05/21/09

A Nolensville Must!

by AbbyOH

I have been to Istanbul Restaurant twice since the beginning of May because it is so delicious! The owners introduced themselves to us last time, and we had great service. I love the gyro platter (big enough for 2 people) and the lentil soup! I also got a side of french fries last time, and though they're not turkish/kurdish they are GREAT! Love this place and will be back.

P.S. Sometimes on Saturday nights they have live music. When we were there it was Danny Salazar- AWESOME!

• Pros: Delicious food, super friendly staff, BYOB (no corking fee!)
• Cons: Not any that would keep me from going here

10/05/08

Same Ownership, Great Food!

by Kanas

I was going to drive the 90 miles from Alabama to shop in Nashville this weekend and did a web search for Istanbul and was terribly dismayed to read the previous review. I have been eating there about 4 times a year for the past 4 years and have always looked forward to the meal and service. I arrived to find the same owner, great service and food as every other visit through the years. I can only guess that the previous reviewer had some reason only he/she knew to leave such scathing comments. My meal and service were excellent as always. If anything, the sauce and Turkish coffee were even better than I remembered. Must try: Lentil soup. The seasonings are perfect. Don?t forget Baklava to go!

07/04/08

Old Istanbul is gone.. avoid the new version!

by nashvilleguy37211

Alas, the old Istanbul we loved is no more. The restaurant appears to have changed hands and the food is now execrable. (We dined on 3 July 2008.) The kofta was mushy and overcooked, the falafel dry and crunchy, and the doner kebab was greasy and tasteless (and the latter definitely was NOT lamb). Even the store-bought pita was stale. We will not return.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Bad food

02/16/08

Spectacular food, casual service, but you're not ignored

by kolodny

When I go to Istanbul, I feel like I'm in someone's home. A very friendly home. Coke's are served out of a can w/ straw, though you're more than welcome to ask for a glass. They never give you a dirty look or anything. Plates are huge and pouring over with lamb kebabs, true basmati rice, heaping spoonfuls of tabouli, and all the 'ranch' dip you'll need. The white bean soup is my favorite, but my boyfriend enjoys the lentil. They even having one of the spinning meat cone thingies. Gyro's are packed full. I am a huge fan of Kalamata's in Green Hills, but I seriously believe Istanbul does it better. While the tables and chairs are more cafeteria style in comfort, the food, by far makes up for it. And, believe it, they're on Nolensville Road with plenty of parking. They have a large tv which plays Turkish television shows, sometimes subtitled. I've enjoyed all of my 20+ experiences there and encourage you to go to, as long as you're comfortable waiting a little longer for service.

• Pros: extremely reasonable prices, fantastic food, service with a smile

11/29/06

Best Hummus in the world

by dawson409

This place really takes you back to Turkey. The service is a bit slow, but the food is AWESOME. You need to get the Hummus appetizer while you're there. It's so ggooood.

• Pros: authentic food
• Cons: slow service

11/05/06

BEST TURKISH RESTAURANT IN NASHVILLE TN

by mike80

Everytime I go to Istanbul Restaurant I get GREAT customer service! Everyone is so friendly. There is a very nice warm family environment. The Food is excellent! If you go there try the Combo Plate. If you get the big combo plate you can taste pretty much everything in the menu. It is a lot of food for a reasonable price. If you can't finish your food you can take it home and it is still good the next day. Everything is homemade daily and so fresh ! Every other Saturday there is a alive Turkish music. I go there every week and I recommend this place to everyone. You wont regret it!!!!

• Pros: GREAT FOOD!

Delectable Middle Eastern fare lies hidden among the Mexican joints on Nolensville Road.

by Contributor

In Short
The Turkish and Kurdish twosome who own the joint make their customers feel right at home. The menu may be abbreviated, but each delicious dish is thoughtfully prepared. Servings can easily be shared. Made-from-scratch falafel, expertly seasoned and handled with care, are a favorite. Also popular are the fat, juicy, grilled chicken or beef kabobs with colorful fresh vegetables and a heap of rice. Sides of hummus and tabouli are a must.

01/26/04

Delicious Food! And Incredibly Friendly!

by bgoddess78

The food was very tasty and extremely reaonably priced. The restaurant felt very casual and family-oriented. The owner introduced us to his niece who had recently come over from Turkey. Everyone was very eager to make sure we had everything we needed. Very pleasant experience!

• Pros: Inexpensive, Friendly, Authentic
• Cons: Sparse Decorations

11/30/03

Great food but service is poor

by tdmalin

The food is great and the prices are reasonable. I've tried gyro plates from most, if not all, of the middle eastern/meditterean restaurants in town and theirs is the best. However, the service was poor. They are polite but not at all attentive. In any case, the food is good enough that I will overlook the service and continue to eat there.

• Pros: Good food, Inexpensive, Polite staff
• Cons: Poor service

07/19/03

a great place for great food.

by tiger15562

The serivce for this place is awsome. they treat you like family and always are fully attendant. If you go to this place you have to try their kefta kabob plate. It's a long kind of hot dog looking beef kabob. If you try this once you'll be hooked and it's a perfect combination of that meat and the basmati rice with noodles in it that will have you coming back every day.

• Pros: great food, inexpensive, service
• Cons: location, appearance of rest.