Bosphorus Restaurant

We visited this place for Turkish food and were pleasantly surprised. The food was very authentic - we tried Adana kebab, lentil soup, and tea with sweets, and everything tasted just like in Turkey. The service was excellent - very friendly and attentive. Definitely 5 stars! The only suggestion is to refresh the interior; a new, authentic Turkish design would match the amazing food perfectly.

I almost didn’t dine here because as I got out of my car, I saw a huge sign reading, BEST WINGS in a neighboring restaurant window. I said, next time. I am so happy that I tried this restaurant. It was lunch time and there was a short wait. I liked the quaintness of this restaurant and the vibe was nice. I was seating, the menu was placed on the table. I reviewed it, I loved that it boast of two languages. I knew that I wanted to try the lamb shish kabobs! I did, they were cut into chunks and served with a small salad that included a banana pepper along with regular salad ingredients- very tasty. Loved the bread oil, looked to have sun-dried tomatoes, thyme (maybe), garlic, chili powder, I think- whatever it was made of was DELICIOUS, smile. The bread, DELICIOUS! I ate all of it. Very fresh and my palate was happy. I would revisit this restaurant with friends, it felt wry international and the ambience and guest and friendly service was deeply appreciated! Go and see for yourself. I love exploring new and different restaurants. I only took one picture because I was excited to eat. Also, the Turkish tea and one packet of sugar was lovely. Great presentation! I took my baklava out for a sweet treat later.

I grew up coming here before they even expanded their restaurant. It used to be really good and the food was super authentic. I just went again today for the first time in a few years and it was so upsetting to see how much it declined. I always got the chicken shish kabob from there and it was undercooked. The food was lacking a lot of flavor. The worst part was the bathroom. I would think in a location like that the bathroom would be decent but they were filthy. I spent about $120 with tip for 3 people. I also got food poisoning.. Definitely wont be coming back here :(

I ordered a mixed grill and specifically asked for it to be well done. However, the order arrived like in the first picture. I asked the waiter to replace the two pink pieces, and after more than twenty minutes, he brought me the two pieces shown in picture 2. Honestly, I think the restaurant should reconsider their chef’s skills or training.

The food was definitely perfect. The mixed Kebab option is really good. The place is just ok, nothing special, but the food is really tasty. Not an expert in Turkish food, but if you like Lamb, Chicken, and Beef, I highly recommend you trying the mixed kebab. There was a tasty soda whose name I forgot, but you can see it in the pictures. The bread with the oil was also good. That’s included like the tortilla chips and tomaste sauce when you to a Mexican restaurant.

It was my boyfriend and I's first time having Turkish food, and it was not only delicious, but the experience here overall was so wonderful. We tried two different foods ( a kebab platter and a Turkish pizza ) and both were so flavorful! Service was AMAZING as well. We're so excited to become regulars here going forward 🥰♥️ thank you for the amazing food!

Best Turkish restaurant in Cary!! Ordered two items, doner plate and chicken shish kebab. Both the items were very delicious. Neither too spicy nor too mild, just the perfect blend of spices. Was happy with the service as well. Will try different items in future.

Wonderful experience eating here! My husband and I had been wanting to try this place for a while after a couple people mentioning how good it was. We finally made it out yesterday and it was amazing! Good quality, lots of options and friendly service! Can’t wait to come back and try more things!

The food here is amazing. I was hungrier than I thought when I got here. But the service was quick. They brought out pita and dip and brought more as we ate. They kept our glasses filled with tea. The dessert was also amazing. The atmosphere is low key and family friendly. Lots of kids running around so not a place for a date.

I saw this restaurant and realized I've never had authentic Turkish food so I had to come in and visit. The staff was pretty nice overall. They greeted us when we walked in and kept checking on us throughout the meal. The only issue I had was with the food. My girlfriend ordered a pepperoni pie and I ordered a pastrami pide. When I heard him repeat the order I told him that I got a pastrami pide. Of course when the food showed up, we were both given pepperoni pides. I called the server over and told him and he confirmed that it's what I ordered. I assumed maybe pepperoni looks similar to pastrami in Turkey (I couldn't know any better). However when I got the check it was clearly written that we were given 2 pepperoni pides. I'm assuming it's because of the language barrier, but I wish they tried harder to understand what I was saying instead of shaking their head yes to confirm and walking away each interaction. The food was really good though! While not what I wanted, the pepperoni pide was still good. I really enjoyed the complimentary Turkish tea as well. It's pretty much a really strong black tea. The hummus was good and tasted homemade, but wasn't anything too special. The olive oil looked better than it tasted, but still paired well with the bread (which was actually the most underrated part of the meal).

