Istanbul Hawaii

Eating at Istanbul is unique, especially if you don't even have to leave the island. When you walk in, the lighting textured décor set a vibe that takes you to Istanbul. There's a lush outdoor area or grab a bench at the window. The atmosphere is well thought out. The menu is inventive — taking traditional Turkish roots and weaving in local fresh ingredients. If you’re coming for lunch, they have award winning specials; they are a total hit and offer a fantastic introduction to their craft. Even the plateware contribute something special, even if it's just a casual bite. The creativity on the plate definitely extends to the themed bar selections. A tad pricey, you’re paying for the quality and the setting. This place has racked up many awards. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a unique, soul-nourishing meal that extends well beyond standard fare.

Starving after an eight-hour hike, all I wanted was a nice Turkish breakfast. I was talking to the restaurant owner’s father, Mr. Aydin. We asked David to bring simit/ bread to the table, but instead of trying to understand and serve, he seemed dismissive and kept socializing with his coworkers. I had to ask again, and the simit finally arrived after half an hour — by which point breakfast had gone cold. It’s meant to be enjoyed hot. Mia apologized and said they don’t always understand Mr. Aydin well, and she defended David. But Mr. Aydin — Baba — had said “simit” clearly, multiple times. It’s even on the menu: WEEKEND BRUNCH → Turkish Breakfast → Simit. Your staff should know every item on their own menu. A couple of weeks ago I brought a guest for dinner and had a great experience — which makes this visit all the more disappointing. I hope these issues get addressed. I’d love to have a good experience here again.

Best Mediterranean on island! Extremely popular, so make a reservation ahead of time. The lunch menu was giant portions and we enjoyed the pide wrap, which was so fresh, with local vegetables and ingredients. The burger was a perfect medium rare, and it had an amazing tomato based sauce. Tons of fries as well. Ali was the perfect server! He made great recommendations, explained to us Turkish culture and special foods, and he was the BEST server! He seemed very passionate about the cuisine and knowledgeable too. Many VEGITARIAN options as well, and allergy accommodations if asked. Atmosphere is gorgeous here. Good winds for sitting outdoors.

Hello fellow foodies. This joint was just okay IMO. Food needed more seasoning. We tried 3 different lamb dishes. The rack was the best of 3. Service good, atmosphere great. I expected more from the food flavors. Reservation is a must.

We had a group of 5 and ordered the Sultan’s Sofra set more than enough food for everyone. Everything was flavorful, especially the dips (definitely get them). The meats were great, but the order a levrek was the standout the fish was amazing. Perfect spot for sharing and trying a bit of everything. We also loved how the meal included so many different elements, from the mercimek soup to the saffron rice and desserts. It felt like a full experience rather than just dinner. Definitely get the dips and don’t miss the fish!

Delicious Turkish restaurant. Great menu with plenty to choose from. Friendly staff. Try their dip mezze and their chicken pita, so good! Also their non alcoholic beverages are delicious. Large interior dining room and outdoor seating available too. Reserve in advance.

The regular hummus was delicious, the meze served with it was hot and very tasty. We ended up ordering a second loaf. Kofte came out medium rare and was wonderful with the tomatoes. Ribeye was slightly on the tougher side but still had good flavor. Definitely make a reservation, walk-ins take a long time.

Our waiter was AMAZING! He was knowledgeable about every menu item we asked about and gave us some great recommendations. There was also someone walking around that kept our water full even though we were sat outside. I loved the outdoor seating, it was nicely decorated and let me do some people watching :) The food was amazing as well. We got the meze platter which came with four different dips. They were all delicious and the bread was so good that we ordered more. The cocktails I ordered were creative and flavorful. For my main dish I got the wagyu with the hand rolled pasta. The sauce that this came with was so delicious - it was tangy and went well with the savory meat inside of the pasta. Honestly, I would come here again just for the service, it was possibly the best experience I've ever had with a waiter at a restaurant.

I had an incredible experience at Istanbul Hawaii. The service was amazing, the atmosphere was truly unique, and our waitress Samantha absolutely made the night. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and gave spot-on recommendations. We ordered the smoked babaganoush, pirzola, manti of the winter hearth, and the Anatolian doner. Every single dish was outstanding. The flavor combinations were out of this world and unlike anything I’ve had before. It’s easily one of the most unique dining experiences I’ve ever had. I’ll definitely be coming back and plan to keep trying Samantha’s recommendations until I’ve worked my way through the entire menu. Highly recommend this place if you’re looking for something special and memorable!

One of the best restaurants I’ve been to, the food was delicious and outstanding. Our server, I believe her name was Samantha (blonde and blue nails) was wonderful. She was sweet and a great server and made my birthday dinner special. The outdoor seating was good and breezy. We ordered the appetizer platter, the Mai tai, Santorini sunset, levrek, and lamb shish. Couldn’t have eaten better food anywhere else. Definitely want to go back.