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Cafe Istanbul & Market
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
1310 E Apache BlvdTempe, AZ 85281
(480) 731-9499
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
62 reviews for Cafe Istanbul & Market
Review Highlights
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"While I love pita jungle, I say beat the lunch crowd and..." In 7 reviews -
"Bring breath mints, but don't skip the garlic dip." In 7 reviews -
"The have a lunch buffet Monday - Friday from 11-3 for $10." In 8 reviews
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62 reviews in English
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Review from Sarah J.
Tempe, AZ
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nom Nom Nom!
A few of my girlfriends and I got a case of the tummy grumbles last Thursday night and decided to hop in the car with no destination in mind.
I had a bunch of indecisive girls in my car, so what did I do? Took charge and hoped onto Yelp. We found Cafe Instanbul nearby and all agreed to try it!
I've been wanting to try this place for quite a while, and I'm so glad we finally ventured over because it is as good as it gets. Hummus? Yes, please. Pita bread? Homemade, served fresh and hot! My friend and I split the Veggie Combo and we both loved it.
After dinner, we made our way upstairs to the hookah lounge. The restaurant closed at 10 but the hookah lounge stays open until 12 or 1am, not really sure.
The place was pretty busy, but we found seating and got a couple hookahs and relaxed for a while.
The price is right. The food is fantastic. The service was great. I'll be back for sure. -
Review from Haley G.
Tempe, AZ
5/5/2012 5 Check-ins Here
I love cafe istanbul! They have a really good variety of sheesha and everything you need for your at home hookah needs. The guy who works in the hookah store is really nice and is very knowledgeable about hookah. He is very generous as well.
Their food is really good also. There isn't an extensive list of choices but their schwarmas are awesome. I personally like the chicken and for about 6 bucks for a good sized schwarma and fries you can't go wrong.
Their hookah lounge is upstairs and you enter from the parking lot. They have good choices and are also very nice. They were doing deals that women got free hookah on tuesdays (not sure if this is still going on). All you have to do is bring a girl with youand on a tuesday and bam! Let the awesome deals begin! -
Review from Jeremy P.
Mesa, AZ
5/16/2012
Cafe Istanbul is a place that you need to familiarize yourself with before you can appreciate it. It is popular for its lunch buffet (which, we found out yesterday, is temporarily closed), which always has a wide selection of salads, sides, meats, and other entrees. If you want to try a little bit of everything, the buffet is a good option.
Where Cafe Istanbul really excels, however, is their menu. Sometimes it takes discipline to order off a menu when you have a buffet in front of you, but it actually might save you a little cash, and you have choices that are simply not available on the buffet.
Lamb tongue sandwich? Yes, please... Theirs is a little better than Haji Baba's lamb tongue sandwich. Baked lamb over seasoned rice? Incredible. Humus, babaganouj, ma'anek (delicous lamb sausage) on the appetizers menu... all winners.
And sometimes I go here just so I can have that delicious soup (make sure you put some sriracha in it).
Fair warning: on some days, the service can be really bad. Sometimes bad enough that, despite the great food, it is enough to discourage me from going there. But it's a little easier if you go into it with that expectation. This is a more recent problem, so hopefully they get that worked out... The people who run the place actually seem really nice, though. -
Review from Jane M.
Wilmette, IL
4/25/2012
Best Chicken Shawarma EVAR!!
And their lemonade is crack. I'm pretty sure there is not actual crack used in the making of the lemonade, but it's addictive as all get out.
So, I used to go to Arizona every year in the spring for work. And I'd go to Cafe Istanbul a few times during my stay. I did this for seven or so years.
I've been gone for six, but when I came back this year and walked in there, the owner recognized me right away, welcomed me back, and made our dinner feel very homey.
The food is every bit as good as I remember. Everything I've ever had there has been fan-freakin-tastic.
I think I secretly travel to AZ just to have their chicken shawarma. It's totally worth the 1800 mile trip for me. -
Review from Imran G.
