Istanbul Bay Premium — Restaurant in Marlboro Township

I have eaten at this restaurant a couple of times and loved it. The atmosphere is amazing and so is the food. I have always had amazing service each time till the last time I was there. After we were seated, I noticed the name of our server, Mert, and decided to speak in Turkish since I am also Turkish I decided it would be easier, but I was wrong. Once he realized we were Turkish he lost all his professionalism. Anyways we placed our order which he rushed us through and ran off. I called him over a few minutes later and told him that it stated in the menu the lamb shank was served either with rice or mashed potatoes and I would prefer mashed potatoes. He did not like that and was like I already placed your order with rice, now I have to go and change it l, but I will. Then we were served the balloon bread that is always served before the meal, but this time it was deflated and cold. I also noticed that he didn’t bring out the olive oil and olives that the bread is usually served with so I called him over to ask him about it. His response was that it’s only sometimes served with the olive oil but he’ll do me a favor and bring it out. He also insisted on speaking in English with me which by his accent he was having a hard time, but I don’t know why it bothered him so much to speak in Turkish. Then when we were leaving he never asked if we would like tea which they always have asked us before and he asked the other two tables next to us of they would like tea, I assume he just didn’t like us. Also, we were never given a bag for our four to-go containers which he also provided to the table next to us. Overall today was such a disappointing experience for us and it’s so sad because this is the Turkish restaurant I would brag about to my friends and invite them to experience my own home cuisine. The food and the ladies at the door were...

Updated 05-09-23

They initially got 1 star from me. Now it’s 5 stars. After dining in the restaurant in above date and getting above and beyond service from the server, he remembered me from before. I saw he just didn’t give me outstanding service but was giving the same level of service to everyone else.

They got it right. Good job.

Update 03-24-23

This restaurant manager tried to scam me. He told me since my food was given to someone else I wound be issued a refund thru door dash. So he made me pay again which I paid again.

I called door dash and they said restaurant never issues any refunds.

They basically tried to scam me.

Door dash finally investigated and told me they lied to me and I was suppose to call right away. Which the restaurant knew this as I never experienced this issue before.

I really love this place but today they messed up my order. I order from them weekly.

They gave my order to someone else. I had to cancel it online and repay them here.

At first they kept saying I picked it up. They gentlemen kept insisting I picked it up an hour earlier. And I kept saying I didn’t. The door dash guy picked up the wrong order.

Finally the manager came and said I can reorder with them which I did. He said he was giving me a free dessert on top of the dessert I ordered which was nice of him.

But I see my final bill and a charge of 2.5 percent card fee.

This really annoyed me. They cannot charge you a fee unless it’s listed and displayed they will be charging. And he didn’t even tell me about this.

I spent 185 dollars and the nickel and dime restaurants do...

My dining experience at Istanbul Bay Premium was nothing short of exceptional! The moment we entered, the warm and inviting ambiance welcomed us, setting the stage for an incredible meal. The service was attentive and friendly, guiding us through the menu and offering excellent recommendations.

We started our culinary journey with the lamb shank falafel, which was an absolute delight! The falafel was perfectly seasoned and had a wonderful crispy exterior, while the lamb shank was tender and flavorful. The combination created a unique and delectable twist on a classic dish.

In addition to the falafel, we also ordered the succulent lamb shank as a main course. It was expertly cooked, falling off the bone and melting in our mouths. The rich, savory sauce it was served with complemented the tender meat perfectly, making each bite an experience to savor.

Next up was the baba ghanoush, a creamy, smoky eggplant dip that was beautifully presented and accompanied by fresh, warm pita bread. The balance of flavors and textures in this dish was spot on, and I couldn't get enough of it!

Finally, we indulged in their baklava for dessert. This was hands down the best baklava I've ever tasted. The layers of delicate, flaky pastry were filled with a luscious mix of honey and chopped nuts, creating a heavenly experience with each bite.

Istanbul Bay Premium has won me over with their excellent food, service, and atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an authentic and delicious Turkish dining experience. I can't wait to return and try more of their...