Bosforo

Everything was amazing! My friends and I tried almost all the mezes, and everything was so delicious. From the main dishes, my favorite was the Kebap Trio it was incredible and came with five different sides. We were completely satisfied! For dessert, both the baklava and rice pudding were unbelievably good. The atmosphere made me feel like I was back in Turkey, and the service quality was excellent. I can honestly say this is now my favorite restaurant! Among the cocktails, the Cappadocia was fantastic, and I highly recommend trying rakı, the traditional Turkish drink. I loved everything thank you to everyone for this wonderful experience!

We recently had the pleasure of dining at a new Turkish restaurant, and we were thoroughly impressed. The establishment's decor is understated, suggesting a focus on substance over superficial aesthetics often favored by social media influencers. Bosforo distinguishes itself by prioritizing the quality of its cuisine, beverages, and customer service. The ambiance evokes the authentic charm of a family-owned restaurant in Istanbul, creating a truly delightful atmosphere. We sampled several dishes, and each offered an authentic flavor profile that instantly transported me back to Istanbul. The tantalizing aroma of smoke emanating from the kitchen, visible from the exterior, serves as an excellent appetizer. We unequivocally plan to return and explore more of their menu offerings.

Wow. Bosforo really hit it out of the park for me. First of all, Kevin was our server and took the time to review the menu with us. Everything he recommended was outstanding. Days later, I am still dreaming about the best hummus I’ve ever had. Good Lord. It was warm, smooth, and had strips of pastrami. I will seriously order this stuff to go. The girit ezme cheese spread was divine. The minced beef lahmacun was fun to eat- spread the toppings, squeeze some lemon, and tear it up. I loved rolling it, way easier to eat. The beef kebap was on point with the flavor and texture. Yes, I dipped everything in the hummus. Living in San Diego, I am used to a very traditional Mexican arroz con leche. I enjoyed the Turkish take on this subtle dessert. My favorite was the baklava though, not super sweet like most baklavas, it was simply perfect. They have a fun libations menu, the only thing is I wish there was a little bit more kefir in my Silk Road (I thought it was gonna be more of a creamy cocktail). We had 5 o’clock reservations, so for majority of our dinner we did not experience the loudness how many reviewers have reported. Shout out once again to our server Kevin, who went above and beyond to allow us more time at our table and made my birthday celebration one I will never forget. His Turkish background made our experience even more enjoyable. Another shout out to Chef Sage for executing amazing food. Bosforo is exceptional and by far my new favorite restaurant. Thank you!

Had a lovely experience here the other night. The food was tasty and great service. We sat at the bar and bar tender was very attentive. Definitely coming back to try their pizza and other drinks. *Update: had the pizza and it’s amazing. Personally I loved thin sliced pizza that you can fold in half and it has the perfect balance of softness that melts in your mouth. I’ve come back here 3 times in the last 2 months. The service has always been great. It’s the type of restaurant that you will crave to go back to.

My girlfriend and I had dinner here last night and made a reservation to sit at the bar which was the perfect move. All of the bartenders and staff were so kind and friendly. The food, drinks, dessert and tea were phenomenal. Mario made all of our drinks with great recommendations and even gave us some tastings of other drinks he was making. Cem was also so lovely and gave my girlfriend and I a Kahve Falı which is a traditional Turkish coffee fortune reading. He was very spot on. My girlfriend knew about this tradition and asked for it but idk if they do it for everyone. Regardless, we loved it. I’m so happy San Diego now has this amazing Turkish restaurant in the neighborhood, we definitely needed it! The owner also let us know they’ll be soon offering traditional Turkish brunch on the weekends. I will absolutely be back and am adding this place to my list of favs. Highly recommend checking out!

Bosforo Restaurant – A true taste of Türkiye in San Diego 🇹🇷 Absolutely loved our experience here. The flavors took us straight back to Istanbul. We had the Adana, chicken kebab, and a variety of appetizers that were all incredible. The babaganoush with yogurt was creamy and rich, the roasted peppers with nuts and pomegranate were perfectly balanced, and the shrimp in tomato sauce was packed with flavor. Everything was made with care and tradition. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the hospitality feels just like home. Whether you’re Turkish or just love discovering real traditional food, Bosforo is a gem you can’t miss. Definitely coming back for more. 🥰

Now I understand why it’s so challenging to get a reservation at Bosforo—this place is absolutely worth the hype. From the moment you walk in, the vibe is warm, lively, and full of energy, setting the stage for a fun night out. It’s busy in the best way, with an atmosphere that feels both local and special. The food is fantastic and clearly prepared with care. We ordered family-style to try as much as possible and were not disappointed. The hummus and muhammara were flavorful starters, and one of the surprising highlights was the boiled bulgar ball—something I’d never tried before but absolutely loved (honestly, I could’ve ordered two just for myself). We also shared the lamb, a mix of kebabs, and the dumplings, all of which were delicious and left us comfortably full. The drink program complements the food perfectly. I especially appreciated the wine list, which focuses heavily on Turkish wines—a thoughtful and fitting nod to the cuisine. It’s not something you see often in San Diego, and it really added to the experience. Service was another standout. Multiple staff members came by throughout the evening, always attentive and eager to explain the dishes and make sure we felt taken care of. It made the meal feel personal and elevated. I left Bosforo already planning my return. Next time, I have my eye on the pizzas—they looked incredible as they passed by our table. Overall, Bosforo is a gem in San Diego dining: authentic, vibrant, and delicious. If you can snag a reservation, go—you’ll leave with a happy heart and a very full belly.

