Bosphorus

I’ll just stay with WOW! The ratings don’t lie. The food here is amazing and prepared fresh when you order by the owner. I had the Bosphorus platter. The three meats were so flavorful and the plate included garnish and a side. The owner was super friendly and courteous. The atmosphere is intimate/small but very clean and inviting. Will be coming back again!

Lovely family owned restaurant. Really enjoyed the authentic food! Portion sizes are HUGE! So beware, haha, one entree could feed 2 people easily. I enjoyed the turkish black tea!

This is my second time here. The food is very good and authentic. I have tried many different Turkish restaurants and this is one of the best. Also, the owner is such a great guy, we sat and talked to him for quite a while after our meal. I highly recommend coming here not only for the great food, but supporting such a great person.

Real gyros (not from a box), Turkish coffee. Fantastic food, great atmosphere, and the owner is super welcoming and really cares about the food.

Generous herbs and spices in the gyro meat, it was so delicious! We love the spinach pie and baklava as well. Will be back.

Maybe I just picked the wrong menu items or got unlucky but I didn't have the same experience as everyone else. I got the lentil soup which was like pureed and liquidy, and was very lacking in flavor and salt. I also got the gyro sandwich, and the way it was made was the bottom 1/3 is all lettuce and the top 2/3 is all gyro meat so when you get to the bottom you're just eating lettuce. It also just had a single slice of tomato and onion on the very top, so again you're just getting a bite of tomato and onion once but not the rest of the sandwich. Just didn't really make sense how it was constructed. The gyro meat was delicious though and I loved the baklava. Also love that the garlic sauce is on the table so you don't have to ask for it. I'd give this place another shot but I wasn't too impressed with my first try unfortunately.

It honestly can't get any better than this. I LOVE BOSPHORUS AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. Now, when you first walk in you may be a little hesitant. Take that thought and throw it out the window (and continue to do so). The best restaurants never have fancy decor! I came here last month with a colleague who is from Turkey. She said that Bosphorus is the best Turkish food that she's had in the U.S. This was my first experience but oh my god, it's so delicious. We received SO MUCH FOOD and it was the best price ever. The owner is so kind and really hooked us up. He even made this chicken that straight fell off the bone and melted in my mouth. It was like better and easily the tastiest chicken I've ever eaten in my life. He said it took 7 hours to make. So much love goes into this food. I live in Florida and am wanting to come back to Denver just for another meal!

Love love love this place! Great food, a little campy for eating in the restaurant, not where you'd take a date or family for intimate discussions. Fantastic quality food, good enough to drive the extra 30 mins each way. Really love the gyros side and fried eggplant/zucchini appetizer.

It must have been close to 8 years ago the last time I utilized this tiny and yet mighty (in quality) business that quietly exists in the city of Englewood. I lived in one of the nearby apartment complexes where walking to get to it only took me 5+ minutes. And just yesterday, I was able to pay homage to this restaurant after so many years. It's not that I have to drive miles and miles to get to it from my current house in northeast DTC. With that said, my visit to appreciate this business was overdue. And this was no joke. At yesterday's visit, I realized that it was still the same Bosphorus that I used to know. I do remember that I got a solid 5-star service and quality of food at my last visit. And yesterday's visit was about the same in everything (of course in a good way.) I simply couldn't think of anything negative to say about everything I experienced. Two young male employees were having lunch when I stepped inside the restaurant. They immediately jumped out of their chairs to assist me. They let me take my time to choose what I wanted from the menu. I felt no coming from them. In many cases, instead of getting a huge combo plate, I pick a few items from the appetizer section when I do a takeout. I decided to follow this tradition of mine. Hence, I picked 1) Fried eggplant and 2) Hummus plate. Once I had placed my order and settled the tab, the young gents immediately started working on my food wasting no time. The food came out pretty quickly (well, I was the only customer at the visit.) Quick service: who doesn't like that, right?? As soon as I got to my car, I immediately opened the containers to check them out. As much as the Eggplant looked wonderfully made, I was shocked to find out how big the hummus plate was. The portion of hummus in the center could easily serve 5 people. Goodness gracious, they surely don't have the word "stingy" in their restaurant bible or dictionary for sure! And freshly cut cucumber slices as well as tomato slices decorated the hummus. Along came were some pita bread pieces. I couldn't stop saying "Oh my gosh" while I was taking photos of them. I carefully and slowly started eating the two dishes to truly savor all the ingredients included in the two dishes. The Eggplant pieces were so soft/tender and well cooked. The hummus was creamy and tasted so home-made. I could tell the absolute "attention to details" the workers put into the dishes as I savored the two. Despite all of this goodness, I came to appreciate their true humility that is reflected in everything they do. With the kind of reputation they continue to get from people that utilize them, they can expand their business and yet, they have continued the way they have always been for many years. So yes, humble and yet mighty is how I describe this restaurant.

