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Istanbul Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
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Istanbul Hawaii

$31 to $50
Mediterranean
1108 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 53 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Good for special occasions
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.

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
  • Website
    http://www.istanbulhawaii.com/
  • 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!
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    1108 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814
  • 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

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 3,114 people are saying

Istanbul Hawaii reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Oahu

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Istanbul Hawaii offers a vibrant dining experience, blending authentic Turkish and Mediterranean flavors with local Hawaiian ingredients. "Every bite was thoughtfully crafted," and diners rave about the "creative joyride for the tastebuds." The ambience and decor transport guests to Turkey, and "the food was amazing," with standout dishes like the Meze platter and Hatay Kunefe. Service is often praised as attentive and friendly, but there are occasional lapses in speed. Overall, a must-visit for those seeking a unique culinary adventure.
3,114 Reviews

  1. Erin

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I wasn’t expecting to be this moved by dinner — everything felt simple, but so alive. Like someone cooked with real care. I’m still thinking about the labne with truffle honey.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Eden

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Walked in hungry, left kind of blown away. The flavors were familiar but done in a way I haven’t had before — super creative, no shortcuts. Felt like someone actually cared about what they were serving. Our server was kind and explained us the menu. Mezze platter was divine, their branzino is amazing.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Tim

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    So cute, so creative and delicious! Every bite was a little love note from the kitchen.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Rome

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Charming spot with bold Mediterranean flavors and thoughtful touches — simple, fresh, innovative and full of heart.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Noe

    San Francisco1 review

    2.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    The service was mediocre (on the border of poor). The total for 4 people was right around $300. For that price, I’d expect the service to be good, if not great. Our food was very undercooked. We were not asked how we’d like the meat cooked, and all the meat came out blue. Istanbul used to be fantastic - with great food and great service. I’m pretty disappointed and probably will not be back.

    Is this helpful?

  6. chris

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One solid spot right here — flavors stay true but come with that next-level creativity. You can tell there's heart and artistry in every plate. Real kine Mediterranean, done with style.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Marc

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Every bite felt like a little plot twist—inventive, surprising, but somehow exactly right. You can taste the thought behind each dish, like the chef's having fun and letting us in on the secret. It wasn’t just dinner—it was a creative joyride for the tastebuds.

    Is this helpful?

  8. J

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The creativity and innovation in each dish made my dining experience truly remarkable—every bite was thoughtfully crafted and offered delightful surprises. It was refreshing to enjoy such imaginative modern Turkish cuisine, making the entire meal memorable from start to finish.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Eva

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My dining experience was truly innovative—every dish felt fresh, creative, and thoughtfully prepared. It was impressive and memorable. Can't wait to return!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Ashley

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing!!!!! Love Istanbul soooo much! Food was delicious!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Istanbul Hawaii offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (808) 772-4440.

Istanbul Hawaii is rated 4.6 stars by 3114 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Hawaii
  4. Oahu
  5. Honolulu

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 53 times today
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
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Website
    http://www.istanbulhawaii.com/
  • 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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