Phone: +442075809142
Address: Great Portland Street Station Great Portland Street, London I-W1W 5PP, United Kingdom
City: London
Menu Dishes: 9
Reviews: 4002
Website: https://bistroistanbul.com/
"As the evening darkens and the clock nears 11:00 PM, hunger pangs kick in after hours without food. With most restaurants already closed or past their last orders, I found myself in a bit of a bind. On a whim, I decided to explore a place I had passed by daily while commuting from Great Portland Street tube station. To my delight, I discovered Istanbul Café—not the capital of Turkey, but a charming little bistro offering Turkish delicacies open until midnight. Located right across from the Great Portland Street tube station, this cozy café boasts a simple yet inviting décor that gives you a taste of Turkey. Despite its modest ambiance, I was intrigued to see what they had to offer. The staff was warm and welcoming, and when I inquired if they served food, I was happy to hear that they did. As a typically adventurous eater, I found myself indecisive. Thankfully, one of the team members, an older gentleman of Turkish descent, was eager to suggest options. He quickly offered vegetarian or non-vegetarian dishes. Even though I usually prefer non-vegetarian food, I opted for vegetarian this time. With a cheerful smile, he presented a menu that included a delightful array of vegetarian options. After some deliberation, I decided to play it safe and ordered falafel and hummus. A few minutes later, I was served a pot of Turkish tea—a delightful experience quite different from regular tea, as it had a unique blend of flavors. Accompanying my tea was a bowl of olives in olive oil and warm bread. Just as I was enjoying my meal, I struck up a conversation with the gentleman about Turkish tea traditions, which made for a delightful exchange. As I finished my meal and settled the bill, I left feeling lighter in spirit and enriched with fun information. The team ensured I felt comfortable throughout, checking in to see if I needed anything. But the culinary adventure didn’t stop there. On my last day in London, I returned to Istanbul Café for lunch. This time, I met a lovely Turkish girl—part of the family-run café—and a jovial middle-aged man who was delighted to pose for photos. Boldly, I tried the lamb shish wrap, served with sweet chili sauce and hearty potato wedges instead of standard fries, along with a refreshing pot of Turkish tea. The quantity and quality of the food were impressive, and even as a light eater, I found it hard to finish. I happily asked the staff to pack my leftovers, which the girl did with a smile. I even took some pictures of the charming décor to capture my delightful experience. While I couldn't bring any food back with me, I certainly walked away with beautiful memories. Overall, Istanbul Café is an excellent choice if you’re in the area, and it's easy on the wallet, all while being conveniently located right across from the tube station."
Full menu - 9 options
All prices are estimates on menu.
Mixed Specialties
Baklava
Flaky layers of phyllo dough filled with nuts and sweetened with honey syrup, offering a rich and fragrant Mediterranean dessert.
Entrées
Potato Wedges
Crispy golden potato wedges, seasoned to perfection, served as a savory and satisfying side or snack.
Seafood
Calamari menu
Tender calamari rings lightly breaded and fried to golden perfection, served with tangy marinara sauce for a delightful appetizer.
Greek Specialties
Moussaka
Layers of eggplant, minced meat, and béchamel sauce baked to perfection.
Salad
Green Salad
A fresh blend of crisp lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes, topped with a light vinaigrette dressing.
Salads
Fish Dishes
Fish And Chips
Crispy battered fish served with golden fries and tartar sauce.
User
Very friendly staff , good fresh food and good size portions, not expensive.
Address
Reviews
User
good location, cozy place, and amazing traditional Turkish food. in any case one of the best places I have eaten in london. definitiw recommended
User
The atmosphere is fantastic for a great time. The waitstaff is friendly and attentive, making the experience even better. The quality of the food was impressive as well.
User
Absolutely delicious food and a lovely experience always. Looking forward to being able to enjoy the lunch deal once more but for now take-away will have to do. Wonderful Lamb and bread to die for! View menu
User
Used to go here from breakfast on a Saturday morning and sometimes we would have lunch. Had the chicken and mushroom with rice which is really nice and tasty. Had the full English breakfast and it's a lot of food so had trouble to eat it all. Coffee is nice and food is fresh. Staff are friendly
User
this little cafe is opposite my work and I had bever considered it, thinking it would be a bit fast food. I met a friend for lunch and she arrived early and ordered a coffee there, so we met there instead. I was so surprised, the food (although not expected to be haute cuisine) was delicious and flavourful, my favourite being the liitle baklava that I couldn't resist. I loved the fresh mint tea and the staff were so friendly. Definitely wont discount this one for work lunch again!
User
So surprised! A beautiful authentic taste of Turkish cuisine in Central London! The home made bread, the crispy yet succulent falafel (best I've had in 10 years of London life), the fresh salads absolutely lovely. The hummous as well just gorgeous. So very impressed and for the price it's a must. I'll be back again and again. Thanks to the lovely wait staf who are so attentive and professional and the manager who has such an eye for detail and really cares about every customers experience. Also cobra on tap! Winner. View menu
User
This restaurant happened to by right next door to the hotel I was staying at. At first the existing review didn't seem promising however how could one go wrong with Grilled meats? So I decided to walk in and seat myself for dinner. The waiter was warm and showed me to my table and then brought me some olives and traditional crusty traditional bread. I ordered a pot of herbal tea while waiting for my main dish which was the chocked kebab with rice and salad. The meat was well cooked and delicious and the rice fragrant. The waiter also brought me a side of spicy Tomato and chilli paste which made the dish even more delightful. I totally enjoyed my meal and I'm looking forward to a good nights...
User
On my last visit to London, I visited this Turkish joint for having dinner because it was near to my hotel I was putting up. It's a small restaurant just behind Portland Tube station. We had ordered for kalamari fry with tartar dip and a combo of chicken and mutton kababs served with rice and fresh green salad. They serve a portion of complimentary oven baked breads with some dip which is yummy and helps you hold your hunger for a while till your food arrives. The food turned out to be amazingly good with decent portions for both of us and reasonably priced as well. They serve a self-made spicy tomato sauce which goes too well with the kababs. It was a good experience in London which ended u...
User
As the evening darkens and the clock nears 11:00 PM, hunger pangs kick in after hours without food. With most restaurants already closed or past their last orders, I found myself in a bit of a bind. On a whim, I decided to explore a place I had passed by daily while commuting from Great Portland Street tube station. To my delight, I discovered Istanbul Café—not the capital of Turkey, but a charming little bistro offering Turkish delicacies open until midnight. Located right across from the Great Portland Street tube station, this cozy café boasts a simple yet inviting décor that gives you a taste of Turkey. Despite its modest ambiance, I was intrigued to see what they had to offer. The staf... View menu
Categories
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Turkish Indulge in the rich flavors of Turkey with dishes featuring succulent meats, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices. Savor classics like kebabs, mezes, and baklava, bringing the vibrant taste of Turkish cuisine to your table.
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European Delight in a culinary journey across Europe with our exquisitely crafted menu, featuring authentic dishes from France, Italy, Spain, and beyond, using the freshest ingredients to bring traditional flavors to life. View menu
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Vegetarian Delight in our vibrant collection of vegetarian dishes, crafted with the freshest greens, rich flavors, and savory spices. Enjoy a wholesome, delectable plate that celebrates nature's finest ingredients.
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Mediterranean Savor the vibrant essence of the Mediterranean with dishes inspired by the sun-drenched coasts. Enjoy fresh olives, vibrant herbs, rich olive oils, and a variety of seafood and grilled meats.
Amenities
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Wifi
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Takeout
- menu
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Outdoor
- menu
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Delivery
