, but the food just didn't leave a lasting impression. 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

Here is my ramble about bosforo. Recently I read a,San Diego union tribune, showcase article about bosforo. Wife and I had to try. Love turkeye food. Located at the old zarape restaurant on Adam's avenue. Small and pack. Important, please make a reservation. Also give amble time to find street parking. Despite we had dinner on a Tuesday night, we had a fun experience finding parking and we had bar seating reservations. Bosforo's plating is different from other Mediterranean restaurants. Does not come in combo. Main meat is main meat, sides are separate orders. So be aware that you have to order rice, peta and others separately. Ordering is similar to a steak house. Appetizers come in cold and hot. We ordered the eggplant with minced meat and the yogurt. For the main course, we tried the koobideh kabob. And we also got a dessert with ice cream. We were fortunate to meet chef Sage. Very pleasant chef, rolls up his sleeve to help waiting staff during busy times. I welcome a leader that gets down with his workers. The food was amazing, one of the best we had outside of turkeye. Finished everything and wanting more. Portions are on the smaller size, but taste explosion is the bomb. Best to order the Bosforo mix kebabs plate. Definitely a better deal for two. That's for next time. Bosforo is still finding her rhythm, so be patient. Conclusion, this is a fine addition to the Adam's avenue culinary scene. I wish them great success and we will be back. Bon appetite. read more

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Bosforo is the new Turkish restaurant that took over El Zarape on Adam's. It's named for the Bosphorus strait in Turkey that separates the European side from the Asian side. The look and decor is clean and modern and has an open kitchen and a pizza oven. The place is new so reservations are a must on open table at this point. We started with the eggplant Atom, strained yogurt, eggplant and chili. For $13 the plate was quite small and mostly yogurt. The yogurt was silky smooth and almost tasted like sour cream. There was a small quenelle of the eggplant which i felt was too little. It came with 4 small pieces of flat bread which wasn't enough for the yogurt and eggplant. I did wish the bread was warm as they have a pizza oven. We also got the Icli Kofte a deep fried ball of bulgar wheat stuffed with ground meat an onions. It came on yogurt and topped with tomato sauce. It was delicious and crunchy; the combination of the meat, fried bulgar wheat, tomato sauce and yogurt went together perfectly. I just wish there were 2 of them for $13 or a bit less for the one piece. For our entrees we chose the Bosforo Kebap was a grilled hand minced beef flavored with sumac. It came wrapped in a lavash flat bread with grilled tomato, shishito peppers and red onions. The waiter instructed us to put the veggies inside and pick it up in the lavash like a hot dog. I cut up the veggies and put them on top of the meat, It was very tasty and delicious. Highly recommend it. We also got the lamb chop keskek. The lamb was cooked perfectly; very tender and tasty, probably the best lamb I've ever had. It came on top of Anatolian wheat pilaf which had the texture of a risotto. Another highly recommended dish. For dessert we shared the Antep Kadayif, shredded phyllo pastry (katifi) made into sort of baklava topped with Turkish style ice cream and pistachios. The katifi was topped with syrup and gave it a baklava feel to it, the maras style ice cream was a bit stiff, but Turkish ice cream is supposed to be stiffer and chewier. A bit steep at $15 but very unique and for sure a dessert you won't find elsewhere. The Kofte, kebap and lamb chop were better than what I had on my trip to Turkey. I don't know of another Turkish restaurant in San Diego. I enjoyed my meal here. The entrees seem to be a better deal than the meze. I get that meze are like tapas, they are small portions but it seems like you get more for your money with the entrees. I think I'd share 3 entrees between 2 people next time. read more

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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

My husband and I had a date night here on a Friday with a 6pm reservation and it was such a perfect evening and experience. We were greeted by an attentive front of house manager who quickly sat us at our table. Our waiter was very patient and helped educate us on the best traditional dishes and drinks to enjoy. We could tell he was proud to share the traditional food experience with us. The place was quite packed with people seated across the bar, restaurant tables, and even some seats facing the beautiful pizza oven. We enjoyed various shared plates for our meal, including a yogurt and eggplant dip, hot hummus, pita, traditional lachmacun, and a beef kebab. We enjoyed a cocktail and some raki as well. The food was so well made, delicious, and filling. We cannot wait to come back again and bring our friends! read more

