Turkish Kebab House — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

My guest and I recently visited Turkish Kebab House, located in the heart of Squirrel Hill’s business district at 5819 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, on the evening of May 26th. It was our first time at this cozy establishment, and we were pleasantly surprised by the experience.

Upon entering, we were greeted by a modest yet culturally vibrant interior. The walls are adorned with framed images of Istanbul, including a striking photo of a bridge connecting Asia to Europe, leading to a majestic mosque. These visuals added a warm, authentic touch to the setting.

We ordered the Mixed Shish & Chicken plate and Hummus with fresh bread. The presentation was beautiful, and the taste? Even better. The grilled meats were seasoned to perfection—tender, juicy, and flavorful. The hummus was creamy and fresh, elevated by quality olive oil and garnish, accompanied by warm, fluffy bread. The images I’ve attached speak for themselves.

While the restaurant space is small, it wasn’t crowded during our visit, which made for a comfortable dining experience. That said, seating is a bit tight—if the restaurant were full, I could imagine bumping elbows being unavoidable. For that reason, I recommend visiting during off-peak hours to enjoy a more relaxed meal.

One detail I found odd was the receipt address, which listed 5501 Centre Ave rather than the actual 5819 Forbes Ave location. It may confuse customers or delivery apps, so I’d encourage the owners to update that.

Overall, we're already planning a return visit to explore more of their flavorful menu. If you're in Pittsburgh and craving authentic Turkish cuisine in a charming, culturally rich atmosphere, Turkish Kebab House should be...

It may be a bit more costly and lacking in drink selection, but the incredible food and friendly service make it a standout dining experience.

Let's address the slight downside first: the cost and drink selection. Turkish Kebab House leans towards the pricier side, but rest assured, the quality justifies the expense. While it might not be the most budget-friendly option, the flavors and culinary experience make it a worthwhile indulgence. Additionally, the drink selection leaves something to be desired, but fear not, the real stars of the show are the delectable dishes that await.

Now, onto the main highlight: the food. Turkish Kebab House is a paradise for food enthusiasts. From succulent kebabs to mouthwatering pide (Turkish flatbread) and richly flavored mezze, every bite is a revelation. The chefs masterfully bring together the vibrant spices and fresh ingredients, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more. Prepare to be transported to the streets of Istanbul with every dish you savor.

Despite the minor drawbacks, the service at Turkish Kebab House is impeccable. The staff members are genuinely friendly, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere. Their passion for Turkish cuisine shines through in their attentive and personalized service, ensuring that you have a memorable dining experience.

While the wait time may be a bit longer than expected, the anticipation is well worth it. Each dish is prepared with care and attention to detail, and the flavors speak for themselves. Take this opportunity to savor the ambiance and enjoy the company of your dining companions while eagerly awaiting the culinary masterpieces...

Well, years after trying out Selami's, I'm finally fulfilling my promise to myself to try this spot out. To my knowledge, they are owned by the same people and the menu is the same; this is just a different location. Still, I got to try out a bunch of new items, some that I haven't seen in any other restaurant in Pittsburgh. I got to try out the Mersin Tantuni wrap, chicken Adana wrap, 2 side sauces, and their rice pudding.

Starting with the very familiar, the rice pudding was great. Super creamy, a nice dusting of cinnamon on the top without it being overwhelming. Reasonable portion. Nicely packaged. I liked it!

The chicken Adana wrap was also so, so good. This was my favorite of the 2 wraps. The chicken is perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned. Really enjoyed it.

This was my first time trying the Mersin Tantuni wrap. It's finely mixed meat with vegetables in a wrap. The wrap itself is unique -- not really like pita, and more like a paratha if you're familiar with those. The beef is cooked well and definitely has quite a kick of spice to it. Not a ton of vegetables, but still, very nice wrap.

It was great to dip the wraps (especially the spicy beef one) in the yogurt based sauce. This sauce was more liquidy than other yogurt sauces I've had at places, but still good. The other sauce was also pretty tasty and mild.

All in all, this is a great place. Lots of delicious food options here, and the food is definitely...