Amazing hidden gem in Denver! Be forewarned, this is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a tiny interior. However, the food was divine and more than made up for appearances. I came with two friends, and the 3 of us shared a sultan platter. It comes in three sizes: for 2, for 3, or for 4. It really lives up to its name - the plate was huge (see my picture for reference)! The beef and chicken were so juicy and flavorful, and the white sauce they had at the table was amazing. One of my friends said, "I want to drink this sauce!" Underneath the meat was rice, allowing the meat's flavor to soak into the rice. We left stuffed and with plenty of leftovers - we could've easily shared the "for 2" platter instead. Next time I'm in Denver, I will definitely be back here!

I really hate to write this review, but last night we had the worst meal I've had dining out, and I'm not exaggerating. We ordered 3 orders of chicken kabob, 1 steak kabob, and 1 fried eggplant. The kabob was clearly cooked hours in advanced (overcooked) and then held in a warming tray. There was no moisture left in any of the meat. I have a very low bar for what I will consume and even this I couldn't tolerate. It's a shame as I really wanted to like it. The seasoning on the meat was decent, but you simply cannot prepare and serve protein as they did.

Wonderful food, friendly staff. This is a must visit. A small place with just a few tables. Everything was on point.

Best for take out, since there are just a few tables and not much space. But the food is wonderful, served with a friendly face. Portions are large, and the taste is just like in Turkiye.

The food was tasty. Atmosphere is very monotone and drab. This place could really use some warmth.

Okay you come to Bosphorus for down home comfort Turkish food. The interior is more like someone's comfy kitchen ( 10-12 seats and you can hear all the cooking going on...yes they cook everything here...unlike what some fool said). I ordered the Friday-Saturday special which is an amazing selection of meats: chicken, sirloin, lamb in various different preps. It comes with rice, salad, bread....and is an huge amount of well prepared food for $46. It could easily feed 3-4. I also ordered their Hummus which tastes homemade, delicious and authentic. Amazing service! Owner is a fantastic person who cares about quality and his customers. Highly recommend as the food quality and price is such a fantastic proposition that you should really try the place.

Cozy restaurant Tiny Good service Food was acceptable but not an authentic Turkish food mostly warmed in microwave. I ordered Meza appetizer, which Consist of one Grape leave, microscopic cheese, two pieces of Kalamata Olives, one spoon of Hummus , Lentil Soup . Chicken Kebab with rice wasn't what I was expecting from Turkish chef Price was $$$ $40 for this meal I hope the owner put more effort to make real Turkish food.. I don't mind paying $40 if the food was good but as you see I wish him the best

