You can't go wrong with the Karniyarik (stuffed eggplant), and the moussaka is fantastic. But the best dish I've had so far is the Iskender Kebab. The Turkish tea is also a treat, from the strong brew to the shapely glass you'll enjoy every sip. read more

Today I went to Cafe Istanbul with my friend Cliff. Located in Easton Town Center, Cafe Istanbul offers a good selection of Turkish Cuisine. I had been yearning for something different, a taste of Turkish Kebab's!. I have been thinking how different a Gyros is from a Doner kebab and how I yearned the taste of a Doner Kebab for some time. The only problem was there was nowhere that sold Doner Kebabs, especially in Columbus, Ohio, well I was wrong........ enter Cafe Istanbul! The complimentary bread that is served is superb and I do mean superb, it is served with an infused olive oil dipping sauce which is just amazing. I opted for the Lunch Special which comprised of a starter, main and dessert all for $9.95 My starter of Lentil Soup was packed with goodness and flavor that kept unfolding, it was delightful, it came with a wedge of lemon which I found a little odd but in the great spirit of when in Rome do as the Romans do, I squeezed some lemon juice into my soup. Wow is all I can say, who knew a simple squeeze of lemon would unlock a hidden dimension within an already outstanding soup. My main course, Doner Kebab was superb. I could really taste the meatiness and flavor of the Lamb and the Beef!, Wow and the texture was amazing. The side of hot sauce which we requested to be extra hot! did not dissonant. It was simply delicious. The almond dessert rounded things off nicely. It was delicate yet full of flavor. The only fault I could find, which was easy to overlook given the flavor of the dishes served was the temperature of the food. Unfortunately this British eater is cursed with a pallet that demands dishes be piping hot!, that is straight from the pot or oven hot, and straight to the table. It is an affliction I have had for as long as I can remember and is sometimes a curse! Overall a wonderful place that was clean, had friendly wait staff and most importantly GREAT FOOD! read more

First impressions were great-- it's not Istanbul but it's about as close as I would expect anywhere in Ohio to get... started off a bit too dark inside, clearly aiming for the Ottoman/Turkish stereotype. Turkish tea was merely passable, the mixed grill kebabs initially seemed decent but it very quickly became apparent the main seasoning was salt. The shawarma was the main offender, but the chicken, the lamb, and the ground beef weren't any better. The side of rice and of raw onion? You definitely needed 'em to cut the salt, and after those ran out, the rest of the meat was inedible. Service was decent but a bit pushy with the check; they were happy to let you linger so long as you paid quickly. Bit of an unsatisfactory vibe all things considered. read more

I was recommended Cafe Istanbul by a friend, and on a whim my boyfriend and I decided to venture out to Easton to try the Turkish restaurant. This, being my first trip to Easton ever, certainly made me want to come back. Despite all of the insane hustle of a saturday night at Easton, Cafe Istanbul remained pleasantly moderate to the crowds [busy, but you didn't have to wait for a table]. The wait staff was beyond polite and welcoming, and the warm decor was very inviting. Our meals were AMAZING. Not only were the prices decent, the amount of food we received was enough to take home leftovers. We shared the Ezme appetizer, a refreshing blend of tomatoes, spices, and other veggies to make a Turkish-like salsa. It was absolutely satisfying. I had the Okra and Lamb stew with rice which was far more amazing that I had anticipated. My boyfriend got a mixed kebab plate, chicken and donar....both which were amazingly seasoned [the jasmine was the predominant flavor] and tender. The only note I have for the Easton location is that on the map is shows it is next to Bath and Body works. IT IS NOT. It is all the way towards the back near the Container Store and BD Mongolian BBQ. I was also VERY pleased to find out that Cafe Shish Kebab is owned by the same owned as Cafe Istanbul, which is closer to my home that Easton. I would definitely go back any day and recommend it to any of my friends! read more

