cafe istanbul in Manchester

Lovely food, the quantity was a bit too much for me but it was amazing. Great ambience and easy to locate.

Second time at this great Turkish restaurant in Manchester. Great food and service each time

Thanks for having our large party on Saturday!!! Food was great and the atmosphere was lovely. Thanks again xx

I was searching for halal meal options and came across this little cafe. I tried their Salmon fillet and Cinderella, which was super tasty so I didn’t mine the overpriced tag. Nice restaurant. Will definitely recommend!!!

I'm almost certain I got food poisoning from here on the weekend, it's Wednesday now and I'm still in the mud. Another review 2 weeks ago said the same. Not sure what's going on with this place.

Delicious lamb or chicken doner kebabs. Great staff. One for making your colleagues envious. Highly recommended.

Tastiest food in UK. Everything was great and staff very pleasant.

Fabulous place, cannot believe I haven't visited previously, gorgeous good, FANTASTIC service, it was early so not a lot of atmosphere but not their fault.

Very disappointed with tonights visit. Gave our order garlic bread for a starter, then lamb donner and Sultans dream as mains. They brought the mains out before the starter, which we sent back and the mains were decidedly mediocre when they came back. Service very slow, overall not impressed.

It was a takeaway so cannot really talk about the Service or Atmosphere. Foods are great, but it is more expensive than many other places of comparable quality Turkish restaurants. Foods for one person was about £30 which is surely more expensive than most places. However, the amount of food is reasonable and could be shared with another person.

spacious restaurant good atmosphere large Turkish menu all types of meats kebabs shish shawarma etc, a bit pricey but really fair portions must try in Manchester if you are looking for Turkish cuisine but of course not as good nor cheap as restaurants in Istanbul it self😅.

Best Turkish food I had in UK, lovely experience, will be visiting soon again.

Food poisoning from the takeaway this evening.

amazing food, great portions and outstanding service. Staff were very friendly and accommodating, the food was all presented beautifully and tasted just as fantastic. Couldn’t fault and thing - definitely will be back!

Staff very rude. Talked to me very rudely. Hate the experience

Amazing Food, Service & Hospitality. Highly recommended to try out if in Manchester. Thank you

The waitress was so rude and the food was below average honestly.

The food is very delicious and the staff are very friendly

This is the best in Manchester if you are looking for great taste and suitable prices just drop here within absolutely gorgeous service especially (buraa and rihan). Thanks to chefs been an amazing service

The food is very delicious The service is excellent Prices are high

Avarage Turkish cusine, but have nice people

Those who eat and like doner here have no self-respect. Probably the worst doner in Manchester. I ordered 2 lamb doner wraps. The doner was undercooked and smelled really bad. If I gave it to my dog ​​he wouldn't eat it.

A lovely dining experience on my wife's Birthday.Excellent food with varied choice of items and genuine Turkish wine.Lovely Baklava to finish off, complete with a candle😊

The best Turkish restaurant in Manchester mixed grill was unbelievable.

So this is a jewel in Manchester City, and Its Halal. So lets start with the service, Brilliant service very friendly happy types of vibe you know what i mean right? Food is just full of flavour in every bite you can actually taste the juice and the flavour of the spices. We ordered Mezze platter for 2 everything was flavourful and delight in your mouth. But but the Falafel was just amazing crunchy and freshly made. We also ordered mixed grill their speciality. Again the meat was made to perfection the chicken were really juicy and tender too but but the chops were really really good. It is a bit expensive yes but its really good value for money the quality of the food and the portion size are great. I will definitely go here again soon.

We ordered a lamb döner wrap. The staff was friendly when preparing and serving it. We’ve just found the lamb too spicy and a little sour. The amount of ingredient was satisfactory

Visited lunchtime 20/07. Food was delicious (stuffed chicken and chicken shish and lamb mince from the grill. Bread and sauces were great, especially the red sauce (thanks chef!) Absolutely recommend and we will be back too.

Thankyou so much!! The staff are so Nice, food is always amazing and such great customer care every time! Miran on the front of house is so friendly and really takes care of everyone! Would definitely recommend, I’ve eaten in and had take away both brilliant!! Thankyou!!

The ambience, food and service was excellent.

Absolutely fantastic food..will definitely return..highly recommend!

Delicious and generous food, warm and welcoming service. We loved this meal which is a real culinary journey!

At the heart of Piccadilly one of the gastronomic delights inspired by Turkish food is definitely a go to place with friends and family... You can dine in or just get a take out , Whatever you feel like. Whenever I go to Manchester I make sure to drop by this place .

