Istanblue Kebab House – Middle Eastern
The air at Istanblue Kebab House is thick with the intoxicating scent of spiced meats sizzling over open flames, drawing diners into a warm, bustling space where the rich traditions of the Middle East come to life. Succulent kebabs, kissed by the char of the grill, arrive alongside mounds of fragrant rice and zesty, herb-flecked salads that burst with bright, sun-drenched flavors. Every meal is a sensory celebration, where the comfort of freshly baked, pillowy flatbread and the complex depth of authentic spices create a truly soulful dining experience.
1416 Avenue J +1-347-462-4655 https://www.istanbluekebabhouse.com/Rating: 4.2/5 (391 reviews)
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Price range: $$
Dietary options: high-protein, keto, low-carb, halal, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, whole30, paleo, heart-healthy, low-sodium, low-fat, pescatarian, plant-based, anti-inflammatory, atkins, south-beach, dash-sodium-reduced, low-cholesterol, gerd, high-fiber, carnivore, zone, volumetrics, tlc, aip, renal, alkaline, slow-carb, lectin-free, macrobiotic
What diners are saying
Diners consistently praise Istanblue Kebab House for its fresh, authentic Turkish cuisine and generous portions. Guests rave about the tender chicken and lamb adana wraps, flavorful salmon shish kebabs, and the unique "islander kebab" layered with yogurt. The warm pita bread and mildly spicy ezme appetizer are frequently highlighted as standout starters, though desserts like baklava receive mixed reviews. While some reviewers criticize the cramped restroom and dated decor, most appreciate the clean, comfortable dining area and friendly, efficient service that makes for a smooth experience.
Menu
Soups
Traditional Turkish soups
- Lamb Soup: Traditional Turkish lamb soup Dietary tags: Halal, Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free
- Lentil Soup: Traditional Turkish lentil soup Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline
- Chicken Soup: Hearty chicken soup Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Halal, Whole30, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
Appetizers
Cold and hot starters
- Hummus: Chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic
- Ezme: Spicy tomato and vegetable dip Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline
- Babaganoush: Smoked eggplant dip Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline
- Caciki: Yogurt with cucumber, garlic, and herbs Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC
- Fried Liver: Traditional Turkish style fried liver Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Halal, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Carnivore, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Mussles: Stuffed or prepared mussels Dietary tags: Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free
Salads
Fresh garden salads
- Shepherd Salad: Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and parsley Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, Alkaline
- Russian Salad: Potatoes, carrots, peas, and mayo Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Slow-Carb
- Piyaz: White bean salad Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, TLC, Slow-Carb
Main Courses
Kebabs and traditional Turkish specialties
- Inegol Kofte (Ćevapi): Traditional Turkish grilled meatballs
- Lamb Chops: Grilled tender lamb chops Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal
- Chicken Wing: Grilled chicken wings Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, Carnivore, TLC, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Chicken Gyro: Thinly sliced marinated chicken Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics
- Adana Kebab: Spicy minced meat grilled on a skewer
- Kokorec: Grilled lamb intestines
- Lahmacun (Turkish Meat Pie): Thin dough topped with minced meat and vegetables
- Old-Fashioned Beef Stew: Traditional Turkish beef stew
Sides
Accompaniments for your meal
- Turkish Bread (Home Made): Freshly baked in-house Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic
- Rice: Turkish style rice pilaf Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC
- French Fries: Crispy potato fries Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced
Desserts
Sweet Turkish treats
- Special Pistachio Desserts: Assorted pistachio-based sweets Dietary tags: Halal, Low-Sodium, Renal
- Baklava: Layered pastry with nuts and syrup Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Kazandibi: Caramelized milk pudding Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian
- Rice Pudding: Traditional Turkish baked rice pudding Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, GERD-Friendly, TLC
Frequently Asked Questions about Istanblue Kebab House
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Diners rave about the chicken and lamb adana wraps, salmon shish kebabs, "islander kebab," warm pita bread, and ezme appetizer.
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- Rated 4.2/5, this moderate ($$) restaurant is praised for its fresh, authentic Turkish cuisine and generous portions.
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- Chicken wings, babaganoush, adana kebab, and caciki accommodate multiple diets simultaneously, including keto, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Istanblue Kebab House specializes in Middle Eastern and authentic Turkish cuisine, featuring traditional dishes like kebabs, hummus, and ezme.
- Is this restaurant suitable for families?
- Istanblue Kebab House offers a warm, bustling atmosphere and generous portions, though reviewers mention cramped restrooms and dated decor as drawbacks.
- Is this restaurant good for casual dining or more upscale?
- Istanblue Kebab House offers casual dining with a moderate ($$) price level, featuring a bustling atmosphere and dated decor.
- Is this a good spot for a date or special occasion?
- With a 4.2/5 rating, guests enjoy authentic cuisine, though dated decor and cramped restrooms may affect special occasion suitability.
- What is this restaurant's overall rating?
- Istanblue Kebab House has an overall rating of 4.2/5, with customers consistently praising the fresh and authentic Turkish cuisine.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- Istanblue Kebab House has a total of 391 reviews and maintains an average customer rating of 4.2 out of 5.
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- The restaurant features a warm, bustling atmosphere with dated decor and a cramped restroom, reflecting traditional Middle Eastern style.
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