No exaggeration when I say: some of the best food I’ve ever had. The Hummus was incredible, I could’ve dined on that alone and been happy. Cocktails were incredible as well; everything we had was impeccable. I will definitely be back.

Food was fantastic, service great and helpful (Kevin was great) had the appetizers Bosforo humus and the Karniyarik (meat stuffed eggplant. These were fantastic appetizers not huge portions and perfect for 2 people proportions wise. We then had the Bosforo Kebap, this was so good, better than I had thought it would be. Also had the Kofte, these meat balls were really good too, the Kebap was the best by far, they only make 50pcs per day so you have to get there t try it. Drinks were good, cukurova, anatolia and antalya spritz were great drinks. Enjoy the food. Parking can be difficult but well worth it when eating their food.

We went in around 8pm and the waiter Kevin (if that truly was his name idk, white guy with blue eyes) was clearly done for the day, and his attitude towards us gave that away. When i inquired about a drink, he started to critique my face. At this point I should have left the restaurant. The noise level was insanely loud with people screaming just to be heard. I thought ok well hopefully the food would be good, upon arrival of the eggplant dish it was a big disappointment with one spoonful of eggplant in the middle. The fish entree was nice and the chicken was charred and 1 tiny skewer. Most likely would not return. Which is very disappointing because I was looking forward to a nice experience.

Absolutely stunning restaurant. Great add-on to the culinary scene in San Diego! Went here with couple of friends, and not only the food was absolutely delicious, but also drinks and service. We will certainly coming back for another amazing dining experience!

I had been wanting to try this place ever since I heard about it -- I love Turkish food, and the idea of modern Turkish cuisine sounded so intriguing! It just so happened to be my friend's birthday, so I made a reservation for an early Friday night celebration. Our reservation was for 6:30 PM and the place was packed -- clearly a popular spot. We had to wait about 15 minutes past our time, but the host was great about checking in and let us know the table was wrapping up. They even offered us a high-top, but since I'm not a fan of bar-height seating, we chose to wait it out for a regular table. Once seated, I really appreciated the ambiance -- cozy yet modern, with beautiful Turkish-inspired décor and an open kitchen that added to the warm, lively atmosphere. What We Ordered We ended up trusting our server's recommendations, and I'm so glad we did -- he was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout the meal. * Appetizers: We started with the Turkish cheese plate and the carrot dip, served with chewy, fresh bread that I couldn't stop eating. Simple but flavorful. * Flatbread "Pizza": I forgot the official name (oops!), but it was served on an ultra-thin flatbread with herbs and spice blends that made it so savory and delicious -- definitely a must-try. * Beef Kebab: This was our main dish, and it didn't disappoint. You could smell and taste layers of spice and aromatics, and the meat was juicy, flavorful, and clearly well-marinated. My only minor gripe is that it didn't come with any rice or pilaf, and for the portion size, it felt a little pricey. A side would have really rounded it out. To finish, they brought out a rice pudding with a candle to celebrate my friend's birthday -- such a thoughtful gesture! I'm usually not a big fan of rice pudding, but this one was perfectly balanced -- lightly sweet and creamy without being too heavy. I'd actually order it again. Overall, we had a lovely evening. The food came out at a good pace, the stuff were attentive, and we enjoyed every bite. I'm already planning to come back to try a few more things on the menu.

Our server Michelle was delightful and we enjoyed a wonderful meal after a concert we attended nearby. Restaurant was a little cramped inside and there was lots of noise given the number of people in the space. Lighting was soft and the interior was decorated in a way that highlighted the woodfire oven and drew attention to the stone archways and bar in the back of the restaurant. We sampled the lahmajun , stuffed eggplant , bulgur dumpling, kebab, kufte, rice pudding, and ice Cream. All were great, including the Ayran which was authentically delicious.

So, I was planning on going somewhere else, but I couldn't get a reservation there on a Tuesday night. Enter Bosforo, A place I'd never heard of, but I really wish I had. The environment is gorgeous. White walls and ceiling, but there's a clear view of the kitchen, some art here and there, and there's a wood-fired oven off to the side, where some mustachioed dude is making lacahamun, pizza, and some of the best pita I've ever had. This isn't your store-bought pita. It's got texture, sesame seeds, and amazing flavor. My Permanent Date and I had the cold hummus and this cheese spread as our appetizers, and they were both delicious and beautiful. The hummus had some pickled beets, pomegranate arils, and crushed pistachio. The cheese also had crushed pistachios, and they both had some Turkish olive oil that had a nice strong taste. We probably could have just gone home, but that's just not us. We ended up ordering mains which were kind of two variations on the same theme, the Bosforo kebap and the Turkish köfte. The köfte had a bit more cumin while the kebap was a bit more juicy. Either way, the lavash, pickled onions, roasted cherry tomatoes and shishito peppers (it's misspelled on the menu) each added another dimension of flavor which both stood out and blended well with the other flavors. The lavash was just a fantastic delivery method for each bite. The köfte also came with a heap of arugula dressed with a vinaigrette that just added the right bit of acid to each bite and stood on its own well enough to eat by itself. We finished out the meal with the rice pudding which had some charred spots on top, along with crushed hazelnuts, but it was refreshingly cold and not too sweet. Overall, I'm planning to come back to try as much of this menu as I can. Before I forget, they start everyone off with these palate cleansing drinks which are citrusy and delightful. I could have had a pitcher of that.

