Was exploring around Ft. Worth and my man suggested this restaurant saying that both of the locations were good, so I was excited to try! All of the food from start to finish was incredible! The complementary dip was incredible, packed with flavorful olives. We got the Hummus which was very solid as well as the Falafel which was so crispy! The Salmon Kebab and Lamb Chops were both incredible! The Turkish Tea was also hot and good. Food was amazing, but our server Armando was even better! He's literally an angel. 100% would recommend and definitely come back for both the food and Armando :-) read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

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Went here alone for dinner after work. I wanted to try something different. Started with hummus and pita. Pretty standard. I ordered their signature dish the lamb shank. Amazing. Small, but amazing. Very flavorful. Waitstaff was fast. I was in and out in less than 45 minutes . read more

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***updated response to my original review: To clarify, I do not consume lamb in any form, so that assertion is simply inaccurate. I actually never stated what I wanted to change my order to, simply asked if I could. My husband suggested I switch to the beef because chicken is something I eat on a very regular basis and one of my favorite proteins. I requested the change literally within what seemed like seconds after our server had walked away. I believe It was hardly an inconvenience and certainly not an unreasonable request. Unfortunately for me, I had no reason to anticipate that the chicken would be exceptionally dry. Its texture made it remarkably difficult to swallow. I had not eaten since breakfast and arrived genuinely hungry, so I was more than prepared to enjoy my meal. Despite my appetite, I simply could not bring myself to continue eating it because the quality was so disappointing. Hunger alone was not enough to overcome in my opinion the condition of the food. It is also worth noting that, before our order was placed, our server visited our table several times. Once the food arrived, however, the attentiveness diminished considerably. I distinctly recall him checking on us only once maybe twice but I do not recall, during the meal itself, and that was when I explained that I did not care for the chicken. Rather than offering an apology, suggesting an alternative, or making any effort whatsoever to remedy the situation, my comments were met with complete indifference. There was no attempt to ensure that I left satisfied, which is something I have come to expect from establishments I frequent. After we finished we remained seated for what felt like an unnecessarily prolonged period waiting for our check. By that point, our enthusiasm for the evening had understandably dissipated. We simply wanted to pay our bill and leave. As for the sangria, it bore little resemblance to what is traditionally recognized as sangria and to be fair this may have been a version I had never seen or heard of. What I received tasted like an ordinary dry red wine with sliced apples added to the glass. I certainly understand that individuals who enjoy dry red wines may find that preparation appealing, but that is not what I expect from a Sangria. Sangria is characteristically fruit-forward, subtly sweet, and balanced with citrus and sugar. I order sangria whenever it is available because I genuinely enjoy it, and this version was unlike any I have ever been served. It simply was not the beverage I expected based the name. I fully recognize that negative reviews are unpleasant to read, particularly for those who own or work in a restaurant. However, this account reflects nothing more than my personal experience. I cannot speak for anyone else's visit, just as no one else can speak for mine. Others may have had exceptional experiences, and I genuinely hope they did. My review is not an attempt to diminish theirs; it is simply an honest and accurate account of what my husband and I experienced during our visit. read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

Divine ! Everything is delicious and the staff is lovely . Highly recommend this downtown experience. There's plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans here . read more

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My party and I weren't sure what we were in the mood for but decided on Istanbul Grill.. we weren't disappointed! The atmosphere was a bit on the fancier side but still relaxed, and I enjoyed looking at the decor. We immediately got our drinks and complimentary pita. We shared the cauliflower appetizer and the halloumi cheese, both of which were tasty! I got the hunkar begendi which was great.. I just wish the lamb pieces were a bit bigger. I had to try the Turkish coffee martini, which was better than most espresso martinis I've had! Our waiter was extremely attentive and helpful with recommendations throughout our dinner. I probably won't be back to Fort Worth soon, but if so, I'd come back to try their other menu items! read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

