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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 44 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
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
  • 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!
  • 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

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

What 2,993 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

NoiseModerate

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.

2,993 Reviews
  1. Rocky

    Alabama

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great ambiance and experience. Highly recommended and will definitely come back.

    Is this helpful?

  2. moi

    VIP

    Hawaii

    41 reviews

    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Oh my, we don't know why we waited this long to try Istanbul. Everyone in my party was amazed, pleased, satisfied, and wowed by the favor and balance of every dish we ate. EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! The service was great and Chef Ahu even came to our table and talked to us. We will definitely be back! If you want to experience delicious foods like other you need to go to Istanbul!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Jc

    Hawaii

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious! Lamb racks and the falafel my wife got was delicious! We started with the share platter and calamari. Platter was good but the calamari had too much breading for my taste. Drinks weren’t bad but not amazing either. Service was ok for the amount of people that was there.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Alessandra

    VIP

    Hawaii

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had again a great experience at Istanbul Hawaii last Saturday. The ribeye shish, zatar frites, and hatay kunefe for dessert never disappointed us. Victoria was our server and she was very friendly, attentive, and helpful. The food came out quickly and perfectly cooked. The ambiance is beautifully decorated and pleasant. Can’t recommend this place enough.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Joan

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Extraordinary Love the food and ambiance and people

    Is this helpful?

  6. Patrick

    VIP

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days 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?

  7. Maarit

    VIP

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days 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?

  8. Hana

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    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?

  9. Perry

    Kyushu Area

    30 reviews

    4.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    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?

  10. Lisa

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 11, 2025

    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?

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 2993 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 44 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
  • 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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