It was a great pleasure. All the meals are delicious and clean. The staff is good-humored, and the chefs are talented. From music to the meals, everything is authentically Turkish. Highly recommended!

Waited 20 minutes for a mediocre Lamb Doner. Even a homeless man came in and begged for food and got it before me. I’m a paying customer. Why are homeless people getting food before me? And why does it take 20 mins for fast food? There was only 2 other people in there besides me.

Super delicious! Shrimp is a must-order!

I tried the fatayer, a sweet meat pie and a good spinach pie

We had a fantastic meal here on Monday evening. The starters were fantastic, the cheese rolls were a particular highlight! I then had the chicken shish and minced lamb main, another fantastic dish, the shared bread and dips are lovely and fresh. Service was exceptional and fast. One of the best meals I’ve experienced in Manchester!

Donar chicken not bad yogurt drink was nice

Beautiful food full of flavour and very friendly staff

Good food, despite the small size portion. Small sitting area. I didn't like the trick about the promotion at the door, I found that I was charged more than what's mentioned on the stand, dont lose your reputation for few pounds, say the offer clearly, including all services. Dont expect someone come for an offer to pay more.😉

We have visited a couple of times over the last few months and as always Cafe Istanbul delivers great food and service. Our favourite meals are: chicken shish, two generous skewers of perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken, and falafel and hummus salad, delicious. Both served with salad, rice and the lightest lavas bread. The surroundings are functional and a touch canteen like, delicious food is the star performer here. Good service, not OTT however perfectly friendly. Fabulous food and good service, just what you want. Until the next time.

Good was good. Service was ok. The atmosphere was alright. The price was a bit too expensive

Warm and welcoming, a little corner of Türkiye in Manchester. I really liked the atmosphere of the place with the wood-burning oven and all the burning coals in sight. Excellent food with generous portions. I really liked the tea at the end of lunch, a unique flavour. I can't wait to go back.

Great atmosphere, fabulous food and lovely, friendly service. The ottoman casserole was gorgeous and the lava bread is amazing 👏

I don’t know how they cook but the meat is raw, burnt and chewed. Portions are not large, do not cost such money! The dishes were in the raids, It was necessary to change. Well, if you want to eat nice meal, look for another place. Thanks!

Food wasn’t good, my lamb was chewy. And it is too expensive for the quality of the food.

Awesome food, lovely friendly staff.

Been going to the takeaway cafe to the side for a few years now. Awesome schwarma wrap. Although recently sometimes my kebab is a bit shy of meat. Used to get more. So slap a bit more meat in them wraps 😜

the best food!! impeccable service and very kind staff!❤️..

Amazing food and staff. Highly recommend mixed grill.

Good experience at Lunch. Tasty food with authentic Turkish flavours. Good lunch deals. Slightly on the pricier side but overall decent quality food.

One of the best restaurants in town, not many meat free main dishes but the appetizers are great, also the pideh is great.

Mixed grills are tasty, and one portion is enough to satisfy two people.

The best Turkish doner in the town you can have it after drinking all night. You can pick your own salad and the sauces are home-made. See you next Friday night then.

The best restaurant and the best doner kebab in Manchester

After a nice evening out with friends we popped in here for a late night snack before returning to our hotel nearby; very clearly asked for a plain mixed dinner kebab, with chips. Clarified that I wanted just meat, chips and wrap. Guy passed the payment machine to me which I automatically popped my card against, only to discover he’d charged me £29! For an £8.50 kebab plus chips. He tried to defend what he had done but it was clear that he just thought I was too drunk to notice. I wasn’t. The kebab was one that I wouldn’t bother ordering again too.

Fantastic experience! The food was good, service quick. Highly recommend this restaurant for a dining.

We had the best Adana kebab in Manchester, freshly grilled in the center of Çarşı. Thanks for everything. When we stopped by again, our place was determined.

Absolutely amazing and fast service, delicious food, would definitely recommend 👍

Offering a vibrant culinary experience that transports diners to the bustling streets of Turkey. Upon entering, we are greeted by the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared Turkish cuisine and the warm hospitality of the staff. The restaurant's interior is adorned with traditional Turkish motifs, including colorful mosaic tiles, intricate lanterns, and ornate furnishings, creating an inviting and authentic atmosphere. The menu at Cafe Istanbul features a wide array of classic Turkish dishes, meticulously crafted using the finest ingredients and authentic cooking techniques. Signature dishes include succulent grilled meats, such as lamb kebabs and chicken shish, served with fragrant rice and grilled vegetables. Mezze platters offer an assortment of appetizers, from creamy hummus and smoky baba ganoush to crispy falafel and stuffed grape leaves. For those with a sweet tooth, Cafe Istanbul offers an indulgent selection of desserts, including baklava, kunefe, and Turkish delight, accompanied by traditional Turkish coffee or herbal teas.

