Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Istanbul Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
Icon

Istanbul Hawaii

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 61 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Innovative
  • Healthy
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: Mother-and-daughter duo Nili Yildirim and Ahu Hettema have racked up awards from Honolulu Magazine, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Hawai‘i Business Magazine, and more for this rustic-chic Turkish spot inspired by their homeland. Start with artful mezze platters filled with colorful dips, phyllo pastries, and sourdough pide before diving into larger plates like chicken tagine and cauliflower shawarma. 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
  • Area
    Kaka'ako
  • 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
    Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Featured in

Experiences

  • World of Wagyu, Wine & Whiskey by HFWF

    US$250.00 per person

    25 Oct 2025 only
    Join Chefs Ahu & Nili at Hawaii Food and Wine Festival in Maui. Indulge in ten exquisite dishes crafted by chefs from around the globe, each inspired by the rich traditions of Wagyu, the depth of whiskey, or the complexity of fine wine. From succulent A5 Japanese beef to premium American and New Zealand varieties, to dishes that highlight the bold, smoky, and nuanced flavors of expertly aged spirits, this is a celebration of culinary craftsmanship. Enjoy a curated selection of world-class wines poured by acclaimed winemakers and proprietors. Then, savor expertly crafted whiskey-forward cocktails by top mixologists that highlight the depth and character of barrel-aged spirits. The evening wouldn’t be complete without a showstopping drone show to light up the night sky!
    World of Wagyu, Wine & Whiskey by HFWF photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 3,163 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

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

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Hawaii

    Healthy

  • Oahu

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Istanbul Hawaii offers a delightful Mediterranean dining experience with "exceptional food, creatively prepared and full of flavor." Guests rave about the "amazing service" and the "warm, inviting atmosphere." Highlights include the "perfectly cooked lamb shish and shrimp tagliatelle," making it "one of the best restaurants in Honolulu."
3,163 Reviews

  1. Kiandra

    Los Angeles3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was delicious! We had brunch with the family, ordered the mezze platter, eggplant, pancakes and dibek coffee. Cocktails were delicious also, with fresh and interesting flavors! 💯 come back again!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Alessandra VIP

    Hawaii11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had a great experience last Saturday celebrating my wedding anniversary at Istanbul Hawaii. Dinner was delicious, we had ribeye shish, skender doner, Zatar frites, Hatay kunefe and pistachio ice cream. Our server was friendly and attentive and the ambiance was nice and romantic. Thank you for having us.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Yukari

    New York City1 review

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Even though there was still food left on the plate, he just took it away without saying a word.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Raelene VIP

    Hawaii26 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    I have eaten at other Mediterranean restaurants that have better food and less expensive. Service was extremely slow (I think they were shorthanded) but our waiter was very pleasant. This is not a restaurant I would visit again since our experience was not out of the ordinary.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Bryan

    Hawaii15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The lamb, Wagyu and chicken shish are the winners.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jeni VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area33 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 25 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always great and still at the top of my favorite places to eat. I’m lucky to life close enough to walk there.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Grace VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    3.0

    Dined on 25 May 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    It was a busy Saturday night and they ran out of three popular entrees at 7:30. Waiter didn’t mention it til we ordered - oh sorry we’re out of that, …and that, and …that too.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Penny

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 24 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s rare that every single dish on the table is a hit, but Istanbul Hawaii absolutely nailed it. From the starters to dessert, everything was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. The shrimp dish and lamb shish were standouts — tender, perfectly seasoned, and memorable. The vibes were warm, inviting, and the service made us feel truly taken care of. A must-visit for anyone craving something special and truly unique in Honolulu!

    Is this helpful?

  9. brett

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 24 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A hidden gem in Honolulu — the flavors were vibrant, balanced, and unlike anything else in the city. Every plate felt intentional, with a clear sense of place and tradition. An inspiring take on Mediterranean dining.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Jolana

    Hawaii5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 24 May 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    I brought my boyfriend here to celebrate his birthday. The hostess saw the note on the reservation and placed a sweet birthday note on the table for him. It was his first time coming to the restaurant so I was excited for him to try everything. The ambiance was great and the food was absolutely delicious! We got the meze platter which he LOVED the babaganush and su borek (my fave was the labne). He really enjoyed the wagyu ribeye shish and the shrimp tagliatelle that I order was soooo yummy. I told him that he MUST try the kunefe so we got that and baklava for dessert. The food and drinks were great but my only complaint for the evening was that our waiter didn’t acknowledge my boyfriend’s birthday at all. I was just sad that there wasn’t anything special and I wish I had brought a candle but I still sang happy birthday to him anyway. Main thing is that he had a great time, left with a full tummy, and enjoyed his birthday.

    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 3163 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. Kaka'ako

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 61 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Istanbul Hawaii

1108 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Kamakee and Queen street
  • Area
    Kaka'ako
  • 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
    Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan
  • 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!

Featured in

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
  • Restaurant Blog
Join us on
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo