Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine

by Andre L.

Myself, my brother and my mom arrived here around 12:30 p.m. on a Saturday. The place was pretty much empty and we had a choice of tables, except outside which was already full and we didn't feel like waiting. I thought the place could be a bit brighter, it didn't really need the mood lightning on a beautiful sunny day.We started off with the lavash and hummus which was delicious, nothing wrong there. The hummus was perfect. So far, so good. I opted for the Etli Lahana Dolmasi (stuffed cabbage) and was severely disappointed that such a beautifully presented dish could taste so bland. The ground lamb, beef, rice and herbs mixture missed something to give it a little extra oomph. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really impress me. The garlic yogurt sauce was good, but it would be best suited as a dip for that lavash.My mom's kofte kebap tasted excellent, but it was a little overcooked. Our server wasn't all that impressive and took a while to take our drink orders. For such an upscale-looking joint, I wouldn't expect them to be serving sodas from cans like they did.4 stars. Everything about it was just average, and if it wasn't for that lavash it'd be 3. I'd say it's worth a visit just to try something different, but don't expect to be blown away.

by Dan B.

Make no mistake, when you come to Bosphorous, expect to get REAL Turkish food.  No Mickey mouse crap here.  This is the real deal.  I heard it on good authority from two people I was dining with who have been to Istanbul many times.  You could also tell from the taste.  First of all, you'll be greeted by some very kind and friendly people.  Everyone on their staff is helpful and courteous.  The food is out of this world good.  The lamb is simply put: the best I've ever had.  A good way to enjoy the meal is to get mezzes, which is like Spanish Tapas but Turkish.  (Actually, the Spanish got the idea of tapas along with many other culture practices from the Turks).  Getting a lavash with your mezze is crucial.  You're looking at hot, delicious, and fresh bread here. The falafels were outstanding.  We also got these little spring roll things with feta inside of them, eggplant salad, and a stuffed lamb sandwich.  On top of that, the table shared a chicken shish and a lamb shish.  The quality of those meats were out of this world good.  Perfectly accompanied with peppers, tomatoes, onions, and spice, the lamb meat was juicy and soft as opposed to what you'd typically expect with lamb: tough and dry.  This is one of the few restaurants I'd have to say in Park Avenue that completely lives up to the presentation.  I'm somewhat of a Middle Eastern food connosieur.  I try to eat food from all different countries in the Middle East, recognize their subtle differences, and really keep an eye out for the authentic ones.  I needed to find a Turkish cuisine that was pretty authentic since the Turks kind of was the starting point for which all Middle Eastern variants came from.  Bosphorous is it.  Also of note is the lounge area, the outdoor seating area, and the fact that you can enjoy a hookah smoke with your meal and/or drink.

by d a.

I like Bosphorous for a late lunch or an early dinner, the reason being that at those times the restaurant is relatively empty and feels rather private. The food is the standard of what you'd find in Greek, Lebanese, and other "middle eastern" restaurants (I realize Greek is not middle eastern) although this place does tend to feature more Turkish dishes.At an initial glance the menu seems pricey, but once you keep in mind that you can share the food it's rather moderate--especially if you don't eat too much as the portions are adequate for two.I don't think I've ever made it through a full entree as we typically get appetizers and add meats such as lamb or chicken (your waiter will do that for you if you ask) to our salads and the bazlama. Writing this actually makes me hungry; there is so much more Turkish food that I never tried before...Other thing worth mentioning is that the beer selection is adequate and not too pricey.Go there with a friend or a group and you should have a good experience.

by Katherine J.

3 stars for the lavash bread only. It is this amazing puffy bread (hollow in the center) that is soooo good. It doesn't come with anything so we usually order hummus separately. A small dish of hummus (it does not come with anything else) is $8. This place is crazy charging such prices. That is why only 3 stars. The lavash is very good but not good enough to justify the bad service and ridiculous prices. Yes it's on Park Avenue but so what.

by Leslie C.

If you're looking for authentic Turkish cuisine, look no further than Bosphorus. Bosporus is refined dining experience in dowtown Winter Park, tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Both the indoor and outdoor seating are enjoyable at any time of the day. Restaurant Pros: - Authentic Cuisines- Great Location- Great Atmosphere- Great Place for Dates and Families Alike- Offers a Quick Takeout Option- Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly Restaurant Cons:- Service is Notoriously Slow- Cost--Entrées are $17-$40

by amy jo a.

our family along with some new friends had lunch here on a saturday last week.  there were lots of tables to choose from. we chose to eat inside because the weather was very warm. would have chosen outside if the restaurant would push two tables together as there were eight of us. they would not. they also did not permit dogs to sit on the floor next to our table. our friends brought their puppies which had to sit outside on the sidewalk in the heat. they were good of course and one of the waiters took water out two times to them. very nice.we started with two starters to try and they were great. most of us had the wraps with falafil or chicken or lamb.  everyone said how good they were. the stuffed grape leaves were also ordered as a main dish which was plenty to eat for lunch.  lovely interior, sort of fancy and service was fabulous. this place is a yes for lunch or dinner. on a cool night its probably great for people watching in winter park. they should have let us all sit outside as a group though and that is why only 4 stars.

by aiden w.