We love Cafe Istanbul, with good service and amazing food, you can’t go wrong. We don’t tend to have a starter as the portions are so generous. This time I enjoyed chicken shish kebabs, two generous skewers of perfectly seasoned chicken, with salad and a slither of lavas bread, absolutely scrumptious. My husband had halloumi and falafel, with hummus and salad, again delicious. Served with a complimentary portion of lavas bread and dips, food fit for a king. We love it here and can’t wait to return. I am salivating just thinking of the kebabs!

Super fast and friendly service. Really tasty food. We went here by chance for my birthday meal. Will be going face yo try the rest of the menu. Really enjoyed the vine leaves and the lamb and hummus.

I’ve recently moved to Manchester. We wanted have Turkish food which we’ve been craving for a long time. I googled it and found this place. We really made the right choice. The service, food, hospitality were great. I ordered hot meze which was a full and tasty plate. After meze, I had Iskender that was a mouthwatering aroma of cooked meats. I wanted to stop but I couldn’t. I had kunefe after iskender. What a great experience! Cafe istanbul will definitely be my regular restaurant. You got a regular customer:) thank to the manager mr kadri as well, he and his team is great.

Beautiful authentic Turkish food, including balloon bread.

Me and my husband ended up in here after debating for what seemed like hours about what to eat. We definitely made the right choice! The meat in the mixed kebab was cooked to perfection and had so much flavour. The grilled halloumi (one of my favourites) was incredible and the garlic mayonnaise was probably the best I've ever had (I've tried quite a few!) Cheap prices, lovely atmosphere, great for a spontaneous meal or even a basic date night. Plus if you sit in the window, you can watch manchester as you eat. Highly recommend.

As regular customers of the old Cafe Istanbul this was our first visit as a party of 8 since the new owners took over and revamped it. Gone were the old comfy seats and more tables crammed in canteen style. One table for two having the bums of customers queueing at the bar in their faces. The food was only Ok-ish, with accompanying dishes of rice or chips missing. As Bursa kebab, my favourite, was no longer on the menu I ordered Iskender kebab not knowing until I googled it afterwards they are the same thing. I was served in an elaborate brass dish some dried out shards of donner meat along with bread croutons and a side of yoghurt. When I got home and consulted Google it was obvious that the chefs in preparing this classic Turkish dish had not added the meat to tomato sauce to marinade just heated up slices of donner meat which had overcooked and dried out before adding croutons. If the chefs there make such a basic mistake then you have to question the authenticity of their other Turkish dishes. I contacted the restaurant the next day but a week later have had no reply. We shall not be returning. Our party spent well over £400 this is terrible customer relations.

Fantastic food freshly made in front of you. Great lunch deal. Little bit quiet at lunch.

Had a fantastic lunch at Cafe Istanbul and was very good value for money. Had visited many years ago but not been for a while. A colleague was in town and wanted to try somewhere to eat near the office so I suggested Cafe Istanbul. We arrived on the dot at 1200 (opening time) due to another meeting and were warmly welcomed despite being a little early. We had the lunch set menu, flatbread, hummus to start and lamb kebab for mains. Everything was cooked well, hot, and prompt service. Would return just a shame I didn't have more time to enjoy!

Delicious food, good portions. Single staff member on counter is a very nice and polite man. He went out of his way to tell us we can avoid ordering hummus separately as it can be included in the wrap dressings. Very nice of him. I recommend this place

Highly recommended, my experience was so good. The food was delicious and fresh. The service was good and very welcoming. The price was a bit high according to the amount of dishes

We were looked after from the minute we stepped through the door. Food was delicious especially the baklava. We will definitely be back very soon.

Very extensive menu with plenty of choice. All the food was freshly prepared and the grilled meats were made expertly. I highly recommend the turkish pizzas too if you haven't already tried them. Service was great and we weren't rushed at all.

The best value in the city centre as well as the best wrap doners

Delicious food and l observed the meat cooked on fresh charcoal the reason why the mixed grill is so tasty. The price is not over the budget for the location. Thanks to waiters. See you soon.

