Welcoming Turkish spot with flavorful kebabs, generous portions, and a charming backyard; a few service and consistency hiccups but overall a strong value for casual meals and small celebrations.
Istanbul Clinton Hill delivers exceptional food quality with flavorful kebabs, gyro, and house mezes that earn consistent praise, supported by warm, attentive service and a charming backyard garden. However, occasional consistency issues with meat preparation and isolated food safety concerns prevent grade A territory, keeping this neighborhood favorite in solid A- range—a reliable, welcoming spot worth visiting for authentic Turkish comfort food.
Set on Fulton Street, this neighborhood Turkish spot feels warm and welcoming with a cozy dining room and a surprisingly lovely backyard. Guests talk about staff who offer tea and thoughtful recommendations, and one diner said their chicken shish had a “perfect light char” that made the plate sing. However, a cold night brought a drafty indoor room for at least one visit, so pick your seat with the weather in mind. Cooking leans traditional rather than flashy: grilled meats and house mezes lead the way, with manti and iskender winning serious praise from folks who have eaten them in Turkey. Portions are generous, prices fair for the area, and the Hatay-style wrap scratches that saucy, satisfying itch. Occasional misses do pop up—an overcooked kofte here, a bland soup there—but the overall drumbeat is flavorful comfort and freshly prepared plates. For families, this is an easy win. Kids can zero in on chicken skewers and rice, fries, rice pudding, mozzarella sticks, and soft pita with hummus, while adults graze on salads and shared mezes. No kids menu needed—the straightforward Turkish staples work well for young eaters, and the garden offers space to relax when the weather is kind.
Area vibe: Leafy brownstone blocks with growing dining scene; mix of locals, families, and nearby college crowd.
Safety: Generally safe, well-trafficked corridor; busy evenings with steady foot traffic.
What's nearby: Near Fulton St restaurants, cafes, and venues like Brooklyn Storehouse; residential streets just off the avenue.
Grilled meats and classic chef's specials shine here, from chicken shish to iskender and manti.
Casual spot with usually quick seating, limited street parking, and occasional consistency and food-safety caveats.
Cozy inside and unexpectedly lovely outside, with a calm to moderate energy and family-friendly layout.