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Bosforo is a new Turkish cuisine restaurant in Normal Heights that took over an evicted Mexican eatery that had been well-established in the neighborhood. The space was transformed into a meyhane which was a traditional style Turkish setting with a large open dining area, a central bar in the back, and a wood-fired oven for pizzas up front near the entrance. We made a reservation on OpenTable for a Sunday, and the seating was limited due to high demand. They are currently only open for dinner hours. The website indicated there was a prix fixe menu for two which we wanted to try, however the kitchen was not ready for that yet. The option might become available after the full grand opening scheduled for June 12th. The two-page menu listed hot and cold mezes (appetizers), salads, pizzas, and a lahmacun (Turkish flatbread) on one side. The other side displayed mains, sides, desserts, and drinks. One of the featured items was the Bosforo Kebap. This was a handmade skewer made up of minced beef, antep, sumac onion, and grilled veggies on lavash (leavened flatbread). Only fifty were available daily because of the labor time involved. We selected that and the following for our meal... * Eggplant Atom - strained yogurt, eggplant, chili * Içli Köfte - fried bulgar ball stuffed with minced beef & onion, tomato sauce, yogurt * Lamb Chop Keşkek - grilled lamb, traditional anatolian wheat pilaf * Antep Kadayif - antep pistachio, kataifi, syrup, maras style ice cream The atom was served with wood-fired Pide with Sesavvme (flatbread with sesame). The yogurt was prominent and overshadowed the small amount of eggplant in the mixture. We requested more bread because the initial four pieces were insufficient. The fried bulgar had plenty of flavor, however one ball for $13 was a steep price. There were four chops in the keşkek with the meat cooked medium rare as our preference. The wheat pilaf was like a bed of risotto on which the lamb rested. The kebap was neatly assembled and had the most well-rounded set of ingredients. It was likely the most popular menu item. The kadayif was a dessert of phyllo dough topped with powdered pistachio, syrup, and a stretchy ice cream made of goat's milk. Our server made some recommendations after we asked questions about the menu. He tried to upsell us to order more items, but we resisted. I thought the mezes were pricey for the serving size. The better value was with the main dishes. By the time we departed, the dining area was nearly at capacity. I gave a four star rating for our modern Turkish dinner at Bosforo. read more

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I came in for dinner a few nights ago, and it is such a cute restaurant! I haven't had exclusively Turkish food before then, but I've had similar cuisine. That said, this kabob was reaaaalllly good. The beef was perfectly tender, and the veggies on the side were amazing! The ambience is great, it's perfect for large parties or even a more intimate table for a date. Highly recommend the beef kabob! read more

Bosforo - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

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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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

I've been meaning to here for a while - there's always so many people! It definitely lived up to its expectations. Our server was incredibly sweet. The food was so fresh and delicious. I loved our appetizers (pictured). I also got the Turkish pizza and the waiter let me know I'm supposed to roll it up and eat it like a burrito. It was nothing short of yummy. I wish I had room for dessert but sadly, I'll need to get that next time. The decor is extremely tasteful and the space has a family feel. read more

Bosforo - Hummus and labneh dips - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

My first visit to a Turkish restaurant. My guest & I were really impressed with the food, service, and ambiance. Street parking can be a challenge but we finally were able to find something. This establishment is cute, cozy, & welcoming. Highly recommend for a date night out or a meal with close friends. The server is actually from Turkey & was well familiarized with the menu to make great recommendations. I am a pescatarian / vegetarian and discovered wonderful options available. See photos. I hope this place does well & can't wait to return. read more

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Cannot recommend this place enough! What a great experience. We went on a Friday night and it was packed! We still had such amazing service even with a full house. Our server was extremely helpful and gave us great suggestions to try. Every bite we had was delicious! Some of our favorites that were a must get were the girit ezme, icli kofte, mersin crispy potatos, Turkish lahmacum, and lamb chop keskek. The lamb was the star of the show in my opinion. It was cooked to perfection! We also were able to try the rice pudding which was incredible. The cherry on top of a fantastic night was Chef Ibrahim stopping by our table and checking in on how everything was. It felt so personal! Bosforo is a must try!! read more