We were in the mood for lahmacun and found this spot! The cigar bourek were awesome and I would definitely come back to get those again. The uludag gazoz drink was also good. Really enjoyed this place!

Overall: Solid place, has really good portion and price point for today's restaurant prices. Would definitely come back again. Food: The food at Bosphorus is good. Simple, authentic Turkish food, without any unnecessary frills or additions. Got the gyro plate and enjoyed the portions, had enough for leftovers. Service: The service was great! The waiters are very attentive and come quickly to help refill or handle any questions. Ambiance: This is a casual sit-down restaurant. It has that restaurant buzz that comes from a busy restaurant.

Yum!! I got the falafel plate with a side of fries and everything was delicious. The serving size is great and I had leftovers for the next day. There is plenty of seating and the service was quick. They also have complementary turkish tea- which I had never had before and it was a great way to end a delicious meal. I will definitely be coming back

We have been coming her for over 12 years. It is the best Turkish restaurant in the area. They offer so many fresh and healthy options for all palettes. Plenty of vegetarian as well as meat dishes. The lentil soup, meze platter, and Greek salad are amazing starters. The fresh bread with dipping sauce is fantastic. The yoghurt kebab is one of my favorites and you can get doener on the weekend. Service is always great and seating is casual. We love this family business and come here as often as we can!

Really good food and the establishment is clean. The only issue I have is with service. Everytime I come in, it seems that people shmooz with the host and they skip people in order. Either they are friends of the owner or friends with whomever is at the stand. I've noticed that and have had to speak up because I can tell people are skipping line for a table.

I came in on a Sunday evening. While it was busy with a lot of diners, I didn't have to wait for a table. They gave me bread and a water after I placed my order. It didn't take very long for my order to be brought over to my table, which was nice considering they had a lot of people coming in and out for takeaways and online orders as well as dine-in patrons. I ordered the chicken kebab plate. The chicken was tender and packed with flavor. Everything on the plate was delicious and perfect to satiate my hunger after I've just played tennis for 4 hours! The staff were polite and checked in on me at least once to make sure everything was good. Service was quick and without a hassle. I would definitely come back again in the future.

Bosphorus is a go-to restaurant for my family and I. They have great service, and freshly made bread/oil as a free appetizer. The kebabs or gyro platters are always a great choice, but this time I tried their vegetable pide. The bread was soft and fluffy, and the toppings were delicious-- a cheesy, savory alternative to the kebabs. Highly recommend for authentic and delicious Turkish food!

Great food. Fast service. Well priced. Complimentary tea at the end of dinner was a nice touch. Will come back the next time we're in Cary. Our daughter loved the pide. Also enjoyed their salads, lentil soup, and kofta kabob plate.

Lovely authentic Turkish cuisine I love their bread and spicy dipping oil The Lahmajin excellent flavored kick House tea is very Turkish as well after every meal it is a nice pairing

Food and staff never disappoint! When I get a craving for liver, I am on the way! Hot soup and tea too!

I stopped in here for lunch the other day because I was craving some delicious Turkish food. This place has been on my radar for some time now and I'm happy I finally tried it. I was seated in a booth and was brought complimentary hot tea and fresh hot bread with a tomato oil dipping sauce. Both were delicious. For my entree I ordered the Chicken kabob with rice and salad. The rice was almost like a barley and it was really good. The chicken was incredible. All of the wait staff were very nice and attentive. I really liked the atmosphere too. I will definitely return.

A large group of us came here for lunch. We called ahead and they had our table all set up and ready. A very nice place with nice decor. The service was good and our food came out in a reasonable time. I had the lamb kabob. It was done well and the sides were good and went well with the kabob. Loved the tea they gave us! There is plenty of parking in a lot in front of the restaurant. I will return here.