I've been craving Doner Kebab ever since I got back from Germany, and my partner found this place to see ifnit would curb the craving. While they dont have Doner Kebab, they do have delicious food. How many wonderful things can I say about our visit to Bosphorus? Let's start with the quality of service... This neighborhood spot is a cozy gem with limited seating but so worth the wait. When we arrived, the restaurant was full, but the host was super hospitable and encouraged us to wait for a table to open. As soon as one did, we were seated and waited on immediately. The host was incredibly kind to us, offering recommendations, and the food arrived swiftly. The kindness factor is always a huge for us because together we represent being BIPOC, queer, and trans, so we never know how we'll be received at an establishment. Wow, the food... the meat was prepared perfectly, the flavors were melded perfection, and the potions were super generous. We had so many leftovers for the next day. Then, to top off our meal, we finished with some Turkish coffee and baklava that we were told was the best in the city. Being the food critic I am, I raised an eyebrow. Really, the best baklava? We'll see about that. And then he promised if we didn't like it, it was on the house. Well, how could we resist? I hate to tell you, we liked the plate clean. He was right. I swear it's the best baklava I ever ate. The flaky pastry, the light sweetness of honey with the robust nuttiness... I wanted to take an entire box of baklava home with me. Throughout our visit, we were tended to, entertained by our host with great humor, and he even gave us the dessert on the house even though we (well, me actually) licked the plate clean. If you're looking for some delicious food, great hospitality, and a cozy atmosphere, then this place is a no-brainer. We'll definitely be back again!

OMG! What a find. Only room for 4 tables so probably mostly takeout. First time so we tried the special. I think it was 5 or 6 kinds of meats and chicken. Absolutely scrupulous. The hummus was fantastic with a great fresh flavor. Oodles of rice that we had to take home. Can't wait to try other things on the menu.

The food and the service was OK. The place was busy, so I understand, but it shouldn't take 45 minutes to get the food. It was a mid experience.

While Denver isn't great for Middle Eastern food, you can find good restaurants serving cuisine from the region. This is not one of them.

I can see why Bosphorus made it on the Yelp Denver top 50 list! Tasty food and great hospitality. Melih, the owner, even came and sat at my table briefly to see what brought me in and my thoughts of the food! I ordered the Gyro Sandwich with fries and it completely hit the spot! Everything felt so fresh and the gyro meat was so flavorful. It's definitely nothing fancy but I loved all the Turkish decor to really make me feel like I was in someone's home enjoying a fresh home cooked meal.

I've had Bosphorus on my radar for a while now, and after seeing it make Yelp's Top 50 Places to Eat in Denver, I couldn't wait any longer! I showed up for lunch at around 1PM on a weekday, perfectly timed as another guest was just leaving -- no waiting for a table! I could have spent hours gawking at the menu. After a recent trip to Greece, I've been longing for some tasty & authentic Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food, and everything looked incredible. Somewhat of a panic decision, I went with the chicken gyro sandwich and a stuffed grape leaf. When asked if I wanted rice, fries, or a salad with my sandwich, I asked for rice, and was met with "hmmmm, are you sure about that?". Melih (very easily!) convinced me to change to fries and WOW I am so glad I did...hands down some of the best fries I have ever had, perfectly crispy and seasoned so well! The gyro meat was phenomenal and packed with flavor. The stuffed grape leaf was also delish! Huge portions and incredibly fair pricing! Although the food was awesome, my 5-star experience here really was brought together by the friendliest staff/owners, a cozy/homey/authentic spot filled with awesome Turkish history on the walls, and the most welcoming atmosphere. I will absolutely be back to try the Iskender Kebab, Fried Eggplant, and Turkish Tea (and to get more fries!).

Great food, great service, hummus was delicious. So were the stuffed grape leaves. Will be back.

Holy cow, this restaurant is amazing! I've been in Denver for the week doing work training, and someone local recommended this place- I could not be happier they did. It's like a local best kept secret that you want to share with everyone. The food is amazing- the baklava was incredible, and the Iskender kebab was delicious. The owner was so incredibly kind and takes great pride in his food. I'll definitely be back!

This is a small (perhaps less than 10 tables) restaurant whose walls are covered in Turkish memorabilia. My wife and I visited there a couple weeks ago. We shared the Sultan Platter (chicken and beef-lamb gyro, chicken and beef kebab, 2 meatball kebabs topped with grilled green peppers, onions and tomatoes, and a side). Very interestingly, it is priced according to how many people want to share it! This pricing structure is a great idea, allowing your group to sample most of the "interesting" menu items. The serving size was excellent, as was the price ($22). The service was also very good. We recommend.

yum Yum Yum. The guy is awesome. I like the menus and their decorations. Their bathroom smell a little bit weird but that's all right. Prices are good. People are lovely. Yum Yum Yum.

Came here for lunch on a Saturday and it wasn't packed until we left! Glad we got there when we did. It's located in a little hole in the wall area with limited seating. It did seem like it was a one man show but he was super friendly to us and let us know how happy he was for us to be there. I got the gyro with fries as did my friend, and lentil soup. The food came out fast and was unlike any gyro I've had. The bread was so fresh and the meat was to die for. It definitely hits the cravings and the prices are also very good for what you get. Will be back!

I absolutely love the food here. The owner is also awesome. The seasoning on the meat is amazing and the portions are great! So so good!

Intimate and delicious. Have been enjoying the food here since they opened. Keep an eye out for the specials for a real treat.

This place is amazing, everyone that works there is really nice and inviting. The food is really good you leave stuffed every time! Highly recommend!

This little place had such great reviews, even a Best of the City, but we really did not like it at all. I wonder if they just don't do vegetarian well? Our server was pleasant and fairly attentive. The space was very small and crowded - which we would have overlooked if the food had been worth it - but we were seated near the door (there are only about five tables and two are right at the door) on a cold, rainy night so it was quite unpleasant every time someone came in, freezing us and then standing practically on our table while they waited. The food: we ordered the falafel plate and the stuffed grape leaves plate. These are flavors that NEVER disappoint us any where we go. However, this was horrible! Everything was extremely over spiced and the cardamom, and something else I can't quite place, was overwhelming. I have never, ever disliked falafel or stuffed grape leaves .. we had to choke these down. The pita was grocery-store blah. It was SO disappointing. The servings were large and we only ate about a quarter of each plate and left. While we took size-able doggy bags home, we tossed them. If you knew us, you'd know how averse to wasting food and money we are, so tossing out food is significant. We will not return.

visiting from out of town, stopped here cuz we saw it was highly rated. walked in seeing tons of turkish decor and a big turkish flag. best mediterranean food i have ever had by far. we got the dinner special to split among 4 people, it was 90 dollars and we could not finish it. had the most amazing chicken, shit was super tender and perfectly seasoned. gyro meat and steak were also peak. we got the rice and salad before the meat and we KNEW off of those alone we were gonna have an amazing meal. service was perfect too, absolutely no complaints. 4 tables inside so mildly gatekeep this place but give them more money so they can open more of these.

This is definitely a new favorite. Loved the family vibe, great service, food was amazing. The guys were so welcoming and even brought us some delicious chicken thighs to try to show us what the weekend special is like.

This is a great hole-in-the-wall Turkish restaurant with a super friendly staff and some of the tastiest Turkish cuisine we've ever had. There are lots of vegetarian options, but this time I went for a platter with 3 different meats. My wife had a Döner salad. All were excellent. The home made tzatziki sauce (yes I know it has a different name in Turkish) is a standout. The only downside of Bosphorus is that they have only 4 tables, two 2-tops and two 4-tops. At the time we went that wasn't a problem, but you might want to call ahead to see if dine-in is likely to be available.

Very good food, Best experience. Definitely recommended . Most authentic place ever i have seen. Visiting from Vegas, im sure i will be back just for this place

Absolutely amazing! My favorite ethnic restaurant in Denver! We always order the Sultan platter and the Bosphorus platter. Food is always great...and they always make you feel welcome. Highly recommend!

Falafel is dry and bland. Eggplant app is bland and mushy. Grape leaves are mushy and bland. Everything we had was just blah.

I had falafel and salad which they were great but not that Iskender Kebab awful tomato sauce taste old soaked on pita bread very bad quality and shelf life

Bosphorus is a charming and hospitable restaurant serving Turkish food straight from the owner's heart. I sat here and got a quick bite for one on a weeknight. The restaurant was filled with beautiful and thoughtful decor and I was greeted by a friendly host and server when I walked in. I ordered a beef and lamb gyro plate, which came with an enormous portion of deliciously flavored rice, salad, and pita bread. I was also given a white, garlic sauce reminiscent of tzaziki in addition to a really great vinaigrette. Both sauces went well with everything! To wash down my food, I had a hot Turkish tea. The best part was the owner coming to sit with me and getting to me. I learned about his family as well as the heart and soul behind this great food! Can't recommend this place enough!

Adding another 5 star review to Bosphorus' Yelp Page because THIS RESTAURANT DESERVES IT! It actually deserves 10 stars because it is truly delicious!! I came here knowing I wanted the chicken gyro, because it's hard to find AUTHENTIC CHICKEN GYRO (because a lot of places pass of chicken shawarma as chicken gyro)... but since this menu specifies it has BOTH chicken shawarma and chicken gyro, I knew the meat preparations differed and I had to give the gyro a taste! I'm so insanely glad I did!!! When I got to Bosphorus, I was the first one there and was taken excellent care of! I told the chef I was HUNGRY and he listened, giving me lots of chicken gyro and even giving me two chicken drum sticks seasoned to perfection. On top of that, he listened to me when I asked for specifications like NO DRESSING OR CHEESE on the salad and NO RICE. This meal was utterly perfect. I also go the hummus JUST IN CASE the chicken was dry but.. THAT IT WAS NOT! I will know for next time (cause there will be a next time) that I don't need the hummus (although it was friggin delicious too). Man oh man, this place is a diamond in the rough! I've been hunting for good food in Colorado, and I FINALLY FOUND SOME... And even though I live 30 minutes away, I will 100% be back... And I'm bringing friends!

It was the first time we went there. We were for sure hesitant to try a new restaurant but it turned out so delicious. Portions were big for two of us. Very clean restaurant. Owner was very nice offered us special meal of the day. Every item was freshly prepared. I would highly recommend people should go support our turkish restaurants

My boyfriend and I traveled to Turkey last year and absolutely loved the food, the people and culture. So for my birthday, he surprised me by taking me to Bosphorus. We wanted to order everything on the menu and ultimately decided on the Sultan Platter (chicken and beef-lamb gyro, chicken and beef kebab, 2 meatball kebabs topped with grilled green peppers, onions and tomatoes. Served with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pita bread and choice of fries, rice or salad). The food was incredible!! The portions are huge and the price is affordable. It made us feel like we were in turkey with all the delicious spices and the amazing service. We've recommended Bosphorus to everyone we've run into since going, they're just that good! We've even gone back already and plan to go at least a few times a month.

I asked for a meat gyro with salad instead of fries and baklava to go. The portion was enormous! The food is delicious! I wish I had more people here to eat it all.

The food was just like Turkey. The Donner Kabob, salads, and spinach pie were so tasty. it's a one man operation, at least when we were there, but service was fine. Very small but nice. This is a find!

I absolutely love coming here not only for the food but also for the owner. Melih is a genuinely nice guy who cares about his customers. It is obvious that this formula is working since all the tables were full. When I arrived, the tables were full and I could see him preparing multiple "to go" orders so I knew it would take a little longer tonight, but I was willing to wait. As I was waiting Melih walked by with the ginormous Sultan's Platter for two. It was truly fit for a Sultan! On his way back to the kitchen he stopped, shook my hand and said, "Jerry! So nice to see you! Do you want the usual?" He's a mind reader as well! When my Iskander Kabab arrived it was amazing. It was almost more than I could eat, but I'm all about the clean plate club and have to represent, especially with food so good my fork never left my hand. When you come to Bosphorus remember you are dealing with a small business owner who has a big heart and noble intentions. Be patient if it's busy, talk to him if it's not, and most importantly enjoy your food.

