ISTANBUL GRILL METAIRIE — Restaurant in Metairie

I was looking for that good good Middle Eastern food in NOLA... the authentic stuff. Well, I found it.

I've driven by this place multiple times and finally gave in to the urge. So glad that I did. The restaurant itself is incredibly clean. The staff was very friendly. Either the owner or the manager came out and personally talked to me about the food and asked how I was doing. You can't ask for much better customer service.

For my meal I went with something called Lahmacun, which is similar to a crispy flatbread with lamb, veggies, and spices on top. It was fresh out of the oven and delicious. For my main meal, I decided to go with an appetizer sampler in order to try as many things as possible. It was a combination of Hummus, Muhammara, Baba Ghanoush, Spicy Ezme, Shakshuka, and Dolma (stuffed grape leaves). Although it wasn't mentioned on the menu, mine also came with Lebneh. In fact, it came with the best Lebneh I've ever had. I think it was walnuts, but there was a distinct crunch factor that immediately put it at the top of my list. Although I've tried most of these dishes before, this was my first time trying Ezme and Shakshuka. Both were absolutely phenomenal. I ordered so much food that I couldn't even finish it and still capped out around $33 before tax.

If you've seen my reviews on here, I tend to report on really good or really bad experiences. I'm happy to say that his restaurant was excellent and I will definitely...

One of the best meals ever. The late restaurant radio host and food critic Tom Fitzmorris said it best that some of the best New Orleans food is those of other cultures. He could not have been more accurate. My first experience with Turkish cuisine was here at Istanbul Grill. It did not disappoint. Every dish we tried was amazing. We started with the Mixed Meze Plate which was basically a sampling of the cold appetizer dips and spreads. This was served with the fresh baked “puffy” bread. Every dip was a delight and my friend and I could not pick a favorite. We then had the Dolmas, which I have had before, but these were probably the best I have ever tasted. My friend said the same. We then sampled the Lahmacun (like a flatbread pizza) and the feta cheese rolls. Both were excellent. We also had a bowl of the lentil soup, which was very very good. Our main course was the grilled salmon and veggie plate. Both were grilled to perfection, and so flavorful. Our final plate was a pistachio baklava treat. Delightful. I highly recommend Istanbul Grill. The service is professional and outstanding. I can’t wait for my next visit. I will...

I visited Istanbul Grill during a business trip to New Orleans and decided to stop by for takeout on my way from the airport to my hotel. At first, I was a little hesitant—the area didn’t seem great, and the place looked like a small hole-in-the-wall.

But the moment I stepped inside, my impression completely changed. The restaurant was bright, neat, and very clean. The decor featured colorful Turkish souvenirs that gave it a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The host (likely the owner) was incredibly welcoming, helped me with my order, and confidently assured me that I would enjoy the food. While I waited, he even brought me a complimentary cup of Turkish tea, which was a thoughtful touch.

When I finally sat down to eat at my hotel, I was blown away. I had ordered the Chicken Adana Kebab, which came with rice, salad, and perfectly grilled tomato and pepper. The flavors were outstanding—easily some of the best Turkish grilled food I’ve had.

Istanbul Grill is a hidden gem and absolutely worth a visit if you’re in New Orleans, even if it’s a bit...