We had a great experience at Bosforo. The wait time was short, which was a nice surprise, and they started us off with a complimentary palette cleanser--an unexpected touch. Our server was very attentive and even recommended a wonderful Turkish wine that paired nicely with the food. The plate stood out with its generous variety of meats and sides, and the pizza had excellent flavor. The potatoes, however, were more like chips, which I had expected to be more scalloped-style or gratin, so that part was a little underwhelming. Overall though, the food was very enjoyable, the atmosphere welcoming, and the service top-notch. I'd definitely come back to try more from the menu.

Well it took a while to get a reservation here but we did manage to snag one. The vibe here is just lively. The restaurant is quite open with some noise but we were still able to carry on a conversation. Service was excellent. Our waiter even offered to let us try a couple of wines before deciding on one. Of course the food is the most important thing in a restaurant. I would give our dishes somewhat mixed reviews. The ezme cold appetizer was delicious but the crispy potatoes were simply not crispy and the accompanying yogurt dip tasted a bit like those dips they sell at the fair. I ordered chicken kebap and hubby got the fish if the day which was a branzino. My chicken was perfectly cooked but incredibly underseasoned as were the accompanying onions. It was good but not great. the branzino was good and hubby especially liked the accompanying arugula salad and caper tomato relish. I had. rey high expectations for this restaurant and I was a bit let down. Overall it was very good just not great. Imho this restaurant is just a bit over hyped

The hype is real with this place. Not only is the staff so kind and attentive, but the interior and the food are equally as amazing! My friend and I ordered the Bosforo breakfast (full Turkish breakfast) which also come with a choice of Turkish or black tea, and it was delicious We can't wait to go back for dinner!

Celebrated a friends birthday here and totally loved the vibe and Turkish food. I made reservations right when it opened so we were able to get a great table. What we had- Mersin Crispy Potato - Loved these thin crispy chips that were perfectly seasoned. Fish of the Day - Loved the perfectly seared Seabass on top of the to Chicken Kebap - Moist and Juicy! Pepperoni Pizza - I didn't think I'd like this, but I ended up loving this! Woodfired Turkish Lahmacun - I had try it and it didn't disappoint Drink- Ayran - This one wasn't for me unfortunately. It was savory when I was expecting sweet. I think I was thinking it was going to be a lassi drink but it wasn't. Dessert - Loved both the Sutlac & Antep Kadayif. Make reservations because it gets busy real quick, especially for parties 4 and up. I would love to come back to try other dishes. Service was great but it does get kinda loud toward peak hours.

As a Turk, this was the best adana kebab (they call it the Bosforo kebab on the menu) that I've ever had, including in Turkey, and the warm hummus was on par. The Mersin potatoes are life changing. The food at this amazing restaurant isn't just good Turkish food -- it's the amazing food that a hip restaurant in Istanbul would serve. The manti was slightly doughy but that's it. The service and interior were impeccable.

Bosforo is a beautifully buzzy space with delicious food and excellent service. I particularly enjoyed their wood-fired humus topped with pastrami, pine nuts, and chili burned butter, and the bread it comes with for dipping is fantastic. I also spread it on the lavash with the kofte plate and topped with the salad and veggies for a kind of make-your-own mini sandwich. The meat was tender and very flavorful. Then, even though I was full, I ended up getting a Turkish coffee to have with their pistachio/shredded phyllo dough dessert topped with goat milk ice cream, which I couldn't stop eating. Next time, I think I'm going to try one of their Turkish wine and the lahmacun. Tip: This place is on the corner of 32nd and Adams Ave. in Normal Heights so plan for parking accordingly. Though even on a Friday night at 6 pm, I found a spot pretty quickly.

Authentic Turkish Food Beautiful thought out interior design. With cultural artifacts, photography and unique decorations. Even the ladies bathroom is pretty. Dinner consistented of some delicious foods ... Girit ezme was delicious and delicate Shrimp casserole lacked flavor icli kofte pretty tasty with sauces Tomato salad very good accompanied by the basil , but it's just tomatoes. Bosforo Kebap definitely the best we tried the beef and seasonings all merged together into one delicious dish. I believe the antep it's what does it for this dish. They only make 50 a day! Fun eating experience. Service was friendly and welcoming.

