Cafe Istanbul

by Kim N.

I've had fun times at Cafe Istanbul. It's almost always busy on weekends, with big groups sitting on the floor and smoking hookah. I love the mix of Turkish, Indian, and Middle Eastern music, which inevitably gets louder when the belly dancer arrives for her rounds. She has a pretty good sense of humor; I've seen awkward frat boys try to dance with her while everyone in the room laughs. I've also witnessed one very enthralled little boy, whose parents encouraged him to put a dollar bill in the dancer's top. Let's talk about the food. My friend and I always start with the chai, which is exceptional. Drink it with a couple sugar cubes. I sometimes find myself craving this chai specifically, which makes me say, "I need to go to Cafe Istanbul." Next, I like the tabouli as an appetizer. It's a "salad" made of parsley, scallions, tomatoes, onions, bulgar, lemon juice, and olive oil. It's very fresh but not for people who don't like lots of lemon and parsley. For dinner, I usually get the Mediterranean Chicken. It's more flavorful than most of the other dishes, probably because it boasts "an unforgettable blend of nine spices." (This line really sold me for some reason.) Don't get the Tas Kebob; I found it bland and kept adding hot sauce to it. Finally, you can top your night off with hookah for $15. It's flavorful, relaxing, and one of the main attractions, so go for it!

by Ferdinand H.

I'm torn.  Four?  Five?I came on a sunday afternoon, listened to the strains of Bangra, had a glass of Efes, and had Tas Kabob.  Brilliant way to spend an afternoon with a pal.  No Hookahs for me; the nicotine doesn't sit well with me.  But the sumptuous carpets lining every surface available, as well as the cloth covered ceilings and walls -- ruffles of velour in deep burgundies and wine.Lavish. I might have to edit this review after eating more of the food here... because I do have to agree with Jackson H. that the food isn't as scintillatingly flavourful as I might like.  But the food goes down easily, allowing the ambiance to be enjoyed with blissful abandon.I've yet to see the belly dancing, etc.  So... who knows what I'll think after that?Best Turkish food available in ATL?Quite possibly...Course, it might be one of two...4 out of 5?

by Martha L.

I've been wanting to go here for a while. I went on a Thursday night, so it wasn't as lively as on the weekend, but it still was everything I expected and more. We ordered the baklava, which immediately became my favorite dessert. They also have belly dancers and flavored hookah. I recommend this  for a date or a group of friends because even if the night is not going so well, the atmosphere and delicious food makes up for it.

by Kerry G.

I have never come here on a Friday or Saturday night, so I can't speak to the service or atmosphere during the busiest nights. However, I have had lunch and early dinners here on weeknights, and have found the food to be outstanding. Service--slow, yes, but I expect that at just about every ethnic cuisine restaurant and consider it a plus if they're quick.My favorite dish is the chicken choban. The jajoukh (yogurt sauce) and zatar bread are perfect accompaniments to the steaming hot, peppery-tomatoey goodness of the chicken. My mouth waters just thinking about it. Other great dishes are the manti (tiny dumplings in a yogurt sauce) and the eggplant.

by Jon B.

I love this place!!!  really good food...  and Hookah.  definitely a place to go with a good group of people.  it gets crazy on the weekends so call ahead or con a friend to get there early to get a table if you don't want to wait for ever..   also parking can be a bitch.  Over all its the SHIT!!!!

by Stasha O.

Really, people aren't lying about the horrible service. From the moment you walk in you just kind of stand awkwardly in the corridor wondering if you're supposed to seat yourself or if the host/ess was devoured by a giant monster before you entered. Eventually a waiter was gracious enough to lead us to our room after an exhausted, turmoiled sigh. This was a Tuesday night, too. If you're stressed out to the point of obvious irritability at 8:30 on a Tuesday, God bless your coronary system.The decor inside is definitely beautiful albeit a little over the top. Traditional doesn't have to mean a harem recreation, but I understand the image they're trying to portray. It would certainly be a romantic, movie-esque scene if it weren't for the unfortunate noise level. Their shisha/hookah is pretty pricey. But I guess you're paying for the combined atmosphere/smoky experience.I forgot the name of my dish, but it was lamb in pasta covered with a peppery yogurt sauce. It was really tasty but not something I'd be knocking down the doors for. After waiting 20 minutes for our check post-meal I was really ready to get out of the Cleopatra movie set. I'm typically patient to the point of meekness at restaurants, and willing to forgive shoddy customer service for amazing food. And on the other hand, I can look fondly at places with average food but a great staff. Cafe Istanbul really needs to choose at least one of these to amp up, preferably both.

by Zlatko U.

Cafe Istanbul is a really different from most restaurants. You sit on the floor. Its so radical, I nearly fainted the first time I went there. No joke. Anyway, the service is a bit slow given the place is usually packed. However, I never had my waiter forget something, or screw something up. There is a belly dancer on certain days and there are hookahs all over the place. If you are going, I suggest you call in the afternoon and make a reservation. It will prevent you from standing in line looking at everyone eating and having fun. Also, save a few ones for the valet parking. Its free, but you still kinda sorta have to tip. Ah yes, before I forget, the food is great. Make sure you take a look at the menu on their website so you know what you are getting yourself into, and that you can order faster. Remember the service is a bit slow. Overall, this place is a great restaurant that has a certain flavor that you can use to impress your internationally confused friends or your date.

by Jada G.Sharise C.Vida M.Zlatko U.

