Gina Marie Acker
We came here on a whim on our anniversary. Zero regrets! We got the lamb dish for two plus the side of mixed vegetables. The lamb dish came with a salad which we ended up having to take home because there was so much food. We finished with turkey coffee and something that looked like creme brulee but I can’t remember what it is called. From start to finish our experience was wonderful. Our waiter was awesome and he was from Turkey! He made me an amazing cup of Turkish coffee. I’d had it before once upon a time and didn’t like it, but I did love this cup! He encouraged me to try it with a little sugar in it and it made a lot of difference. We ordered the mixed vegetables just so we could say we ate some veggies with our dinner, but it was such a wonderful blend of spices and dressing that I would pay big box for that recipe. It was awesome. Our compliments to the chef. While we did choose to eat outdoors, I noticed that the restaurant inside was absolutely gorgeous.
… moreChristopher Andres
A unique experience for our region. I have never eaten at a Turkish themed restaurant before. Reservations made same day, although reservations were not necessary, plenty of room to be seated. Service was prompt. We had the hot sampler for appetizer. My wife had the Doner kebob and I had the Lamb shsh kabob. I enjoyed the tenderness and flavor of the Lamb. Baklava and Rice pudding rounded out a very pleasant experience. We enjoyed the Turkish Coffee to end the meal.
… moreTaylor King
This was our first time dining here and when we walked in and it was empty we were nervous…..but the staff was so nice and the food was delicious! We had the cheese rolls, my husband had the Shepard salad, I had the babaganush and falafel plate and he had some lamb dish. We ended with some turkish coffee and some brown pudding which looked like flan but tasted like creme brulee! Everything was amazing and we will definitely be back!
… moreJody DeWald
This was our first time visiting and we had a very good experience. We had the falafel appetizer and split the chicken assortment. We split a kunafe dessert. Everything was very good. It was less spicy than I had expected, which was just right for my wife. The dessert was very unique and something we really wanted to taste; we were pleasantly surprised. The waiter was super friendly and attentive to our needs.
… moreC L
I almost don’t want to share my review of this place because it’s so good I want to keep it to myself. But I know they deserve the business. This is by far one of the best Mediterranean restaurants I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. From the food to the atmosphere to the waitstaff absolute perfection. It’s a beautiful hidden gem. Their selection is vast and varied, there is something for everyone. You won’t be sorry.
… moreSim M
What a gem!! Don’t let the unassuming Pennsylvania location fool you. We were unsure at first but this was perhaps the best Turkish food I’ve had outside of Turkey! Everything we tried tasted excellent – the feta appetizer, Doner, Adana, Baklava. Vegetarians will also enjoy their offerings. The menu has a good variety and presented in a clear way (not confusing!). Was really satisfied with the tea. Love Turkish tea , especially served in the traditional glasses. And the ambience..wow! When you walk in, the attention to detail and interior design goes with the excellent food. (Even the check came in an aesthetic box!) The lamps and paintings on the wall suit the mood well. The owner/staff was courteous and the food arrived in a timely manner. They have a large dining space for big groups too on the side. Outdoor seating also available. I’d highly recommend you try this restaurant if you’re in the area (or even take a detour if you can!). We stopped here for lunch on our visit to Ricketts Glen. It’s a not a “quick and cheap lunch” kinda place but suggest to have some time on your schedule to dine-in for some authentic Turkish food. They do to-go orders too.
… moreKatharine Henry
Had a lovely meal for a birthday celebration here. We had both mixed appetizer platters (hot and cold), chicken kebabs, chicken kofta, eggplant stuffed with lamb, baklava, kazandibi (a wonderful custard dessert) and Turkish coffee. Everything was fresh and delicious and craveable! Service was friendly and wonderful and attentive. Highly recommend this place!
… moreFiras Khoury
Authentic Turkish experience featuring excellent Middle Eastern food and pastries. Family style options are available for large groups. Excellent service and atmosphere. Finish your meal with turkish coffee (similar to espresso) to wash down all the sweetness of desserts.
… moreDarren Stritzinger
Nestled behind the Back Mountain Brewery, the Istanbul Grill is a hidden gem, consisting of all kind of delightful Turkish dishes. My girlfriend and I arrived to a practically empty restaurant at 7 p.m. on a Friday, with only two tables occupied on the inside and one table of diners on the outside patio.
Obviously we were seated promptly, and our servers were extremely kind and polite and gave us a complementary plate of wafer-like unleavened bread. We ordered a plate of cheese rolls, consisting of melted feta cheese and parsley wrapped in a crisp phyllo roll. Although a bit salty, the rolls were delicious. We also ordered Babaganush (fresh smoked eggplant puree with tahini, olive oil, garlic and yogurt), which was very enjoyable.
For the entree, a chicken doner plate was ordered, which included a heap of tender, marinated, thinly sliced chicken thighs, and a minty yogurt dip. The dish also came with rice, but I opted for some french fries instead. There was plenty of meat served and the fries were hot and crispy. Also selected was the Imambayildi, which was a cooked eggplant stuffed with onions, garlic and tomatoes, which was simmered in olive oil. It also came with perfectly grilled carrots and zucchini. The two meals were extremely extraordinary.
Although we had plenty to eat, we couldn’t turn down a Baklava dessert covered in a honey sauce, with a side of whipped cream. The dessert more than satisfied our sweet tooth and was well worth the indulgence.
I was told the next day that those who patronize the Back Mountain brewery can order from the Istanbul Grill and have it delivered to their table.
If you want a pleasant dining experience with some delicious turkish cuisine, you’d be doing yourself a great disservice by overlooking the Istanbul Grill. Everything from the food to the decor is exquisite!
12/16/2022: The Chicken Kofte is also a good choice. Grilled ground chicken patties with a yogurt on the side. It’s sister dish, the chicken Adana is almost the same yet not grilled and served kabob-style.
… moreSean Young
I just can’t say enough about this restaurant. The food and the service was simply incredible. We stopped in while camping in the area, with no expectations other than they were open and we didn’t want to eat junk food for dinner. What an amazing experience. All the food was amazing, appetizers, entrees and desert, all incredible. I was there with my wife and three of my children so we were able to get a varied sampling of the menu. To say they exceeded expectations would be the understatement of the year. And to top things off, the service was better than I’ve received in years. Supper attentive staff that showed a sincere desire to provide warm and gracious service. We felt appreciated as customers, and were rewarded with an incredible experience. My younger girls still ask when we will be back in the area so we can visit again.
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