Continuing alphabet series for 2025 runner-up to original out of town C pick to local DMV, C is for Cazbar. For a couple of months my friend, who is of Turkish heritage and lives out in Germantown, wanted to meet me closer to my home to go to Cazbar. We went on Saturday, 9/6/25 for lunch (lunch prices are better as why I shot for lunch time). We walked in, and it was fancy Middle Eastern decor. Server was nice & efficient answering questions. I got their take on flatbread pizza called Lamb Pide. Wow, the lamb and pizza as a whole was amazing. My friend got some more expensive platter, which looked good. If I came back, I'd maybe get something like what he got. My friend (& me to a lesser extent) were cogitating on getting a dessert. I think me saying we ate a lot, it's extra calories, & prices are pretty high for dessert, ended up swaying him not to get dessert. Plus, there was a Greek festival and might get a baklava or other dessert there, which I did. Overall, my impression was wow, this place is impression, and I want to go with my girlfriend one of these days, maybe on a weekend before a movie at AMC Columbia or something. read more

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This Turkish restaurant is located in a little strip mall. It looks tiny from the outside but it is huge. The bars are pretty. The decorations are awesome. It is worth walking around the restaurant to view all the pretty decorations. The menus are media pads that don't get wiped off (gross). I don't understand how a restaurant that has technology (and a robot busser) can't sort out separate checks. Groups of six or more are charged a 20% service charge. Large groups are charged a $25 fee for using a credit card. My suggestion is stop handing out the pretty bags for leftovers and get rid of the credit card fee. We have a group of eight that meets once a month. We won't be back as a group. It might be fun to return sometime with less people and watch belly dancing. The menu is extensive (a bit confusing on the media pad) and has vegan and vegetarian options. The portions are decent. The items are flavorful and most are pricey. Guests who split a dish with someone are charged $15 for not ordering an entree. The watermelon margarita was pretty. I appreciated pitchers of water at the table. The cold hummus trio was tiny and tasty. The red lentil soup was nicely seasoned and barely warm. The sweet potatoes were nicely presented, flavorful and not filling. The red sauce wasn't too spicy but ketchup tasted better. The lamb moussak eggplant dish was large. The Doneri Iskender lamb dish was $10 more with bread and sauce. The vegetable kebab had zucchini & squash. My friend didn't want the rice & bread so she substituted a salad. $40 for a skewer & small salad seemed excessive. The salad with chicken was large. Everyone enjoyed the lamb. The desserts were large enough to share. The noodle breaded dessert was interesting. I enjoyed seeing the dishes. The Chocolate cake was yummy. The baklava was sweet and good. They only had the green flavor. The server was mostly locked into our needs. The manager gave everyone a pretty to go bag. You can see the menu on your phone & can avoid the over used media pad. read more

I went back years later and wow the resturant is just as amazing as it was the first time. We went on a Saturday night don't really recommend. It was busy super crowded and sadly did take us about 30min just to get clean glasses to the table and maybe an hour before someone took our order. Other than that we had a great time all of our orders came correctly , together and hot. The food was amazing we love their bread. There's nothing you can get that you wouldn't love here ! The mocktails are good the lemonade is interesting but still good. I still would recommend. The. Emmy dancers are always great here and they make the show so interactive read more

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What a pleasant surprise. I did not plan on eating at this restaurant because I'm a picky eater but I ordered the salmon and it was outstanding! Other guests ordered grilled lamb and chicken and they were very pleased with their meals also. The belly dancer was entertaining as well and the vibe was a comfortable/cool Mediterranean flow. Our server was prompt and attentive, he also had a sense of humor. If you're looking for something different and delicious give Cazbar a try! #HappyEating read more

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We came on a night with a belly dancing performance, so that might skew my review. The restaurant has beautiful decor and is quite large. The tables are quite close to other guest tables, so that makes things a bit cramped with servers and robots delivering food and drinks. We were seated close to the stage and right below the speakers, so as soon as the belly dancing started, the music nearly blew my ears out. Very difficult to have any conversation once it started. It also took our server a long time to take our orders and even longer for the food to arrive - it was a busy night. Once the food came, it was very good! Overall, I would try this restaurant again, but I would request a table far from the stage and away from any speakers if there is a belly dancing performance read more

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I came here few times with my friends and loved the entertainment plus the food. It's a great place to celebrate special days. The belly dancing was so enjoyable and entertaining. I love Turkish food and they do amazing job every time. The service is always great. We ordered the grand fest for 4 and several other dish which allowed us to try a little bit of everything. I strongly recommend their beef and lamb more than chicken dish. We finished our meal with Dubai chocolate , Baklava and Turkish tea. They were all delicious. read more

