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Sahara's Turkish Cuisine, New York, NY

Sahara's Turkish Cuisine

4.6 (105)
$30 and under
Turkish
513 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 1 time today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for groups
  • Great for brunch
Sahara’s serves traditional Turkish Cuisine with the touch of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ethnic ingredients and styles. We deliciously cook everything from scratch and offer it with complimentary homemade bread and Aegean olives. Our menu provides plentiful food, wine, and beer that speak for our guests’ particular tastes. Our staff is part of our family that shares the same energy with our guests. Our newly decorated place with the touch of multi-ethnic details of Turkey makes our guests and their friends feel comfortable and unique. The restaurant’s characteristic ambiance is designed to give a sense of artsy home that shares the cultural aspects of our heritage, and it offers a beautiful decor for our guests and their photographs.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Turkish, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 11:00 am–10:15 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Ozkan
  • Catering
    Sahara’s Turkish Cuisine offers a variety of catering options to suit your event needs. Our Signature Turkish Buffet includes hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, Mediterranean salad, cheese pastries, chicken adana, grilled meatballs, baklava, white rice, and pita bread. We also provide an extensive à la carte menu, allowing you to customize your order.
  • Private party facilities
    At Sahara’s Turkish Cuisine, we offer curated private dining experiences perfect for celebrations, corporate events, and intimate gatherings in a warm, multi-ethnic Turkish setting.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Kips Bay
  • Cross street
    28th & 29th on 2nd Ave.
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Conveniently located in Manhattan’s Kips Bay neighborhood, Sahara’s Turkish Cuisine is easily accessible by public transit. We’re just a 6-minute walk from the 28th Street–Lexington Avenue subway station (6 train) and about 10 minutes from Grand Central (4, 5, 6, 7, S). The M15 and M15-SBS buses stop right on 2nd Avenue, and the M34A-SBS runs crosstown on 34th Street with a stop nearby.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Date-Night Special at Sahara's Turkish Cuisine

    $120.00 per party

    Multiple dates available
    Indulge in an unforgettable evening with our Date-Night Special at Sahara's Turkish Cuisine. Delight in the choice of any two appetizers and any two main courses from our exquisite menu, each crafted with authentic Turkish flavors and the freshest ingredients. Accompany your meal with a bottle of select wine, chosen to perfectly complement your dishes. Experience the unique ambiance of our restaurant, where traditional Turkish decor meets modern elegance, creating a warm and intimate setting ideal for a romantic night out. Our attentive staff and the cozy atmosphere ensure an exclusive dining experience that will make your date night truly special.
    Date-Night Special at Sahara's Turkish Cuisine Photo
  • Sahara's Essentials

    $45.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Appetizer: One Small Mix Cold Appetizer for every four people. Salad: Large shepherd salad for every four people. Main Course: Choice of any main course (except mixed grill) or one mixed grill for every two people. Dessert: One mixed dessert plate for every four people
    Sahara's Essentials Photo
  • Sahara's Sahara's Gourmet Escape

    $65.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    One Small Mix Cold Appetizer for every four people. Choice of any main course (except mixed grill) or one mixed grill for every two people. Unlimited Wine and Beer
    Sahara's Sahara's Gourmet Escape Photo

Offers

  • Bites & Brews: Appetizer & Drink Special!

    Multiple dates available
    Sun - Sat - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    Unwind with our Bites & Brews special! Enjoy a delicious appetizer paired with your choice of beer or wine in our warm, inviting atmosphere. Perfect for a relaxing late afternoon, our unique happy hour offers a delightful culinary experience you won't find anywhere else. Monday through Friday, 4pm to 6pm.

    Bites & Brews: Appetizer & Drink Special! Photo

What 105 people are saying

Sahara's Turkish Cuisine 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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Sahara's Turkish Cuisine offers a "delicious" array of authentic dishes in a "homey" atmosphere. Guests rave about the "excellent food, atmosphere & service," and appreciate the welcoming staff. With a diverse menu including "awesome" chicken kabobs and a "great" selection of desserts, it's a "must to try" for Turkish cuisine enthusiasts.

105 Reviews
  1. Susan

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    ⸻ A Delicious Escape at Sahara Turkish Restaurant We had a truly wonderful dining experience at Sahara Turkish Restaurant. From the moment we were seated, the hospitality was warm and gracious—exactly what you hope for when exploring authentic cuisine. We started with their generous appetizer sampler, which offered six distinct and beautifully prepared mezes. Every bite—from the creamy hummus to the smoky eggplant—was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The shepherd’s salad was light, bright, and perfectly dressed, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich dips. For our main courses, we ordered the Chicken Adana and Chicken Shish—and both were absolutely outstanding. The Adana had the perfect amount of spice, while the Chicken Shish was tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Each was served with fluffy rice and grilled vegetables, rounding out the meal beautifully. We paired everything with a lovely Turkish Shiraz that complemented the spices and grilled meats wonderfully. Overall, Sahara delivered not just a meal, but an experience—one we’ll definitely be returning for. Highly recommended for anyone craving a delicious and authentic Turkish escape right in the heart of Midtown.

