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  5. Bucktown / Wicker Park
Cafe Istanbul, Chicago, IL

Cafe Istanbul

4.9
4.9
191 Reviews
$30 and under
Turkish
Mustafa Guler is no stranger to restaurant, and hospitality business as he spent most of his life in Turkey doing just that.
After arriving to Chicago in the late 90s, he introduced Turkish cuisine to Roscoe Village at Turquoise Restaurant. After serving many Chicagoans the delicious recipes he put together for many years, he decided to seek something different. Upon selling Turquoise in the early 2018, he spent some time in Turkey collaborating with local chefs on traditional recipes.
Summer of 2018 brought his delicious findings, and the chefs he met in Turkey, opening Cafe Istanbul. Stop by at one of the two Cafe Istanbul locations to experience the difference in his traditional twist of Turkish Cuisine prepared by chefs he met himself in Turkey.
Our specialties include wood-roasted lamb doners, chicken gyros, kebabs, pita and thin-crust Turkish pizza with ground beef and seasoned vegetables, all cooked with charcoal or wood.There will also be Turkish pastries and other baked goods.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 17 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Turkish, Mediterranean
  • Phone number
    (773) 661-9487
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    2014 W Division St Chicago Illinois,
  • Neighborhood
    Bucktown / Wicker Park
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access

What 191 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

191 Reviews
  1. RhodaS

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I hate to say how much we love eating here because we may have difficulty getting a reservation! The restaurant has an extensive menu that will appeal to anyone. Great Turkish wine and beer, plus a full bar.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great atmosphere, hard to find a place as welcoming and low key upscale as this in Chicago. I think this is my new favorite restaurant.

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  3. Schuma

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place for any occasion! Food is very unique and delicious!

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  4. Grace

    Chicago

    49 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We LOVE Cafe Istanbul! Delicious dishes beautifully presented. We loved the Turkish Delight, Adana Kabob, Braised Lamb Shank and Turkish coffee. The waitstaff is exceptionally friendly and attentive. Great background music, too.

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  5. RhodaS

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The menu is outstanding, and the food is cooked to perfection. The tables are fairly well, spaced, and the staff is attentive. No complaints from the three of us, and one of our party is from Turkey! He was delighted to have some food that he hasn’t had since he’s come to the United States.

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  6. MinhB

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Very good and authentic good. The red beet drink is quite unique Will come back

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  7. PamR

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food is consistently good and the wait staff is very pleasant and knowledgeable about the food

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  8. Ibizaaaaa

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great first experience! We will be back for diner.

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  9. MarciaG

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service - wait staff explained everything and were attentive - would definitely recommend - first time trying Turkish food

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  10. marial

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was good but not the best I’ve had. The service was slow, but the patio seating was nice.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best of Turkish food, especially Cag Kebap. Highly recommended.

    Is this helpful?

  12. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food and service were great! It was nice and quiet

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The braised short rib was amazing! The staff is really nice! They even gave us a free dessert. Will definitely be coming back!

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    They were so nice and the food was delicious!! We are going to there another time!

    Is this helpful?

  15. KarinS

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had been once before and we brought friends in to try it. All the food was great, as were the cocktails. I ordered the same meal because I liked it so much, the lamb wrapped in eggplant. The salt crusted fish, porgy, was also excellent. We’ll be back

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  16. Anna

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was authentic and outstanding. The service was great (which, for me, means that the servers are NOT constantly coming to the table and asking if everything is okay), and I was given a beautiful birthday dessert. We sat on the patio and the ambiance was lovely!

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  17. Kenny

    Chicago

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Lots of unusual menu choices, reasonably priced. Limited, but interesting, wine list is reasonably priced as well. Service was excellent.

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  18. NBRB

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful food, excellent service…..highly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  19. DrewChicago

    Chicago

    96 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    96 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I come here every couple weeks. Tonight I brought my best friend from LA who is Turkish American. He loved it and we had 4 other guests with an assortment of appetizers and a few main entrees including the Islander. Manti. Turkish Delight. Great lamb and many excellent vegetarian options.

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Absolutely the best and MOST AUTHENTIC Turkish cuisine in Chicago.

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  21. BaselK

    Detroit

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 4, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service. All the choices were great, and the servers were very nice.

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  22. Adrian

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We tried lentil soup, mixed grill, and feta salad all was good. They asked if we wanted to substitute seafood for lamb chop. We said yes.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    We had to send an appetizer back for being raw in the middle. Other food was fine but nothing special. Wait staff never checked in beyond the initial order and delivery. We waited forever for our check.

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  24. ChristopherC

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 22, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food. Each dish was well executed. Please be aware that the portions are large and work well when shared family style. The sucuk pide was excellent as was the special kebab.

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  25. DrewChicago

    Chicago

    96 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    96 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Took a friend for her first experience here. She loved it. I love this place and its food and service. Check these photos out.

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  26. Oscar

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Very delicious entrees at Cafe Istanbul. The manti was so tasty and cag kebab was cooked to perfection. I will definitely be returning!

    Is this helpful?

  27. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on June 4, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food in a quiet atmosphere Very authentic Excellent service friendly waitstaff

    Is this helpful?

  28. DrewChicago

    Chicago

    96 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    96 reviews

    Dined on June 4, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Been here 5 or 6 times over the last year. I love there Iskander and their eggplant appetizers. Very authentic. I loved I. Istanbul for over 10 years and this place does it all great. Friendly service.

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  29. DowntownDiner

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Just visited for the second time and tried different menu items and were even more impressed than our first experience. Presentation, quality, everything about our meal was exceptional. Every employee, especially our waiter, was incredibly solicitous, polite and responsive. Looking forward to our next visit.

    Is this helpful?

  30. TaraA

    Indiana

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The restaurant is so pretty and fresh feeling with the beautiful plants. The food and drinks were flawless. The staff was so friendly and helpful! 10/10

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  31. HannaA

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious and the staff was friendly & helpful!

    Is this helpful?

  32. DianneC

    Philadelphia

    132 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    132 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and service. Highly recommended for great Middle Eastern food.

    Is this helpful?

  33. ChrisR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Don't know where to start... Food, drinks and service was excellent! Highly recommend as a must stop! Definitely will make it back to Cafe Istanbul.

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  34. TahaD

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was lovely. There was so much food in breakfast!

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  35. PatriciaC

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food. Great service!! The appetizers were so filling, we didn’t have room for a main meal! More reason for us to come back!!

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  36. MonicaW

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful hummus, eggplant appetizer, and chicken kabob. And the Turkish flan.... amazing!

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This place is a gem. Food is fresh and served properly . Nice room , very cozy, outdoor dining available seasonally. Chef /owner is hands on seeing to every detail.

    Is this helpful?

  38. Kenny

    Chicago

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice broad selection of Mediterranean dishes— Turkish, Italian, etc. Reasonable (for US restaurants) wine list. Excellent service.

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  39. Earl

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Great food and excellent service. Explored a variety of Turkish and Mediterranean food and it was all very well prepared and tasty.

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  40. ChristopherJ

    St. Louis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 23, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding spot and atmosphere. A must for all!! Food incredible!!! Atmosphere and staff are wonderful! Luiz and Ivan were terrific. They have live guitar music on Thursday's.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Cafe Istanbul does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now. Cafe Istanbul also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (773) 661-9487.

Cafe Istanbul is rated 4.9 stars by 191 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 17 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cafe Istanbul

2014 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622-3154

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Bucktown / Wicker Park
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Turkish, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access
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