What a lovely place! Muted decor and lowlit ... perfect for an adult hangout -- GNO, date night, catching up with friends/family. Our server was very knowledgeable and provided great descriptions of the food so we could narrow down our options because honestly everything sounded delicious! Our favorite, however, was the tomato sourdough salad! Simple but just beautifully executed and the flavor profile was top tier. Get it soon because it'll be off the menu after 30Sep! Honorable recognition to the cocktails because they were seeeerrrrving -- not too sweet (anatolia, silk road and toros). Also as a fan of liver, the Albanian liver was fried to perfection and paired well with the crispy potato and onions. Definitely coming back here to check out their pizzas, have more cocktails and explore their fall/winter menu!

New favorite restaurant! Had dinner here and everything was amazing! Our server was Michelle and the service was excellent! We had a few cocktails and some wine, and the drinks were great. Food was outstanding, including the cold mezes, beef kebabs, and the mushroom pizza. Nice vibes inside the restaurant, cozy and classy but not overly fancy. Will definitely be back soon!

We stumbled across Bosforo by mistake as two other well-known Mediterranean restaurants in town which we've dined at were completely booked. But our reason for finding out about Bosforo turned out to be the best thing which could've happened to us. Our server was Sicily, who was amazing the entire time we dined there. She suggested several of the dishes as we're not quite as familiar with Turkish food as say other types of cuisines. We ended up ordering the following dishes which the three of us shared: we began with their Bosforo hummus & bread, and added a yogurt dish from their cold appetizer section, and their çukurova lahmacum which we added a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and 2 bottles of Heineken Zero. For our main we ordered their Bosforo Mix Kevap plate. Lastly, for dessert, we shared their baklava, while I tried their rize hot black tea. Everything we ate was an 8-10 on a scale of 1-10! Our service was impeccable, the ambiance and atmosphere was amazing. Restrooms were very clean. There were enough dishes on their seasonal menu to return and try different items not previously ordered. If I were to dig down and find something I wasn't pleased about, it would be the difficulty finding parking nearby. This obviously isn't the restaurant's fault, but something future patrons should know and be aware of when making reservations. All in all, a very well run restaurant, and we can't wait to come back.

Dined here Saturday night with a 9pm reservation. It was pretty busy right at 9 and we had to wait outside for 10-15 minutes before being seated. Pros: - our server was kind and attentive - our starters came out fast - drinks were okay, nothing special - ambiance inside was nice - food was good, but nothing too out of the ordinary Cons: - chairs were not great because I had nowhere to hang my purse and it kept falling on the ground - quite loud inside, I felt like I was having to talk especially loud - prices were high for not that large of portions - drinks were super basic and pricy & not even presented in a fun/new way Overall I had a good time at this restaurant and a good meal, but I would not come back based on the prices, loudness, and basic drinks. I do love the concept and it's nice to have new restaurants open up In normal heights but I'm looking for something more memorable!

Came here for the first time with a group of friends, and I'll start with the positives -- the ambience is beautiful. Clean, aesthetic, and thoughtfully designed. It's definitely a place that looks good and feels nice to sit in. Our server was super friendly, which made the experience smoother. We shared the platter, which was fine. It was cool for the table, but honestly, nothing really wowed me. As a foodie, I want to feel excited about what I'm eating -- and this just didn't give that. Like, I wasn't rushing to tell someone, "You have to try this spot." It was more like, "Yeah, I tried it... it was alright." It's not that everything has to be mind-blowing, but when I leave a place feeling nothing, it's hard to picture myself going back. So overall, cute space, nice service, but the food just didn't leave a lasting impression.

Such a chic restaurant! It was super busy on a weekend night, so I recommend making reservations in advance. The food is so good! I

My husband and I had a date night here on a Friday with a 6pm reservation and it was such a perfect evening and experience. We were greeted by an attentive front of house manager who quickly sat us at our table. Our waiter was very patient and helped educate us on the best traditional dishes and drinks to enjoy. We could tell he was proud to share the traditional food experience with us. The place was quite packed with people seated across the bar, restaurant tables, and even some seats facing the beautiful pizza oven. We enjoyed various shared plates for our meal, including a yogurt and eggplant dip, hot hummus, pita, traditional lachmacun, and a beef kebab. We enjoyed a cocktail and some raki as well. The food was so well made, delicious, and filling. We cannot wait to come back again and bring our friends!