Bosforo - Lamb chops - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

We love Mediterranean food & Bosforo did not disappoint! We did not make reservations ahead but decided to try it on Saturday eve. It was very busy but they were able to accomodate us at the pizza bar - it was fun to watch the pita & pizza making. Service was friendly, food was delicious and portions were generous! We had eggplant atom & hot hummus for appetizers, then grilled branzino & meatballs for main entrees. Unfortunately, we were so full that we didn't get to try any desserts. Oh well, there is always next time . read more

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Never been here. Went here on Taste of Adams because we heard good things. I dont know if they didnt understand the event or are a vegan-only restaurant or what, but I'm not vegan. So unfortunately the vegan sample seemed to exclude me as a potential customer, and it made it hard for me to tell if all the praise is justified.... disappointed but may visit... :/ read more

Excellent good. Great ambiance. Amazing services. Highly highly recommend. I only didn't give five stars because they were out of a bunch of things (to be fair it was 9pm but still they're open late and one of the things was chicken kebab) -hot hummus was fantastic and came with fresh out the wildfire oven -we got a dimpling beef dish that was good - I got the branzino and it had a lot of fluff on top I tossed off (cut plate tho) and the cauliflower puree tasted like baby food. Flavor of fish was great. - baklava with ice cream was good but very very very sweet -rice pudding was amazing read more

Busy place for a weeknight, which makes sense since they recently opened. The waiter was friendly, and the food was delicious. I ordered the chicken kebab and absolutely devoured it. The thin naan/tortillas that came with it were really good -- perfectly cooked and seasoned. read more

Bosforo - desserts - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

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This Turkish restaurant is a solid choice for a well-executed, comfortable meal. The interior is clean, modern, and nicely put together, and the staff is friendly and helpful without being overbearing. The menu is reliable across the board -- nothing we ordered was disappointing, and everything was prepared well. It's the kind of place where you can choose confidently and expect a good meal. Be sure to try the baklava and the rice pudding at the end; both desserts are well done and worth saving room for. The cocktails are also unique and tasty, with the Silk Road being the standout. Overall, it's a good spot with quality food, pleasant service, and a comfortable atmosphere. read more

As an Egyptian I had mixed feelings about coming here, but I was absolutely blown away. Everything that we tried was absolutely delicious! And the menu was so cohesive m, everything went well together! The kabobs were hands down my favorite, the flavors were impeccable! And our waitress Michelle was an absolute delight, so attentive, so fun, and just made our experience that much better! The venue itself is a little loud, so you can expect to speak with your chest the entire time, but still, absolutely amazing! Highly recommend going with a group and trying a few things from the menu, it'll definitely leave you wanting more and another visit. read more

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We dined at Bosforo with a party of 9 last week, and we were very impressed with the service (very attentive and knowledgeable) and ambiance. We were able to try over a dozen different items, and everything was very good. Fun cocktails as well. It did get very loud as the dining room filled up, as many restaurants do, so there is that. Looking forward to returning again soon! read more

Really enjoyed our experience at Bosforo. The atmosphere was warm and vibrant, and the place was buzzing when we arrived for our dinner reservation. Highlights were the Bosforo kebap and the fish of the day (snapper). The kebap had incredible flavor, and the snapper featured a delicious fennel salad served over perfectly crispy skin. We especially appreciated how our server navigated us through the Turkish wine list. We weren't familiar with the options, but we ended up trying several whites and reds that were all lovely. Finished the meal with great Turkish coffee and baklava. I'll be going back for those alone! 4/5. Highly recommend. read more

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Why is this place so expensive?? The food was average ..the decor is sparse and the tables are packed together. Do not get the platter. Get the individual plates if you absolutely want to try this place. Taste is average..barely close to Turkish food. This is coming from a person who has travelled to Turkey and I am also comparing this restaurant to other Turkish restaurants in the US. read more

The menu has a nice selection for carnivores and vegans and has a lovely wine list. We enjoyed the kabobs, chips, and different appetizers. It is warm and inviting and the service is friendly and professional. It's a neighborhood gem. read more

