Istanbul Grill

by Brad C.

Nice patio, great food, helpful staff, quick service, recommend!

by D Z.

This little eatery in Houston's trendiest neighbourhood (I am not a native so please excuse me should I be wrong but from what I've seen of Houston so far,I love the area within the Rice Village most) is a must visit for any trip/stopover in Houston.We had an opportunity to return just last weekend and I am thrilled beyond words.The food tasted the same,as good as when we first tried it though they can really work on the portions (this is coming from someone who never leaves an eatery without a box).My all time faves includes theLamb Lamacun and their Kuzu lamb dish.The iskender kebap is pretty darn good as well and if you looking at a quick and light bite,their doner kebap(in sandwich form)is a good bet.Parking however can be quite a hassle,especially on a Saturday night,so be prepared to walk a distance if you are not able to secure a spot right in front of their tiny lot or the lot opposite them.Enjoy!

by Jams M.

We keep going back to Istanbul for the fresh, healthy food options (as well as the not so healthy ones).  Love the outdoor seating and the location in Rice Village.  The service could be better, at times pretty slow, but the food makes up for it.

by Jeff R.

The Rice Village has two or three places to eat (ha!), and the Istanbul Grill ranks as one of the most-distinctive.  I've eaten there for probably seven years, and almost always, I've had their Meze Tabaga; (Mixed Meze), a selection of various appetizers, which, combined with their wonderful homemade pide bread, makes for an excellent and filling meal by itself.  In fact, this dish is so good, the only time I've ordered something different was their Turkish pizza, which was not that sensational compared with the Mixed Meze.But appetizer samplers and bread are merely to justify the real reason why I go there.  Some years back, after not eating there for about three months, I had a helping of their rice pudding.  I must have been in just the right mood or something because when the stuff hit my tongue, I began crying because it was so good.Jeff

by Robert S.

Good lord how can bread be so good. I keep thinking about it and it makes my mouth water. I love all the kebabs. I would suggest the Istanbul Grill (mixed grill) so you can try a variety. Have a nice cold Efes Pilsen to wash it down.

by Alvin J.Dan C.Morgan N.Joseph W.Therese S.

I'm a huge fan of Turkish/Middle Eastern food and this place didn't disappoint. Decided to try it for lunch this past Saturday. It was a great sunny day and we were lucky enough to find a table outside. Only a couple of tables were taken inside. They actually have a very small lot in front of the place and some people actually double parked (I suppose it'd be easy to find the owner of the car since the restaurant is pretty small)Service was friendly and fast.  We had the hummus as an appetizer and it was just spot-on. The complimentary bread and dipping oil were also great. I ordered a kefta kebob (ground lamb shaped into patties and grilled). The seasoning was nice and it was well-cooked (not overcooked or dry). We also ordered the special which was basically a flat  bread/tortilla stuffed with grilled ground beef and lamb. Each dish came out with rice and salad and the portions were large. Finished it up with a Turkish coffee.They have hookah on the weekends so I definitely want to come back to check it out.I have been here several times, and generally get the skender Kebab at the behest of my Turkish friend.  It is pretty delicious, and is great comfort food.Today though I went with the Karsk Pide (Mixed pide) which is a cheese, eggs and meat pizza.  It is pretty much the best "breakfast" pizza I have ever had. I am not sure they consider it breakfast pizza, but I consider anything with scrambled eggs as an ingredient breakfast.  Also at about $10, it was enough for two at lunch.Service was also very prompt, never was out of iced tea.Also get the Turkish Coffee for some spring in your step on the way out.Great Turkish food!!I have passed this place numerous times but hadn't tried it. Finally, after a weekly happy hour we decided to try it for dinner. We started with hummus and pide. It was really delicious! I ordered the vegetarian lachmacun platter. It consisted of a eggplant spread, chopped tomatoes, parsley, green peppers, and garlic spread  on fresh baked dough. It was also served with a purple cabbage salad. It was very tangy which balanced the flavor of the garlic.I went back last night with some friends. We ordered a hookah with double apple. It was pretty clean which is what I look for when smoking hookah. We also ordered the hummus and pide again because it's so yummy!I highly recommend this place, it's homey and delicious!If you see a large table on Sundays, then you know we are here.  It seems like we are enjoying the food here every Sunday afternoon.  The menu is limited but everything is top notch.  The rice pudding is a favorite. Football (soccer) is normally on the TV.  Don't let the lack of parking scare you away.Good, good Turkish food.It was the night before Labor Day, so more restaurants than usual were closed. We finally settled on Istanbul Grill, which I've heard was good. Boy, am I glad we came!Service was quick and friendly. We originally made to sit outside, but with the skeeters, decided to sit in. They were ok with that. For dishes, they helped us navigate with dishes, too.The food was excellent and seemed pretty darn authentic. Hummus is to live for, their lamb is praise-worthy, and baklava (dessert) is positively delightful.It was a good ending to a day. Even my bf who doesn't like Middle Eastern-ish food loved it here, so I am adding this place to my ever-growing list of good places to eat in Houston.Take note: parking is a premium, so better to park on a street maybe a block or two away.

by Morgan N.

Great Turkish food!!I have passed this place numerous times but hadn't tried it. Finally, after a weekly happy hour we decided to try it for dinner. We started with hummus and pide. It was really delicious! I ordered the vegetarian lachmacun platter. It consisted of a eggplant spread, chopped tomatoes, parsley, green peppers, and garlic spread  on fresh baked dough. It was also served with a purple cabbage salad. It was very tangy which balanced the flavor of the garlic.I went back last night with some friends. We ordered a hookah with double apple. It was pretty clean which is what I look for when smoking hookah. We also ordered the hummus and pide again because it's so yummy!I highly recommend this place, it's homey and delicious!

by carolyn d.

Love this place!!!!!!!! The food is sooo fresh and staff very helpful. Probably the best bread in the city, full of flavor and baked in the oven hot. The yogurt (lebni) is homemade and absolutely divine. I have had hummus all over town, don't always review them tho, and this is by far one of the best I have ever tasted. The lamb is very good and the chicken doner (?). I love their salads and rice.. let's just say I have had almost everything here and have yet to be disappointed. BTW, baklava is delicious, next best thing to getting from Turkey!

by Isabelle K.

I like whole Village area. I like their patio, full of plants and blocked the street view. Feel more romantic.I like any lamb dishes they made, lamb chops especial $17, lamb sis kebab with yogurt $10. Very tasty. Don't like their pizza. The thinnest crust I've ever seen. But not much stuff on the bread. I feel they just added some sauce and herbs on the bread, but not much meat. I won't recommend anyone to order that.

by Therese S.

Good, good Turkish food.It was the night before Labor Day, so more restaurants than usual were closed. We finally settled on Istanbul Grill, which I've heard was good. Boy, am I glad we came!Service was quick and friendly. We originally made to sit outside, but with the skeeters, decided to sit in. They were ok with that. For dishes, they helped us navigate with dishes, too.The food was excellent and seemed pretty darn authentic. Hummus is to live for, their lamb is praise-worthy, and baklava (dessert) is positively delightful.It was a good ending to a day. Even my bf who doesn't like Middle Eastern-ish food loved it here, so I am adding this place to my ever-growing list of good places to eat in Houston.Take note: parking is a premium, so better to park on a street maybe a block or two away.