Sofra Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine — Restaurant in East Brunswick Township

My husband is Turkish. Needless to say, we dine in Turkish restaurants very frequently. Tonight was, hands down, the most disappointing meal I have ever had. No exaggeration intended. My husband had the fish soup, I had the chicken soup. Tasteless on both accounts. We both added quite a bit of salt, but it didn’t help. He got the lamb Adana. It was very dry. I got the eggplant salad. Wherever we go I always get the eggplant salad, so I know what it supposed to taste like. This eggplant was not roasted on charcoals. It tasted like it was out of a jar. There was one piece of tomato several jarred roasted red peppers And it was completely tasteless. I added salt but that didn’t help. The bread was tasteless, it needed salt. It needed some thing. We got dessert, they were not fresh. It seemed as though they were the end of what was used on the weekend. The strawberries used for garnish were dry, bruised, old and very refrigerated. And last but certainly not least, the tea. Tea is a very important part of the Turkish meal. It was old tea. I make Turkish tea all the time, I know what old tea tastes like. The decor was lovely, service was outstanding, but I didn’t know they add an 18% gratuity onto the bill until I read reviews later and we left a tip on top of that. I looked at the bill I did not notice that the gratuity was added. It was NOT obviously stated as the owner described in a comment to another poor review. And people don’t go out to dinner for the decor and outstanding service. They go out to dinner for the food and the experience. This food and this experience was, as I said before the most disappointing I have had in 10 years of going to Turkish restaurants.

Note to owner: please do not leave me one of your snarky comments about my review. You can try to justify all you want but there is no justification for your food...

Coming from a person who never leaves bad reviews on many restaurants that I have been to, I am honestly, extremely upset at the way this restaurant runs things. I have loved Mediterranean food and have explored restaurants from Amali NYC to Sahara in New Brunswick. I have been treated with utmost respect with other Mediterranean restaurants with such lively and inviting atmosphere but Sofra does not give it that vibe. The waiters are very sly and rude and will not check up on you for about 45 minutes. I have never felt uncomfortable in my life dining in a restaurant til I’ve dined at Sofra. The waiters will stare you down as if you are below them and will say extremely rude things under their breath. The appetizers did not come out until ONE HOUR of being there. It took the waiters TWO HOURS to refill our waters. And it took them TWO AND A HALF HOURS to serve the main dish when the owner told us it will only take THIRTY MINUTES TO PREPARE. And what was absolutely infuriating was that other tables who came after us were getting their meals right away and we have been waiting for hours. I applaud the owner of being a very kind man but the way their staff is towards their customers is absolutely insane. I have never seen such disrespect in my entire life. Gratuity should never be charged by the way the staff acts in this restaurant and you’re better off going to a high end Mediterranean restaurant in the city because you will be paying the same price for higher quality food and BETTER SERVICE. I wish nothing but the best for this restaurant but they need to do better for it to...

Sofra Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine is a true gem for anyone seeking authentic Mediterranean flavors. From the moment you step inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere, paired with attentive and friendly service, sets the tone for a memorable dining experience.

The menu offers an impressive variety of traditional Turkish and Mediterranean dishes, each bursting with vibrant flavors and prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. I highly recommend starting with the mezze platter – the creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and perfectly seasoned grape leaves are a feast in themselves.

For the main course, the lamb shish kebab is a standout. Tender, juicy, and grilled to perfection, it’s paired with fragrant rice and fresh vegetables. The chicken adana and mixed grill are also excellent choices for meat lovers, while vegetarians will appreciate the rich flavors of the stuffed eggplant and lentil soup.

Be sure to save room for dessert! The baklava is a must-try – perfectly flaky, not overly sweet, and served with a drizzle of honey that ties it all together. Pair it with a cup of Turkish tea or coffee for the perfect ending to your meal.

Overall, Sofra delivers an exceptional culinary experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving delicious, homemade Mediterranean cuisine, this restaurant is a fantastic choice. The quality, flavor, and hospitality are unmatched – I can’t wait to return and explore more of the menu....