I have had better, but it was a solid good meal! I would recommend and I would go back if in the area. They could have been friendlier but they were not rude. Service was fast and good.

Great food and service! Highlights of my two visits include the Bosphorus bread and roasted red pepper dip, lentil soup, hot tea, pastrami and lamb piels, and eggplant salad. The food is made to order and has the ambiance of being in a Turkish grandmother's extended kitchen.

Ended up here based off of Google reviews. This place did not disappoint, we enjoyed all of our meals, and the service was good. Please give them a try. Let them persuade you with their meal options, it's worth it.! Hope to see you guys soon.

Lovely food and people! I have eaten there many times and not had a bad meal. Staff is thoughtful and friendly. Nice ambiance as well.

This place was packed - good sign. 10/10 rec. Complimentary tea, pide and oil/spice mix. Falafel didn't look amazing but tasted amazing. Mixed grill platter just under $20 came with pilaf, salad, lamb and chicken pieces, gyro and the most amazing kababs ever. The chicken/pide/yogurt dish was one of the most unique things that I had tried and I'd highly recommend. It has some tomato base to it which I love, but you may not so be aware! Pilaf and chicken had a smokey aroma, everything was juicy. The pastrami pide was cooked to perfection with what tasted like halumi cheese. Also pictured is the caramel custard dessert which jiggles like nobody's business, in the best way possible.

The lamb kebab is something I dream about. What more can I say? Oh, just what a joy it is to watch local families enjoying the Turkish cuisine. Epic!

Bosphorus has a small, quaint interior. We ordered the Falafel appetizer and Ali Nazik for takeout, and our order was ready quickly! Our hostess was also kind enough to give us extra bread. The Falafel was flavorful and perfectly breaded. The savory meat in the Ali Nazik went well with the accompanying sauces. We thought that our food held up quite well as a to-go order, and we hope to dine in at Bosphorus soon!

I wanted some Turkish food and a friend said this was the best in the area. The service was friendly and the food was delicious.

Some of the best Turkish/Mediterranean food I've ever had is at Bosphorus. After almost a year of passing you by, I decided to stop by. I was warmly welcomed by all of the staff members. It was lunchtime and busy, but I did not mind waiting and was given a table that was meant for four. I offered to move, but the waiter would not hear anything of it. I was able to chill, read, and enjoy my food without any problems. Now the food. I started with their hummus that came with this thick, crusted bread that was great for dipping. Also, a plate of oil and peppers was complimentary. The hummus had tons of flavor without being spicy or salty--just so darn good. My falafel plate was the same--full of flavor without being overpowering. It came with five pieces of falafel, salad, yogurt dip, and rice. The rice was super soft and fluffy, and the yogurt dip, wow, again, so good and authentic! I enjoyed every bite until my pants told me I could eat no more, but something tells me their food will make amazing leftovers. I love the vibe of this place with the owners and staff being so friendly and welcoming. Everyone smiled at me, and I appreciated their great customer service and care. I can't wait to come back.

I love mediterranean / Turkish food. Each place is a little different, and this place was surely different. I got a table quickly. The waiter came right over and brought out some Nan bread and a special mix of seasoning and veggies in a dipping sauce. I thought I would get a Gyro platter or kabob. The waiter recommended the Lamb Kabob. I've never had it, but it sounded good. The dish came out with rice and salad. The first bite was awesome and tasty. What a great suggestion. I think there is a lunch size and a dinner size. I wish I had more. I recommended this place to a few people already. The service was good. The food was really good. The atmosphere was nice. Soft music. Colorful. If I lived here, this would be my go-to. I recommend highly.

Must-try Cary spot for both takeout and dine-in! Our large party was accommodated with calling ahead, and we were so impressed by the fresh quality of each menu item we tried. Highly recommend beginning with Turkish tea and the Bosphorus Mezze Platter, and if you go on Sunday definitely try their Chicken Doner! We've had great experiences with takeout from this location as well, and will definitely be regular customers!

Great food and service! I had the pastrami pide. It was delicious! The bread and oil they brought to the table was delicious as well.

We ordered carryout based off the Yelp reviews and were blown away. Incredibly flavorful and prepared Mediterranean food. We ordered an assortment of appetizers and kabobs. Everything was great.