I'll start by saying that I loved the food here. It was excellent and the portions are large--even the appetizers--which really works if you're planning on sharing. Ordered hummus, falafels, and a salmon dish. All were equally delectable.The service and arrangement of the restaurant, however, was not so great. My server was aloof and not available most of the night. He knew very little about the menu and he very well might have been one of the worst servers I've ever had at a restaurant. He rarely checked our table. I do feel the need to explain that the rest of the staff seemed to be awesome as I found myself envious of other tables and the server(s) they had.As for the set-up, it is a beautiful restaurant with one major problem: the public restrooms are a disaster, especially on a Friday night. There is only one toilet for men and one for women, which of course meant that there was always a line on any busy night. This place was packed to the brim. I'm not a fan of lines. All in all, my taste buds ended up very happy. I plan to go back some time in the future as there were several items on the menu I'm looking forward to eating. Hopefully I can get a time when it is not as busy and have better service.

by Kelly F.

Among the conundrum of restaurants and shops that sit along the Park Avenue stretch is Bosphorous, a restaurant that serves Turkish cuisine...pretty much the same as Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine with a few differences of course.Upon entering this foreign restaurant you are warmly greeted by a host and seated at one of their dark-wood tables. The décor reminds me of the Moroccan influence I became very accustomed to while I lived in Granada, Spain a few summers back with subtle colors, dim lighting and the smell of exotic spices brewing from the kitchen. You also have the option of sitting outside if you prefer. The tables come adorned with a large umbrella to keep the sun from shining directly on you and the chairs are somewhat comfortable, but I still prefer to sit on the inside.As far as food goes, you MUST start your meal off with the lavash and hummus. Lavash is a type of bread that looks like a huge bubble when they bring it out to you. You're supposed to pop it immediately and then tear it apart and dip it in hummus or whatever dip you choose to order...it's soooooo yummy. The bread is always made to order and comes out piping hot. The baba ganoush makes for a good dip as well. OR if you want to be more adventurous they have a sample platter that features most of their Turkish dips.For the main course, the sis kebap, adana kebab and kofte kebap (all contain chicken) are all good choices. They all come on a skewer with fresh grilled veggies (usually consisting of onion, green peppers and tomato) atop of saffron rice and a salad of sorts. If lamb or beef is more your thing, those kebap are also quite tasty. To end the meal nicely, I would go with the bakalava...a flaky dessert that is layered with crushed nuts and honey. It's light and perfect for satisfying that sweet tooth that often creeps up after a meal.If you're more in the mood to sip on some adult beverages and simply hang out with your friends you can do that too. Bosphorous recently added a lounge to their restaurant...and I must say it's very hip looking with a cool, laid back atmosphere. It seems very posh, which is fitting since it sits on Park Avenue.The servers are all a delight and always on top of their game. This place usually gets pretty busy on the weekends, especially for lunch. During the week it's not bad and you're sure to get seated right away. However, be warned that this isn't going to be a cheap meal. While lunch is affordable, dinner can be expensive if you're not careful.Nonetheless, Bosphorous is always a delightful dining experience and I definitely recommend it to those who are looking to spice up their life a little bit.

by Safura S.

I liked the Turkish Pizzas..I tend to like meat pies and that type food at lunch, but the price for Hummus was crazy high..$8..Lavash bread is good but bread is not a good enough reason for me to frequent Winter Park. Just wanted to check it out. I had my adventure. If you are not up on Middle Eastern Foods then you may find this place to be just fine, price and all.  The food is ok, the bathroom is not. I had to wait for two women in front of me..awkward.

by Mimi G.

My husband indulged me tonight with dinner at Bosphorous as this is not his type of food but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. We sat at one of the sidewalk tables enjoying the wonderful weather and people and dog watching opportunities that dinner on the Avenue has to offer.Our server was very patient as we took our time wading through a menu that was unfamiliar to us. He offered to answer any questions we had but we opted to just take our time reading though it all. Finally, I chose the eggplant salad appetizer "Patlican Salatasi" with some Lavash (flat bread) and an entree of chopped lamb, yogurt and tomato sauce that was served over buttered croutons "Yogurt Adana Kebap". The bread came out hot from the oven and puffed with steam. The salad of grilled pureed eggplant was nicely seasoned with peppers, dill, lemon juice and olive oil. And the lamb dish was tender and moist and wonderfully flavored. The base of buttered bread croutons soaked in tomato sauce and creamy yogurt was decadently luscious.Small plate appetizers averaged around $9.00 each while the entrees are in the $20-$28 range. Turkish pitas (their answer to pizza) are around $16-$20. So this is not an inexpensive place to eat making it more of a special occasion place rather than a weekly haunt. But if you decide to treat yourself, you will not be disappointed.