Kelly M.
Yelp
I moved to Dallas for the first time in late 1994. I was more or less a kid back then, but I clearly remember Cafe Izmir as one of the Greenville Avenue mainstays. Years later, it remains an institution. Clearly, the owners of Cafe Izmir have never lost sight of their roots. The food is every bit as delicious, but it remains a place where one can expect the level of care and compassion from those who work there that one would receive from a beloved friend or family member. I can think of few restaurants that embody this level of genuine care, warmth, and hospitality for their customers. The ambiance exudes a rustic and romantic charm that sets it apart as well, and on the night we recently visited, was perfectly paired with beautiful live music.
In terms of food specifics, the classic hummus has always been one of the best iterations in town, but the chipotle hummus is almost more amazing. The dinner for two offers flexible choices and is a sensational value at just $65, and the portions are super generous. The beef tenderloin and chicken were both tender and perfectly seasoned. Even the tzatziki is deliciously set apart from everywhere else -- thick and expertly seasoned. You will definitely not leave this place hungry!
If I could change only a few things about Cafe Izmir it would be these: I do wish they had a liquor license so that raki could be enjoyed, and I'd love to see the addition of a few more classic Turkish dishes such as doner/Iskander, cerkez tavugu, bolu pilic yogurtlu, mantarli tavuk, etc. But even without any of those things, this restaurant still manages to be epic.