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Istanbul Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
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Istanbul Hawaii

$31 to $50
Mediterranean

Make a booking

2 people
10:30 pm
Booked 56 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Good for special occasions
  • Vegetarian-friendly
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.

Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

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!
  • Area
    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, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Kosher, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • 1001 Nights Under Nā Hōkū w/ Zachary Engel & Galit

    USD 95.00 per person

    21 Mar 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 3,048 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
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Oahu

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Istanbul Hawaii captivates with authentic Turkish flavors, a "must visit when in Hawaii." Diners rave about dishes like "best lamb chops ever" and "amazing and delicious" fare. The vibrant ambiance and attentive service, led by standout servers like Angela and Luka, make each visit "on another level!" A truly exceptional dining experience.

3,048 Reviews
  1. Holly

    VIP

    Dallas

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Istanbul, Hawaii is an absolute gem! The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and just transports you somewhere magical—like stepping into a cozy Turkish evening. And the food? Oh, it’s unreal—authentic, bursting with flavor, and made with so much care. Every bite feels like the real deal. If you’re looking for a spot that nails both vibe and taste, this place is it!

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  2. Danielle

    Hawaii

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We were greeted warmly and seated immediately. The food was excellent. There were quite a few things to choose from so instead of ordering 1 or 2 appetizers, we started with what amounted to a sampler platter containing dips including hummus, baba ganush, and few others, as well as spanakopita and su borek (cheses between layers of flaky pastry). There was a large pide (flatbread) accompanying this platter which was fresh from the oven. Everything on the platter was nicely seasoned but not too spicy. We asked the wait staff for suggestions as to how to not over-order, and they suggested splitting 2 additional entrees between the 3 of us. That worked out just great. They also said that the cauliflower shawarma normally comes with pide but that it would be easier to share if it came with rice and that change was spot on. The shawarma was nicely seasoned and the sauce complimented it well. The lamb shish kabob was equally well seasoned, and was accompanied by a nice tzatziki sauce. We had concert tickets and told the staff we had to be out by 6:30 and we were out by exactly 6:30. Ambient noise level was modest. We could carry on a conversation easily. Didn't ask my friends how their drinks were, but my chardonnay was very nice. Only negative was that we did ask for an extra half pide and never got it. By the time we realized it was not coming, we were all pretty full, so I didn't ask about it. Because we were time-limited, we didn't order dessert of coffee (to my disappointment as the baklava with pistachio ice cream looked delicious--maybe next time).

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  3. Donna

    VIP

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    the food felt like a buffet line instead of something cooked just for me. the service was friendly and upbeat so it is a nice option for doing something other than asian food in hawaii.

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a wonderful experience!! Food and ambiance the best!!

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  5. alfred

    Hawaii

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Wagyu skewers and the Lamb chops were very fresh and tasty. Highly recommend them.

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  6. DavidD

    Hawaii

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of our very most favorite dining spots on Oahu. This time the lamb shish was a bit dry, maybe a bit overcooked and the rice, because it is rather dry as well, did not help. The salad had less flavor than expected, but that may be because I requested no onions. I would not hesitate to return though, because the usual standard is so high.

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  7. Lori

    Hawaii

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was excellent. We enjoyed items from the brunch menu, but it took 30-40 minutes to get our food. Also, whenever the staff would clean and wipe a nearby table, we’d get a whiff of an ammonia smell which was not pleasant.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and service are always superb. Recommend it highly!

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  9. Stephanie

    VIP

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was amazing tonight. From having our waters filled at all times, to our silver ware and napkins being replaced before our entrees came out, I was very happy with our night out at Istanbul. Our food came out fast and was delicious as always!

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  10. MattB

    VIP

    Hong Kong

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 28 February 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    Server was terrible. Couldn’t remember our order and the little machine they were using obviously didn’t work. Used to like this place. Menu was expanded and quality has fallen. Price point is too high too. Took us 1.5 hours to get food.

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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 3048 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
10:30 pm
Booked 56 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
  • Area
    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, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Kosher, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, 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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