Cafe Istanbul & Market

Went while there was a buffet, everything was beef, and unfortunately all my husband eats is chicken so we were very limited. As they passed around a bowl full of eggrolls, they were having people reach in and use their hands to grab it. Grossed me out so bad. Then what really did me in was when we went to pay, they added their own tip in without asking if I’d like to add a tip. Since when is that ok? Nothing special about this place. I’m being very generous by giving 3 stars, in reality I should give 2. So many other restaurants to chose from, we went, we learned, and won’t repeat that mistake again.

I haven’t tried the restaurant yet, but I can definitely vouch for the hookah lounge.
If you’re looking for a lounge with a really laid-​back atmosphere, this is the place. Music isn’t too loud, lights aren’t too bright… everything is just right. The prices are pretty decent and the staff is knowledgeable about flavors and make excellent suggestions. Our go-​to flavor combo is watermelon mint. Some servers are better than others, but the better ones are really sweet. They stay on top of coals and check up on the group without hovering. Great people, wonderful lounge!

The menu under explore the menu on Unilocal is completely different. This is not a Turkish restaurant this is a Lebanese restaurant. Restaurant was empty on a Saturday night. We met with the owner and showed her the Unilocal menu. She was shocked. Babaganoush was good. Entrées come with soup or salad. Yogurt drink was good. Hummus was very creamy. It reminded me of potato salad, but in a good way. Large portions– I would suggest the Istanbul combo plate. Hookah is good and affordable.

This place is superb. The food is always top-​notch, and the service is always friendly and attentive. They have lots of vegetarian options, but being a meat eater, I always head for the kabobs. The Istanbul Combo has 3 different kinds of kabobs, and they are delicious. Also the Baba Ganouj is the best I’ve ever had, anywhere. I only come to Phoenix once a year, but I always have to eat at Café Istanbul.

Haven’t yet tried any food, but next time I will. Been here a handful of times for nargile. Nice relaxing atmosphere and a great place to talk and smoke with friends. $ 12 for hookah is a good price. Service is average.

The server was very delightful but the combo platter for two (Al-​Amir) my husband and I ordered was disappointing. For the price paid, we expected a little more meat than the 3 small chunks of beef and 3 small chunks of chicken on a mound of bland rice. Around the perimeter of the rice were small servings of other items. The hummus was flavorless. The mjadara was dry, undercooked and bland. The three small pieces of falafel were okay. The only tasty items were the grape leaves and feta cheese and dinner salad. The bread served was cold, old, dry and rubbery! For the price paid, could’ve gone to a higher-​end eatery.

I was introduced to this place by a boyfriend. It happened that he was Iraqi and a good cook and much of the food served on the buffet was like what he made at home. When we broke up I would come eat here because I missed his cooking. It is nice home cooked healthy food.

This place has always has really great service, partially because it’s rarely busy.
I’ve never had bad or even mediocre food here. I love the hummus with chicken or beef. The hummus is actually just perfect in general. I normally get the shawarma or the kabob dishes. The lentil is great too. My girlfriend loves the baklava.
Lastly, it’s such a small thing, but they have Coke products here, and they get bonus points for that.

I rode my bike today to Café Istanbul in order to try it for the first time, and I was impressed with the quality of food and service and general vibe of the place. I had the gyro sandwich and fries and iced tea, but intend to return to try the musakka or the meat pies. It looks like they offer freshly-​juiced drinks like carrot juice too, and I like a good tonic of nutrients like that. I’ll bring a friend next time and explore the menu…

Iam just astonished and very delighted. I have no other words for their hospitality, outstanding and very authentic food and intracultural setting. Im inlove with this hidden gem in tempe. I have had very good friends from Dubai visit and they loved it. This is a MUST to come and visit. Their food quality is Halal and it was soo good that it reminded me of the authentic flavors of home (U.A.E).
Thank you to the staff for a great warm welcome and very fulfilling hospitality.

The owners kids went to a Montessori school with mine, 16 years ago, and it was awesome then too!

I was refused service because of personal vendettas. They said that they had a big party inside so they weren’t serving food or hookah, meanwhile I looked around and there are 4 people outside eating and smoking hookah and the cook is just sitting outside talking with a friend. So obviously it was bullshit.