This was the most high-end, swanky Turkish restaurant I've ever experienced -- Hermana's choice, and I see why! Ambience: Upscale, interesting, elegant, but quite loud. We learned that the restaurant (which is always this crazy crowded) is in the process of expanding into an outdoor space as well as the dining room, which should relieve some of the congestion (noisy twenty-something hair-flippers behind us kept drowning out our conversation and hitting us with their hair). The aromas wafting through the room were divine. The clay oven produced the most beautiful pizzas and lahmacun I've ever seen (or smelled). Service: A bit understaffed, for how packed the place was. We waited a lot, but the service we got was personalized and attentive. Drinks: So. Many. Amazing. Choices. I drank more than I planned, simply because I wanted to try all of their astonishing craft cocktails... all were balanced, with surprising ingredients and tastebud-titillating flavors. The Toros and Anatolia were my favorites... I had to look up some of the ingredients. Meze: For my own supper, I decided to get a bunch of meze, share them with my fam, then finish them off while they moved on to main courses! Genius! Or it would have been if they hadn't been so concerned they were eating my meal. (I ended up waddling out of the restaurant, totally overstuffed...) The ante ezme, that rich slow-simmered concoction of tomatoes, peppers, and friends, was like the world's richest, most velvety showcase of the power of umami. The girit ezme, with a tart and creamy cheese and toasty pistachio base, felt like a habit I'd been waiting to develop. So perfectly garlicky... the marinated sea bass, with lime, orange, mustard and capers, was the perfect balance of tangy and rich, and was fall-apart tender. I could eat that every day and never tire of it. And the smoked cacik -- a smoky, creamy yogurt cheese with cucumber, garlic and mint -- was phenomenal, with the balance of mild and smoky, herbal and creamy... and all of it came with endless warm flatbread from the oven. The fam went for kebaps and lamb chops, which were all fork-tender, smoky (we watched the kitchen char-grilling them, using fans to adjust the flames), perfectly marinated and perfectly seared. Dang me. A perfect meal. Just... wow. I need to go back, to try more of the menu, to retry the things I already love, to stuff myself with delight again.

It was a little noisy and the tables too close together where we were constantly bumping into our fellow diners. Having said that, I see why it is so popular and packed even on a Tuesday evening. The service was really good, quick and professional. The kebabs were one of the most flavorful we have had. The fish was cooked to perfection. Was a little disappointed in the eggplant atom since we were expecting more eggplant but I suppose it's called an atom for a reason. The cocktails were decent as well. Would definitely go back for more of those kebabs!

The food, drinks, and service were great! We had the ff: Albanian liver--- should've ordered 2. My BF who doesn't like anything liver loved it. Perfectly cooked, the potato chips were crisp, sumac onions and pepper sauce were delish! Sea bass-- fresh, citrusy, so good! Bosforo kabap--- well-seasoned Manti (little beef dumplings) -- perfect size, fun to eat Pickles --- goes well with the dumplings Sage was our server. Very friendly, knows the menu well, and was very attentive. The rest of the crew that brought our plates, drinks, and bussed our tables were friendly too. I like their dining room. Was a little loud, but it was a Saturday night and they were fully booked. It was a great experience. Thank you, Bosforo : )

Here is my ramble about bosforo. Recently I read a,San Diego union tribune, showcase article about bosforo. Wife and I had to try. Love turkeye food. Located at the old zarape restaurant on Adam's avenue. Small and pack. Important, please make a reservation. Also give amble time to find street parking. Despite we had dinner on a Tuesday night, we had a fun experience finding parking and we had bar seating reservations. Bosforo's plating is different from other Mediterranean restaurants. Does not come in combo. Main meat is main meat, sides are separate orders. So be aware that you have to order rice, peta and others separately. Ordering is similar to a steak house. Appetizers come in cold and hot. We ordered the eggplant with minced meat and the yogurt. For the main course, we tried the koobideh kabob. And we also got a dessert with ice cream. We were fortunate to meet chef Sage. Very pleasant chef, rolls up his sleeve to help waiting staff during busy times. I welcome a leader that gets down with his workers. The food was amazing, one of the best we had outside of turkeye. Finished everything and wanting more. Portions are on the smaller size, but taste explosion is the bomb. Best to order the Bosforo mix kebabs plate. Definitely a better deal for two. That's for next time. Bosforo is still finding her rhythm, so be patient. Conclusion, this is a fine addition to the Adam's avenue culinary scene. I wish them great success and we will be back. Bon appetite.

Bosforo is the new Turkish restaurant that took over El Zarape on Adam's. It's named for the Bosphorus strait in Turkey that separates the European side from the Asian side. The look and decor is clean and modern and has an open kitchen and a pizza oven. The place is new so reservations are a must on open table at this point. We started with the eggplant Atom, strained yogurt, eggplant and chili. For $13 the plate was quite small and mostly yogurt. The yogurt was silky smooth and almost tasted like sour cream. There was a small quenelle of the eggplant which i felt was too little. It came with 4 small pieces of flat bread which wasn't enough for the yogurt and eggplant. I did wish the bread was warm as they have a pizza oven. We also got the Icli Kofte a deep fried ball of bulgar wheat stuffed with ground meat an onions. It came on yogurt and topped with tomato sauce. It was delicious and crunchy; the combination of the meat, fried bulgar wheat, tomato sauce and yogurt went together perfectly. I just wish there were 2 of them for $13 or a bit less for the one piece. For our entrees we chose the Bosforo Kebap was a grilled hand minced beef flavored with sumac. It came wrapped in a lavash flat bread with grilled tomato, shishito peppers and red onions. The waiter instructed us to put the veggies inside and pick it up in the lavash like a hot dog. I cut up the veggies and put them on top of the meat, It was very tasty and delicious. Highly recommend it. We also got the lamb chop keskek. The lamb was cooked perfectly; very tender and tasty, probably the best lamb I've ever had. It came on top of Anatolian wheat pilaf which had the texture of a risotto. Another highly recommended dish. For dessert we shared the Antep Kadayif, shredded phyllo pastry (katifi) made into sort of baklava topped with Turkish style ice cream and pistachios. The katifi was topped with syrup and gave it a baklava feel to it, the maras style ice cream was a bit stiff, but Turkish ice cream is supposed to be stiffer and chewier. A bit steep at $15 but very unique and for sure a dessert you won't find elsewhere. The Kofte, kebap and lamb chop were better than what I had on my trip to Turkey. I don't know of another Turkish restaurant in San Diego. I enjoyed my meal here. The entrees seem to be a better deal than the meze. I get that meze are like tapas, they are small portions but it seems like you get more for your money with the entrees. I think I'd share 3 entrees between 2 people next time.