Tempe, AZ
10/13/2011
After a long day of busting my ass I wanted to find a place where I can unwind by indulging my taste buds. I have a few spots near Tempe that are trustworthy when it comes to fulfilling my desires, but its always better to expand your circle of friends. I decided to do just that.
Mexican food, pizza, burgers are all great, but sometimes you just want something that's not run of the mill. I wanted gyros, but like I said I wanted to try something new because I've been to Haji Baba far too many times and Phoenicia is a bit too pricey for me.
A gyro sandwich plus fries for $5.99 sounded like a really good deal...except that the gyro was very sub par. I was expecting something that was sliced fresh off the rotisserie, and instead got what seemed to be frozen meat cooked on a grill. If I wanted that stuff, I could have made it at home. Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I will be coming here again.
The food wasn't completely inedible, and the service was certainly pretty good. That's probably the only reason I gave it a 2 star rating. I'm not into hookah, and I don't mind the smell, but it didn't add to the experience. Although, if for some ridiculous reason I did want to smoke hookah, this place seemed pretty cool because it looks like they are the hookah kings of Tempe, never seen that many hookahs in my life.
I don't think I will be returning here. Probably better off trying Haji Baba or Phoenica. -
Review from George L.
9/30/2011 3 Check-ins Here
In the interest of full disclosure the only thing I every really go here for is the lunch buffet but wow, what a great buffet! I believe the buffet itself is about $10 and for that you get a wide range of vegetarian items and as with other items on the buffet most of those get changed out over time so you get a rotation of various dishes as you come back. They also have hummus and baba ghanoush (like hummus but made with eggplant instead of chickpeas). There is generally at least one dish with red meat (today it was a tomato based stew with eggplant and either beef or lamb) and usually two dishes with chicken.
I generally get iced tea to go with the meal and one thing to note, they do not serve alcohol so if you want to go someplace where you can also have a drink or two, this would not be a good place to go but if you just want a place with really good Middle Eastern food (the owners told me it is really Lebanese cooking but I'm going to just generalize and say for most of us, when you try it, you will think Middle Eastern). Of course, you can walk a block or two to 4 peaks brewery, in the same area, and have a drink or two before or after you your meal.
One really nice thing about this place it is right off the Apache stop on the light rail and right across the road (same side of the street) is Pita Jungle so a wide range of good food options right off that light rail stop.
Bottom line, I've never had anyone I've taken here NOT like it and everyone who has gone has wanted to go back again. I like it for lunch during the workday because it is quick and you have a wide variety of regularly changed out tasty food options, so I recommend you give it a try if you have the time. :-) -
Review from Eman N.
Newport Beach, CA
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good decent turkish style kebab and shawerma joint. The service was ok, they have a decent sized dining room but its kind of dingy inside and needs a facelift. I prefer the outdoor dining area, its more appealing. Parking is plentiful and there's a middle eastern grocery store next door which is convenient.
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Review from Rand H.
Updated - 4/15/2011
I've been enjoying this place from time to time for a year & a half now since the last review, & I'm pleased to report that it's still excellent! Mike C. & I stopped in for the lunch buffet today & although the courses served vary from one visit to the next, it's always a fun place to enjoy a Middle Eastern buffet lunch, & it's one of only four such buffets in the Valley. Princess Mediterranean Market (Friday only) & Saba's in Carefree (Sunday only) are excellent too!
A couple of today's treats here were delicious fresh pitas, completely covered with sesame seeds, to fill with your choices of three flavors of hummus, & lasagne made with cream sauce & lamb.
Lunch Buffet is served Monday through Friday 11-3 & the price has increased a little, to $9.95... It's worth it! :-))Listed in: Mid-Eastern Restaurants!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/8/2009
Along the Metro line in central Tempe, you come to this fairly small building with a hookah shop in… Read more »
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Review from Nasir M.