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Cazbar is a great spot to celebrate any special occasion. The indoor decor and vibe of the restaurant is elegant. They also have belly dancers certain nights as well. It's easy to check the schedule on their website. The food was tasty, but some of it was a but pricey. We had a larger group so we decided to get The Grand Feast. The appetizer and dessert portions felt a bit light, but the mains were decent in size. Drinks were good, and I also loved that they had a variety of mocktail options. The service started off great, but it started to slow down as the night progressed. We were there during the belly dancing show which was very lively, but the restaurant was also very full so we didn't see our server a lot. After the show, it took a while for us to get dessert and boxes and even longer for the check. Gratuity was already included, which we didn't mind, but it felt like our table was not visited as much because of it. It took over 30 minutes to get checked out and have the bill. Overall, a nice vibe and great for celebrating, but probably wouldn't come back during their show nights. read more

Cazbar - Columbia - Turkish Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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Incredible restaurant. We've been hearing great things about Cazbar for years and finally decided to go. Was a great decision!! Really interesting menu. We learned quite a bit about Turkish dining, as typically uninformed Americans. The food was great, with nice big portions. The waitstaff is wonderful. Answered all of our questions (we had many). Patient. Observant. Couldn't have been better. We went on a weeknight and it was surprisingly empty. Our waiter said it's usually much busier. And especially so on weekends, mostly due to the belly dancers (Fridays and Saturdays I believe). We'll definitely be returning. Really great restaurant. read more

Such a fun restaurant! Great service, food and experience! Definitely a great place to go with friends or a date night! Love all the details and lighting. Such a beautiful restaurant! read more

Cazbar - Columbia - Turkish Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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Fulfilled luncheon & get together with my girlfriends at Cazbar (a Turkish restaurant) in Columbia. One of the gals has been to this place but first time for the rest of us. First impression - beautiful restaurant. Love all the beautiful and colorful Mosaic lamps including the one in the women's bathroom. At night this place has belly dancing show so I will have to go back to experience that! Plenty of seating for large groups and a few cozy tables for dates. All of us enjoyed our food. I ordered the grilled salmon kebap that came with rice-orzo, Cazik and house made bread. I enjoyed my food but have minor suggestion: red onion could be cut thinner (I have a lot of big pieces) and/or make it a pickled onions for a little crunch. Also adding a sauce topping on the salmon like garlic and chili kind. Our server forgot our table bread too, hence the 4 stars. The other gals ordered: Adana iskender, Kofte, chicken, and beef bowls. They all gave a solid . For dessert we had mixed baklava and Kunefe to share. That was one of the best tasting desserts! Highly recommend it. read more

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I am sitting at the bar drinking the spicy margaritas, it is strong as the bar tender promised. My friend came and we sit down at the table. The belly dancing started. How entertaining this was to the crowd. I like this place. The food was good. I had the mix (chicken, lamb and beef. We shared the hummus and felafel. The service was good. There was quite a crowd there tonight. This place is great for groups and birthday celebrations! read more

Cazbar - Columbia - Hummus and Falafel & Hummus - Turkish Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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Lately I have been more into small plates than full entrees. Cazbar has the perfect bread, dips and sides. Love their hummus and baba ghanoush and really everything they serve. The ambiance also feels lux which I always appreciate in a restaurant. Our servers were very attentive and friendly. I've only been here with big groups but look forward to an intimate dinner with family next month. read more

Inside the restaurant has a delightful ambiance. Beautifully decorated with Middle Eastern decor and soft lighting. My friend and I were celebrating her birthday. We were warmly welcomed by the hosts at the door and seated promptly. The place was packed and lively music playing. It didn't take too long for us to be served. We ordered the falafel for appetizers I got the Adana Iskender and my friend got the Adana Kebab both were amazing pretty close to what we had when we actually visited Istanbul, Turkey. The young lady who was performing belly dancing added to this amazing experience. I would love to go back to try some of the other dishes. read more

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What a gem! We had a large family celebration after church. The food was excellent. For 7 adults, we shared a meat platter and a veggie platter, which featured more than 5 sides with warm and soft bread. Each dish was flavorful and rich. We were full before the meat platter came out. The meat had 4-5 different types of meat of which we could not finish. The final touch was Turkish coffee and baklavas. The average entree price is between $25-35 if you consider the lunch options. Our bill exceeded $500 and we would have saved money by doing individual entrees. Nevertheless, the food was great. However, if you pick platters ensure you know the price because they upcharge you based on the number of adults and we were not aware of that. I also ordered tiramisu to go and cant wait to try it tonight! The kids enjoyed their meals as well and even the cheese pizza was above average. Finally, the decor and ambiance was awesome. I loved the soft scent in the bathroom as well but the owner wouldn't reveal where the scented oils are from. read more

