Inside the modest-looking Cinar Turkish Restaurant, customers will find both glorious food and servers who can lead them on a delightful culinary journey. My waitress immediately asked whether it was my first time at the restaurant and then offered an extensive tour of its comprehensive menu, pointing out highlights that led me to a flavorful salad, a platter of juicy kebabs and a sumptuous grilled fish. Cinar *** 677 Palisade Ave., Cliffside Park 201-941-5650 cinarnj.com Food: Mostly superb Turkish food. Ambience: Small, homey restaurant framed by mock Spanish-tile roofs. Service: Very pleasant and willing to guide newcomers through the menu. Value: Generally very good for the portion size and quality. Appetizers $3.95 to $8.95 (shareable platters run $9.95 to $14.95), entrées $9.95 |to $24.95. Would be good for: Newcomers to Turkish cuisine. Less appropriate for: Those fazed by a difficult parking situation. Recommended dishes: Cinar tomato salad, mixed kebab platter, manti, kazandibi. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Liquor, wine: BYO. Noise level: Not an issue during my visits. Credit cards: AE, D, MC, V. Reservations: Recommended for Friday and Saturday nights, and for parties of more than 10. Accommodations for children: $8.95 menu that includes half-portion of manti, meat patties or chicken with rice or french fries and soda or ice cream. Dress: Casual. Early-bird specials |or deals: No. Takeout: Yes. Parking: Street; can be challenging. Reviewed: May 8, 2015. About the ratings O Poor * Fair ** Good *** Excellent **** Outstanding In determining ratings, each restaurant has been compared with others of the same type and level of ambition. Reviewers make at least two anonymous visits to a restaurant, and the newspaper always pays the tab. The 2-year-old restaurant sits along a low-key commercial strip in Cliffside Park, where street parking can be challenging. Its owner, Tunch Ozlu, named Cinar (pronounced "CHIN-ar") after the beloved Turkish tree that was featured on his parents' wedding invitation. His mother asked him to give that name to his future son. For now, says the single 44-year-old Ozlu, she's happy to settle for his restaurant. A native of Istanbul, Ozlu is a restaurant veteran who once owned a Mediterranean restaurant and bakery in Hoboken. In Cliffside Park, he built Cinar, which features a snug, homey dining room with 45 seats accented with stained glass and framed by Spanish-tile roofs, to evoke those in his home country. He also opened Café Divan down the block, where the thick, springy Turkish pitas served at Cinar are baked; he has used Divan mostly for catering but plans to launch a la carte dining there this weekend, with a more casual menu with gyros and lahmacun (a kind of Turkish pizza). At Cinar, only about a third of the restaurant's customers are Turkish, so the staff seems accustomed to explaining the cuisine from executive chef Asif Malta. I was grateful for all of their recommendations, beginning with the refreshing Cinar salad, with fresh mint, pomegranate juice and walnuts added to the traditional shepherd's salad of cucumber and tomato ($7.95) and an entrée of the delicate handmade Turkish beef ravioli called manti, bathed in creamy yogurt sauce ($11.95). A third recommendation -- a grilled meat sampler platter ($24.95) -- would hold its own against every similar dish I've ever tried. Easily shared among two people, it included yogurt-marinated chicken and lamb prepared three different ways: the restaurant's specialty adana kebab, with bell peppers, sumac and Turkish red pepper; parsley-flecked lamb "meat patties"; and tender cubes of marinated lamb. The rest of the menu was nearly as successful. Cinar offers a fresh-flavored appetizer sampler plate, complete with the yogurt dip labne, thick with fresh dill and walnuts, and a number of fresh eggplant spreads ($9.95 for three selections, $14.95 for five). Its falafel delivers a deep green filling of chickpeas, scallions and parsley under a dark crust ($5.95). Given those choices, it's easy to pass on the overly oily fried rolls of phyllo dough, Turkish pastrami and kashkaval cheese ($6.95). Whole fish, crisp-skinned from the charcoal grill, is a popular item here. I could see why from the silky flesh of the royal dorado, which didn't even need its delicious accompanying lemon sauce ($19.95). Two more home-style Turkish dishes managed to impress the discriminating palate of my Turkish friend: hearty fried eggplant stuffed with ground lamb, called karniyarik ($12.95), and a properly soft baked spiced lamb known as kuzu tandir ($15.95). For dessert, bypass the rice pudding in need of more sugar ($5.95), and instead order the kazandibi milk pudding with a delectable dark-sugar flavor ($4.95) and the wonderfully sticky baklava ($5.95). My friends and I sipped dark cups of Turkish tea and congratulated ourselves on a great find. read more