Milpitas, CA
8/10/2011
On the hierarchy of Phoenician Middle Eastern Cuisine this place is definitely up there, but then again that does not say much. Now if I was to review this place solely on its shawermas then it would get at least four stars. Hands down the best shawermas in the area. They are a little pricey, but hey good food always is, unless you cook it your self. A healthy portion of sliced meat with tomatoes, onions, and a pickle. The shawermas comes with a side of either fries or a salad. Both options unfortunately are subpar so I would just opt out of them.
However the shawermas aside their other menu items are not of the same caliber. This is especially true when it comes to their lunch buffet. As nice as it looks when you enter, the quality for the most part is not that great, especially given how much you pay.
I will say this though when it comes to authentic middle eastern desserts, like bousboussa, this is the place to go. Their bousboussa is amazing and its worth a trip to Istanbul just for that. -
Review from Jeff M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/7/2012
AWESOME and inexpensive. Don't let the humble restaurant side fool you, the food is first rate and staff very friendly.
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Review from mike c.
4/15/2011
Yay I am a fan of Cafe Istanbul. The food here is quite different then any of your typical buffets but it is also very tasty..They did have meatloaf that was real good and not quite middle eastern as well as lasagna made with lamb and cream sauce {not Italian} . I am not a big salad eater {rabbit food} but here the salad stuff is 5 stars. So for a great change in buffets I recommend Cafe Istanbul.
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Review from Sema B.
Los Angeles, CA
12/27/2011
I don't think they should be calling this place Istanbul Cafe, there is nothing Turkish about it! The name is so deceiving...
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Review from Misha B.
Tempe, AZ
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Disappointed! I must have caught this place on an off day, I am willing to try it again maybe at the hookah lounge during the evening. The falafel pita was good and the my dining partner enjoyed the gyro. We had ordered the garlic dip to start and we were immensely disappointed. It literally tasted like garlic mayonnaise. While I know some garlic dip is made this way, I was a expecting fresh, lemony potato or bread based garlic dip. Needless to say we hardly touched it, I wish they would have specified this in the menu so that I would have saved my money for the hummus.
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Review from Billy R.
Tempe, AZ
11/12/2010
This all around one of my absolute favorite places to go whenever I have the energy to make it out there. It's not far from where I live, but you have to understand, I'm incredibly lazy. If I can get away with it, I'll pick up the remote control with my foot so that I don't have to sit up.
If you can, make it for lunch. Their lunch menu is, I wouldn't say "cheaper," but... you know, it's pretty damn cheap. Ah, le mot juste!
Their hummus is damn good, I loved the shit out of their lamb's tongue when I had it and they serve good, strong, kick-you-in-the-ass Turkish coffee. I asked the lady who works there what a great dessert was and she steered me toward this stuff that was like baklava but it had custard in it. Holy shit, it was incredible. -
Review from KC M.
Tempe, AZ
2/8/2011
Very good food ~ always consistent ~ good buffet at lunch ~ not cheap but very freshly prepared with great care. Clean facility with friendly staff. Owners usually on site ~ lots of pride of ownership.
May the owner continue to experience abundance. Blessings :) KC -
Review from Jana G.
Chandler, AZ
3/10/2011
I visited Cafe Istanbul for dinner on a Wednesday evening. The weather was nice so we sat out on the patio. Just a view of the parking lot, but outside is good weather is always better in my opinion and the metal chairs were comfortable enough with cushions.
Friend and I ordered and shared a variety of appetizers and they were all very tasty. I had moujadara, lubieh bezeyt, garlic dip, Haloumi cheese pie, and fresh mozzarella with tomato (sort of a middle eastern caprese salad). The spicing on the lubieh was excellent. The garlic dip was pungent...just the way I like it. My friend had the chicken shawarma with rice pilaf and salad. The rice was flavorful and she said the shawarma was excellent.
Service was spotty but not terrible. Portion size was decent, pita bread was fresh and warm, Turkish coffee was well done. I love middle eastern food (must have been Lebanese in a former life) and this is the best place I have tried in a while. All in all I can't wait to go back and try a few more things like hummus and falafel and babaganouj. -
Review from Noelle K.
