Welcome to Cafe Istanbul Albuquerque
At Café Istanbul Albuquerque, we celebrate the vibrant tapestry of Mediterranean cuisine and culture in a welcoming environment. Nestled in Albuquerque, our establishment has evolved from a humble deli into a beloved restaurant and grocery, offering exquisite dishes like tender Chicken Shawarma and flavorful Gyro Platter. The expansion of our kitchen has elevated the quality of our offerings, delighting patrons with house-made sauces and generous portions. We pride ourselves on providing not just a meal, but a taste experience filled with authentic flavors, from our rich Hummus to our delectable Dolmas. Join us to savor culinary delights while exploring our carefully curated grocery selection, making every visit a feast for the senses.
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1410 Wyoming Blvd NE suite f, Albuquerque, NM 87112 Hotline: (505) 294-9900
Welcome to Cafe Istanbul Albuquerque, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Albuquerque at 1410 Wyoming Blvd NE, Suite F. This restaurant and international grocery store beautifully marries the flavors of the Mediterranean with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. It's more than just a dining destination; it’s a culinary journey that transports you straight to the vibrant streets of Istanbul.
Upon entering, you're greeted by a warm and friendly staff that embodies the essence of hospitality. The allure of Cafe Istanbul lies not just in its food, but also in the rich variety of international grocery items available on-site. From exotic spices to high-quality organic dates, the grocery provides a treasure trove of essentials for Mediterranean cuisine enthusiasts.
The menu features a delightful assortment of appetizers and side orders, each crafted with authentic ingredients. Baba Ghanouge with pita bread is a must-try, showcasing roasted eggplant enhanced by tahini and garlic, all for just $6.49. For those craving something heartier, the Chicken Pie and Spinach Pie ($5.19 each) offer savory delights, with tender fillings embraced by flaky pastry. Each dish is a testament to the care and tradition behind Mediterranean cooking.
One standout, according to guests, is the Chicken Shawarma Platter. Priced at $16.89, it’s a generous serving of marinated chicken seasoned to perfection, complemented by rice and vibrant salad, making it an excellent value for your money. The Hummus over Chicken Shawarma ($14.29) is another crowd-pleaser, marrying creamy hummus with succulent chicken, creating a delightful harmony of textures and flavors.
What truly shines through the experience at Cafe Istanbul is the dedication to quality. Customer reviews highlight the tender, well-seasoned meats and house-made sauces that elevate each meal. One visitor remarked on the impressive portion sizes, often leaving them with delightful leftovers for the next day. This is food made with love, and it shows in every bite.
For those looking for a light yet refreshing option, the Arabic Salad and Greek Salad are perfect choices, showcasing fresh vegetables tossed in zesty dressings. Add chicken shawarma or gyro meat for an extra burst of flavor, thereby customization to your preference, and turning a simple salad into an unforgettable dish.
Cafe Istanbul also excels in creating a friendly and inviting environment, with patrons often applauding the community-oriented atmosphere. As you savor your meal, take a moment to appreciate the array of international grocery products surrounding you, from unique teas to decorative Middle Eastern items, all adding to the enriching experience.
Whether you're dining in for a cozy meal or grabbing a quick takeaway, Cafe Istanbul Albuquerque promises not only delicious food but also a genuine taste of the Mediterranean spirit. With reasonable prices and generous portions, it's an essential stop for both food lovers and those seeking authentic Mediterranean flavors. Come and discover why this family-run establishment continues to earn rave reviews and a loyal following.
Fantastic mediterranean food in a cozy environment. I went back after they expanded to add a full kitchen. The food has definitely increased in quality. The garlic sauce now tastes house made and the meat was very tender and seasoned well. You get a huge portion of food for the price and I had plenty leftover for the next day. They still have their grocery store with a large selection of grocery items, including some high quality organic dates and various desserts. Cafe Istanbul has gotten even better over time!
Popped in once while waiting for a store in the shopping center to open. I guess that this was during the time that the restaurant was not open. On that trip just got a jar of sour cherry preserves. This time was specifically to go to the restaurant and get sour cherry preserves. You order at the counter from very friendly staff and they bring it out to you. I had the chicken shawarma plate and was pleased to see a very full plate. The only thing that would have made that plate better was if there was a pit of chili paste to add to the rice (the way I like mine). Other than that this is a great place to shop and eat.
My daughter and I saw cafe Istanbul and had to stop in. It's a nice Mediterranean market and cafe. I had a chicken shawarma and my daughter had the beef kabobs. We also shared the cabbage wraps. Everything was great. Full of flavor. The service was good. It's basically a takeout place with some tables and chairs. Many folks ordered food Togo, but we chose to eat in. We will definitely be back and take some time to shop in the market. Thank you for a great meal.
We use to eat here when it was located across the street. I noticed they moved so I said we need to go back. It is so delicious. I had the chicken shawarma platter. The hummus is amazing and chicken yummy. Make sure to use to yogurt they give you.
Shop this small business!! Interesting and unique pantry items at excellent prices. If you're going to find KSA dates it will be here. Very friendly service.
My son and I came here for lunch around 1:00 pm on a Tuesday. There were a number of patrons already in the casual "cafe". The pleasant cashier seemed to take several takeout orders while we were there. We ordered at the counter. I had the falafel platter. He had the lamb kebob platter. We shared a small plate of dolmas. ALL DELICIOUS!!!... served very fresh. After the meal, we shopped in the grocery store. Excellent selection with reasonable prices. Mula, the owner of 5 years, was very pleasant and helpful. Overall service,selection and quality are excellent. This family run establishment deserves your attention!!!
What a treat! We have been wanting to try this place since we got back from our recent trip to Turkey. The food was excellent. Prices were great, and the people were extremely nice and helpful. Will definitely return to sample more of their food.
This place is absolutely amazing. They have it ALL. They had all the teas you could imagine; Middle Eastern black, flavored, Earl Grey, the whole nine. There were all the fruit spreads, exotic nectars and sodas. They had nice cheeses, henna, incense. But the BEST was the restaurant. The last time I went it was a little counter. This time, they've expanded to the whole store next door. They have a whole menu of hummus, shawarma, falafel, Turkish coffee; all the things. I had a falafel and it was delicious. It came stuffed w/ hummus and a pickled vegetable. A family runs it and they couldn't be more friendly and helpful. I also enjoyed seeing the customers from all over the world. It was so much fun. I can't wait to go back.
Overall: The food is average but the prices are very good and the workers are nice. Gyro Plate comes with rice, salad, hummus, pita, and tzatziki sauce. The gyro was decent but not the best. I prefer it when the meat is more thickly sliced. The rice was good, fluffy and well separated. The hummus was super salty, and the pita wasn't very fluffy and soft. It was definitely a lot of food with a generous serving of meat for less than $11. Cafe Istanbul is a market with a to go eatery. The market itself is well stocked with dry goods and frozen foods.
In an effort to try something new, I stopped by Café Istanbul for a gyro. I don't know why I was expecting a sit down deli situation, but it was just a deli where you can order and then shop around for groceries while you wait for your goods. I just went with a standard gyro sandwich and let me say it's fantastic. Also, the prices were very affordable. I grabbed a drink from the cooler and back and a baklava to go. I definitely wanna come back and check out the grocery more in depth. They have a ton of staples for all kinds of recipes and Middle Eastern cooking. The staff was very friendly and quick with our order.