Bf found this place for our anniversary dinner. First timers here! The shopping center was a bit grungy feel but Cazbar was BEAUTIFUL in the inside (DO NOT turn around or judge what you see on the outside) I LOVED LOVED the interior of Cazbar. Service was spectacular, too. They had a belly dancer come out too for entertainment. We met the manager there and he was super personable. Haven't even got to the food yet -- saving the best for last :) Food: As it was our anniversary we ordered the Sultans Platter...Taste of Cazbar It was a lot of food for two had leftovers and brought it home but HOLY HECK IT WAS AMAZING. Enough said. DEF REC this place and will be back!!! We both loved it so much we are thinking about making it a tradition to go every anniversary because it was THIS GOOD!! read more

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AMAZING Food and drinks in a well decorated venue with flamboyant colors, the bartender was engaging and serviable. I highly recommend this place for fun read more

In an unassuming shopping center you'll find a dimly lit, beautifully decorated Turkish restaurant. We have been to this establishment many times and we are always pleased with the quality and service. We typically go in a large group of around 10+ and they have plenty of seating and accommodation for this size group. Food arrives for all of us at the same time and the wait staff is exceedingly friendly and responsive to requests. Favorites include the Doner kebap and the mixed mezze plate, served with fresh warm bread. Try the lamb burger and the brunch sampler for 2, which includes a version of Shakshuka, a non-Turkish dish served with Turkish Simit bread and various sides like feta cheese and cheese borek. Finish off your meal with Turkish coffee or tea and a gorgeous generous portion a dessert. Parking is plentiful and prices are somewhat high in general, but reasonable for the portion and quality of food. Highly recommended! read more

Cazbar - Columbia - Entryway - Turkish Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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I havent eaten a bad thing at this place. I had such good food I ordered it off doordash the day after I ate in the brick and mortar location. The space is very large so you never wait and they offer entertainment by way of hookah and belly dancers. So no matter if youre coming with your family to brunch or with your friends for a more grown up outing Cazbar has you covered. read more

I am completely disgusted by this establishment. I am writing this review while standing outside in the cold on Valentine's Day, still waiting for a table that was supposedly reserved. My husband and I had a 7:00 PM reservation. We arrived early at 6:45 PM and were told our table would be ready in 45 minutes--despite having a reservation. After waiting the full 45 minutes, we were then told it would be another 45 minutes to an hour. What is the actual purpose of a reservation if it means absolutely nothing? This is clearly the result of overbooking and prioritizing a money grab over basic customer respect--especially on a night that is meaningful for many couples. If you cannot honor reservations, then do not take them. Period. This was our first time here, and it will absolutely be our last. We never even made it inside, and based on this experience, I have zero interest in ever returning or recommending this place to anyone. For anyone curious, enjoy the photos of the ever-growing crowd of people waiting outside for their "reserved" tables--because this wasn't even the worst of it. I am leaving one star solely because I'm required to select one in order to warn others. read more

Cazbar - Columbia - Turkish Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

I've been here a few times now, and they never disappoint! Whether it's a date night, lunch date, or just catching up with friends, this place always delivers. The Mediterranean Kofti Kebab and Salmon Kebab are absolutely delicious--flavorful, satisfying, and filling. The service is consistently warm and welcoming, and the ambiance is cozy and lovely every time. The waitstaff are always so friendly and attentive, which really adds to the experience. Highly recommend if you're craving something tasty in a relaxed, feel-good setting. read more

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We came to Cazbar having heard good reviews about it. The food was great and so was the service. Everything was so flavorful and fresh and came out piping hot. Highly recommend if in the area. We also heard they do belly dancing shows on the weekend and will be back read more

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Another wonderful dining experience. Delicious food. Very nice atmosphere. Friendly service. Grilled vegetables and lamb chops are some of our favorites. They have a large selection of drinks and liquor. Convenient location. Located inside a small strip mall. Parking can get busy at times. read more

