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Istanbul Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
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Istanbul Hawaii

$31 to $50
Mediterranean

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 37 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Good for special occasions
  • Vegetarian-friendly
In our Mediterranean & Hawaiian sanctuary, you become part of our ohana. Led by Chef Mom Nili, Baba Aydin, and Chef Ahu, you're invited on a culinary journey infused with Turkish and Mediterranean essences. Our recipes, a blend of diverse cultures, are nurtured with locally-sourced ingredients, reflecting the heart of our family-run and woman-led venture.

Every interaction, whether in our restaurant's warm embrace, the vibrant energy of local events, or amidst the rich array of farmers' lands, is cherished. Each meeting is a chance to intertwine stories, laughter, and a piece of our heritage.

Come, celebrate the art of dining with us, where every dish is a passage to the Mediterranean, caressed by the Hawaiian sun. We look forward to serving you, merging our narratives in meals that go beyond mere flavors. Here, every dining experience is an adventure, a discovery, and a celebration of togetherness, nurturing through food next to the Hawaiian ocean.

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Mom Chef Nili and her daughter Chef Ahu

From the OpenTable editors: This three time Hale 'Aina Award-winning spot, one of the rare Turkish restaurants in all of Hawaii, comes from mother and daughter duo Nili Yildirim and Ahu Hettema, who recreate foods from their homeland. Go for the meze platters that look like works of art filled with dips, phyllo pastries, and sourdough pide and pair it with larger plates of local seafood and lamb chops all served in a a rustic space filled with colorful tagines and hanging herbs. Round out your meal with one of the exciting Mediterranean-inspired cocktails.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Turkish, Middle Eastern
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (808) 772-4440
  • Website
    http://www.istanbulhawaii.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Indulge in personalized dining experiences, from intimate dinners to lavish receptions, catered to perfection by our chefs. Elevate your event with our Istanbul cinema projector and enchanting garden trellis. On-site or off, create unforgettable moments with us. Discover and customize your experience at "Bespoke Events" on our website!
  • Private party facilities
    Craft unforgettable moments with our bespoke menus and dining experiences, tailored to your desires. From intimate dinners to grand receptions, every detail is perfected. Elevate your event with our Istanbul cinema projector and enchanting garden trellis. Your perfect occasion awaits. Customize your experience at "Bespoke Events" on our website!
  • Location
    1108 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814
  • Neighborhood
    Honolulu
  • Cross street
    Kamakee and Queen street
  • Parking details
    Enter Istanbul Hawaii parking lot from Queen street. Parking available at any Ward Village parking structure for our guests, including the Whole foods parking lot. Parking is free.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Kosher, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • 1001 Nights Under Nā Hōkū w/ Zachary Engel & Galit

    $95.00 per person

    Mar 21, 2025 only
    "1001 Nights Under Nā Hōkū" is a refined farm-to-table dining series blending the mystique of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors with the elegance of Hawaiian nights. Each evening offers a 4-course tasting menu with premium wine pairings, curated by Chefs Nili, Ahu, and a guest chef, featuring sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients at Istanbul Hawaii. The series explores diverse culinary heritages, celebrating the shared and unique identities of each chef. With Michelin-starred and James Beard-nominated chefs as guests, every night promises an extraordinary culinary collaboration. Set under the stars, this experience tells a story of flavors, artistry, and a deep sense of place. Visit Our Website to View the Menu & Wine Pairing.
    1001 Nights Under Nā Hōkū w/ Zachary Engel & Galit Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 2,986 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Oahu

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Istanbul Hawaii offers a vibrant dining experience with "amazing food" and "phenomenal service." Renowned for its diverse menu, including standout vegan and meat dishes, this restaurant captures the essence of Turkish cuisine with a modern twist. Guests rave about the "best lamb chops ever" and its "beautiful decor." Perfect for both intimate dinners and group gatherings, it's a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of the Mediterranean in Honolulu.

2,986 Reviews

  1. Patrick

    VIP

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great Turkish food. Grilled fish, Kunafeh dessert must tries

    Is this helpful?

  2. Maarit

    VIP

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food with wonderful spices and flavors! Great service and nice ambiance.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Hana

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed the Food , the ambiance and the service was excellent our waiters was so attentive , Friendly and pleasant

    Is this helpful?

  4. Perry

    VIP

    Hawaii

    30 reviews

    4.0

    30 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Feels like being in Turkey. Our home for many years!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Lisa

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s usually pretty busy here so we expected to wait a bit for our food. While there were a few lulls in servers refilling water or certain requested items being brought to the table we stayed patient because the food is worth the wait. They were also very kind to help us celebrate the birthday we were there for with a cute card and a happy birthday topper and candle in the desert.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Eric

    Hawaii

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We did the Turkish feast and it was fabulous. Drinks were fantastic

    Is this helpful?

  7. Dennis

    Hawaii

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    FOOD AND SERVICE GREAT AS USUAL. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM

    Is this helpful?

  8. Ujj

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    37 reviews

    3.0

    37 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    waiter was very inattentive. The waiter was very inattentive. My wife wanted a knife (the initial knife dropped on the floor accidentally) and we literally had to "shangai" another waiter to get the knife. Their food was great, but when a customer asks for a knife, and we had ordered the rack of lamb (turkish equivalent), there is no way to eat it other than hold it in your fingers and eat. Same thing happened to me with the copper plate, which kept rotating, and I asked for a fresh plate and again had to get this by cornering another waiter. For the level of restaurant you run, and the quality of food, you need to do a better job of training your staff.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Sanjay

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    11 reviews

    2.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on January 6, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Quite honestly this is an overrated restaurant in my opinion. Food is average overall and below average then it come to grilled meats. The cocktail drinks were below average. The bar tender doesn’t know what he is doing and the “chef” seems to be confused with spices.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Ashley

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food! A must try! Top of my list every time I visit Honolulu.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Istanbul Hawaii offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (808) 772-4440.

Istanbul Hawaii is rated 4.7 stars by 2986 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 37 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Istanbul Hawaii

1108 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Kamakee and Queen street
  • Neighborhood
    Honolulu
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Turkish, Middle Eastern
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Enter Istanbul Hawaii parking lot from Queen street. Parking available at any Ward Village parking structure for our guests, including the Whole foods parking lot. Parking is free.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Kosher, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.istanbulhawaii.com/
  • Phone number
    (808) 772-4440
  • Catering
    Indulge in personalized dining experiences, from intimate dinners to lavish receptions, catered to perfection by our chefs. Elevate your event with our Istanbul cinema projector and enchanting garden trellis. On-site or off, create unforgettable moments with us. Discover and customize your experience at "Bespoke Events" on our website!
  • Private party facilities
    Craft unforgettable moments with our bespoke menus and dining experiences, tailored to your desires. From intimate dinners to grand receptions, every detail is perfected. Elevate your event with our Istanbul cinema projector and enchanting garden trellis. Your perfect occasion awaits. Customize your experience at "Bespoke Events" on our website!

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