What should I order at Cafe Istanbul?
Cafe Istanbul
Chicken Iskender
Mentioned as especially delicious, with one review calling the Chicken Iskender with satay '12/10' and another saying it was amazing with fast service and home-cooked comfort.
Mixed Meat Iskender
Praised for being super tasty, with fresh salad and really flavorful meat, making it one of the most strongly recommended specific orders.
Mixed Grill
Recommended for its fresh, flavorful, and authentic taste, with reviewers saying it was a dish they would definitely come back for.
Baklava
Specifically recommended alongside the mixed grill as a dessert worth trying, suggesting it was memorable enough to call out by name.
Pizza
Mentioned positively as part of a meal that was described as great-tasting and served generously, with one reviewer saying pizza and Iskender were the best.
Fresh Dips
Called amazing in one review, praised for pairing well with the fast, high-quality meal experience.
Hummus
Included among the sauces and sides that were described as great, with well-seasoned meat and solid portion sizes.
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11 AM to 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM to 8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM to 8:30 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM to 9 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM to 8:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM to 8 PM |
About Cafe Istanbul
Cafe Istanbul is a Turkish restaurant in Tauranga, New Zealand, serving dine-in, takeout, and onsite service. Reviewers consistently praise the iskender, especially chicken, lamb, and mixed meat versions, along with generous portions, fresh flavors, and friendly staff. The atmosphere is described as casual, cozy, and welcoming, with Turkish decor that makes it feel authentic. It is popular for lunch, dinner, and solo dining, and the price range is NZ$20 to 30.
Amenities & services
Service options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Coffee
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Frequently asked questions
What is Cafe Istanbul known for?
Cafe Istanbul is best known for iskender, especially chicken iskender, lamb iskender, and mixed meat iskender. Reviewers also repeatedly mention generous portions, fresh salad, sauces, and very friendly service, which makes the dish feel like strong value in Tauranga.
What dishes are most recommended at Cafe Istanbul?
The most recommended dishes are iskender, chicken iskender with satay, mixed meat iskender, mixed grill, and baklava. Reviewers also call out the fresh dips, hummus, and well-seasoned chicken and lamb, with several saying the servings are large even when ordering small sizes.
Is Cafe Istanbul good value, and what is the price range?
Cafe Istanbul is priced at NZ$20 to 30, and reviewers often describe it as very well priced or extremely affordable. The value comes from the large portions, fresh ingredients, and filling meals, with multiple people saying even the small size is generous.
How fast is the service at Cafe Istanbul?
Service is often described as very fast, with one review saying food arrived within 2 minutes and others noting quick turnaround without sacrificing quality. That makes it a good choice for a quick lunch or dinner in Tauranga, especially if you want a meal that still feels fresh and substantial.
Is parking available at Cafe Istanbul?
Yes. Free parking lot, Free street parking, Usually plenty of parking is available.
Does Cafe Istanbul have vegetarian options?
Yes, Cafe Istanbul offers vegetarian options.
Is Cafe Istanbul kid-friendly?
Yes, Cafe Istanbul is good for kids.
Restaurants like Cafe Istanbul in Tauranga
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