I have always loved the food, been there many times, but rude behavior of staff today has convinced me that there are other places I can get as good or better food and earn my respect. When I came in out of the rain I attempted to hang up my coat to dry. I found a clothing hook and hung up the coat. A management type sitting at the back intercepted me and very, very, very rudely told me that hook was for employees only. That's fine if that's the policy but to talk to me like I was a homeless tramp in his home village in Turkey was way out of place. You show your customers respect! I would have happily removed my coat but as it was I removed my coat but promised myself never to return. That manager has not learned since moving to the US that customer satisfaction is based upon more than food quality. If you go to Bosphorus prepare yourself to be treated poorly. BTW. There are no hooks anywhere for customers to hang up coats.

This place is amazing! The place is busy, we went on a weekend and didn't have to wait long. They give you fresh made bread and an olive oil dip to go with it. We got the Bosphorus platter so we could try a lot of different things like the hummus, tabouli, baba ghanoush, grape leaves and more! Everything we ordered was delicious! My daughter had the cheese pies (Turkish pizza) and that was amazing. I ordered the mixed grilled plate because it allows me to try several meat options. Chicken, lamb, gyro and kofta. Come with salad and pilaf and cucumber dip. My husband order the falafel plate. And the falafel was cooked well, crunchy and not too dry on the inside. I most definitely will be back! I wish we had something like this closer to us. We drive 45+ mins to come to this restaurant but it's worth it!

If you haven't tried Bosphorus you are missing out. I have yet to try one item from here that didn't taste amazing. I highly recommend the Adana kebab and the stuffed grape leaves. Don't get me started on complimentary pre dinner bread and oil, nothing quite like it around. All of our servers have been kind and attentive, and they always oblige us in a cup of delicious Turkish tea. Atmosphere is chill and especially great for a family dinner or a lunch with friends. I have been quite a few times and will continue to return.

Ordered a great deal of food for pick up when i was visiting Cary. It was almost closing time and the place was still extremely crowded. Ordered - Hummus - it was okay, i have had better hummus Tabouli - never tasted before but was not a fan Baba ganoush - if you like smoky flavour you'll love this other you can pass on this one Falafel - they were really good but extremely oily! Vegetable pide - this was good Bosphorus salad - i liked the salad a lot, many greens and cheese Grilled halloumi cheese plate - this was good never tatsed halloumi cheese before but loved it Baklava - i have had better Overall the taste was okay, but the portions was extremely small for the prices. $8.76 for a very small portion of tabouli baba gounush, hummus - around 10 oz! Plus they forgot a few things on my order they were missing which was really disappointing!!

Food tasted good. Portion is big. The lamb pizza is really great! Definitely for meat lovers. Sometimes the parking lot is really full.

Holy COW I think I just found my favorite Mediterranean restaurant. We waited an hour in freezing NC winter for our seats at Bosphorus and it was well worth it. The restaurant came highly recommended to us by some of my mother's friends, all with quite discerning palettes. We dropped by for dinner and were wowed by the food offered. First of all, the restaurant has a nice ambiance and is decorated with a Turkish theme. Service was friendly and prompt. They checked in on us more than I usually prefer, but they were not too intrusive about it. Hot tea is free on request, and the cups they use are almost exactly the ones I've gotten at my Turkish friend's house. We started with the cold meze platter, consisting of several veggie-forward dips and two stuffed grape leaves, and generous slabs of their house-made bread. Before I even get to the meze platter, I gotta talk about their bread!! Pillowy goodness with a perfectly crisp exterior, fresh out of the oven, it was heaven in each bite. My table got two refills for the bread because we kept eating it by itself. Paired with the cold dips, including a smoky eggplant dip, hummus, tabbouleh, a yogurt dip, and two featuring tiny diced veggies, each bite was an explosion of flavor. Mix and match any of the dips, they all go so well together. At this point I was already getting pretty full, and then the main course arrived. We got a lamb pide to share and I got a kofta kebab plate. The lamb pide was a hit with the whole table, we all loved the spices, tender lamb, and amazingly fluffy bread crust. The kofta was incredibly tender, flavorful, and HUGE. it was served on a platter with a little cup of their yogurt sauce and a mountain of tender pilaf underneath. I ate this with the leftover dip from the meze platter and I was in spice and texture HEAVEN. So many unique flavors, so much textural contrast. Just imagine the bite of fresh lettuce, soft meat, smoky eggplant dip, and pilaf. Now imagine that bite 50 times over, with more left on my plate to take home. I was delighted by each bite! Despite being stuffed, we still ordered baklava for dessert. It came with a heaping scoop of soft whipped cream, and the crispy sticky-sweet pastry paired perfectly with the pistachio filling and whipped cream. What a perfect ending to a perfect meal! Bosphorus is a MUST for anyone in the Triangle who loves Mediterranean food. Reasonable prices, huge portions, and truly stellar food. I will be dropping by every time I'm in NC!