Bosforo is a new Turkish cuisine restaurant in Normal Heights that took over an evicted Mexican eatery that had been well-established in the neighborhood. The space was transformed into a meyhane which was a traditional style Turkish setting with a large open dining area, a central bar in the back, and a wood-fired oven for pizzas up front near the entrance. We made a reservation on OpenTable for a Sunday, and the seating was limited due to high demand. They are currently only open for dinner hours. The website indicated there was a prix fixe menu for two which we wanted to try, however the kitchen was not ready for that yet. The option might become available after the full grand opening scheduled for June 12th. The two-page menu listed hot and cold mezes (appetizers), salads, pizzas, and a lahmacun (Turkish flatbread) on one side. The other side displayed mains, sides, desserts, and drinks. One of the featured items was the Bosforo Kebap. This was a handmade skewer made up of minced beef, antep, sumac onion, and grilled veggies on lavash (leavened flatbread). Only fifty were available daily because of the labor time involved. We selected that and the following for our meal... * Eggplant Atom - strained yogurt, eggplant, chili * Içli Köfte - fried bulgar ball stuffed with minced beef & onion, tomato sauce, yogurt * Lamb Chop Keşkek - grilled lamb, traditional anatolian wheat pilaf * Antep Kadayif - antep pistachio, kataifi, syrup, maras style ice cream The atom was served with wood-fired Pide with Sesavvme (flatbread with sesame). The yogurt was prominent and overshadowed the small amount of eggplant in the mixture. We requested more bread because the initial four pieces were insufficient. The fried bulgar had plenty of flavor, however one ball for $13 was a steep price. There were four chops in the keşkek with the meat cooked medium rare as our preference. The wheat pilaf was like a bed of risotto on which the lamb rested. The kebap was neatly assembled and had the most well-rounded set of ingredients. It was likely the most popular menu item. The kadayif was a dessert of phyllo dough topped with powdered pistachio, syrup, and a stretchy ice cream made of goat's milk. Our server made some recommendations after we asked questions about the menu. He tried to upsell us to order more items, but we resisted. I thought the mezes were pricey for the serving size. The better value was with the main dishes. By the time we departed, the dining area was nearly at capacity. I gave a four star rating for our modern Turkish dinner at Bosforo.

Definitely a very dim classy looking environment and it transports you to Turkey. The lamb chops were beyond amazing and the pizzas were very good. I would stick with all meats for the most part as those were unbelievable. Could have used more breads and utensils that would have made trying everything we ordered a bit easier, but i would come back for that lamb!

This place is amazing! We made reservations for a Saturday evening and were seated promptly. They did let us know that all tables have a 90 min window which I didn't mind. Our table of 4 ordered the cold mezzes and each of them were delicious. I do wonder about the bread because we ordered 3 mezzes and got only one bread. Should it be a bread per mezze? Doesn't make sense but we had to order more as we needed the bread and it was delicious. For mains we order the kebab platter and the mushroom pizza. There is not much vegetarian option which is very surprising for a Turkish restaurants the food was delicious. The service was great. I wish they had a purse hook or stand as the tables are small and really no space to hang your bag. Overall great dinner!

Dined at Bosforo for the first time last week and had an incredible experience. We came in with no reservation on a busy Wednesday but the team was able to squeeze us in at the bar after a short wait. Eric behind the bar was attentive, knowledgeable and personable! Neither I nor my girlfriend were particularly familiar with Turkish food and Eric took the time to break down a variety of dishes and made excellent recommendations. The smoked yogurt and Bosforo hummus were two of our favorites and you must get the Bosforo kebab if available. The cocktails we tried at Eric's recommendation were creative, original, and delicious. Lastly, while the menu contains a lot of nuts (of which I am allergic), Eric was able to make suggestions and modifications to dishes to make sure I could safely try them. They also offer gluten free alternatives which was amazing for my girlfriend! Highly recommend checking this spot out and sitting at the Bar with Eric!

Welcome to Bosforo, where the flavors are flavoring and honestly coming here you'll feel like you're in Istanbul. We came to this restaurant when it first opened and it reminds us so much of Istanbul in every way possible. The food has the exact same taste as it did in Istanbul, which is very hard to do. The ambience is super Turkish and welcoming, and the staff is all very friendly. They have a great drink selection. My favorite thing menu was their kebab.