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Cazbar is one of my absolute favorite restaurants! It was my first time trying Turkish cuisine, and now I'm completely obsessed. From the mezze to the entrées, everything tasted exceptional. I can truly say this was an eye-opening experience for me. I genuinely felt like I'd been missing out on something amazing by not trying Turkish food sooner. On my first visit, I came with my boyfriend to celebrate Valentine's Day, and we ordered the Sultan Platter for Two along with Turkish fruit wine. The second time we visited, I brought my family, and we got the Grand Feast for Four, plus a few pides and the stuffed eggplant. We ended the meal with pistachio and chocolate baklava, and everything tasted amazing. Everyone absolutely loved it! If I had to choose just one dish from this restaurant, it would be the lamb chops. OMG, they were incredible. I was both happy and sad with every bite. Happy because they were so delicious, and sad because each bite meant there was less left on the plate. And their rice? Amazing. They did some magic to their rice. Buttery, garlicky... just MUAH. Chef's kiss. Overall, if you live in Columbia, MD, don't hesitate, just try their food, and you won't regret it! read more

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The lamb-chops medium well with the rice, onions and tomatoes, amazing. They were juicy and seasoned to perfection. Turkish style dishes packed with plenty of spices and flavor. They have great drinks and did I mention, Dubai Chocolate Bars. The decor is absolutely stunning with the light fixtures, color and dim lighting for an exotic experience. My server was so attentive and friendly. I will be back soon to experience the famous belly-dancing. read more

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While out for the day in the Baltimore area, we decided to find a nice Turkish restaurant to go to, so we cruised down the Columbia.. I really miss the food I had when I lived in Turkey, so I'm always looking for a good one to get my favorite dish.... The Doner Eskander. The place looks really nice inside, and reminded me of some of the ones I visited in Turkey. The staff was pretty friendly and we got seated pretty quickly, even though it was Valentines Day and we didn't have a reservation. They got us a table with the big comfy chairs, so it was all good. Of course I ordered the Doner Eskander, but when they brought my meal, they brought the wrong thing twice. When they did bring it out, it was good. Previously, we had been to Rudis Mediterranean Grill in Columbia, and this Eskander was better. It tasted as if the meat actually came off a doner whereas at Rudi's it was a thicker cut and just didn't taste like it did. For dessert, we had the Backlava cheesecake, and it was really good, highly recommend.... Although its not cheap, and our meal was just over $100, the food was good. Not sure its $100 good but its all about the supply and demand, and when there are limited options, they can charge it because people are paying it. Overall it was good, but the price brought it down for me a little bit. read more

Cazbar - Turkish Restaurant Food was pretty good and the ambiance was amazing -- beautiful décor and great vibe overall. The service was excellent too, very friendly and attentive. Giving it 4/5 stars mainly because I've had better-tasting Turkish food elsewhere, and the so-called house-made lemonade turned out to be Minute Maid. Also, the restaurant felt a bit on the warmer side temperature-wise. Still, a lovely spot for a nice meal and experience! read more

I've always heard about this place but never went. We decided to go and we had a great time. The decor was nice. There were decorative plates on the wall. The lights go dim when the belly dance comes out. Our server was nice. The food was good. The salmon was well seasoned and not dry. I would definitely go again to try a different dish and to again enjoy the show. read more

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This was our second time going to Czbar this time for a bday celebration. They never dissapoint. Excellent customer service, great ambience, very clean and the food was amazing! We started off with the hummus and bread, then grand feast and ended with baklava with Turkish tea. You have to have the tea with the baklava. As you can see we had so much hummus left, took it to go and our waiter put more bread for us. We definitely recommend this restaurant and will be going back!! read more

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10000/10 HIT THE SPOT!! The chicken thighs were so tender and flavorful. The grape leaves were perfect the correct amount of acidity. Of course I got a dubai chocolate to go and it was to die for. read more

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This place truly blew my family and I away. As soon as you walk in, you are taken away by the beautiful ambience. It makes you think you've been transformed into another location. The food is absolutely amazing with plenty of options. I love the iPads as a personal touch with pictures to show you all the menu items, it makes you just wanna order everything. And the service is absolutely top-notch. Our server was extremely helpful and took his time to explain everything. The owner or the general manager was extremely kind to my family, and even gave us a small gift as a token of appreciation. We will definitely be back over the weekend so that we can see the famous belly dancers. This place gets a 10 out of 10. read more

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I was invited here for dinner and it was so good! I ordered the lamb chop and calamari appetizers as my meal and they were cooked perfectly. I got this spicy margarita that was really good too and I'm not much of a drinker. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with colorful lamps and decorative plates. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the servers were very attentive and kind. I look forward to coming back! read more

Cazbar - Columbia - Cazbar Katmer - Turkish Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