I had never had Turkish food, but I do have a Turkish aunt. That was my exact rationale for going to Cafe Istanbul. I was so pleastantly surprised! I loved the food and have often wanted to make the drive back. I had the Turlu (vegetable stew) and it was delicious. I love the well-spiced flavor and the awesome combo of veggies. We had hummus as an appetizer and the Sutlac rice pudding. I remember leaving with enough food for another meal and being pleasantly full and satisfied. If you are heading over to Easton, by all means stop here. There are tons of chains to chose from, but walk around and find this place, it's delicious! read more

large portions make this place great... mix in cool atmosphere and great tasting food, well its a must stop in while your in columbus. All the Kababs are wonderful and you won't regret ordering one of these items. Some of the best humus I have ever had. read more

I know turkish dishes very well. In fact, I make several turkish dishes when I feel like it. This turkish restaurant is something else. All ingredients of foods are fresh. Kebab made of Lamb and beef taste great. They should have a expert chief. You should try baklava. It melts in your mouth. Great place read more

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Hi! Cafe Istanbul is very different then the other restaurants. It is a taste tour of the; Miditerranean, Middle East and Europe, especially the Turkey! The amazing quality of the foods of these dishes will leave you speechless. This restaurant is rated the one of the top restaurant! Also, awesome athmosphore; you feel like in the iSTANBUL! Thank you Mr. Fatih, the best cook!!! Gabriel Altindag. read more

tried their lunch special which was a great deal 12 dollar for one appetizer, one entree and even a dessert their kebab was very good read more

We've been coming to Cafe Istanbul at Easton since it opened. I've always been impressed with the quality of the food and the service. I also catered for parties from them. Most recently, I ordered food for ten people for my son's birthday. I talked to Emine about the order and listened to her advice about how much I should order and what sort of food I should order. She was fantastic in every way. The food was perfectly cooked and brought so much joy and delight to my guests. When my husband picked up the order, he was impressed with the efficiency of the service and the kindness and professionalism of the restaurant staff. We are grateful to Emine and her staff for their excellent service and will come back to their marvelous restaurant for more. Thank you for everything! read more

We dined here for the restaurant week menu. The bread was delicious and came with an oil and rosemary dip. The hummus was well presented, but could have used more garlic. Their baba ghanoush was excellent. My doner kebab was good with alot of meat, but my wife's chicken kebab was dry and overcooked. Both dinners came with steamed rice and a carrot broccoli medley which were meh. The baklava and almond pudding (more like a custard) were both excellent. Atmosphere was impressive and our service was very good. Would return to try other items on their extensive menu. I was surprised that there was a bar and alcohol is served, but we just had water and iced tea. read more

Wow! Cafe Istanbul is ranked 7th for dining in Columbus? Ahead of Northstar Cafe??? Great to see such a terrific but under-appreciated cuisine get this kind of credit - nice work Yelpers! The only issue with a place like Cafe Istanbul, that makes EVERYTHING from scratch, is that consistency can be a little off, but as other folks have said, it is well-worth it. We always skip dessert in this country, but DO NOT skip it at CI, the baklava will revolutionize your expectations, as will the sutlac (although I like my with a little crustier top on it, so check to see if the batch is made right). The doner kebab is amazing, forget the frozen crap the Greek restaurants are throwing at you around town, this here is the real deal with lamb and beef. Absolutely amazing. If you think you don't like lamb, wait until you taste this stuff. All of the appetizers are good, and as other reviewers have said, there is probably no dish on this menu that you won't absolutely love (except maybe those vegetarian options - why take the best part out???) read more

Loved this place! The appetizer bread was warm, fluffy and yummy. Turkish tea was quite good and my dinner was excellent! My only complaint is that there were not a lot of vegetarian options, but they do have a decent selection. I will definitely stop by again when I'm in town. It has a very pleasant atmosphere and is very welcoming. read more