Food is good. Not great but good and well made. Love the ethnicity from the chefs to the servers. Friendly service and meals are no nonsense and consistent. A definite go to place you can add to your list.

Delicious food. The meat dishes are great, the pide ( something like a Turkish personal pizza) is very good. The complementary warm bread and seasoned oil on the table is a treat. Unfortunately they seem to struggle with having enough wait staff. It's a busy place. Very festive atmosphere.

While the food was strictly average, the service experience today was extremely disappointing. After waiting 20 minutes to be seated, our server handed us menus and then did not return. We waited another 10-15 minutes before having to request a different server to take our order. Once the food was served, no one checked in on our table or offered refills. Several staff members were standing near the counter engaged in conversation instead of attending to guests. When we asked one server for assistance, she left without acknowledgment. Eventually, we had to stop another server to request a to-go box and the check.

This place was definitely worth a try for something different! I especially liked the turkish tea.

Still in love with this place after being a patron here for many years. I think that there may be new owners but the food is really consistent. Fast and fresh and friendly service. Everyone I've taken here really likes it. It's got a warm family-friendly atmosphere. This is one of those places where I look at the menu every time as if I was going to order something different but always order the chicken shish-kebob. Their bread is to die for. Trust me, if you go, the bread will have you hooked immediately. I've ordered take out here too and the service is really fast.

When we stopped by here, there was a small line. It was after 2pm, which was not the peak lunch hr anymore. I expected the food to be very good since the restaurant was very packed. However, the food tried was just ok. The best dish is the complimentary bread to me.

Really enjoyed visiting this place during our trip to RTP on a cold, rainy day. Just walking in, you could feel that it was very much a family business and there were regulars/possibly family who the staff were really familiar with which is always nice to see. They start you off with warm bread and a dipping oil which were absolutely delicious and got the whole meal off to the right start. There's also complimentary tea available which is a nice black tea, a little bitter but good. We ordered the boregi which I had never had before but are kind of similar to Turkish mozzarella sticks - melty feta cheese wrapped in crispy filo dough - yum! How could you go wrong.. I also got the falafel which was really crisp, extremely flavorful and herby, and moist inside which is all you can ask for in a falafel. In my top 5 for sure. My husband had the lamb kebab which he really liked - the meat was well seasoned but the sides were minimal and didn't add much to the plate compared to other places we have been to. Lastly, the profiteroles for dessert - a tasty chocolate pudding with cream puffs - what is not to like! Yum, especially with the tea. Overall really great service, lively ambiance and good food. Highly recommend a visit here!