cafe Istanbul is an Ok place. I love the atmosphere, the dancers and the drinks. I never tried to Hookah (i'm a non-smoker and haven't got the nerves). this seems to be a very popular place. When i left at 12, people were still coming in. I went on a Saturday and it was a wait list for seats. You should get a reservation. When diners come they stay a while. We stayed 3 hours! i was so excited to taste the food, as I love Mediterranean food. Their bread was good. I ordered the Mediterranean chicken, which they advertise as having 9 unforgettable spices-HA! i couldn't taste not one spice. I won't be getting that anymore. My friend had the Gyro...not good either. My other friend tried something else, she said it wasn't good. We all had a greek salad...not good. Are you sensing a pattern yet?The waiter took FOREVER. we had to yell and waive our arms in the air (like we just didn't care) just to get on his waiting list of diners needing assistance. So ask for 2 waters/refills at a time and hope he remembers to bring you everything when he comes back (good luck). The belly dancer was good, but she only came out twice while we were there. I wish she would have come out more often.Ooof, it pains me to have to write this but in fairness I must. There is nothing more disappointing than taking friends to a place you brag about and having the experience be less than stellar. The atmosphere itself was still great but the food was a partial let-down.This past Friday night (11/27) it was packed with the usual mix of dating couples, young friends and families, which was cool because that's always part of the experience. Hookah to the right, belly dancer to the left and FABulous music.The bread was still a hit but the Tahini Red Snapper I'd loved so much the last time and recommended to my cousin was disappointing. The fish itself was actually well-seasoned but it had practically none of the delicious lime tahini sauce that made it so great the first time. What little sauce was there had a grainy texture and floury tase, like they really didn't have any tahini and were trying to improvise. No hint of lime whatsoever.So, it was embarrasing that my cousin ordered this for her bitrthday meal and I knew it wasn't all it could be. Her friend ordered the Chicken Iskendar. It came out looking like a crust-less frozen pizza made up of flat, 2-inch square pieces of chicken topped with sauce and a yogurt drizzle.The fiance said right away it was not authentic and the person eating it said the sauce tasted like canned marinara. He didn't even eat a third of it before giving up and resorting to the bread.I don't know what was going on in the kicthen that night but at this point I have to say consistency is a problem. Thank goodness the Mezze plate was great. I hope to be able to update again with a review of redemption for the kitchen. Cafe Istanbul looks deceptively small from the outside with its narrow patio, but inside is a deep… As an after dinner lounge for drinks this place is perfect. I went for my first time this past Friday night for dinner and drinks with my boyfriend. The food was good. He loved it more so than I. He is also a true meat eater. I was a vegetarian for 10 years, so all the red meat was to heavy and too much. The rice was great! The bread they serve is awesome. AWESOME. I went back the next with two girlfriends for their birthdays. We showed up fairly late for drinks and hookah, and were seated between two parties, not sure if it's the atmosphere, or the drinks but everyone was very friendly.  I think this is a cool lounge/bar. I'll definitely go back. Especially since they are open to about 1.Cafe Istanbul is a really different from most restaurants. You sit on the floor. Its so radical, I nearly fainted the first time I went there. No joke. Anyway, the service is a bit slow given the place is usually packed. However, I never had my waiter forget something, or screw something up. There is a belly dancer on certain days and there are hookahs all over the place. If you are going, I suggest you call in the afternoon and make a reservation. It will prevent you from standing in line looking at everyone eating and having fun. Also, save a few ones for the valet parking. Its free, but you still kinda sorta have to tip. Ah yes, before I forget, the food is great. Make sure you take a look at the menu on their website so you know what you are getting yourself into, and that you can order faster. Remember the service is a bit slow. Overall, this place is a great restaurant that has a certain flavor that you can use to impress your internationally confused friends or your date.

by Christina A.

Cafe Istanbul is...one of a kind.Yes, there are other hookah restaurants in Atlanta. This one's different because it doesn't really attempt to be upscale. It's in a cruddy shopping area, with horrendous parking options. I imagine that if the lights were bright, people would shudder at the building's shabbiness.They are horrible about refilling your water glass. They pretty much refuse to, actually. Service altogether could make this a one star review.Lastly, there are these old men who always hang out there, as "friends of the owners." They are shady. If you are friendly back they will not give you peace. You are warned.However, there is hookah. Delicious double apple or mixed fruit hookah. Other flavor options exist, but why mess with a good thing.There is also really good hummus. It's regular style (no red pepper hummus here!) with a couple of diced tomatoes and olives on top and lots of warm pita. I always order this.The kebabs are great. The pizza is different but a winner. A friend likes their rice pudding.Ordering food here would be fine and dandy if they actually brought it out. Forgotten and tardy orders are a problem. That one star service situation rears its ugly head!This place is also just fun. If you're lucky you get to sit in the seating area with pillows at low tables. The belly dancers do their thing in the middle of the room, so customers sit against the walls; this makes for prime people watching. Sometimes there are random drummers who hit it to the beat of the sound system's Arabic music. If you're very lucky, drunk white people will dance to the music. I  think they attempt belly dancing. It's hard to tell. A little warning though: I've been here many times with girls, and we've ordered lots of things on the menu, it was fine.I double-dated here ONCE (keep reading). The other girl and I were having a great time. The night was just getting started. Or not. The boys both said they were ready to leave. Yep, they'd had enough. We go our separate ways.I find out the next morning that both of them got ridiculously sick that night. Not puking. The other varietal. Yeah.They refused to go in again. I don't even know what it was that they'd eaten, but it was one rough night for them. So you're warned. Enjoy.

by Peto F.

One of the most original and fun placesin Atlanta. My favorite placeis Chiken Kabab. It is pretty close to a typical Restaurant in Turkey.