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Istanbul Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
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Istanbul Hawaii

$31 to $50
Mediterranean
1108 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 81 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Healthy
In our Mediterranean & Hawaiian sanctuary, you become part of our ohana. Led by Chef Mom Nili, Baba Aydin, and Chef Ahu, you're invited on a culinary journey infused with Turkish and Mediterranean essences. Our recipes, a blend of diverse cultures, are nurtured with locally-sourced ingredients, reflecting the heart of our family-run and woman-led venture.

Every interaction, whether in our restaurant's warm embrace, the vibrant energy of local events, or amidst the rich array of farmers' lands, is cherished. Each meeting is a chance to intertwine stories, laughter, and a piece of our heritage.

Come, celebrate the art of dining with us, where every dish is a passage to the Mediterranean, caressed by the Hawaiian sun. We look forward to serving you, merging our narratives in meals that go beyond mere flavors. Here, every dining experience is an adventure, a discovery, and a celebration of togetherness, nurturing through food next to the Hawaiian ocean.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Mom Chef Nili and her daughter Chef Ahu

From the OpenTable editors: Mother-and-daughter duo Nili Yildirim and Ahu Hettema have racked up awards from Honolulu Magazine, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Hawai‘i Business Magazine, and more for this rustic-chic Turkish spot inspired by their homeland. Start with artful mezze platters filled with colorful dips, phyllo pastries, and sourdough pide before diving into larger plates like chicken tagine and cauliflower shawarma. Round out your meal with one of the exciting Mediterranean-inspired cocktails.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Turkish, Middle Eastern
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (808) 772-4440
  • Website
    http://www.istanbulhawaii.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Indulge in personalized dining experiences, from intimate dinners to lavish receptions, catered to perfection by our chefs. Elevate your event with our Istanbul cinema projector and enchanting garden trellis. On-site or off, create unforgettable moments with us. Discover and customize your experience at "Bespoke Events" on our website!
  • Private party facilities
    Craft unforgettable moments with our bespoke menus and dining experiences, tailored to your desires. From intimate dinners to grand receptions, every detail is perfected. Elevate your event with our Istanbul cinema projector and enchanting garden trellis. Your perfect occasion awaits. Customize your experience at "Bespoke Events" on our website!
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    1108 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814
  • Neighborhood
    Kaka'ako
  • Cross street
    Kamakee and Queen street
  • Parking details
    Enter Istanbul Hawaii parking lot from Queen street. Parking available at any Ward Village parking structure for our guests, including the Whole foods parking lot. Parking is free.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Kosher, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • World of Wagyu, Wine & Whiskey by HFWF

    $250.00 per person

    Oct 25, 2025 only
    Join Chefs Ahu & Nili at Hawaii Food and Wine Festival in Maui. Indulge in ten exquisite dishes crafted by chefs from around the globe, each inspired by the rich traditions of Wagyu, the depth of whiskey, or the complexity of fine wine. From succulent A5 Japanese beef to premium American and New Zealand varieties, to dishes that highlight the bold, smoky, and nuanced flavors of expertly aged spirits, this is a celebration of culinary craftsmanship. Enjoy a curated selection of world-class wines poured by acclaimed winemakers and proprietors. Then, savor expertly crafted whiskey-forward cocktails by top mixologists that highlight the depth and character of barrel-aged spirits. The evening wouldn’t be complete without a showstopping drone show to light up the night sky!
    World of Wagyu, Wine & Whiskey by HFWF Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 3,210 people are saying

Istanbul Hawaii reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Hawaii

    Healthy

  • Oahu

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Istanbul Hawaii offers an enchanting dining experience with "delicious food" and "great service." The restaurant is celebrated for its "vibrant, balanced flavors" and "creative cocktails." While some guests noted slow service, the lively ambiance and "impressive menu" make it a "must-visit" spot for Mediterranean cuisine enthusiasts.
3,210 Reviews

  1. Joy

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Luca was my server! 😄 So I enjoyed another great evening at my fav restaurant!

    Is this helpful?

  2. moi VIP

    Hawaii46 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My wife and I brought a couple friends of ours and it was their first time. What they mentioned from the beginning is the cozy inviting feel and the unique decor. We all agreed and experienced a delicious cuisine, excellent service and friendly staff. Lanis was our waitress who also served us again a few weeks ago when my wife and I brought seven other people with us who all had a great experience as well. Last night was a very memorable experience for our friends and for my wife and I, well, it was another meal and amazing experience at our favorite restaurant. Also thank you chef Ahu for the delicious after dinner drink. It was a nice gesture and an invitation for our next visit 😊

    Is this helpful?

  3. Richard

    Chicago / Illinois22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and ambiance - very unique for Honolulu. Also it feels very hearty but healthy food. Best falafel ever.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Jim

    Hawaii10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We tried the meze platter and wagu beef and lamb and also the cauliflower sharwarma and it was delicious. Thought they might do something special as we noted it was an anniversary dinner but still had a great meal.

    1 person found this helpful

  5. Malia VIP

    Hawaii6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, a fantastic mid-day meal in beautiful Hawai'i Nei!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Karl VIP

    Hawaii21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great people doing a great job. One of the very best on Oahu for tops in well executed food and outstanding service.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Hiromi VIP

    Hawaii32 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great as always. We enjoyed our Family time. I tried Rose water watermelon refresher, had a little sweetness, super delicious and refreshing. Meze Platter is always great. My husband tried Homemade lemonade, a little ginger flavor, great taste. We will be back very soon again.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Robin VIP

    Hawaii14 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The ambiance and decor were amazing. The soup and the bread were great. The drinks were horrible. Steak wasn’t worth the price and the lamb (usually my favorite) was meh. Glad we went to have the experience but not again. Sorry.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Rick

    Detroit / Eastern Michigan1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice ambiance, great plant based menu options. Food was fresh and dinner a pleasure.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Tracy VIP

    Hawaii2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We heard good things and wanted to see for ourselves. It did not disappoint. Great food, Super service and a lively environment. We'll be back.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Istanbul Hawaii offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (808) 772-4440.

Istanbul Hawaii is rated 4.7 stars by 3210 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Hawaii
  4. Oahu
  5. Kaka'ako

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 81 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Istanbul Hawaii

1108 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Kamakee and Queen street
  • Neighborhood
    Kaka'ako
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Turkish, Middle Eastern
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Enter Istanbul Hawaii parking lot from Queen street. Parking available at any Ward Village parking structure for our guests, including the Whole foods parking lot. Parking is free.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Kosher, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Website
    http://www.istanbulhawaii.com/
  • Phone number
    (808) 772-4440
  • Catering
    Indulge in personalized dining experiences, from intimate dinners to lavish receptions, catered to perfection by our chefs. Elevate your event with our Istanbul cinema projector and enchanting garden trellis. On-site or off, create unforgettable moments with us. Discover and customize your experience at "Bespoke Events" on our website!
  • Private party facilities
    Craft unforgettable moments with our bespoke menus and dining experiences, tailored to your desires. From intimate dinners to grand receptions, every detail is perfected. Elevate your event with our Istanbul cinema projector and enchanting garden trellis. Your perfect occasion awaits. Customize your experience at "Bespoke Events" on our website!

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