Discusting looking donner, lahmactun for 12£ lol. I would recommend to avoid this place. Place near my house called todays restaurant serve better stuff for 4.50£

I had a terrible experience with the bald guy very unwelcoming kept shouting at me because my friend took two seconds to tell him what sauces to put??????very unprofessional and rude👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

Food taste good, but overpriced and very little quantity

Food was great and was the real reason I had lunch there, service was a little but can be expected when the place gets busy, would suggest to play some Turkish music or create some Turkish vibe to make the ambience a little more cozy.

A lovely meal at reasonable prices. Very good quality and excellent value for money.

Made a booking for a large group and was quoted a price for a set menu, only for it to last minute be almost doubled, clearly taking advantage of us not having another option at that late stage

We visited Cafe Istanbul in February 2024, while staying In Salford near Manchester City Centre, exploring Mediterranean halal restaurants, we found this cafe Istanbul was nearby on a short walk. Located in busy area, no car parking. Good sitting area and environment. Very friendly, kind, helpful staff. Quite expensive with food quantity to price Tasty, freshly cooked hot food. Complimentary Turkish bread and Turkish tea.

Nice for lunch time with colleagues. Food quite nice.

Tasty food & kebabs cooked on a traditional Turkish charcoal grill. Friendly staff

Lovely place to eat with tasty food and very friendly and helpful warm staff , quite spacious for some larger groups too

Brilliant food, freshly-prepared and well-presented. Great value two-course set menu at lunchtime too.

Booked a table for 12 on Valentine’s Day, turned up for a nice lunch and it was closed.

Attentive staff. Way too much food on plate. Unable to eat more than half of it.

Not eaten here but disgusted their website says alcohol is present in some dishes. Would not consider this a halal restaurant at all. Some Turks have forgotten their roots

By far the best in Manchester. Quality flavours and cooked perfectly.

I loved it, i needed place to dine in quietly ppl were so nice and food was good and affordable

Three of us called in here for an early evening meal and left slightly disappointed. The food was good but not great and we will leave it a while before we return. If you are planning on going, I would definitely book. Even though it was early the restaurant was nearly full and had a really good atmosphere. Our Slovakian server was also excellent and looked after us really well. We had three different main courses and none were great. The moussaka was okay but lacked flair, I had some kind of kebab in pastry which was a bit tasteless. The lamb kebab was the standout dish though and it shame the other two didn’t match it. We wanted to have a Turkish wine and they had two on the menu but only one in stock. This was really average and expensive for what it was. 10% was added to our bill as a discretionary service charge which I also really dislike.

Great food, lovely people the pide is amazing

5* lunch a complete taste of Turkey. A superb lunch for two - quick and incredible food. Highly recommend. Best Turkish in Manchester.

I came over to order some food to take away and they have been extremely friendly. I was given a nice cup of Turkish tea and baklava while waiting. Fantastic service, food and atmosphere. Definitely recommend it!!

Underrated restaurant in Manchester. The takeaway is also great. Best Turkish food in the city. Great vegetarian options

Food was good and loved the atmosphere! They have highchairs and the place is pram-friendly. Halal food👍

Really delicious food, we enjoyed our meal and the hospitality was very welcoming 🙏

The best Turkish restaurant I’ve ever visited, cannot recommend highly enough

I was disappointed with the food. I usually have the vegetarian moussaka but it's changed. The previous one was a traditional Turkish version eith spices and sliced aubergine etc. This one was OK but not as good it was mainly chopped vegetables of; aubergine, onion, courgettes and tomatoes in a cast iron dish with a small amount of bechamel sauce ontop. Just like a lasagne. I couldn't taste any nutmeg or any species, now it tastes like a bland English version. The cheese roll starter was nice but the hallumi starter was a little small with just 2 pieces of cheese. It's a pity as it was a traditional Turkish restaurant now it feels like a bland English version.

Turkish restaurant in the centre of Manchester. The last time I ate here was around 10 years ago and it's changed quite abit, both the decor and food, I wonder if it's changed hands 🤔 the natural brown and cream decor is present enough but bland and I was disappointed with the food. I've always had the vegetarian moussaka but it's changed completely. It's OK but not as good as the previous recipe. This one was chopped vegetables, aubergine, onion, courgettes and tomatoes in a cast iron dish with a small amount of bechamel sauce ontop. Very similar to a lasagne. I couldn't taste any nutmeg or cinnamon or any species. Previously it was more traditional, more Turkish, now it tastes like an English version. Pity. The cheese roll starter was nice enough but I think there should have been more than 2 pieces of hallumi cheese, at least 3, 4 would be even better. In summary I think that they've turned down the Turkish element in every way, probably hoping to suit the more bland English palate. I won't be rushing back. 😌