Istanbul Cafe — Restaurant in Town of Brookhaven

Istanbul Cafe is hands down one of the best places to experience authentic Turkish cuisine! From the moment you walk in, the warm and inviting atmosphere transports you straight to Turkey. The decor is a delightful blend of traditional Turkish elements, and the friendly staff make you feel right at home.

Now, let’s talk about the food—absolutely phenomenal! The menu is extensive and packed with authentic Turkish dishes that cater to all tastes. We started with the meze platter, which was a perfect introduction to the flavors of Turkey. The hummus was creamy, the baba ganoush had a smoky richness, and the stuffed grape leaves were perfectly seasoned. The freshly baked bread served alongside was soft and fluffy, with just the right amount of crisp on the outside.

For the main course, we tried the mixed grill platter, which was a highlight of our visit. The lamb chops were tender and flavorful, the chicken shish was juicy and perfectly spiced, and the kofta was a melt-in-your-mouth delight. Each bite showcased the chef’s expertise in blending spices and grilling techniques. The accompanying rice and salad were fresh and complemented the meats beautifully.

We also couldn’t resist trying the pide, often referred to as Turkish pizza. The combination of gooey cheese, fresh vegetables, and perfectly baked dough was irresistible. For seafood lovers, the grilled fish was fresh, flaky, and cooked to perfection.

To round off the meal, we indulged in their traditional Turkish desserts. The baklava was layered with just the right amount of sweetness, and the kunefe was a masterpiece—crispy on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside, and topped with a generous drizzle of syrup.

The Turkish tea and coffee were the perfect way to end the meal, offering a rich and authentic taste of Turkish culture. The service was impeccable throughout—attentive, friendly, and accommodating.

Istanbul Cafe is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience. Whether you’re familiar with Turkish cuisine or trying it for the first time, this place will leave you impressed. We can’t wait to return and try more dishes from their amazing menu. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy exceptional food, a cozy ambiance, and genuine Turkish...

One of my favorite restaurants near Stony Brook!

Must-try: lamb shank, a piece of cake (I forgot the name but I uploaded its picture, it has brown wave-like pattern on it)

Recommendation:

I found this gem restaurant a few years back. The lamb shank is a must-try, but it's a limited option and can sell out, so you'll need a bit of luck. One or two years back, the lamb shank started becoming too salty, but you can request a less salty version, and it's seasoned perfectly.

They have a huge dessert counter after the renovation, offering a wide variety of options. I haven’t tried them all yet.

I am updating my review after my recent visit on 06/26/24. It’s still a solid 5/5! And I discovered a delightful dessert this time around.

When we arrived at the restaurant, it was pretty late, around 9 PM. I asked for the lamb shank and the first dish from the yogurt section, but unfortunately, both were sold out (which just means I made the right picks—LOL). We tried two other dishes, and they were good, but what really surprised me was the dessert. I can’t recall the name, but it is a cake with brown wave-like pattern on the top and tastes like it has been soaked in milk. The moist texture and perfectly balanced sweetness with the rich milk flavor make it a must-try. Please don’t miss it!

We also ordered the Turkish tea and coffee. The cup is cute while the portion is tiny.

Parking: Plenty of space in the front of the restaurant.

Disadvantage: They do not provide tap water and you need to pay for...

Great Service But.. I don’t want to give bad review or one star but owner needs to know about it and I’m sure he will try his best. If you want to eat chicken Adana kebab here is NOT the good place because there are a lots of bone cartilage in kebab also it was salty. I couldn’t eat I paid no problem. Kofte; also salty and I think they tried to add tail fat in it so it gives strange taste and very it was salty. Chicken sish big pieces so outside cooked inside not cooked, if you ask well done; it comes very dry, I think chicken quality because I never see that kind of big chicken breast, may be previously frozen, I don’t know but it was not definitely tender my kindly recommendation use just fresh chicken breast and don’t buy from same meat wholesaler. Deserts were GREAT! just please give some options with light sugar cookies . Cookies were over sweet but 90% very very good. Prices are good, service is great! They are very kind, good people but honestly needs work in kitchen. I had also h.e. restaurant in Fl so I know a little bit about foods and I just trying little help to this beautiful place. Little work in kitchen; they will get more...