Istanbul Shish Kabob Restaurant (Halal) — Restaurant in North Charleston

Delicious authentic Turkish food and I can't recommend Istanbul highly enough!

I've been here about a dozen times and while there are, of course, subtle differences in each visit (proof it's all homemade and fresh), I've never been let down! I typically don't care for buffets, but this one backs the kitchen, so it's kept clean and the food fresh. On the buffet, they consistently have fresh salads, grilled veggies, dolmas, your typical Mediterranean sauces (tzatziki, babaganoush, etc), bread, soup, and just enough entrees to satisfy. On Fri/Sat, they also have an amazing Turkish version of Mousaka!

In addition to the buffet, you get 2 kabobs of your choice. At lunch, the options are kofta (Turkish-spiced ground beef) and/or chicken. I recommend one of each! They are fantastic! Try the chicken with their garlic sauce from the buffet! YUM! (Just make sure your date tries it too... After all the main ingredient is garlic.) ☺️ At dinner, the kabob options are kofta, chicken, steak, lamb, or shrimp. Again, pick 2. All are great, but the spice-level on the shrimp is hit or miss, so if you're sensitive, you may want to ask. I still prefer the kofta and chicken, but my hubby can't resist the lamb.

The ambiance is almost that of a laid-back sports pub, but with class (there are always TV's playing soccer without sound, which thrills my daughter). It's a very comfortable and casual atmosphere, but you also wouldn't feel out of place if you were dressed up a bit.

The staff seem to be largely related to the owner, so they bring their own family vibe to the place. Always friendly and accommodating!

If you're bringing a larger party, reservations aren't required, but highly recommended! We had made reservations for a family dinner there and they not only had our table ready when we arrived, but treated us like royalty! Instead of having us select kabobs, they just made platters of each for us to pass around the table. As each platter was being passed, they told us which sauce was recommended for each meat. They also passed around a platter of chicken shawarma, which are unfortunately not on the menu normally - they were delicious! It was such a great night and wonderful time visiting together over a family-style meal that none of us had to make or...

I recently visited Charleston for a weekend getaway and decided to break my fast at Istanbul Shish Kabob restaurant. I have to say, it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had! From the moment we mentioned we were fasting, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and embraced the spirit of Ramadan. They quickly brought out dates, water, refreshing drinks, and a delicious lentil soup—compliments of the house—so we could properly break our fast.

We ordered the mixed grill for four and an appetizer platter, and let me tell you, the portions were incredibly generous. Everything was perfectly cooked, and the bread was unbelievably fresh and tasty. The warm, inviting atmosphere was made even better by the friendly staff, who checked in on us frequently to ensure we had everything we needed. We capped off our meal with their kunaffeh, the Dubai (chocolate kunaffeh), and coffee, which were all absolutely delightful.

Overall, Istanbul Shish Kabob really delivered on every front—amazing food, exceptional service, and a genuine sense of hospitality. I can’t wait to return this Ramadan (and beyond). If you’re looking for a truly memorable dining experience with halal-certified cuisine, this is definitely the place to go. 10000/10...

What a wonderful experience! Was there on 10/18/2023 with my daughter for her birthday. Never had Palastinian food before, and it was quite delicious!

Waitress was super nice. I let her order for me. I love to be surprised. Most wait staff at other restaurants seem to fear that, but she smiled right away and gave me the confidence that whatever she brought was gonna be great.

They do start you with a small, what I'm guessing was complimentary; little dish of pita with sides of either garlic based condiment, what I'd call a Mediterranean cole slaw (cabbage and corn mix), and some green olive mixture. I hate green olives, but this stuff was awesome and you can tell they're super fresh. The waitress said the olives were imported from Jerusalem. Wonderful taste over store bought!

My dish was a combination of beef, rice and a side of what appeared to be freshly diced tomatoes and cucumber. Unique flavors and the meat had just a hint of spice to it the waitress said was jalapeno. I cleaned my plate.

All and all, a wonderful experience and I'd certainly return in my next visit to the Charleston area. And for dinner for three, it was less than $50, not including tip. Would...