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  2. Penny VIP

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food, atmosphere & service. Great place to try new dishes.

    Is this helpful?

  3. lisa VIP

    New York City8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was wonderful. A lovely gem on a rainy afternoon. .

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  4. Dr. James VIP

    New York City43 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 16, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The staff is pleasant. We were only moderately impressed with the food. We felt this was not the place we would return to.

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  5. AnastasiyaE

    New York City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went to the Sahara with colleagues for dinner yesterday. The table was ready for our party. We ordered a large plate of mixed appetizers, individual entrees, and desserts. The food was delicious and of the highest quality. The waiters were nice and attentive. The music was not loud at all. We enjoyed our time and everybody was in the best mood. I definitely will recommend this restaurant to my friends and will come back here again.

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  6. Patricia VIP

    New York City18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went there for the first time . I wanted to try Turkish Food. The restaurant is small with a very homey feel to it. We tried alot of different foods. I couldn't say which was the best, as they were all good. We had an appetizer sampler to start. A great way to sample lots of different foods. The chicken sautee and chicken kabobs were awesome. We also ordered multiple desserts to try, all were great. The service was fabulous and the staff explained all the foods to us. I will definitely go back. A must to try.

    1 person found this helpful

  7. Juwan

    Tampa2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a lovely place with welcoming staff! I had such a nice dinner here with friends and would highly recommend this place to anyone who is thinking of trying it out!
    Sahara's Turkish CuisineResponded on February 15, 2025
    Thank you so much, Juwan! We're thrilled to hear that you and your friends had a wonderful dinner with us. Our team takes great pride in creating a welcoming atmosphere, and it means the world to know you enjoyed the food, service, and ambiance. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back soon!

    1 person found this helpful

  8. Laura

    New York City5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on January 4, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Good choice for a comfortable atmosphere with good food and friendly service.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Oksana

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on December 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful! My go to restaurant when I’m in NYC. Food is delicious and service is impeccable.

    1 person found this helpful

  10. Fay

    New York City1 review

    1.0

    Dined on December 19, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    We reserved a table for 5 for dinner. From the onset, the service was subpar. We started off with appetizers and drinks and unfortunately the drinks were made incorrectly. They felt watered down and flat. The appetizers were very small portion given we ordered the large mixed platter. The entrees were dry and lacking flavor. The chicken, lamb and beef were very dry and chewy. We were not given any kind of sauce to go with the entrees until we requested to which we got plain yogurt in a small bowl! We were served by 4 different people as the original server took the order and went to lunch and the 2nd person who took over seemed annoyed when one of us called her over to order another drink. We eneded up not enjoying our meals as they were dry and flavorless. We asked for the check and of course they charged us for a wine bottle $45 which we never ordered. Unfortunately, we did not see this mistake until after we left the restaurant. Overall, it was a terrible experience and I do not recommend this restaurant. I have dined at many Turkish restaurants and have had great food and service and this place was simply just terrible.

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FAQs

Sahara's Turkish Cuisine offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Sahara's Turkish Cuisine also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 532-7589.

Sahara's Turkish Cuisine is rated 4.6 stars by 105 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. New York City
  4. Manhattan
  5. Kips Bay

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 1 time today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Sahara's Turkish Cuisine

513 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Additional information

  • Cross street
    28th & 29th on 2nd Ave.
  • Neighborhood
    Kips Bay
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 11:00 am–10:15 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Turkish, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Conveniently located in Manhattan’s Kips Bay neighborhood, Sahara’s Turkish Cuisine is easily accessible by public transit. We’re just a 6-minute walk from the 28th Street–Lexington Avenue subway station (6 train) and about 10 minutes from Grand Central (4, 5, 6, 7, S). The M15 and M15-SBS buses stop right on 2nd Avenue, and the M34A-SBS runs crosstown on 34th Street with a stop nearby.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Ozkan
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Kosher, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Sahara’s Turkish Cuisine offers a variety of catering options to suit your event needs. Our Signature Turkish Buffet includes hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, Mediterranean salad, cheese pastries, chicken adana, grilled meatballs, baklava, white rice, and pita bread. We also provide an extensive à la carte menu, allowing you to customize your order.
  • Private party facilities
    At Sahara’s Turkish Cuisine, we offer curated private dining experiences perfect for celebrations, corporate events, and intimate gatherings in a warm, multi-ethnic Turkish setting.
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