Tempe, AZ
1/3/2011
I've only been here once so far, and when I did go, I got the falafel, which as I understand it is the "safe" choice. My boyfriend went for the lamb's tongue. Yeahhh, I grew up in Maine, and this country girl is going to need a bit more time acclimating to the big city before she will put another animal's tongue in her mouth. I'm good with "safe."
Regardless, the falafel was delicious. Best falafel I've ever had. Every other place I've had it has been kinda hard and dry, but at Cafe Istanbul, it was moist all the way through and very tasty. My boyfriend reports that his tongue was delicious as well, but I'll just take his word on that.
I'll definitely be visiting this restaurant again, especially since it's so close by, I'd be stupid not to. Maybe I'll work my way up to the tongue. The service was efficient, and not much more than that, but I'll take efficiency over friendly ineptitude. The cafe itself is pretty cozy inside and overall it's a pleasant dining experience. -
Review from Jon N.
Tempe, AZ
9/6/2010
I used to eat here several years ago in their other location and when they first moved into the current location. It was always good food, it just somehow fell off my Mediterranean food list with so many choices around the Tempe area. But, I made sure to go recently and I was reminded why I enjoyed it so much before. It also made me wonder why I haven't chosen it more often for this style of food.
They were doing a buffet but we could also still order off the menu. I don't know if they do this often or if it was just a welcoming back to ASU type of thing but we chose to the buffet to try some new dishes. It was all very tasty. Of course there was some pita and hummus and then some rice. They had a stewed lamb dish and one that was stewed chicken. Both were very flavorful. THey also has a rice and chicken dish and a rice and lamb dish. With all of the meets being bone-in, they really infused some great flavors.
There was a custardy desert that the server said said was made with rosewater, it was very sweet. I typically don't like custards for texture reasons so I am not one to judge their quality. I just wanted to give everything available an honest try.
I usually try to keep my portions under control and always leave a place with leftovers but this food was tasty enough for me to go back for 2nds. With all the great Mediterranean food in close proximity it's hard to stand out, but this place is worthy of being in the rotation. -
Review from Sara B.
Tempe, AZ
5/18/2008
I hemmed and hawed over whether Cafe Istanbul was a three-star or a four-star joint, but the belly dancer pushed it over the top. Four stars.
But let's take a step back.
I don't actually like belly dancing, really. I knew these girls in college who got really into it. They were the kind of girls who wore anklets and gushed about how they had studied abroad in Chee-lay and actually used the term goddess when they weren't talking about salad dressing. I'm from Oregon, so I probably knew dozens of these girls. I am not one of them.
No, the belly dancing is awesome for an entirely different reason -- it makes my gay friend very uncomfortable. This amuses me to no end. While he tries to avoid eye contact, I smile at the dancer encouragingly, using my best "come hither" look. She comes to the table, gyrating just inches from my friend's mortified face. I am gleeful all night.
They also have food. It's Lebanese, and it's pretty good. In addition to the standard "stuff in a pita" fare, they have some interesting dishes -- like a pizza-esque item filled with ground lamb and spices. Yumm.
In terms of Middle Eastern food on Apache, I prefer both Haji Baba and Tasty Kabob. But I'll definitely be back. Just as soon as I can trick my friend into it.Listed in: Won't you be my neighbor?
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Review from Devon A.
Chandler, AZ
4/5/2009
We've been going here for years, and we went again last night. This is the hands down best place to get Chicken shwarma in the valley. My friends turned me on to Cafe Istanbul a few years ago and even though they moved away long ago, we still go. My mother flew to town this week and the only place she mentioned having to go to while here is Cafe Istanbul!
Some nights there is a belly dancer, and you should always order the lentil soup! -
Review from Johnson D.
Mesa, AZ
8/25/2008 1 Check-in Here
WIN.
I've been here a few times and every time I say to my dining partner, "damn this is good". Their food is excellent and homemade. The waiters are very friendly (family run spot) and knowledgeable about their food and ingredients. I highly recommend the chicken kabob, lamb kabob, and garlic sauce... YUM!