I have been many Turkish restaurant in US. I always find them to Americanized. This was is really close to original Turkish style. We were visiting Columbus for 3 days and for 2 days we had our dinner there. Staff was so nice. Ambient is traditional. Food is amazingly tasty. Definitely recommend. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Their Künefe is just amazing! I loved it. Definitely recommend. - Turkish Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Our entire meal was magical. From the fresh, hot bread, to the tender chicken, and the dessert. The bread and oil was every carb-lovers dream. I got a lunch meal and couldn't even finish. Plenty of food! Can't wait to go back. read more

Cafe Istanbul - You can never think of giving less than five stars if you have enjoyed the fabulous food from the cafe. We had The Adana Chicken kabab - which was good Liver Fry - Excellent with right spice and crispiness Lamb Saute - was good and loved the taste . Cafe Istambul is a good try and the food won't disappoint you,. read more

I have been to lots of Mediterranean/ Turkish restaurants around the country, but none of them was great as Cafe Istanbul. Especially Turkish Pizza, as they call "Lahmacun". It means "meat with dough" or something like that. Its the most delicious food I have ever eaten. Ambiance was a mix of Middle Eastern and Turkish culture. It feels like its another world! read more

Food is probably closer to 4 stars, but service sank this ship. The lunch deal at the Easton location is great. Appetizer, entree, and dessert for $10.00. I had the red lentil soup and the tilapia. My dining companion the Baba Ganoush (babaganoush?) and the chicken kabob. All very nicely made, though the Baba was a little too smokey for me. Nothing to complain about. Good food, good price. But the service... ok, I get that some things bother me that wouldn't bother others, but the lack of attention to detail in service always makes me nervous about what is going on in the kitchen. We were seated in a nearly empty restaurant to a booth badly in need of repair. The cushions were ripped, unlike the cushions in the booths at either side. The menu was sticky and held remnants of food. Then there was the matter of our server. He was well-intentioned and attentive, but definitely missed the memo on not oversharing with your customers. I waited tables for 6 years. You need to smile and be friendly, maybe compliment a jacket or purse... whatever... however, this cannot lead into a 10 minute story about your Christmas shopping or why you think you look better in the color orange. Look, I am not here to have a long conversation with you... I am here to speak with the person I am having lunch with. I appreciate what you do, I know how difficult it is, and I will tip you well for doing it, but I don't care if your mother always puts sour cream in her mashed potatoes or what class you found must interesting in undergrad. Please.move.along. read more

Always fresh, always good! One of my go to restaurants. Beautiful setting and atmosphere. Patio available

I have to knock this place down a star just because I totally loved the place they were in while at the strip mall. No where in the city could you go to a Turkish place and find no one but other Turkish people there eating (must be good). Their stuffed egg plant is out of this world. Their fish is always fantastic too! The Turkish coffee reminds me of NYC when I would get greek or Turkish coffee....(order it medium if you like it a little sweet but be sure not to guzzle it down unless you want a mouth full of grinds that you will find in the bottom of your cup). I used to have great times bringing vendors to this eatery when I lived in Columbus. We always had a great time, never felt rushed, and were taken care of very well. Sometimes they will have shisa pipes in the front room, but I think that they end up selling them. Oh...and try the DARK Turkish beer... DELISH! read more

We were in Columbus for the weekend and I found Cafe Istanbul through Yelp for lunch on a Saturday. They seem to have fantastic reviews so we definitely had to check it out. We made it there after the lunch crowd which was nice, and ask for outdoor seating on the patio. The weather was fantastic so are experience out there was a good one. Our servers name was Emine and she was very helpful with the menu, very polite, and attentive to our table. I started off with a Key Lime Martini which was topped with whipped cream and it was a delicious refreshing drink on a perfect summer day, at only $7.95 it was also priced reasonably. For our meals we went with the lamb shish kabob plate with yogurt and also the chicken and kofte platter. The lamb was served over a toasted garlic bread with yogurt and a tomato sauce. It was fan freakin' tastic. My husband also loved his entree. I thought the service was great, the food was authentic and delicious and the service was good too. I would have loved to try the baklava but we were stuffed!! I recommend it to anyone in the area. Then you can walk off all your calories at the shops when you finish. read more

