I was pleased with my visit and will return. I waited a long time to come because a friend was not pleased when they first opened and I wanted to give them a chance to get their game on fully. I do not think it is fair to criticize Sofra for what it is not. What it is does fine. Yes, most food is ready for warming but I found it delicious. I don’t think the term«café» means«we have a thousand coffees» but«small restaurant» so I was content with the choice and enjoyed my Turkish coffee. The combo appetizer plate gave us a chance to try various things and we enjoyed them all. The soups two of my party had were delicious. I preferred the Chicken Orzo to the Green Lentil but would have seconds of either with a smile. One of us liked the baklava and one did not. This is like rice pudding: different from most cooks and to most palates. I appreciated that it was fresh and house made as too often«crunchy» actually means«stale and hard.» Here it was soft and fresh. The caramel pudding is worth a try if you like caramels. I will be back and hopefully soon. I certainly will not be afraid to arrange to meet friends there.
Ryan K.
Place rating: 5 Atlanta, GA
Sofra has added several items to the menu. I love their Gyros with pita. Also the baklava is hand made, and it’s one of the best in Btown.
Robert B.
Place rating: 4 Bloomington, IN
Went there last night, 4 of us for dinner. Nice variety of food on menu and a good amount of vegetation dishes. Everyone was satisfied with their meals. The food seems authentic to us and was spiced properly. A couple of the meals may have been microwave so were not the best, but were still good the other two meals Bowl Kebab and the soup were the best dishes, the baked eggplant was good(preprepared and microwaved?) and the Pocket Pastry was good, but the cheese was a little strong. The service was prompt and friendly. If you want some good to above average Middle Eastern food at a good price with some very impressive deserts I recommend Sofra. We will most defiantly go again and have enjoyed lunches there.
Brittany S.
Place rating: 5 Washington, DC
The stuffed eggplant was fantastic! My friend had the chicken and mushroom which also tasted very good. The owner(I think the owner?) was so nice and helpful with the menu and overall wonderful.
Daniel T.
Place rating: 4 Bloomington, IN
Really great gyro. At first I thought the $ 8.25price was expensive, but then I got the gyro and it was loaded to the brim with meat, veggies, and wonderful sauce. It was a meal in itself. I will return for more. That is the highest compliment you can pay a restaurant.
Sharon P.
Place rating: 2 Bloomington, IN
I went the first week they were open the food was not appetizing and dry, however it is close to downtown and it’s across the street from the«chocolate moose». Now that it’s been open a while I’ll try it one more time.
Anand N.
Place rating: 2 Boston, MA
This review is not for the food but the overall experience at this new joint. I am someone who would give more chances to a restaurant to truly assess the experience. One time we went in as a big group to try this new restaurant, but they had some kitchen issues and we couldn’t order lunch. We ended up leaving the place. There was a second time, I stopped by with a friend of mine, they had a similar issue with the kitchen(may be their oven wasn’t working or something). I was disappointed. I check on their websites before heading to the place. But I have noticed many times they are closed even when it says on the door that the restaurant is open. They have to be little more professional when it comes to their service. I was able to finally try this place about two months ago. They say they are open until 9, but they actually stopped making food before 8:30. I had to settle in for something that they offered at that time. The food was good. It’s good to have nice restaurants around, but sorta café definitely needs better management, they need to be little more professional and consistent in their operating hours. They also close pretty early too.
Sarah C.
Place rating: 5 Bloomington, IN
Delicious café! I’ve had their burek(feta/spinach-type rolled up pastry), a few salads, and their gyro, and they are all fresh and absolutely delicious. Their café also has a very nice, cozy and bright atmosphere. They also run a stand at the farmer’s market with some of their menu items, which I love going to as well. I highly recommend stopping by Sofra!
Anton E.
Place rating: 1 Indianapolis, IN
I’m not sure why my review for this place is not recommended, but I can vouch that 100% of what I said is true. I have not visited this place since that review and actively tell my friends not to visit. If you want subpar Mediterranean food and unwelcoming, professional management, Sofra’s is your place.
T Q.
Place rating: 2 Bloomington, IN
3 stars for food value, 1 stars for very slow service, 1 star for fake Turkish food! Not recommended at all!
Laura H.
Place rating: 3 Saint Louis, MO
I’m not sure if their AC is broken, but given that the enclosed bathroom was pleasantly cool while the dining area felt the full brunt of the heat of the ovens, I’m guessing it’s going to be blisteringly hot in there all the time? I got the braised lamb, and it was dry and cried out for a sauce. My dining compainions’ dishes were far better, so just avoid the braised lamb. I also got a caramel pudding and found it to be OUTSTANDING. But none of it was worth roasting alive on a hot June day.
Mary K.
Place rating: 4 Springville, IN
Very nice Turkish restaurant and bakery I had the green lentil soup very good for my entrée I had the beef with eggplant & bulgar very good I had the Turkish tea which was very good great bread came with the soup & meal for dessert I had a cereal type of pastry filled with cheese & topped with syrup different but tasty also had the Turkish coffee I loved that great service!
Jewher I.
Place rating: 3 Jackson Heights, NY
The food was okay
George T.
Place rating: 5 Bloomington, IN
This place is such a gem. High quality food and a basic but pleasant atmosphere. I hate raw onions but their freshness and flavor combination in my gyro made me actually like them! I’ll be going here a lot from now on.
Luke P.
Place rating: 5 Bloomington, IN
Haven’t dined in yet but my GF brought me a gyro from this place and I’d dare say it’s the best one I’ve ever had. This place is off to a GREATSTART!!!
Robin K.
Place rating: 5 Bloomington, IN
Wow, so friendly! Although familiar with a lot on the menu, there is some I am not and the people at Sofra were happy to explain with a smile. Very lively in decorations and calm in atmosphere. They deliver, too! I love the okra stew.
Sydney K.
Place rating: 5 Bloomington, IN
We are so satisfied with our experience at Sofra! We went during a low-key lunch hour and chose to sit by a window. The server was attentive and helpful with menu questions. She suggested we try to kebab plate, which was huge and delicious! They use homemade bread as the base layer with tomato sauce and kebab meat on top. The yogurt sauce on the side was spot on and accented the meal well. We didn’t realize just how big the kebab plate would be, so we also ordered the okra stew(SOGOOD), which came with the choice of bulgur or white rice and a roll. Overall, we left satisfied, full, and excited to return. We highly recommend Sofra!
Michael B.
Place rating: 5 Bloomington, IN
Colorful, clean and very tasty cuisine. The bakery items are plentiful and exceptional. Try any of the bide. Had the stuffed peppers with yogurt, well –spiced, fresh and to have again. Same on the red lentil rolls about which I was initially uncertain — they’re good and, hey, they’re red!
John S.
Place rating: 5 Singapore, Singapore
Although it was my first time trying Turkish cuisine, needless to say it won’t be my last. I will be coming back again very soon. Fantastic quality and the service is great.
Sarah S.
Place rating: 5 Bridgeview, IL
Love this adorable new joint in Btown! 100 percent halal meat. Amazing food. Wonderful and kind owners. I went there this past weekend and enjoyed a mini beef pide, turkish bread, and Turkish tea. My friend had the stuffed peppers with ground beef and rice that came with yogurt. Both meals were really good. Truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the owners happy attitude and energy. Check it out! It’s really convenient to get to and there’s parking right in front of the restaurant!