Little Istanbul Restaurant

The food was amazing. Service was also great. The food came fresh out the kitchen shortly after ordering from the counter. As someone who never ate Turkish food before, I was really amazed by the unique foods. The Lahmacun was hands down the best thing I ever ate, really recommend it.

This restaurant truly is welcoming with family style dining and large portion sizes. The food is amazing!! What I absolutely like about this place, is you get what you see! With it’s relaxed atmosphere, excellent food and speedy service, Little Istanbul really is a culinary Turkish delight!

Little Istanbul in Somerton is a hidden gem that transports you to the vibrant streets of Turkey with its authentic cuisine and charming ambiance. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with warm hospitality and tantalizing aromas that set the stage for a culinary journey. The menu boasts a delightful array of Turkish delights, from mouthwatering kebabs to savory mezes and decadent desserts. Each dish is crafted with care, using fresh ingredients and traditional recipes that capture the essence of Turkish cuisine. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or new to Turkish fare, Little Istanbul offers an unforgettable dining experience that's sure to leave you craving more. With its cozy atmosphere and top-notch service, it's no wonder why this restaurant has become a beloved favorite among locals and visitors alike.

The food was FANTASTIC. The staff were extremely nice and helpful. We ordered the appetizer sample and the Istanbul Mega Mixed Grill, OUTSTANDING. Well worth the price. Everything was very good. No way the 3 of us could eat it all. I will definitely return here.

Nice little place! Had a happy vibe on a Saturday night. Busy but the food came quickly. The hummus was delicious and it was a big serving, we didn't even finish. I got the beef and lamb pide and my husband got the salmon shish that came with rice, vegetables and salad. All delicious! We also had dessert- baklava and three layer chocolate dish. Yum. We’ll definitely return. 😁

We drove over 45 min just to dine here , the food is so delicious 🩷

I was in town last week and I had tried this place couple times. Lentil soup is tasty, their gyros both chicken and lamb are delicious, lamb kofte is like must try. Only thing is they should not charge single glass of tea after food. Prices are reasonable.

It’s not easy to find a good meat dishes in Philly that aren't pricy steaks. My Iskender Kebab was tender and melted in my mouth. And the fries? They tasted like real potato rather than being overpowered by processed cooking oil.

The fresh salad with its delightful dressing, along with the lentil soup and Lahmacun, whisked me back to memories of my Turkey trip.

They also have selection of deserts. We got walnut and pistachio baklavas with genuine Turkish tea.

Every dish was an explosion of authentic flavors, generously portioned, without distinguishing artificial additives. Plus, the service was both warm and efficient. I highly recommend this place. Just a little tip: come with a big appetite! :)

The food here is tasty, I just wish it was a little bit more spiced. The proportions are huge, and the meat is fresh. Customer service was great too! Highly recommend!

Super super super over eats with great authentic Turkish food.

The food kept on coming.

Update 02/21/2023;

This is our second time to be treated with the most delicious Turkish food.

Our Ceba and Maria were amazing. They know the perfect timing to serve between appetizers and Main dish.

They were so courteous especially Ceba.

Please check out this wonderful restaurant and quality food and top notch service.

Thank you Ceba and Maria.

We will be back.

Update; 5/12/23

Spur of the moment the big group of 18 people. Because we love this place we are back
Here are more pictures of great food.

This is one of the best Turkish restaurants I’ve been to in a while.
I’ll be visiting again for sure. We reserved our table ahead of time as I called and I asked if it will be busy. We were seated immediately and the food came very quickly. Everything was perfect. The food was delicious and I felt the portions were large.
We got the mixed appetizers for 2, mixed grill, lahmecun with 3 pieces, and the large chicken gyro. The mixed appetizer for 2 was large enough for 2 adults and 2 kids and it’s one of the things I highly recommend. The mixed grill was so full of delicious kababs, salad, fries and rice. The liver was cooked perfectly, soft and flavorful.
They had a selection of desserts included a few baklava - we loved the pistachio baklava.
We also got the Turkish teapot which was also great.
The seating area is small and it looks like it’s a highly sought after restaurant in the area so I would reserve ahead.

Great work with the Mediterranean food and Muslim Turkish atmosphere. I am sorry to say but I am Turkish myself born and raised in the states all my life. But I work in a restaurant diner atmosphere and your wait staff does need a little bit more English and know your menu a little bit more.

Tasty food, good service, great presentation. They are patient enough to explain items in the menu. Special kids menu available. Don't miss their huge selection of fresh home made desserts.. Highly recommend this place

It's just a delight. I think this restaurant is the best in Philadelphia (in my opinion). There is an extensive menu that will please every gourmet. The quality of the dishes, especially the smed, is impressive. Beautiful, cozy atmosphere, large windows and a fascinating view. The staff is polite and friendly. It's not my first time here, and every time I'm satisfied.

A hidden gem, so glad to have found and tried Little Istanbul. Everything we tried was delicious. Yogurtlu Adana Kebab was outstanding. Adana kebab was also pretty good. We also loved the lentil soup and Lamachun. Plenty of dessert choices and never seen so many varieties of Baklava before. I highly recommended this place if you love Turkish or Middle eastern flavors.

IG: journey_man16

This place is great! We've been going ever since they opened and the food was always delicious. We always order Lamb & Chicken mix shawarma on a plate, red lentil soup, and french fries. Always craving this place! They always bring out the food quickly even when busy and the servers are great! Definitely recommend this place.

I highly recommend this place. We were served by a very intelligent young lady , manager named Maria. She was very courteous brought the fresh and tasty food very quickly , we are very thankful and happy with the service !

Service was awesome, our waitress seva was very nice, she made our experience out of this world. i ordered a lamb kebab platter and it was savor, the meat was a little overcooked making it tender and delicious, i love the place. Beautiful atmosphere and awsome people, definitely recommend.

Great food, best meat kabobs I've ever eaten and very generous portions.

Everything was delicious. Even the vegetarian options were yummy, although I wish there'd offer more vegetarian options for the half of my family that practice vegetarianism.

We really enjoyed our meal and I'd come back the next time we're visiting. Definitely a Bustleton gem.

A little gem in Northeast Philadelphia! We always come here for the delicious homemade Turkish food. Their soups are the best in town! (the cakes are great too:))

The only thing which is not great is a constant issue with headlights of the cars parked right at front of the restaurant. People don't bother to turn them off! I guess we have to come when its not too dark outside.

UPDATE (12/15/22): they did put on new curtains! It looks so great, that we couldn't find this restaurant at first - like a new place :)) Thanks for that! Car lights are not an issue now 👍🏻
(Food and customer service were amazing as usual :))