Great place to take the family for authentic middle eastern food. We will defiantly be back

I’ve been coming in here since I went to school at ASU in 2003. No matter what parts of the valley that I’ve lived in my always end up going here to buy my hookah supplies. The owner claims that he remembered me when I took a three-​year hiatus I doubt his memory is not good but I really appreciate the effort.
The owners themselves are middle Eastern and always have a hookah lit for themselves through the night. I always trust their judgment with hookah and shisha recommendations.
If you check the date of their products they are always pretty fresh compared to the rest of the valley. I do love that they sell the larger product of AF.
I’ve always tried to get the same recommendations and wisdom from random local smoke shops but I always leave cheated at those places with them pushing products they can’t sell.
This place on the other hand, has been time-​tested. I love their prices, selection is awesome, and I love their help.

Best hookah shop, café, and lounge! BEST PRICES ON EVERYTHING!!! The more u shop, the more of a friendship is made and the deals roll in! Best fresh shesha EVER!!!

I used to get to Tempe about 6 times a year and always would stop for a little Middle Eastern Flavor. Since I am not there all time I find myself in a bit of a food rut and get the beef and lamb Shawarma. What a beautiful rut it is! I hear they have a good buffet, but I wouldn’t know. Unfortunately I don’t get there nearly as much as I used to, but you will find me there when I get to town.

I cannot get enough of Café Istanbul.
I have been going here for approximately 8 years.
The gyros, the kebabs, kafta, falafel. It’s just good.
It’s enjoyable the people care about what they do and the service they bring you.

One of the few places outside of my house that you can get good food and hookah in one setting. They offer a buffet (which I have never tried), hookah, dine-​in, take out, a small deli, a hookah shop to get your personal supplies and outdoor seating with misters for summertime comfort (if you can get that in Phoenix!). They also have a hookah lounge that is open later than the restaurant upstairs.
I am a regular customer and Olga, Mike and Ronda are always very nice and helpful. Since I cook Middle Eastern food at home, I tend to pay extra attention to restaurants offering similar foods. Their hummus, babaghanoush and falafel are ok. I can eat the hummus and not complain or turn it away, but my friends keep telling me that it is not as good as mine. The falafel (when I had it) was bland, but cooked perfectly. I like the falafel at Haji Baba’s better.
Their chicken shwarma has always been stellar. I love it. My friends love the gyro meat there. I’ve never had over-​cooked or under-​cooked meat here. The flavors make your taste buds cheer. Their Turkish coffee is always delicious and made to my taste. I have a new favorite recently: Fattoush with chicken. Yummmmm. A little heavy on the dressing usually, but still yummy.
Their hookah service is usually wonderful. Coals are always refreshed, but I noticed if a customer isn’t quite familiar with hookah maintenance, they don’t turn the coals for them.
Sometimes, the service is slow there, but since I know it isn’t the case on a regular basis, I let it slide. There hasn’t been anything that screamed «Don’t come back here!» and I find myself meeting friends there all the time. Great hangout and chill place.

This is a cool little spot in Tempe that offers seemingly authentic Mediterranean food at very reasonable prices. They offer hookah as well.
You can choose to dine in their dimly lit café or take your order to go. Either way, $ 5.99 for a schwarma is a bargain, the staff is kind, and they even threw some fries into my to-​go box without asking at no extra charge.
I’m completely satisfied and see no reason to complain.

I had heard that this place has the best falafel in the valley, so, naturally, I had to check it out. I had recently discovered The Greeks Grill and their amazing falafel, and I had to see if this place could one-​up them.
I was beyond excited for the falafel, but when I walked in, I already knew I was in for a letdown. The service was bad from the start; curt, unhelpful, disinterested. We ordered the baba ganoush, which was alright. Nothing special, but we were hungry. The falafel came and I eagerly took a bite, only to have to force the bite down with water. The falafel was bland and not well prepared (resemblant of mush), and they overcompensated with the hummus and pickles to try to make up for the flavor.
Now, I’m sure they prepare some of their food well, given the amount of positive reviews they have from other Unilocalers, but I will never be heading back there.
Needless to say, we left and got some yummy food to cleanse our taste buds. Definitely sticking with The Greeks Grill for all further falafel excursions.