Our group of six arrived hungry, and ready to taste through Bosforo's unique modern Turkish farm to table menu. The place was hoppin & lively , and when you enter the large open space , the first thing you notice is the prominent woodfired pizza oven, and that's a great sign. We literally tasted through their large menu, and our intent was to share plates and taste as many delish things as possible. Here is what we tried: Cold Meze: Muhammara ( crushed walnuts, roasted red pepper, pomegranate & garlic) .... Like a paste.... Good! Smoked Cacik ( smoked yogurt dip)... yum Hot Meze: Mersin Crispy Potatoes ( potato chips w/ yogurt dip)... just ok Karniyarik ( Italian eggplant stuffed with spiced minced beef& veg)...yes! Sourdough tomato salad ....Nope Chef Salad ( arugula with pomegranate seeds, citrusy dressing) ... good! Mains: Bosforo Kebop ( combo plate of the most of their woodfired kebabs. Chicken ( very dry) , beef, Kofte , and 2 lamb chops served with lavash, dips, pickled onions, roasted veggies , rice & intended to wrap up & eat. ... tasty but many of the meats were overcooked in my opinion. Wood fired Turkish LAHMACUN. ( minced beef, roasted vegetables, served on top of a thin crust like a pizza presentation. This was absolutely delicious! My fav! Dessert was the SUTLAC and oven baked Turkish style rice pudding with hazelnuts.... Just ok Since we didn't really feel adventurous enough to try the Turkish wines, We brought our own bottles and it was an average corking fee. They do have other wines, beers and cocktails however. Service was awesome & I love the way The servers explained every dish & the best ways to combine the ingredients and condiments in order to enjoy to the fullest.

As soon as I walked in, I felt warmly welcomed by Yasmin and Kevin. I didn't have a reservation but was lucky enough to snag a seat at the bar since the restaurant was quite busy. The entire bar staff was attentive, friendly, and professional, creating a great experience from start to finish. Every dish I tried was delicious! Thank you for the wonderful service, I'll definitely be back.

Food is so authentic Turkish food Excellent Service Clean cozy classy ambiance Place is easy to find

Bosforo... food? Yes. Strong strong suggest. Service... idk. Our server was so absent and inexistent that I don't even know his name and I'm not lying he said three sentences to my partner and I: "what would you like to order?" 2. "What else would you like to order?" And 3. "Are you ready to pay?" Low key, kind of shocked by that... is that normal Turkish expectations and I misread the experience? Should I have indexed more heavily on my experience with my partner and treated my server as simply an order taker? Hard to know... open to re-evaluation. The drinks need work. Not because the drinks were terrible, but because the presentation and dirty dropping of ice were. Moreover, the bartender was literally grabbing ice in hand and dipping the shaker in the well to grab ice. Come on man. I manage a cocktail bar, have a LITTLE BIT of professionalism and concern. Again, female chef rocking the line and the food quality and presentation is what you should go for. Kudos. Bravo. Proud of you all for that!

Tried Bosforo in North Park for dinner and it was a really solid experience overall. The restaurant itself is clean, inviting, and has plenty of seating--great for groups or a casual night out. We started with the Bosforo hummus, which was excellent--creamy, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the warm bread they serve alongside it. The shrimp casserole was decent but not particularly memorable, just a few shrimp baked in tomato sauce. A standout starter was the Çukurova lahmacun (a super thin wood-fired "pizza" with minced beef, tomato, parsley, and onion). I expected a little more crispness, but the flavors were still tasty. For mains, we tried the Bosforo kebap, lamb chops, and shish kebap. The beef dishes were flavorful, though the shashlik leaned a bit dry. The lamb chops, however, were perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. We finished with the sütlaç (cold rice pudding), which was lightly sweet and a nice way to end the meal. Bottom line: While not every dish was outstanding, overall the food was tasty, the atmosphere pleasant, and the service friendly. If you're craving Turkish cuisine, Bosforo is probably the best option San Diego has to offer.

The food unbelievably amazing. Highly recommend this place.. kavan very friendly and he give me very go service.

Bosforo has a young hip vibe complimented with good food and service. Michelle our server was attentive, friendly and helpful. Food was delivered on time and beautifully prepared. We ordered the herbed hummus, warm roasted eggplant (karniyarik), and prosciutto fig pizza which was amazing! Be sure to plan for an extra 15 minutes of travel and parking time, as I did not see any designated parking area (street parking only). Wear comfy shoes ladies :)

This place is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, the warm ambiance and welcoming staff make you feel right at home. The food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every bite was delicious (don't skip dessert!). You can tell there's a lot of care and tradition behind each dish. We ended the meal with antep kadayif, which was the perfect sweet finish. Whether you're familiar with Turkish cuisine or trying it for the first time, Bosforo is a must-visit. Can't wait to come back!