From the moment we walked into Cazbar for our 7:15 reservation, the evening felt like a mini getaway. We were seated immediately--right across from the bar--in the most stunning, throne-like chairs that added a touch of drama and elegance to the night. I sipped on a velvety Cabernet while my partner enjoyed a perfectly balanced whiskey sour, both drinks setting the tone for what turned out to be a deliciously memorable experience. The appetizers arrived quickly and were bursting with flavor--each bite felt like a celebration of Turkish cuisine. For our main course, we shared a generous meat combo with Turkish rice, technically meant for three but easily enough to satisfy four hungry hearts. The meats were tender, well-seasoned, and beautifully presented, and the rice was fragrant and comforting. Our waiter was attentive without being intrusive, striking that perfect balance of hospitality and ease. It was the kind of service that makes you feel genuinely cared for. And just when we thought the night couldn't get any better--the belly dancer appeared, bringing energy and elegance to the room. Her performance was captivating, and the best part? Patrons were invited to join in the dancing, turning the evening into a joyful celebration that felt both spontaneous and communal. Whether you're looking for a romantic date spot or a place to indulge in rich, soulful flavors with a side of vibrant entertainment, Cazbar delivers with flair. We'll definitely be back. read more

We made a reservation for 6pm on a Saturday, but there were plenty of tables available for walk ins. We couldn't decide what to eat, and so we ordered the sultan platter for two because it had a nice variety with a little bit of everything. It was all quite tasty. My cucumber vodka drink was refreshing and complemented the food well. Service was pleasant and generally prompt, though was one lull where we couldn't find our waiter for a little while for a water refill. With most entrees around $30, Cazbar is a little pricey for the amount of food, but worth it for a special occasion in my opinion. read more

This plate is great! The decor is very nice and swanky. Perfect place for a date night. The staff is great and attentive. The food was phenomenal and came out quick. I would definitely come back. read more

Cazbar - Columbia - Turkish Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

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We made a 7:00 PM Valentine's Day reservation at Cazbar several days in advance, expecting a well managed and thoughtful experience for a special evening. Instead, we were left standing outside in a crowded line for over an hour past our reservation time. After waiting more than 60 minutes, we were then told it would be another 45 minutes before we might be seated. At that point, the reservation clearly meant nothing. What is the purpose of accepting reservations if you have no intention or ability to honor them? We were not alone. There were crowds of frustrated guests who had also reserved tables and were standing around for over an hour with no clear communication, no accountability, and no effort to meaningfully resolve the situation. It felt like the restaurant was more interested in stacking reservations than actually fulfilling them. To make matters worse, the owner and the person at the front desk were completely unhelpful. There was no apology, no attempt at service recovery, and no sense of urgency to address the obvious chaos. On one of the busiest and most important dining nights of the year, the lack of organization and customer care was astonishing. Valentine's Day is supposed to be special. Instead, it was a frustrating and wasted evening. We will not be returning. read more

Cazbar - Columbia - Long lines of people with reservations waiting for hours to be seated - Turkish Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Food was really good. Went on a weeknight. They were open despite what several other websites said. Was quiet, just a couple customers so got full attention of the team. Super friendly. Even let me check out the robots they use to help serve/bus when they are busy. Will definitely go back next time I'm in the area. read more

i came here for a birthday dinner - i LOVE mediterranean cuisine and Cazbar delivered. loved the dips and the pide, those were the highlights of the meal. you can't go wrong with any of the kabobs or meats. all delicious! albeit pricey, but I noticed that the lunch menu has the same options for a lower price so I may have to come by for lunch. the highlight were the staff. they were so kind for letting us dine in near closing which I HATE doing but we had just gotten off of work.., and assured us it was alright. they made us feel super welcome and even did a little birthday surprise :) very sweet and unexpected! amazing staff! read more

Cazbar - Columbia - Soujuk Pide, Doner Kebap, Lamb Moussaka, dips - Turkish Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

This hidden Turkish restaurant gem gets a 10/10 for EVERYTHING! The service: top-notch, the food: chef's kiss and the ambiance: exquisite I had the shrimp and tomato appetizer (so yummy) and the chop-chop lamb and chicken with rice and salad: the lamb was good, but the chicken was so moist and the salad was crips and refreshing. I ordered the Turkish mule as my drink and it was amazing too. If I had to say something not so good, it would be the rice on its own. However, I mixed it up with the other flavors on my plate and that become good too. Lastly, they have belly dancers perform which adds to the vibrant, beautifully decorated environment. It was a positive introduction to the Turkish culture for me. I'm booking my flight to Turkey NOW!!!! read more

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The atmosphere alone is fantastic. They food was good and the belly dancing was great. It's an experience everyone should try.

They were great at the beginning of this job but since kitchen chef and couple staff changed , food are getting worse also prices are going up read more