We were at Cinar on Saturday night. Although the place was packed, service was in time and the food was very delicious. There was a belly dancing show. She was great, omg. We left right after the live music started. The combination meat platter and Cinar salad were so good. Our server Hale was excellent. We will be back soon. We had a great night and all my friends left happy from the restaurant. read more

I've been looking forward to this place for months but I was disappointed mainly by their lack of social distancing regulations and CUSTOMER SERVICE. However, I'm not going to deny the food was good. My boyfriend and I planned on getting dessert but because due to our rude waitress and amount of people in the restaurant, we decided to get dessert elsewhere. read more

Very tasty, authenthic dishes and really good value. We had the mixed kebab platter. There was lamb kebab, meat, chicken, rice and some burger patty thing. All of it were good and it wasn't dried or burned like the other restaurants. Atmosphere and service was excellent. Can't wait to get back here! Thank you for a good experience. read more

Cinar Restaurant is an amazing place for anyone who wants to try or already loves Turkish food. Everything is delicious and filling, especially the kebabs! All of the food is very well prepared as well. The restaurant has a very lively environment and all of the staff is always kind and helpful. Overall, a great place to eat! read more

Outside sitting option is available, inside has great atmosphere . Very warm and homey. Chef special page on the menu has amazing flavors. My fav was the Cinar special salad , it is beyond delicious and appetizer platter with mix grill is something to remember . read more

Great place for families. Very rich menu for keto, vegetarian, gluten free and or vegan foodies. You can get them all. Desserts are very fresh and scrumptious, too. Very friendly atmosphere and fast service. Cosy place for big groups. We'll definitely come back. read more

Cinar, Best Turkish restaurant in North Jersey..!!! The food is incredible. I had the mixed grill platter which was cooked to perfection and served by a wonderful host. Sam is the manager and he gave us five star service... I will def be coming here again. read more

Awesome food great service i would recommend this place to anyone looking for great turkish food and friendly and spot on staff. There is a lot of selection in the area have had them all but this place gets myvote FOR SURE! read more

They have the most delicious Turkish food. I had kebabs and mezzes. Portions are really big and they give you great service. I highly recommend cinar to try the most delicious and healthiest food! read more

It's so good! We had the mixed platter and I can't choose my favorite because it was that good. If you're in the area, try out this cute charming place with excellent food and affordable prices. read more

The first time I've heard from my friend about this place. It is very tasteful food. nice meat and great salad. I can't wait another chance to stop by and get the lunch. Thank u guys. read more

The food was not only fresh and flavorful but also showcased well-prepared, high-quality meat. Every bite was a delight, making the overall dining experience absolutely delicious. read more

Love this place! Have yet to dine in, but many to go orders. Great food, fast reliable service, just the best. I can't wait for my wife and I to join you in person. read more

Very friendly staff!!! Very beautiful food... My husband is a Greek Chef, and he compliments the chef here a lot!! Thank you for the fast friendly service.. read more

It was pretty good. We order only to be delivered and it came pretty fast, even that online was showing 45 min + it came before. Good and fast service. read more

Adorable place designed as quaint Turkish village. Food is purely authentic. Quality of meats Is out if this world. Best Turkish food, period! read more

Amazing food! Everything is so fresh as delicious. Warm and friendly atmosphere with a great service! Love going to this place!

Good food and nice service! Good for a change! I enjoy going here they just need to work on their portions.