Shoutout to our server Giuseppe who made our experience a memorable one! I enjoyed the vegan lahmachun (they were out of the OG), the sujuk pizza (wow), the tenderloin kebab, and the adan kebab. We then finished with the rice pudding (insane). The food was just enough for 4 of us to get full. It was an incredible meal, with better service. I can't recommend this spot enough! Vibes were impeccable. read more

Bosforo - Turkish Near Me - San Diego, California

all I can say is WOW!!!! This is definitely one of my favorite restaurants I've ever tried in San Diego. First, the vibes are immaculate. Loved the rugs, plethora of art, marble and tile. The dimmed lights were so romantic and sweet. The service was also incredibly warm. My partner and I sat on the bar next to the warm lamps and our bartender gave us excellent drink recommendations!! The cocktails were SO unique, balanced, herbaceous, and delicious. Honestly I would say some of the best cocktails I've ever had. If you love anise-forward, herbal drinks, you've got to try their cocktails. The food was really great as well. I loved the cold eggplant with yogurt and the stuffed calamari was well. The lamb and beef sis kebab was also delicious as well. 10/10 would come back again and WILL come back again!!! read more

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I had a nice experience dining at Bosforo. The service and staff were extremely attentive and nice. The space itself is extremely inviting and cozy. My favorite dish we tried was the stuffed squid that had a nice apple butter mixed into the rice. The presentation of the food was also well done. The menu is pretty extensive, all of the food we had was very good, but maybe could shorten the list of options to focus more on a couple star dishes. read more

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We tried Bosforo for a friend's birthday, and the energy was great--lively, packed, and definitely a scene. I arrived early and grabbed a seat at the small bar (with the understanding from the host I could only sit for 20 mins), but it took a solid five minutes before anyone acknowledged me, which wasn't the best first impression. Once we got going, the meal itself had some real highlights. The drinks were well done, and the grilled items are clearly the strength here. The Bosforo kebap--hand-minced beef with sumac onions, grilled tomato, shishito, and lavash--was excellent, as was the chicken kebap. If you go, I'd focus on the meats. The breads were very good, and the Girit ezme stood out--a rich, flavorful mix of Turkish ezine cheese, olive oil, basil, garlic, Antep pistachio, and raki that worked perfectly as a spread. The smoked yogurt was also a standout. We enjoyed the stuffed eggplant and the beet salad as well. That said, it was surprising that some staples missed. Per a friend's recommendation, we skipped the rice and hummus--and after seeing other dishes, that felt like the right call. It's a bit unexpected for a restaurant like this to fall short on those basics. The braised green beans were not a hit--off texture and a lot of garlic. We also tried the Çukurova lahmacun (a beef roll) - the texture didn't quite work--the soft filling and thin bread didn't complement each other. On the other hand, the pizza was excellent, and the rice pudding was a great way to end the meal. Overall, Bosforo delivers on atmosphere and grilled meats, with a few inconsistencies elsewhere. I'd absolutely return--but would stick to the kebaps and highlights. read more

Amazing food, great service and very cool atmosphere. When friends and family are visiting from out of town I bring them here :)

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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Bosforo is a beautifully buzzy space with delicious food and excellent service. I particularly enjoyed their wood-fired humus topped with pastrami, pine nuts, and chili burned butter, and the bread it comes with for dipping is fantastic. I also spread it on the lavash with the kofte plate and topped with the salad and veggies for a kind of make-your-own mini sandwich. The meat was tender and very flavorful. Then, even though I was full, I ended up getting a Turkish coffee to have with their pistachio/shredded phyllo dough dessert topped with goat milk ice cream, which I couldn't stop eating. Next time, I think I'm going to try one of their Turkish wine and the lahmacun. Tip: This place is on the corner of 32nd and Adams Ave. in Normal Heights so plan for parking accordingly. Though even on a Friday night at 6 pm, I found a spot pretty quickly. read more

As a Turk, this was the best adana kebab (they call it the Bosforo kebab on the menu) that I've ever had, including in Turkey, and the warm hummus was on par. The Mersin potatoes are life changing. The food at this amazing restaurant isn't just good Turkish food -- it's the amazing food that a hip restaurant in Istanbul would serve. The manti was slightly doughy but that's it. The service and interior were impeccable. read more

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