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If you are in Ft Worth you have got to try Istanbul! I was pleasantly surprised to find this gem amongst several other restaurants in the area. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was amazing, staff was super friendly. I had no wait time to be seated for dinner and food came out quickly. I had the fried cheese, not pictured but amazing! They give you an olive tapenade with pita that was also amazing. Then you can see my main course. This was hands down the most tender, juicy, flavorful lamp shank I've had with only one exception (original chef in Mt Vernon VA did his in a Merlot reduction that was redonkulous!). The Turkish coffee was the perfect closer to a great meal. If I am ever back in Ft Worth this place is on my list. Excellent job all around! read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Lamb Shank on roasted eggplant! - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

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Wasn't sure what to expect....this place is a hidden gem...amazing!! We were seated right away and served a plate of pita and olive tapenade...delicious! The lamb shish-kabobs were excellent! Meat cooked to perfection and the vegetables were seasoned perfectly! The musaka was also delicious! We opted for dessert and got baklava....sooo good!! The restaurant was low level noise, started to get crowded when we left! The ambiance was nice! We are definitely adding to our rotation! read more

The food was delicious. The service was great. The people were really nice, but the food was very delicious. I got the lamb chops and they were nicely grilled to perfection. The rice was amazing. The beans were tasty, the veggies were nicely grilled, and they still had a nice little crunch. Dessert was actually unexpectedly surprisingly delicious, ten out of ten overall. read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Turkish Dessert - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

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Not busy at all but had good reviews so we decided to give it a try. Appetizer of the Greek salad had great flavor and the butter garlic shrimp was yummy. The shrimp was a little overcooked but the flavor made up for it. The gyro meat plate with grilled veggies and rice was phenomenal!! The meat was seasoned perfectly and super tender! The veggies were really good too! We will definitely be back! read more

Had a beautiful dinner with wifey. The food was delicious, and Safak our waitress was very attentive, polite and friendly! They had some smooth jazz like music playing and that along with the wine and food left us happy leaving the restaurant! Definitely coming back soon! read more

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I really like this restaurant. The food was very good and it also had a good atmosphere. I got the beef kebab in my wife got the grilled Bronzino fish. Both meals were very good and I would definitely recommend the restaurant to anyone. There was also a bread service to start off the meal. That was very good as well. Overall, this is a good restaurant for a date and I would definitely recommend it. read more

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Amazing place we found for a nice quick lunch. The place looks amazing and the staff was great. I was amazed at the extensive menu and the lunch options. I ended up trying the lamb burger. I know it sounds like a let down with everything else on the menu but I had never had a lamb burger so I said why not. Well let me tell you it was great. I normally do not order dessert but my boss insisted and tried the kunefe. Holy crap. Amazing!!!!! read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Kunefe - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

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Not too sure how did this place averaging 4+ stars . It's a solid 3 stars Had lunch with a friend : we tried the cigarette borek which was just ok (3.2/5) and the zucchini cakes which were a little better but not great (3.4/5). For main , we both took the falafel dish which was really not great . That thing should not be called falafel . (2/5). We also tried a hummus plate which was mediocre (3.1/5) and sutlac for dessert which was the best thing in lunch - excellent ! (4/5). The Turkish coffee was also so-so This place was hovering around 2 stars but the sutlac raises it to 3 stars . read more

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I took my date here as we were visiting downtown Fort Worth and saw this while strolling around. I'm really glad we came here as the interior was beautiful and clean, while the food was delicious and elegant. We split a salmon kebab with grilled vegetables and rice; my date felt the salmon was cooked perfectly (A little crispy on the outside and tender on the inside). I personally loved the vegetables. The sangria was okay too. The servers were nice, and as i'm in a wheelchair they were kind enough to move a small piece of furniture blocking my way in. A great experience! read more