We were looking for a good Mediterranean restaurant close to where I got my haircut, and decided to try Bosphorus. It's in a small commercial area in Cary. We immediately were given a table for 2 without waiting, and the waiters were friendly. There's a Turkish/ European feel to the ambience, a good spot for wine but not too fancy. We both ordered the mixed kebab (lamb & chicken) but my wife asked if she can switch the chicken for more lamb, and the waiter said they can do that with no additional charge. They're about $20 each. While waiting for our main course, we were given a plate of delicious bread with a tasty red/orange sauce that looks spicy but it's not. It's kind of like flavored crust. We didn't wait too long to receive our orders, but when they arrived opn our table, we were a bit disappointed. For the price, the amoount of food is small, and other than the kebabs, we only got a small portion of some uncommon Mediterranean rice we've never tried before and a bit of fresh salad. Overall, the quality of meat is good especially with Tatziki sauce but nothing you can't find in an average Mediterranean restaurant. Let's compare the value to Habibi in Raleigh - Mandy Lamb or their mixed kebab platter comes with a lot of Mandy rice, Mandy sauce, and your choice of side like hummus or baba ghanouj, so there's good amount of quality foood for the same price. Even the kebab platter in the Mediterranean spot in Crab Tree mall's food court offers more for slightly lesser price. The Mediterranean deli in downtown Chapel Hill also offers more value and options for same price. Bosphorus could have included baba ghanouj or another side with the meal but platter is not just satisfying. Why would we go here when we have better options (such as what I mentioned above)? If it wasn't for the bread appetizer being refillable at no extra charge, we wouldn't have been full. My wife was glad the refill of bread was free, so we were thankful. Making payment was fast with a cashier taking the portable card machine to you but we prefer the traditional method where we can decide tip amount more privately. Overall, the dinner was not bad, just not as satisfying as the other Mediterranean restaurants we've been to.

Food and Service was awesome! Our first time and will definitely be returning. The ambiance was nice as well. Location was right under our nose! Hidden gem

This place was incredibly good! Such a hidden gem in the triangle area! I recently moved from central FL and currently live near Topsail Island. I visit the Wake Forest area where family lives and have been craving good Turkish food, and this really hit the spot! There are some amazing Turkish restaurants in central FL, and I've been looking for one here in NC and was so happy to find this restaurant! If this restaurant starts serving kunefe, it'll be perfect ;). We tried quite a bit and loved it all! We got the meze platter (loved this!!), Cigar Bourek, Pastrami Pide, mixed grilled kebab plate, and profiteroles for dessert. It was a feast! This is a must try if you love Turkish food! Very authentic and delicious! Can't wait to come back!

Great service and delicious food. Came on a Friday lunchtime and was seated after a short wait. The yogurt kebab with adana and the rice pudding were delicious. Wish I could've tried the Iskendar kebab but it's only available Sundays.

The food was amazing. That's the only way to adequately describe it. Seasoned perfectly and overall a very unique experience. The menu is perfect. There is literally something for everyone here. Lots of vegetarian options for anyone interested. Appetizer was perfect. Bosphorus Meze Platter. Nice sampling of different offerings and Yaprak Dolmasi is the best I've ever had. Tabouli is unique and very flavorful. Beyti is amazing. Simply amazing. I've never tasted anything like it. Thank you for an AWESOME experience!

We came here for lunch on a Friday and were seated right away. Bread is immediately served with a special sauce! We ordered the Lahmacun Turkish Pizza and the Lamb Shish Kabob plate. Both of which were delicious! The Lahmacun was packed with ground meat and vegetables on a super thin crust. Try dipping it in the sauce for the bread! The lamb plate came with a type of flavored rice, lamb, and salad with tomatoes. The white sauce paired well with the lamb! It was a lot of food for 2 people and we were stuffed by the end of the meal. Service was great and ambiance was casual. Overall, highly recommended getting the kabob plates!

Excellent food, freshness, seasoning and authentic. Never had a bad meal here. I love everything on the menu.

Looking for a place that serves authentic food with a simple elegance .. then come to Bosphorus (by the way the name comes from Turkey - Bosphorus is a waterline terrain in turkey..I really want to visit Turkey now) This place is simple, cozy, feels like you are sitting in home.. They do what is needed to be done 'Serve authentic fresh food' without unnecessary bells and whistles ! Menu is simple, servers are polite, ambiance is inviting... you cannot go wrong with any choice on the menu but here my favorites are Veg Platter with samples of dips (yes they all have traditional names but I am not putting them here to make it easy for readers) Falafel Sandwich Chicken shawarma Chicken Pide Prices are extremely reasonable. Turkish tea is on the house .. there is everything you will love.. Visit once thank me later ... hidden gem for sure

Man is this a hidden treasure! Bosphorus definitely seems like a family restaurant. They were so welcoming and made us feel at home. I lived my mixed grill kebabs and the mezze was next level! That hummus rivals the best hummus I have ever had. And the bread...!!! Cool place and definitely worth the trip.