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Fantastic food and service. Clean and welcoming atmosphere. We absolutely LOVED the Turkish coffee! Definitely going back when we are in the Easton area! read more

First time visitor to Cafe Istanbul. The service was incredible. Our server Emine was not only polite and knowledgeable but welcomed questions about the menu. The food was delicious and the bread was freshly baked. We had the lunch special, which was a very generous portion, enough to take some home for a snack. Would definitely recommend. A gem at Easton. read more

A gem in this Columbus shopping center. The decor is awesome. The gyro special plate was delicious! The mashed eggplant it came with was creamy and flavorful. Turkish tea and baklava were on point. Non traditional (American) cocktails make this a favorite for everyone. read more

I liked the ambiance inside more than the food, which although it was okay. My biggest gripe is that it lacked the depth of flavor and spice that I am accustomed to with Turkish cuisine. read more

We have been here twice and will return! I order vegetarian dishes, and my husband orders the kabobs. The food is excellent, and the wait staff is wonderful. We are frequent diners at the sister restaurant at the Greene in Dayton, Pashe, and enjoy it as well. read more

Great night at cafe istanbul. Our server, Trent, was great!! He's 30 by the way when he asks you to play the guess my age game!!'. Great food and fun night! read more

Istanbul is chain of restaurants offering "authentic Turkish" food. I am afraid I can't really talk on the point of authenticity, and must leave that to someone else. However, the food offered is very much in line with other restaurants of the type I've been to, with great flavor and served in a nice atmosphere, though at what seem like rather high prices. Dropping in on a Saturday afternoon with my friend, the place was not exceptionally busy, though a few folks including families were present. Just as well as the tables are pretty tight together. I could see it being crowded and noisy if the place is full. The ambiance is nice, though - warm colors, interesting structure, comfortable seats, and some interesting decorations and lighting that lend it an exotic, elegant feel. It might be tricky, but I suspect tables could be moved together to accommodate a decent sized group. I gather there is also patio seating though given the wind and scattered showers, it was not the best day to dine al fresco on our visit. But anyways, the food. I had planned to order a sandwich and appetizer on this trip, but either this branch does not serve sandwiches or it was past the time they are available because I did not see them on the menu. That was fine, though - I got an old favorite, moussaka, instead. And wow, that's some good moussaka. The ingredients blend together perfectly for a fantastic chewy texture with lots of sweet and savory flavors, with the eggplant/mozzerella/bechamel topping being the highlight. Not to knock the plentiful and flavorful meat, but it's the top part of the meal that make it work. This is served with a plate of tasty, seasoned rice and a piece of roasted tomato and pepper on a bed of creamy sauce. Like all meals, it also comes with a nice big basket of Istanbul's bread and mild, spiced dipping oil to share with your companions. The bread is seriously good stuff, with a slightly sweet taste, a crisp crust, and soft, super addictive inside. It's both a very good and very bad thing they give you such a good portion - good because it is delicious and you will want to eat it all....and bad for the very same reason. As to drinks, Istanbul has a full bar and some interesting teas, but I decided on Turkish coffee. You can never have enough caffeine after all. However, for $3.25, you sure don't get much caffeine, even considering how pungent the Turkish style of coffee is. One little (admittedly beautiful) little cup is all you get, which seems strange since I have been to other restaurants where I can get an entire pot of coffee for less than that. ...though to be fair, they are Lebanese and not Turkish and not located in Columbus. Anyway, I suggest you try the apple tea instead, which not only has free refills, but is apparently very good (I did not try it but my friend who did said it was fantastic). Prices, in all, do seem on the high side to me, though they aren't ridiculous or that unusual for this sort of food in this sort of atmosphere. Also, keep in mind that, as of this review, Istanbul offers a 15% off coupon (per person or per table) on their website that you can print off. It used to be offered in the local newspapers as well. My friend and I both utilized one without any difficulty. Now as to other points - service is a bit mixed. The main server we had was.... not enthused with her job. It could also take a lot of time to get refills and other things. However, there was another man (the/an owner?) who popped in and out now and then and was very pleasant. Also, as the place isn't that large, I expect waits are a normal occurrence come dinner time. However, there is a very nice area to wait in by the entry, with some big leather couches, reading material, and some items for sale from Karavan (same people as on High Street I presume) for perusal. Anyway, if you're hungry at Easton, I would certainly suggest giving Istanbul a try. Good food, fantastic, bread, and a very nice atmosphere. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Moussaka - Turkish Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Came here during a business trip with a few coworkers - each of us had the lunch special, which came with a soup or salad, main and a dessert. Boss also ordered a plate of babaghanoush and a fresh Shepherd's salad. Warm lavash to share for the table with spicy dipping oil, mmm. Everything was really superb, the dressing on the salad was delicious and fresh. Baba was fine. Mine and my coworker's main was a kufte and it was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Boss had chicken, which she enjoyed. Simple side of veggies. Dessert was an almond pudding which was just vanilla pudding with too much almond extract. Tasted like Jergens. But I'll still be back!! I have dreams of this place for my next trip to C-bus. p.s. tableside waiter service was exceptional. I miss that in NYC! :) read more

