Istanbul Doner Kebab

“Istanbul Kebab is hands down one of the best spots in San Diego for authentic Turkish food! From the moment I walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere made me feel at home. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring everything was perfect throughout my visit. The food was simply phenomenal. I ordered the beef and lamb kebabs, and they were cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The accompanying rice and salad were fresh and seasoned beautifully, tying the meal together perfectly. What really stood out to me was the attention to detail, from the presentation of the dishes to the generous portions. It’s clear they take pride in what they do. If you’re looking for an authentic and satisfying Turkish dining experience, Istanbul Kebab is a must-visit. I can’t wait to come back and try more from their menu!”

Fast service. Attentive and helpful staff. We were excited to try two of their pide! One had seasoned beef with onion and bell peppers. The other was chicken with caramelized onions. Both were tasty! Note that the beef was seasoned well but more on the spicy side. We also ordered a beef wrap. Tasty! Came with a side slaw type salad which had hot jalapeños in it. Appetizer was roasted eggplant. We are looking forward to coming back! 😀

This is a nice spot for Turkish food, offering a decent dining experience. We particularly enjoyed their special doner kebab, which was flavorful and well-prepared. The Adana kebab was juicy but could have used a bit more salt to enhance the flavor—this was a minor drawback, which is why we’re deducting a star for food. Service, while friendly, was a bit slow, and one of our orders was missed. While this was slightly disappointing, it wasn’t a dealbreaker and wouldn’t deter us from returning. If we find ourselves in San Diego again and craving Turkish cuisine, we’d consider giving this place another visit. Overall, the food was decent—not extraordinary—but still worth a try for a taste of Turkish flavors.

The food is incredibly flavorful, offering an authentic taste of Turkey with every bite. The owner is warm and welcoming. The atmosphere is vibrant yet peaceful, impeccably clean, and beautifully captures the essence of Turkey. It’s more than just a meal – it’s an experience that transports you straight to the heart of Turkish hospitality and culture."

My wife and I had an absolutely wonderful experience at Istanbul Doner Grill in San Diego! We ordered the chicken and beef shish kebabs, the pide, and tea, and everything was beyond perfect. The kebabs were juicy, flavorful, and perfectly grilled, while the pide was warm, fresh, and loaded with delicious toppings. The tea was the ideal finish to our meal, soothing and authentic. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making us feel right at home. If you’re craving authentic Turkish cuisine, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommended!

Unbelievably awesome service. Delicious, fresh Halal option near the convention center. The lamb shank indeed fell of the bone, the chicken was light, the rice fragrant with a hint of cardamom and every component in the salad was fresh. The food was 9/10, the kind brothers who were preparing and serving the food are an 11/10.

I had the beef döner sandwich and wow! The flavors were amazing. The beef was seasoned exquisitely and it married up with the veggies to create one of the best sandwiches I have ever enjoyed. Fries are usually unremarkable unless they are undercooked or too salty but these were perfect. Every single fry was perfectly crisp with just the right amount of seasoning. The staff were friendly, attentive, and generally seemed happy.

We chose this restaurant over another restaurant because they make Lahmacun. We were extremely happy with the food, service, and atmosphere. I have lived in Turkey as a kid and these flavors brought back memories. We had the Lahmacun, beef shish kebabs, and chicken döner sandwich meal along with çay (tea) to drink. The establishment was clean with a comfortable atmosphere, courteous staff, and music. We also had bottles of water and soda which brought the total up, but I believe the price was fair for the amount of items we had. Highly recommended!