For gluten-free diners, steer clear of their lentil soup and their rice, both items contain small wheat noodles. Shame too because the soup is fantastic. Also while you're there don't sleep and order a lemonade, it's crazy good.Listed in: Gluten Free diners, read this!
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Review from Aileen B.
1/7/2009
Awesome chicken shawarma sandwich! However, it came with fries, w/c were crispy and delicious, but the grease and flavor almost brought on nausea (sorry for the visual). I hope management will allow me to substitute next time.
Noticed bags of pita for take-out in the deli section- Good Bread pita and Al-Hana whole wheat. They do not contain *, so I'll be taking some home next time!
I'd prefer not having the deli counter visible from the dining area, though (so glaringly bright!). Put up a divider of sorts, and this venue could easily attain great-for-a-date status!Listed in: Come w/ Me On a Magic Carpet…
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Review from Tarek S.
Scottsdale, AZ
9/14/2008 1 Check-in Here
This place is great if your looking for a nice middleastern meal, and also mid-eastern atmosphere, it has taken off since oasis moved, and they have revamped the place, i would highly recommend it, its very authentic, and if your looking for "Halal" "Kocher" food they have it as well!
The owners are lebanese and cook in true lebanese fashion!
You can also sit down and enjoy tea and a nice Shisha *Hooka* -
Review from Mitch P.
Phoenix, AZ
10/8/2010
I am a huge fan of Cafe Istanbul and I will say it immediately so you know this may be a bias account. I buy all of my coals, shisha and most of my hookahs from here. Their extremely wide selection of Shisha brands - Starbuzz, Havana, Al Fakir, Layalina and more is the widest selection in Phoenix.
No I dont work for them. I just like this place alot.
Pros: Upstairs isolated comfy air-conditioned with couches Hookah smoking area..you can take the food from downstairs and bring it upstairs and smoke and eat. Totally legal and legit.
The amazing selection of shisha, hookahs and hookah products is one thing BUT the menu is really special. I absolutely adore shwarma (lamb) and it is really hard to find it skewered right off with pickles, tomatoes..its all kinds of yummy goodness.
The lamb is great..they also have a lunch and dinner selection..so like lamb in pita for lunch but a lamb plate with rice and extras for dinner. same lamb just more of it.
So food is awesome, hookah is awesome..so why only 4 stars when Im a groupie?
Con: Sometimes due to ASU student changes their service can be a bit temperamental. new staff dont know how to do things and in the winter or summer it can be annoying especially being a regular. When my favorite waiter leaves to go home to Indiana and the new person takes over...well I dont feel all that special right then. But thankfully the more I go then they know me and its all good.
Also even though the menu is really fantabulous..it is not the best pita place in the entire world..it has other focuses besides pita..hence pita jungle across the street is probably better at pita's but they dont have hookahs..this place mixes original food with a fun hookah experience. -
Review from Clarice W.
Phoenix, AZ
4/24/2009
After last night I asked myself, "Why have I never been here before?"
It was a slow Thursday night but the service certainly wasn't.
I hate when I go into a restaurant that has six customers (your party being two of them) and the service is ridiculously slow (see my review on Casa Philipina.)
My friend, who brought me into this quaint eatery last night, is pure Pakistani. She raved about how amazing this family owned cafe and market reminded her of home and how they served the best lentil soup and grilled lemon chicken.
I was impressed. Extremely.
The soup was fantastic, the pita bread was warm and begged for me to dip it in a mixture of hummus and cilantro. When the dish came out I stared at it in awe and proceeded to dig in! The rice and chicken was abundant! The chicken was seasoned to perfection and juicy, the hummus and garlic paste was a perfect companion.
My friend then had me share a mango juice and baklava with her and I was in heaven!
I'm also into hookah so I was impressed with the hookah selection and tobacco! Very reasonably priced! -
Review from abc g.
Mesa, AZ
3/23/2011
I've been here several times and I have mixed emotions. It's a neat(interesting)-looking place, with lots of Hookah equipment for sale. I've ordered their 5 dollar pitas + fries before and they're delicious for the price, especially the soujouk. The only thing is, they took like over twenty minutes to make it.
