Istanbul Grill

I've been coming here for lunch and dinner for years. It's the best Turkish food around in my opinion. They updated the decor a year or so ago, so the place is nice, bright, and comfortable. The servers are all super attentive and friendly but not intrusive. They have a covered and enclosed patio which makes it comfortable to eat outside.I typically order the Iskender kabab, which is lamb/beef gyro over cubed pideh (pita) with yogurt and tomato based sauce. The grilled lamb chop plate is really good too. Another favorite of my SO and me is the apple tea - which... Might just be warmed apple juice? But I don't care, there's something about it we just love. Oh, and they have complimentary pideh and herbed oil appetizer too.The only issue is the parking. It's across Morningside from Rice village, and they do have a parking lot for 6 cars, but customers will park behind you and block you in. My advice? Don't be lazy, park in the parking garage across the street (2 hour free parking), and walk maybe 100yds to the restaurant.Anyway this place is amazing and they are open every day except MONDAY.

Love this Mediterranean restaurant with the delicious pita and hummus.Decided to order some takeout sandwiches with chicken kabobs and pita with hummus for an improntu picnic at the park Nature trail across from Memorial Park.Service was fast and although limited parking we could tell this place gets busy and has been here for years in Rice Village area.

I went here again a couple times recently. One visit was one of my top 2 favorites consisting of the Lamb Doner Kabob Plate, which was very delicious, juicy and tender all in one in every bite. Just enough fat without being too lean or too slimy. The meat was very well-seasoned and not gamy much at all, even though you could vaguely tell it was lamb. I really love both this dish and the Lamb Adana best here. The other was the Chicken Chunks Plate, which was very healthy, juicy, easy to cut and certainly tasty in a much milder manner. The rice was very fresh n made a great pair with both orders. The side salad was good and refreshing against the protein n starch. Great, friendly service on both visits as well. This place makes some awesome Turkish food.

Delicious Turkish/Mediterranean Food Everything tasted fresh!Quick service! Great outdoor seatings!

Came back and had a much better experience! I got the Turkish pizza which was delicious and worth the $6. I also the grilled chicken plate and it was good but basic, not sure it was worth the $15. Overall, I'd come back for the Turkish pizza but this place did not wow me.

I've been let down by many Rice Village based eateries, but Istanbul Grill is one of the few that gets high marks for their quality food and warm customer service. They get my full endorsement as a bonafide spot in the neighborhood and is one of the better Turkish options in the loop.They've done a good job with their space, going from a miniscule dining area to one of the more busy scenes in the neighborhood. The have expanded the tables accommodate a number of people and have a bustling staff to help handle the crowd during their busiest times. Both lunch and dinner can have a wait, but lately I've been able to get seated right away.I don't know if I've had a better chicken kebab. The meat is incredibly tender and well seasoned. Out of all the dishes, this is the one where I can't stop savoring every bite and it quickly gets gobbled up anytime I'm eating in a group. The rice pilaf is wonderful and goes perfectly with their pirzola (lamb chop) and their eggplant. Most of the food is extremely filling and their falafel is very tasty. Their lahmacun and pide is a must order.One major downside is that it's very pricey. A mixed grill is $24 and while the portions are solid, the pricetags are hard to justify for much of the menu's options despite the obvious foodflation. Parking is almost limited to only a handful of spots out front, I would recommend street parking or take advantage of the free garage parking in the lot across the street.

For the price and the quality of the dishes you get at Istanbul Grill, I urge you not to underestimate this long-time Rice Village spot. It's a little dive-y, and a whole lot of deliciousness. You can get dishes here you just can't elsewhere in Houston. You won't regret basically anything you order here. The parking is good, and being in Rice Village, there is always access to a free 2hour parking garage right across the road. It's a super casual spot, so I recommend this for any lunch or snack time, where the vibe is shorts and a t-shirt. No one cares what you look like. Get some kebab and baklava and enjoy. Now the service was also casual. It won't be the quickest experience of your life but it will be worth it. Their baklava is always fresh, and absolutely pristinely picture-perfect. Gotta get a bit of that!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE ISTANBUL GRILL!!!Not only is it a great spot for vegans, but it's an incredible spot for meat eaters as well! Perfectly hand crafted fresh Turkish cuisine right in the comfort of Rice village! Don't even get me started on the owner, he will come to your table and make sure everything is great and will not leave until it is!The pastries when you walk in, the tandoor with bread, the kabobs, it's all visible and it's all beautiful. Order the Lahmacun! Bring your friends, your girlfriend, your parents, take them to Turkey!

Istanbul Grill never fails. Food is always delicious. Food quality tastes fresh and flavorful. Service is kind and friendly. The restaurant patio is always romantic and zen. I love the flower beds they have around the restaurant.

My friend and I came here for the first time around lunch time. First off all, I must say, for a quiet hole in the wall place around the West University area, it is surprisingly authenic and affordable! I am a sucker for places that are quieter, lesser known, and are of ethnic minority backgrounds. We ordered the eggplant appetizer (which is surprisingly sweet, which is an unexpected twist from most eggplant dishes), falafel, and lamb flatbread pizza. All dishes were excellent, served with sides of salad and bread. My friend and I found service to be both quick and friendly, our food arriving impressively quick, and the food both tasteful and delicious. The falafel seemed very fresh, crispy on the outside hot when served. For anyone in the local area who is looking for an affordable experience and would like to experiment with new cuisine and flavors, I would definitely recommend!