Been on a global food adventure around Denver the past few months and what a jackpot find! Truly unique and quality food! Iskender Plate and fried eggplant were something I hadn't heard of - and the pictures on here looked so good - so I had to try them and what great flavor. I'm in a food stupor over such a wonderful meal! They have a solid menu too so I am really looking forward to getting back soon to try it all. Seems the owner is the one preparing the food which his care comes through. It's a really tiny, cozy place; the pick-up for the food was easy and painless. Great portions and prices.

Food is authentic and flavorful! I could literally feel the spices dancing over my tongue. Staff is super friendly and attentive. Definitely worth the adventure!!!

This is my second visit. Last time, I ordered Bosphorus Platter, Sultan Platter for 2 and Baklava, along with Turkish coffee and Turkish Black tea for lunch; Yes it was too much for couple. I felt full until the night. This time we ordered Hummus Platter, Sultan Platter for 2, and orange tea. The meat was neither salty nor dry, nor greasy. Juicy, tasty and adequately seasoned. All vegetables were super fresh. My favorite hummus, the best one I've ever tried. All beverages I tried were decent. The owner couple were very friendly. Small place but the decor was simple and clean. The music was not too loud and made good exotic vibe. Reasonable Price. I do think I'll come again.

Some of the best prices and food in Denver! They even brought us their special to sample. Took many leftovers home. Seating area is small - I'd recommend trying to arrive for an early dinner.

Small place with big flavor and personality. I love Middle Eastern food generally, but often many restaurants in Denver miss the mark when it comes to spicing their dishes as many are very bland. Not at Bosphorus! The Turkish spices make their way onto the food here -- not overpowering but just enough to enhance the fresh, perfectly grilled meat. The owner is welcoming and takes pride in his food; even the rice is perfectly cooked and flavored. You can't go wrong with the sultan plate here and don't forget the lentil soup.

i've been vegitarian my whole life, veggie sandwich fully satisfied me. this is top tier mediterranean food

We REALLY enjoyed our meal at Bosporus! The owner is soooo friendly and helpful, and the food was fantastic! The restaurant itself is not very large, and we dined in, but we saw a LOT of takeout orders come through while we were there, so a lot of people must love it. We ordered the Sultan Platter and got to try a little bit of everything. I was really impressed with meatballs, the gyro meat, and the chicken. We also loved the eggplant appetizer we ordered. The portions were large and the prices were incredibly reasonable. I also loved the homey, welcoming, mom and pop vibe of the place... they were trying too hard to be trendy, just authentically doing what they love! I'm looking forward to heading back to try out everything else!!

Food is excellent & big portions. Spent time talking with the owner. Small comfortable ambiance. Highly recommend getting together with friends to eat the special platter!

This was truly amazing shawarma, and I'm no stranger to middle eastern food. The owner was friendly and fast, with an obvious depth of experience. My coworker and I barely spoke as we ate because the flavors and textures were so good. You will not regret a visit here!

Absolutely delicious. I've been here many times and it's my favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Mom and pop style place with great service.

Even during quarantine, we love exploring new restaurants. Our discovery of Bosphorus is going to be one of the best things to come out of this trying time - I'll be counting the days until we can enjoy a fresh meal here. The portions delivered were huge and it's easy to eat beyond your fill when it's so good. We had fried eggplant and stuffed grapeleaves for appetizer and they were both so flavorful. The sultan platter for 2 was gigantic and the gyro meat was absolutely delicious. We couldn't wait to eat leftovers the next day.

Small mom and pop shop. A welcome site for this area of good Turkish food. Humus plate was well presented, the gyro was just ok and the sultan plate, albeit a huge portion and well served simply was under spiced (the best part of Turkish cuisine). The owner was super friendly and nice and the food was good just not wow. The baklava was dry and left no impression as good or bad. Will give it a try again as they do work hard at pleasing the customers.