Cafe Istanbul

I went with my partner on a busy sunday night and unfortunately we could not get one of the pillow seats since we hadnt reserved earlier and the seats were all booked. so that's your first cue. the music was a bit loud and the belly dancing though awesome, had too long a break in between. So if you are going just for a beer and a quick dinner, then consider yourself lucky to have seen two dances. The decor is old worldly and very homely and does make you feel like cosying up. The service is warm and friendly even though the waiters are perennially hard pressed for time. The food is absolute turkish delight. The hummus was great and the zatar bread rocked. I din't like the kebabs much though since they were fried and somewhat flavourless. But do try the turkish originals and you will keep on wanting more. Overall, would definitely go there again. Great place for groups wanting some fun and good food. Kids best avoided. Pros: good food, warm waiters, old wordly charm Cons: loud music, not the cleanest or funkiest cultlery more

Great appetizers. Mediocre entrees with marginal (or no) flavor. Stay away from the homemade pasta. The lamb that supposedly is used in the dish is non-existent, and the dish is devoid of any flavor whatsoever. Pros: Good service, great appetizers Cons: Flavorless entrees more

SURPRISE!!!! Cafe Istanbul serves one of the best pizzas in town. They only have a few selections of pizzas but they are one of the best you will have, I highly recommend everyone to go and try the pizzas, especially for lunch, I would go for the good old Turkish menu for dinner. more

Citysearch, maybe move this out of the Pizza category. Cons: Not a Pizza Joint - if it is, please say so and I will go test it out. more

I invited my family to Cafe Istanbul for Mother's day after I found it to be the best mediterranean restaurant on city search. Even though it's a definite value restaurant, the ambience was not cut out for Mother's day. My order, stuffed eggplant, as well as my husband's chicken kebab turned out great. But my poor parents who love Koofteh (they are persian) were sadly dissappointed to find their beloved koofteh was not really koofteh at all! Koofteh is supposed to be juicy meatballs, theirs was more like dry tasteless meat patties. When we asked the waiter, who was very nice and friendly, whether they had any other form of koofteh he said no. However, the friendly atmosphere and the best belly dancer I've ever seen made it a wonderful experience. I would still go back, but my parents will never go there again. more

When I eat here I feel I am home. The owners are nice, the food is good, and the ambience is unbeatable. more

To be honest I was pretty surprised. This is the truest Turkish restaurant that made its statement to me. They serve Efes beer which was great.It reminds me of well made Bavarian styled pilsener, but Efes is much more interesting.The crystal type of hops which made a crisp, snappy finish. Belly dancig - the girl looks as if she stepped out of my dream. The staff is very friedly and makes very good jokes to make you laugh.Awesome. more

This is not a typical restaurant. I have never been to any restaurant where I feel I am being served in a house atmosphere. The owners and staff are Turkish and Kurdish and they welcome you into their house. The food is traditional turkish and the dishes I have had are all excellent. On the weekends there is no party like the one in this restaurant, just make sure you have reservation, or you cant get in. You enjoy your food while you watch the staff dance Turkish and Kurdish line dancing to amazing music, and if you like you can join them. Overall, you havent seen Atlanta if you dont stop and see this restaurant. I saw even Jimmy Carter dined there recently. more

Beware: this estabilishment does not respect it's customers. A 9:00 reservation turned into a 9:45 struggle for a table that had been promised to 2 parties, that I know of. Just before our food came out, the manager himself came over took away one of our tables! Upon our objection he unleased a fury of phrases, including statments along the lines of ""You come here for my restaurant, I do not need you."" He went so far as to take away some of our cushions, forcing us to cram together so that no one was sitting directly on the floor. We even had to eat the sub par food in our laps. The most insulting part of the evening was when the manager came back to our table, proud chest puffed, to tell us that it had worked out fine since we had been able to cram together like sardines. Pros: Rude Service, Ignored Reservartion, Crowded more

This place is really horrible. The food is really really, bad. For those people who think this is Turkish food, please do not consider it so. This place give a bad name to Turkey, to its beautifull culture and its amazing cuisine. There is nothing authentic about this place, a turkish restaurant in Istanbul, ankara, bodrum or izmir or wherever you go, does not have hookas or a belly dancer for attraction. This place gives more attention to belly dancers and hookas than to their food and service, which is a shame. Cons: Not a family restnt, Slow service, not tastefull more

The food is fresh, perfectly spiced, and savory...and extremely affordable. Their lamb is incredible! While the staff is rather slow, you don't really care unless you trying to rush through your meal. Make sure to get pillowed seating to take in the experience. There is nothing like sipping on wine, smoking apple sheesha, and watching bellydancing without paying gobs of money for dinner. Pros: Excellent Food, Exotic Ambience, Amazing Value Cons: Slow service, Small parking lot more

As an armchair gourmet and world traveller, I can highly recommed Cafe Istanbul for an authentic, family-style neighborhood dining experience. Once you walk inside the restaurant doors, the outside world ceases to exist. the food is fresh (I have visited the kitchen), the staff is friendly and generous, and the ambiance is genuine. I havenever been pushed out by the wait steff looking to reseat my table as in many other restaurants. Take a seat on the floor in the pillow room and listen to a multitude of languages and see a variety of smiles on the happy faces of the customers. I love this place!! Pros: vegetarian, helpful staff, food choices more

This place is my favorite. The ambience is amazing, you MUST sit in the pillow room, it completes the experience. Mostafa is the best waiter, talk to him once and he remembers you every time. You'll feel like a guest at someone's home. Add a Meze plate, some baklava and chai to your dinner, order a hookah, sit back and relax while you enjoy the belly dancing show. This is a great place to come with friends, everyone I've ever taken there has loved it! On some nights guests even get up and dance, and if you stay long enough Mostafa and the rest of the staff will get in on the action as well. There's no place like it on earth! Pros: atmosphere, food, service more

This has been one of my favorite restaurants ever since a friend introduced me to it a few years ago. I love the middle eastern decor, and the food is delicious. The food, atmosphere, and music delight the senses and take you to another world. It is wonderful to relax on the pillows and enjoy great food and conversation. The mezze plate, pizza, and baklava are my personal faves- great for vegetarians! more

I love this restaurant. I would live there if they'd let me. The food, people and ambience are incredible!! You'd be surprised to know that this place has the best PIZZA in town and it has a lot of yummy vegetarian dishes. Mustafa is king!!! Pros: food, ambience, service Cons: it's being discovered more

This place is awesome. Here, I've had one of the best lamb based entree ever. This place adds a good cultural flavor by its decorations, belley dancers etc. The owner has a great potential to succeed more. I don't like the location - decatur area. This must be in flashy buckhead or V.highlands. I also suggest another up-class alternative - Imperial Fez. Pros: ambience, food Cons: area location more

Love this restaurant!! Whether I am dining here alone or with friends I know that I'm in for a treat. The food is wonderful and staff is extra friendly. The ""pillow room"" is great especially after you finish eating because you can sit back and relax, enjoy some turkish coffee and a hookah. Sometimes there is even a bellydancer whirling about the restaurant. It's great!! Pros: friendly staff, good prices, fun and relaxing Cons: service can be slow more

Wonderful ambience, delicious food and very attentive and gracious host! Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Location more