We were planning to dine at the restaurant next door but due to the long lines, we changed restaurants at the last minute. And we were glad that we did. Food was delicious, service was friendly. We were just disappointed in how long it took to get a table. There were no Customers waiting so we were expecting to be seated immediately. Otherwise top marks. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in Columbus Turkish coffee is great but very expense. But all Turkish coffee is like that. The food is fantastic and the service is very good. Wide range of choices. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Turkish Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Located in a prime spot at Easten Towne Center (right near Nordstrom!!), I'd call Cafe Istanbul a hidden gem. Nestled in right next to a much more obvious B.D. Mongolian and the new L.L. Bean store, this establishment may be hard to notice at first unless you know it's there. Upon walking in, the smell and aesthetics of the place all had an authentic feeling. My friend and I went for a really late lunch / early dinner at 4 PM on a Wednesday which is what I like to call the "make or break" time for a restaurant as they are typically shorter staffed but also not crowded and I've had different experiences with how restaurants deal with the mid day crowd. I have to say they did an excellent job! Our server and the owner were very attentive and not over bearing. They were also very polite and did not interrupt all the catching up my friend and I had to do. The food was quite tasty! The menu is a little on the pricy side (~$15 per entree), likely due to its central location at Easten and how high traffic the area is on weekends. We noticed other diner's portions and decided to split the Shish Kabob plate with yogurt and an appetizer of hummus. It was the perfect amount of food to feel satisfied but not overly stuffed. The hummus was well seasoned and creamy, not oily at all. It tastes great with their home baked bread. Yum! The lamb was tender, moist and not overly greasy. The yogurt was unique served over something that reminded me of American stuffing--it was their signature yogurt mixed with their home baked bread cubes. The tanginess of the yogurt complemented the lamb nicely. Great meal here over all. It was still completely dead here by 6pm when we left so I hope that this place does better business on higher traffic times / days of the week. I noticed they have carry out too so that's always an option as well! read more

We stopped in Café Istanbul after a day of shopping. It was after the normal lunch hour, so the restaurant wasn't too busy; even with a table of six we were seated almost immediately. We ordered some dolmades for the table while we perused the rest of the menu. I wasn't that hungry so I decided to go with one of the salads. That option didn't work out because the waiter came back to notify me they were out of one of the base lettuces. No big deal, I found another one and was just fine. Until everyone's dish came out but mine. In reality it probably wasn't that long, but when everyone else has their plate, it seemed like forever before what was a pretty simple salad (not including the falafel) to arrive. It was the perfect light meal even though it was an imperfect service. Would I go back again? Of course! So many tasty things to try on the menu. Just don't know when I'll make it back to Columbus. read more