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I found my new go-to spot in Fort Worth! I absolutely loved Istanbul Grill & Bar. It's just a short walk from the hotel I stay at for work. The calming vibes of the Mediterranean flowed open and easy. There was no overkill with dingy and claustrophobic decor that makes you feel like you're in some dusty, old, never-ending bazaar. The decor, music, and lighting were all so tasteful. My friends and I dined around 4pm mid-week. It was perfect for an early dinner. Our server was attentive the whole time and pretty knowledgeable on the menu. He was patient with all our questions and everything came out in a timely manner. There was also no issues with splitting the check. Always a plus! We all got something different, and the portions were nicely sized for each dish. I ordered the grape leaves and the falafel plate. The grape leaves (4 to a plate) were pretty big. They were also pretty affordable considering the size. The falafels were also cooked and spiced perfectly! Crispy, hot, and soft on the inside. They were more flat; like small silver dollars v. the traditional falafel ball. Which I found to be so much better! The hummus was hands down the best I have ever had! It was incredibly smooth and creamy, and spiced perfectly. It was clearly homemade. I wish I had bought extra for the flight home! Overall, Istanbul Grill was a total win, and my friends who haven't had much exposure to Mediterranean cuisine raved about it the whole way home. This is absolutely, 10/10, my favorite Mediterranean restaurant, ever! I love finding new places to dine on my work trips. Once I find a tasty spot, it's a guarantee that'll make the time to go back for more. read more

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This is genuinely some of the best Mediterranean food I've ever had. We ordered the beef kebab plate and salmon kebab plate. Everything was perfectly seasoned. The meat was so juicy and tender, and the grilled veggies had a nice char to them. The beef kebab plate came with a lemony herb sauce but it honestly didn't even need it. The salmon was tender and fresh. The food quality was definitely high. They also brought us pita bread and what I believe may be olive tapenade to start off with and that was pretty good as well. It tasted vinegary and made with fresh olives and olive oil. Service was attentive and nice. Inside is very spacious and clean with cultural decor. It would be a great spot for a date night out on the town. The restaurant is in Downtown Fort Worth. Pro tip, street parking is free on weekends! read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Salmon Kebab (top) and Beef Shish Kebab (bottom) - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

Great service We shared the tabouli and avocado appetizers and beef kebab entree, so so so good! I added lime juice and sumac for flavor! Loved it, highly recommend. Very few lunch options in this area so great to have this option! read more

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Stopped in for dinner on a whim--and it turned out to be the best decision of the day. The customer service was warm and attentive from the moment we walked in. Impressed by the service, even at dinner rush. Every dish we tried was full of flavor, but the real star was the meat--perfectly seasoned and so tender it practically melted in our mouths. A true hidden gem for Mediterranean cuisine. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Yummy. The food was good, fresh and my friends also enjoyed Turkish coffee after lunch and a bit of dessert. This is a restaurant downtown where I'd be comfortable taking business associates or friends, and the service was fast. Probably one of the better restaurants in downtown Forth Worth - would return. read more

Stopped in for dinner on a whim and what a great decision. No reservation but we were seated immediately. Our waiter greeted us with a smile and brought water and a house dish of warm pita bread and an olive spread. Oh my goodness I've never paired these together but it was so good and fresh. Probably some of the best pita bread I've had in a long time. Shortly after we ordered an appetizer to share and gave the fried cauliflower a try. What a great choice as it was fresh and topped with a chimichurri sauce. So so good. For entrees he went with the lamb kabob and I got the Turkish meatballs. Both came out plated beautifully with tons of flavor to boot. The finish on my meatballs was perfect and came out the perfect temperature! He enjoyed his kabob as well but really enjoyed my Turkish meatballs. (I gave him the look so he stopped eating my food!) We didn't try any dessert as we were extremely full but vowed to return to experience the food again and to try something sweet to finish off the night. Great experience!!!! read more

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Everything about this place was amazing. Our waiter Armando was the sweetest, most attentive, and most amazing waiter ever. We sat in front of the bar and the bartender was just as nice and accommodating. He made great drinks and made them so fast. There was no wait to be seated and we came on a Friday night. Within the first 45 minutes of being here, we already had 2 of our appetizers, a second round of drinks, and our entrees were at the table. The service is the BEST here. That's after we took forever to order our entrees too. The food here is truly some of the best I've had. The beef was cooked to perfection with a great garlic butter on the side. The zucchini pancakes were better than I would've ever thought - I recommend those the most out of everything. Even the white rice that came with the meal had so much flavor. The leftovers I had the next day tasted just as great. We will 100% be coming back here. This place really seems like a hidden gem. The staff and food here are seriously top notch. read more