I've tried the weekday lunchtime buffet and the food was pretty good. The hummus was bland, but there was a bounty of stuffed zucchini, baked rice, "hunny pudding," a divine lentil soup, among salad, baba ghanoosh, garlic sauce, etc. That day, I smoked a hookah with a friend after our meal, which was pretty fun. We were just upset to see that a 6 dollar gratuity had been added to our bill, making it like forty+ dollars for 2 lunch buffets & hookah. I had no idea they were going to add six bucks to my bill and it kinda pissed me off, dude. Next time I'll stick to takeout. -
Review from Julie M.
Mesa, AZ
1/9/2009
I really adore this place. They've got some of the best lentil soup around and all of their chicken dishes have been perfectly seasoned and very, very juicy. I recently got the kabob plate and it came out so tender and juicy it was falling apart on my fork. Their hummus and garlic sauce are both very good as well and the service is quick and friendly.
Last time I was in, I noticed they expanded their dining section so the place is a bit bigger now, probably to accommodate the increase in customers from the park-and-ride light rail station right in front of their restaurant.
Do yourself the favor. If you're heading on the light rail and feel hunger strike, stop off here and enjoy a nice meal. They have good lunch specials around $7.50 for a full plate with meat, hummus, garlic sauce, pita, and tabouli. Mmmm!Listed in: Valley Restaurants, Best Dining - East Valley
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Review from Joe N.
Tucson, AZ
5/5/2010
I love Middle Eastern food and am constantly in search for a place that can cook a meal as well as my Nana could. There are many great places nearby but this place was really great. We went there for the lunch buffet which was small and oh so authentic. We all loved it!
The prices were great which made this place even better. There is also a nice little market and hookah to smoke if you're into it.
Lastly, the location is great. While I love pita jungle, I say beat the lunch crowd and head over to this place. We sat down and ate a quick, delicious buffet lunch. You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Jennifer W.
Buffalo, NY
6/19/2008
I've been here a bajillion times because I used to live up the street. I've tried every type of meat and all of the vegetable dishes.
The falafel is a little bland, but if you cover it in their garlic dip it doesn't matter. Other than that, everything is fabulous. The first thing I ever ate was the baked lamb sandwich and it was divine. I just had lunch there yesterday and I'm salivating writing this review and thinking about it.
The restaurant is very nicely decorated and the family that runs the place is super nice and friendly. I can't believe how empty this place usually is, especially since Pita Jungle is across the street and parking is impossible over there.
They have a lunch buffet but I've never partaken.Listed in: Best of Phoenix
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Review from Katrina D.
Tempe, AZ
8/27/2011
I have never really enjoyed Cafe Istanbul. From the attitude from the staff (catch them on a bad day and they're downright rude) to how insanely difficult it can be to even get new coals, I'd just rather go somewhere else with my friends.
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Review from Morgan F.
Phoenix, AZ
7/27/2009
Great little family owned place. A good portion of the clientèle is actually Middle Eastern, so they've got to be doing something right. The owner, Mike, is always around and very friendly, and usually hanging out in the market part of the building. There's a hookah bar upstairs, but having an aversion to hookah, I've never ventured in. The market is neat to look around in and a good place to go for some excellent fresh feta cheese or lamb.
On to the food.. it is fantastic and inexpensive. You can get a falafel sandwich and fries for under $5, but that's about the cheapest meal on the menu. The have a lunch buffet Monday - Friday from 11-3 for $10. It's a very small buffet and at least half of it is cold food like salads and hummus. About 75% of the time, I have no idea what I'm eating, but I always enjoy it.
As an added bonus, the last time I was there the guy who refilled my water was wearing one of those t-shirts with kittens on it.. their faces on the front, and their butts on the back. I don't know if he was serious or not, but it was pretty amazing. -
Review from Stefan K.