The best Turkish food I've ever had! -- Also, the only Turkish food I've ever had! Went here for a business meeting with an international customer who practices a Halal diet. Called ahead and was happy to hear that Cafe Istanbul could meet my needs. I was a little worried that this would not be authentic middle eastern food and therefore make me look like a complete goober for suggesting this restaurant. However, my worries were put to rest when my business associate tasted the food and found it to be excellent, authentic, and seemed impressed with my decision for Cafe Istanbul. (THANK YOU for the potential sale) We ordered the platter of Kebabs, a starter of hummus, and finished with Baklava. I was mistaken in assuming Turkish food would be similar with Indian food -- forgive my ignorance! Nothing was overly spicy but it all had absolutely amazing flavor. The meat was cooked to perfection and the service was accommodating and friendly. I would recommend Cafe Istanbul to anyone looking for a date night, business meeting, or unique dining experience. I encourage everyone to give this place a shot....there is definitely something on the menu for any type of foodie. Enjoy. read more

Very nice atmosphere. Its just as beautiful and colorful as I imagined Istanbul would actually be. Its deceivingly spacious and the lighting is very good. I visited for my Birthday lunch on October 18,2016 and it was pretty empty but the atmosphere was very intimate. Pass on the booths and get a table outside or in the restaurant if you can. The booths can be a bit cramped. I had the Small Sampler and a Turkish Tea. Very delicious and very flavorful. read more

Cafe Istanbul - Visited for lunch. I really enjoyed the appetizers. Well worth it. Not to mention the Turkish Tea! #Birthday #Lunch #CafeIstanbul - Turkish Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Super friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Wait staff is always on point and attentive. The food is just great. The bread is to die for and the hummus is the best in the city. Gyros are great but I love the chicken kebabs. Everything is always cooked perfectly. Very highly recommend this gem at Easton. read more

Located out on the edge of Easton, Cafe Istanbul offers up some great Turkish/Mediterranean cuisine. The kebabs are extremely tasty, as are the baklava and falafel. The ambiance is classy, and the wait staff is attentive and friendly. And it's always cool to eat somewhere at Easton that isn't a chain restaurant. The prices are also right for such a nice night out. It's such a great balance of quality and cost. Cafe Istanbul would be a perfect place for a (slightly) budget-minded date. read more

I used to loathe Easton. Now I think I may be heading there more often - at least to the north end. And it's all thanks to you Yelpers, without whom I never would have discovered Cafe Istanbul. It's very easy to miss but I'm very glad we didn't. It's cozy inside, service was great, and the food was even better. I ordered the turlu, which is very reminiscent of ratatouille. It's also available with lamb, if you prefer. Big chunks of potato, green beans, onion, whole cloves of garlic, zucchini, and melt-in-your-mouth eggplant in a light tomato-ey sauce, with some delicious rice on the side. I was stuffed - and addicted. Writing about it now makes me want to drive up there and order it again. Boyfriend ordered the kofte kebabs, which were not on skewers like I was picturing, but he said they were very moist and delicious. We didn't have room for desserts, but they all looked good and not overly sweet. The atmosphere is subdued and quiet (not like the echoing acoustic disaster that is Brio), the food is good, portion size is good and price is excellent. Lunch for two came to about $30. We returned twice with my parents, who loved it and were upset that we only discovered it a few weeks before moving away from Columbus. For a Saturday dinner, we didn't need a reservation - this place is truly the hidden gem of Easton. read more

Literally my favorite place to go to when I am in Columbus! Been going here for half a decade. Amazing service and food, can't go wrong eating here. read more

This place was a real surprise after a long day of walking through the zoo. It seems a bit more upscale than I was expecting, but that is hardly a problem! The restaurant has a beautiful view of the river, which makes dining quite a lovely experience. The menu is full of enticing things and our group ordered way too much food, which I consider a good sign! Everything we ate had delicious flavours and I only wish we could have eaten more. The prices were reasonable, considering the quality and quantity and the service was excellent. Highly recommended. read more