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My family and I absolutely love Istanbul Grill! As Persians, we've been struggling to find good Persian restaurants in the DFW area, and although Istanbul Grill isn't a Persian restaurant, it still hits the spot. The food is light, not overly salty, but is deliciously seasoned. I had the chicken tava, which was delicious! Plus, the desserts are a must try! I loved the sutlac (rice pudding) and kazandibi (caramelized milk pudding). The ambiance is both elegant and inviting, with stunning Turkish decor. My favorite details are the wall of evil eyes and the antique style lamps, which add so much charm to the space. The service is excellent. Our servers have always been kind, attentive, and efficient, with food arriving in a reasonable time. On Friday evening, I've always found immediate seating. But most recently on a Saturday evening, there was about a 30 minute wait. I'd recommend making a reservation just to be safe. Located in Downtown, so there's street parking. Overall, I've greatly enjoyed my multiple experiences at Istanbul Grill and think that it is a must try! read more

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Everything was spot on. Service was very good. Nice environment. Food was delicious. We ordered the kebab and the lamb. Both were amazing. They gave us a pita dip as appetizer, the tapenade was very good. read more

An outstanding dining experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious, the service was attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere made the visit even more enjoyable. Everything exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal and exceptional service. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Very nice setup with white table clothes and the waiters are very nice and make sure you have everything you want or need . I had the chicken delight but I have to say order the rice to have with it . Flavor are so good and the spice just right . We will be back soon ! read more

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We had dinner last night, the food was amazing and delicious. InsThis place is in the center of Fort Worth downtown, I'm glad I found this restaurant in yelp. read more

If you're in downtown Fort Worth, this restaurant is an absolute must try! The food is delicious, the drinks and desserts are outstanding, and the service is truly top-notch. read more

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I dined at Istanbul Grill & Bar twice when I was in Fort Worth for a work conference in October 2024 at noon. I usually do not prefer to go to the same place twice when I'm traveling from out of town since I like to try new places, but I was so impressed with the quality of the food here, that my coworkers and I had to go back. The restaurant is very busy during lunch hour so be prepared for a wait. Both times I came here, I ordered the same things: hummus and beef kebab. While I thought the hummus was very creamy and flavorful, I thought it was weird it didn't come with any additional pita bread. So I asked for extra. But the second time I came here and ordered extra pita bread, the server ignored me and watched me eat hummus from the fork. I guess they're stingy with their pita bread. The beef kebab had a nice char and was very flavorful. I thought the service was a hit or miss. The first time I thought it was good - attentive despite how busy it was. But the second time was just terrible, to the point I would give it a 2 star. All of my requests were ignored: checks were not split, waters were not refilled, extra pita bread was denied. If this review was based on the 2nd experience alone, it would be a 3-star. However, since I had such a decent experience the first time, it makes up to be 4 stars. Overall, this restaurant has a very nice rustic Turkish menu. Had the service been more acceptable, I would rate this a 5-star. read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Beef kebab - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

Had lunch here with my coworkers. Nicely decorated restaurant. Due to the 11:30-12:30 lunch hour it was a 20 min. wait for a table for four, but well worth it. I had the grilled shrimp with rice and veggies and everything was fresh and delicious! Also, our server was friendly and attentive. read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Grilled Shrimp - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

The Olive and Pita at seating is delicious. I love the soft sophisticated music playing. My Gimlet is refreshing. Pancenga Borek Appetizer is very savory, lightly crispy, fabulous sauce..... The Entree: Lamb Kabob with veggies and rice. The lamb has good flavor but is tough to chew and I ordered cooked medium. The veggies are seasoned well, but soggy and oily. The rice pilaf is very good. Their service is understaffed. She was tending bar, seating people and serving tables. Waited a very long time for my check. Started with 5 stars, ended with 4. I went on a Saturday for lunch and downtown parking was a mess because of an art festival. read more

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This is a great restaurant. The lamb chops and kebabs were amazing. We also had gimlets (gin) that were very nice. Even the sides were great. I had the spinach and mushrooms which were excellent. read more