7/26/2011
I have only checked out this place for the lunch buffet which is delicious. The warm bread was the best part of the meal. I will have to order something off the menu next time. I bought some Hookah supplies as well so +1 for combining 2 trips :)
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Review from Brian G.
Scottsdale, AZ
6/5/2008 1 Check-in Here
"You should Yelp more." "You should review that on Yelp." "Why aren't you Yelping this?"
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear ya. The problem is, I'm a man of few words when it comes to likes and dislikes. It's usually a thumbs up or thumbs down for me. I use Yelp a lot, so I should probably try to contribute more. So here goes.
When someone wants a suggestion for a restaurant that's non-corporate and not standard fare, I suggest Cafe Istanbul.
I've never had a bad meal there. If I could legally marry the chicken shawarma, I would. When I'm with friends and suggest we get the garlic dip for an appetizer, their eyes light up and they say, "Yes please!" Even something as simple as the lentil soup is a sheer delight. The food is flavorful and delicious and always leaves me too full for dessert.
Sometimes the service can be a bit slow, especially if they are hitting the hookah themselves, but they are always super nice otherwise. -
Review from Micah D.
Tempe, AZ
9/27/2007
I love this place. It's run by a Lebanese family who are just really really nice. The hummus is awesome as is the tabouleh and labni. My favorite though is something they call "garlic dip" which tastes like some sort of avatar of garlic came up and punched you in the mouth and then french kissed you while you were passed out. Bring breath mints, but don't skip the garlic dip! They have a buffet for lunch on the week days which is pretty good. I like the gyro pita and the falafel pita. Hell, I like just about everything I've had here.
When you're done stuffing your face, go check out the market. They have some awesome stuff if you're into mediterranean food, some halfway decent teas, fresh olives and feta, halal meats, the whole deal. -
Review from Monica G.
Glendale, AZ
12/7/2010
Love this place! Food is on par every time we go. We love the cheese baklava, but they never have it anymore due to the semi-ok pastries they now make. The service is not bad and everyone there is always so nice.
We often go to Hookah, which is always fun! I just hate that they automatically add 15% gratuity to every bowl smoked. It wouldn't be a problem if their hookah servers we good every time instead of some of the time.
All n' All I enjoy going here with my fiancée and friends to hang out and have a good time! -
Review from Tara W.
Guadalupe, AZ
9/13/2011
Great shisha and other items...friendly service; will definitely be trying the food soon. Gyros, baked lamb- sounds amazing.
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Review from Deliah R.
Scottsdale, AZ
6/18/2008
I was not super impressed.
I had lunch with some co-workers with high hopes. I was really disappointed. The hummus had no flavor, the pita was hard, my gyro meat was yum but the sand which had no lettuce, tomato and the sauce was scarce.
I prob won't be running back. The people were super nice so that would be the only reason to do so.
I am going to stick with Pita House in Old Town. -
Review from Kelly W.
Tempe, AZ
8/22/2007
I love this cute, quaint restaurant. You can even catch belly dancing here on the early weekend nights! The food is amazing. Be sure to try the thick hummus and the Shawarma.
Even the drinks are unique. I had one of the best glasses of lemonade (it was extremely fresh tasting and it had a pleasant aroma) and was unlike anything other lemonade I've ever sipped.
There's also a market inside the restaurant where you can pick up a pound of Feta. -
Review from Brooke S.
Phoenix, AZ
11/28/2009
Always good food here. And, you can take home several types of feta cheese, baklava, grape leaves, etc....
The lentil soup is one of my favorites (always choose soup) along with the halibut. -
Review from Camille H.
Phoenix, AZ
11/25/2008
I've been here twice now for the lunch buffet and the second time I even brought a friend who was a foodie and both times it was great. They have a great selection of dips on the buffet, a few salads and many warm entrees to choose from.
I recommend taking a little bit of everything and if you follow my rule, you won't be disappointed. Everything is absolutely delicious and you'll have fun guessing the spices in the various dishes.
If you're in the mood for some tasty middle eastern food, I would really recommend it. It's a little short on ambiance, but with flavors like that, who's looking anywhere but their plate?
