Istanbul On King

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  7     

It's a bit unfair to review Istanbul, because inevitably my patronage of the place has always been in the same circumstances: something to put in my belly after having a night out on King Street. I have no idea what the place is like during normal business hours and so my review has to include this caveat.

But in terms of a late night nosh, this place is perfect. The fact that it can be wall to wall with patrons at one in the morning isn't simply because it is one of the few establishments open up late to service the carousing crowd, it also serves a damned fine kebab.

The food generally comes out fairly quickly, pop Turkish music videos and silly tv shows provide the ambience, and the crowd provides endless entertainment in their various degrees of inebriation.

And in spite these circumstances, the quality of the product seems actually fairly high when compared to other kebab joints. The vegetables look fresh and freshly cut. The meat does not have that sickly glaze you often see in other places, suggesting it's been on the rotisserie just a touch too long. The chips, too, while hot and a bit too salty, are surprisingly grease-free.

All this sounds like I am damning with faint praise. But in fact, given the wildly varying quality of kebabs in Sydney, Istanbul rates much higher than most. Now if I can only make it there while the sun is still shining.

Nov 17, 2011 

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  6     

Its a good kebab shop that's open late. That's pretty much it.

Jun 22, 2011 

4.8 Average

Food  9      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  6     

I am torn! I used to love this place, though lately it has been more than disappointing. On two occasions recently, we have ordered turkish bread and dips, have waited while the dips have been put in containers and bagged, only then to be told they don't have turkish bread! We have also had the same thing happen to us at Istanbul on Oxford. We won't be trying again.

Mar 22, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  10     

Although it might not look like anything special from the outside, Istanbul on King has Sydney's finest Pide at a very reasonable price, don't confuse it with your run of the mill Kebab shop. The pides are incredible. Make sure you get a half folded one, they are definitely the best.

The rest of the menu, from what I've tried, is hit and miss: pizza was average at best while the chicken burger was very nice. It's unlikely I'll try anything else on the menu for this reason, but must emphasize that you go here for the pide, if you get one you will not be disappointed.

I've never actually sat in the place to eat, instead I opt for take away or delivery, but it does look like they have some nice tables tucked away at the back. They have quite a few deals which are very well priced. 2 pides, 1 garlic pide, dip and 1.25L soft drink for $30 is exceptional value.

Make sure you specify that you want a deal: once got charged for each item separately. After protesting, the delivery driver told me it was because I didn't ask for a deal when ordering over the phone and refused to drop the price. Wasn't happy at all about this, especially considering how often my housemates and I order from there.

However we let it slide, because I think he was new and apart from this one incident, all of the staff are always genuinely friendly and lovely. Recently went to Turkey for two weeks: the pide I had there wasn't as good as this place, no joke. Highly recommended!

Jan 06, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  9      Value  9     

Great turkish pide, and they home deliver! Always friendly, pide delivered hot and tasty, thoroughly recommend.

Oct 04, 2009 

3.5 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  3     

The worst meatlover pizza I have ever had in my whole life. I only eat few bits of it. The pizza is just terrible. Don't go for the pizza at this place.

May 21, 2009 

5.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  6     

Not sure if I would be saying these were the best, but they sure hit the spot when it came to a midnight feed. It's a tiny corner kebab shop, with big bright flourescent lights similar to a convenient store. It gets quite hot in there during the summer. The kebabs are ok. Have had the chicken and lamb. I must say the lamb was a little too fatty for my liking. A little more than usual. Service is your regular kebab shop service, so nothing to rave on about there either. It's your typical run of the mill kebab stop.

Mar 21, 2009 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  7     

Best kebabs I’ve tasted in Sydney, it's deceiving from the outside, great decor.

Feb 10, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

This place is so much better than the average kebab shop it appears to be. The lamb plate is delicious and all the dips are great. Kebabs are great and a lot safer than most of the late night takeaways and the people who work there are so nice and friendly.

Jul 26, 2008 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

Great value at this high turnover take away (there are a couple of table and a bar to eat at if you wish) much written about (SMH) with great reviews. Open late so it's ideal for that quick fat attack after a boozy night out. Dips are great and the Dolmades are fantastic, succulent and spicy.

Aug 02, 2007