Warm & cozy place! It has a good vibe & is elegant but not over the top fancy. A place for everyone! Friendly staff, easy online booking, spacious tables to fit all your appetizers & entrées. Clean & not a crammed restaurant. It's a bit small in regards to how many can dine at once, but keep in mind it is not a stand alone building. Only mentioning it because for sure make reservations! There's a parking lot close by, extra bonus. You might spend about $35+ per person if you consider entrées, appetizers, beverages, & tip. Hummus & the sigura borek were delicious! The entrées are a pretty good portion size. I had the Turkish Meatballs - ground lamb patties, rice, & veggies. I was happy to see the veggies were white beans! Others in my party had chicken tava, salmon kebabs, gyro, & a zucchini pancake. No complaints from us! Worth it, go here, you won't be disappointed. read more

Istanbul Grill & Bar - Turkish Meatballs - Mediterranean Near Me - Fort Worth, Texas

Have to say I was not awe-inspired by the range of lunch options I searched up in Fort Worth, and my first thought here was that I did not come to Texas for the Turkish food. However, their business lunch menu offered some fantastic choices, and the number of diners began to mount when I left, suggesting that this was indeed the best spot in the area for a business lunch. The menu does kind of lock you into ordering a big lunch, but I was quite happy with what I got for the price. Of the two courses, my main course of choice yielded not only some interesting flat falafel, but also white bean salad, grilled vegetables, rice, and hummus. And that's not including the complimentary pita and yogurt. The main difficulty I had was finding another course that wasn't redundant with all this variety, which I successfully nailed in finding a red lentil soup that came with a lemon wedge on the side. This was a ton of diversity in flavor and texture. Adding tea wasn't a bad decision either. It was a classy interior space and I received attentive service from people who did seem to have Turkish accents. I try to frame these things in terms of a comparison of what the realistic alternatives are, and I doubt I could have found a better lunch than this. read more

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Let me start this review by saying the food is use to be fantastic but and it's a big but....the menu! You are now forced to order In courses. Course 1 and course 2 vs ordering what you'd like so you are limited! And limited we were. Super frustrating! The restaurant was packed and I can't imagine I'm the only one dissatisfied with this style of ordering. I shared my displeasure when the 1st course arrived and it literally was a dab of salad. The waiter went out of his way to accommodate us and brought out a shareable Mediterranean salad. I also had to ask them to bring out a shareable side of hummus. As you can imagine this style of ordering is not "foodie" friendly. My salmon was tender and cooked perfectly but lacked flavor. Sumac and some lemon was needed. The Beef kabob was pure perfection and seasoned! The hummus was bland! The Mediterranean salad was fresh and delicious. Hits and misses with a side of menu frustration's. Desert=Heaven Service- The waiter was the absolute best! read more

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Over the top food, ambience and service. I'd like to give my waiter Armando a special call out for his tremendous attentiveness and customer service. Appetizers were delicious and the main gyro meat was fresh and tasty. I folded and got the balaclava and I pulled off my glasses and threw them for a great end to a wonderful meal. read more

Came from McKinney for the weekend it's our 22nd anniversary. It was very good I had lamb chops they were seasoned to perfection and they cooked them just perfectly! read more

The Muhammara is fantastic here. I almost licked the plate. We ordered the Turkish meatball and based beef moussaka. It was delicious! It was a full house tonight. Also the Turkish coffee martini is amazing. read more

We arrived and instantly greeted and seated on a Friday evening! The restaurant was beautiful and dimly lit for an intimate night. We were given complimentary pita bread and olive oil with with olives. They had vegan options! I got the falafel dish which came with so much food!!! I had enough to take half of it home! To finish the night we got baklava for a dessert, chefs kiss. This place was so delicious and the setting intimate, it makes for the perfect date night! We will definitely come back when we come back to Ft. Worth! read more

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The rice was cold and the french fries were cold and greasy. The falafel was tasteless and also greasy as well as the zucchini cakes. The only food that was good was the meat . Adana kebab and Beef kebab was tender . Our waiter was super busy and rude . The restaurant was very noisy and no atmosphere read more

Nice atmosphere and very friendly service, but the food didn't entirely deliver. Most items were tasty, but the lamb chops were underwhelming and overpriced. 3 stars for the great staff and setting, but the kitchen has some room for improvement on the high-end entrees. read more

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