Service was great. Restaurant is gorgeous. I had been waiting for the opportunity to try this place for awhile. We snagged an 8:30 reservation. We were seated without a wait, our server was top tier. Things are going great we get drinks (cocktails) which were...oK. we drank them. Got appetizer warm hummus with pastrami and eggplant with ground meat. Both were a miss. Entrees were 4 piece lamb rack and mantu. Both were a miss. Actually the lamb was acceptable, but the bulgar gritz it sat on was bland and not pleasant. The mantu was very very bland. We were debriefing out meal at the table, as to what went wrong with the various courses. Then our server came by to ask how everything was. I lied and said it was lovely. But it wasnt and the lady at the table next to us who overheard the debrief chuckled and smiled at me. In the moment i didnt have it in me to tell our server how disappointed i was in this food that i was so keen to enjoy. Anyway the best message to give a restaurant in these situations is to just not go back. It'll be interesting to see what the repeat customer business looks like after the novelty of this place fades and the food matters more to the bottom line

Have now been twice to this unique Turkish restaurant in Normal Heights - great service, delicious food, and a lively atmosphere. The Bosforo humus and bosforo kebap are must try's! I enjoyed trying different Turkish wines too. Can't wait to go back and try more dishes!

We had the opportunity to sample taste of Turkish cuisine at Bosforo. The ambiance was great, the service was very friendly, but most importantly the food was delicious, we tried the Bosforo hummus and antep appetizers, very scrumptious.. for main course, we tried the Bosforo kebab and sis kebab.. both were mouth watering delicious. Finally, we tried their Turkish icecream and Turkish coffee.. all in all great food, service and ambiance.. highly recommended

I'm not sure why one reviewer compared Bosforo to Leila since they are completely different cuisines but anyway, back to my review. A beautifully designed restaurant with lots of charm and personality serving delicious dishes from Türkiye with friendly staff! This was our first time here and thoroughly felt at home. It's a brand new restaurant so they are still tweaking things but that doesn't take away from the experience. Once they install the noise deadening materials it will even be better. Can't wait to go back!

Food is truly beyond fantastic. We had the hummus and the fresh bread so yummy. Also, the Bosforo Kebab was delicious and the Branzino in Beurre blanc sauce so tasty balanced by a fabulous arugula salad. Also, enjoyed sitting at the bar had a fabulous bartender Fatih. Go and check it out!

Food was good. I ordered a pizza and it was delicious and well enough for one person. Be aware that if you order a kebab it will not be enough food for 1 person!! You'll need to order another main or a couple of starter plates or you'll be hungry. Ambience is nice, except if you are sensitive to a noisy atmosphere, this place has a hard flooring surface so when it's jam packed (which it always seems to be) it's very noisy- this is a personal preference so I didn't remove stars for this - others may love this ambience because it means a hopping new eatery on Adams Ave but NOT for sensitive ears. You MUST BOOK ahead. It's super popular and busy!! As a result the wait staff are kinda run off their feet. Hopefully this will even out after their first few weeks of opening. It's a good problem to have!

We had an amazing time at Bosforo, every detail was spot on. The food quality was truly exceptional; fresh ingredients, bold flavors and beautifully plated dishes that show culinary care and creativity. Every bite was a delight! We tried a couple drinks as well as their most popular mezes. Muhammara, atom and hummus with pastrami my personal favorites. We also ordered a mixed meat plate to share with the group. It was delicious. We will be back!

First time here but have been dying to come in! Got myself a raki meze and an ouzo drink tastes authentic and service is great, totally my style of restaurant because it includes great stylish clean ambience the cheese is to die for!

We've eaten at Bosforo twice before and absolutely loved the food, service, and vibe as neighborhood locals. So, when our friends from L.A. came to visit, we were super excited to take them to our new favorite spot! When we got there, though, they told us we had a 90-minute time limit for our table. This was a total surprise because it wasn't mentioned when we booked or on our previous visits. We thought it was a bit weird, but figured it wouldn't be an issue since we aren't ones to linger too long. BOY WERE WE WRONG! Our server was nice, and the food, as always, was great. But we kept getting reminded about the time limit by the staff, which made for a really awkward meal. After ordering drinks and going over the menu with the server, we decided on two appetizers and a few dishes to share. But by the time our main course showed up, we only had 15 minutes left of our 90! Our server had said he'd check about an extension, but before we could even finish, the staff started rushing us. They brought the check before we even finished our meal, and, of course, did not offer us dessert . We felt like we were being blamed for the timing, but we can't control how fast the kitchen is. We basically got pushed out, and we even overheard the host telling the next table that we'd just left and they'd only need a few minutes to set up. Spending over $300 for four people, we were mortified that we'd brought our friends to such an experience. While the food was good, this visit left a really bad taste in our mouths, and we're definitely not going back. If the staff can't get service done in 90 minutes, they really need to space out their reservations more!!!

The service was nice, drinks were tasty, food was just ok. Turkish pizza was a bit too thin, and the grilled meats were slightly over cooked. I would want better pairing with the main entrees. Pickled onions were the only sides which I would have enjoyed more with mix green salad. This place use to be the el zarape, the new owners made it more soft ambient with beige and white colors as backdrop. Pictures made the food look a lot better than the actual product.

Finally! A much needed and amazing Turkish restaurant in San Diego. Vibes, service and food are on point and they just opened. Lamb was best in San Diego. The hummus was addictive. The eggplant was a hit Cocktails were amazing. Perfect date place. I'll be back a lot!