Istanbul Hawaii

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

Review summary

1. Y

   Yukari

   New York City1 review

   4.0

   Dined 3 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.
   

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2. R

   Raelene VIP

   Hawaii25 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 4 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.
   

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3. B

   Bryan

   Hawaii14 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The lamb, Wagyu and chicken shish are the winners.
   

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4. J

   Jeni VIP

   San Francisco32 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.
   

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5. P

   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!
   

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6. b

   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.
   

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7. J

   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.
   

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8. E

   Elle VIP

   Milwaukee3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 24 May 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Food was amazing, the stylistic plates did make it difficult to cut things and in the outdoor seating area there is not any music so the sounds of other diners can be pretty loud. Overall the food was so delicious we will be going back.
   

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9. R

   Ruby

   Hawaii2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 23 May 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Servers polite and gracious. Loved the cozy, intimate restaurant with beautiful mural with Hawaiian theme and Japanese display of flowers and Japanese Lucky Cats. Loko moko was outstanding and corned beef eggs benedict a different and unique benedict. A nostalgic view of the chef and perhaps his wife and son working to prepare our food gave me an appreciation for people who strive to serve those who come to the their restaurant. Loved the unassuming, beautiful atmosphere of both people and environment while there. Really appreciate people who do work with passion, care and effort.
   

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10. a

    anna

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 23 May 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    I’ve lived on O‘ahu my whole life, and this place is something special. It’s not easy to find a restaurant that feels both elevated and comfortable, but they’ve nailed it here. The food is seriously delicious—bright, layered, and full of soul. I had the eggplant dip, the fish, and a pirzola dish that just melted. You can tell everything is made with care. Portions are big—like, bring-some-home big. I saw a few people online saying they’re small, and honestly, that’s wild to me. I couldn’t even finish my plate. What I loved most is how the staff treats you—with real aloha. It doesn’t feel like a trendy spot trying too hard. It feels like a place that knows exactly who it is. If you love Mediterranean food (or even if you think you don’t), this is one of those spots you keep coming back to.
    

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