Istanbul Bay — Restaurant in New York

Went here today with five of my friends; the service we received was so horrid that I have to leave a review here to warn others.

When we arrived, the restaurant wasn't really crowded, but most of their tables were full. We waited 30 minutes for the waiter to take our order, and waited more than 90 minutes for our food to arrive. We had to ask the waiter about the arrival of our food THREE times, and each time they would say they're preparing it and it takes time. The table next to us came 45 minutes after us, got their food, and left the restaurant before our food even arrived. We were about to get up and leave at the 1 hour and 45 minute mark when our food FINALLY arrived. The food was mediocre at best; I expected more for the hour and forty-five minute wait. I could literally cook everything they made from scratch with the time we spent waiting, which was about 2 hours and some change.

We ordered two chicken shish kebab, two lamb adana, a chicken soup, and a salad. My friend actually wanted to order the chicken gryo, but the waiter warned her that it might take an hour to prepare; guess she should have ordered what she originally wanted since we waited for an hour and a half anyway. The chicken dishes were too dry (soup and kebab), the lamb was okay, and the salad was watery. I was just upset that it took so long for the food to arrive, especially for the salad (yes, that didn't came until the 1.5 hour mark either). I honestly expected more from the food for the time we waited.

When we asked for the check, the waiter did not bring the bill to us until 30 minutes later. We waited for him to come back to take it, but he never did. We eventually got up and brought the check to the cashier, so we could leave. We stayed at the restaurant for a total of 3.5 hours, for a dinner that literally took 45 minutes.

I guess if you are really tired of all the Asian options around the area, then this place might be good, but you better be willing to dish out at least 2 hours here. I saw people go in and out of the sushi restaurant next to us before we even got our food. If you are here simply looking to get some good Turkish food, there are other restaurants in Brooklyn or even in the City that has WAY better food with A LOT better service for the same price.

I would absolutely NOT recommend this to anyone nor will I or my friends come...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Istanbul Bay, and I can confidently say it was one of the most delightful experiences I’ve had in a long time. From the moment I walked in, I felt warmly welcomed by the staff, who treated me like a guest in their own home. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, with beautiful Turkish decor that made the experience feel authentic and rich in culture.

The meal began with an array of mezze, each dish more vibrant and flavorful than the last. The hummus was perfectly creamy, the stuffed grape leaves were tender with a hint of lemon, and the muhammara had a deliciously unique spicy kick. Every bite was a perfect introduction to the flavors of Turkey, and it only made me more excited for what was to come.

For the main course, I chose the lamb kebab, and it was cooked to perfection. The meat was incredibly tender, seasoned just right, and paired with fluffy rice and fresh vegetables that complemented it beautifully. It’s clear that every ingredient is carefully chosen for quality and freshness. My companion had the Iskender kebab, and the combination of juicy meat with the rich tomato sauce and creamy yogurt was absolutely outstanding.

We finished with baklava for dessert, and it was the best I’ve ever had—crispy, sweet, and perfectly layered with just the right amount of honey and nuts. Each bite melted in my mouth. I also enjoyed a cup of Turkish tea, which was the perfect end to an incredible meal.

Overall, this restaurant is not just a place to eat, but a place to truly experience Turkish culture and hospitality. The staff was attentive, the atmosphere was wonderful, and the food was unforgettable. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to enjoy an authentic and delicious Turkish meal. It’s a hidden gem that deserves all the praise. I can’t wait to return and try more...

I used to love Istanbul food, and I stopped to at location2202 86 th . Street. Brooklyn NY 11214 But the servis so terrible. Today 5:30 PM, I stop in this restaurant.

I ordered a small order baby lamb wrapping sandwich and small french fries. waiting for one hour. They skip my order and then give it to the person who orders after me. So the employee there who’s serving the food using only one gloved one hand for a whole day and for so long, I will able to see how dirty gloves are ,with the same gloves touching garbage nose and food. Some employee touched his nose with his gloved, and tried to service me. I asked him politely to change the glove before he served me. An aggressive employee throws my order in the garbage the front of me, and he tells the cashier to cancel my order , NO food for this person. So what kind of service is that to pick and choose customer?!🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I asked the cashier to call the boss, I don’t want to leave the restaurant. The boss his apologies, but I was not happy, because he doesn’tell the aggressive, disrespectful employee to go home, Cool down for a couple of weeks; when you come back, you should know how to respect your customer, And how to speak with your customer. Like, those behaviors to the customer don’t exist. That aggressive employer will do the same thing to the other customers that he does to me today. Business doesn’t work like that; picking and choosing customers, that is discrimination. But the boss doesn’t care that much because, maybe that’s his family, or ssomebody close to family. I will never go to this place again. And I will not recommend this place to anybody. Only wasting time, $💵 and give you a...