Falafel King

Absolutely INCREDIBLE FOOD, service. The family is so nice and sociable and just kind people. Best Turkish food I’ve ever had in Louisiana. I mean w every bite you just close your eyes and go into a parallel universe

We visited from NYC and were excited to try this restaurant—and it did not disappoint! The service was outstanding—friendly, attentive, and kind. As for the food, it was simply the best I’ve had. We ordered the chicken Adana and chicken shish, and both dishes were incredible. The chicken was perfectly tender and bursting with flavor. The bread was soft, fresh, and absolutely delicious. A fantastic dining experience all around! I look forward to visiting in the future, just to have this food again!

Hidden gem! Laid back atmosphere, friendly staff and some of the best Turkish food in the city. The service was extremely fast and the food is delicious. Must try the lentil soup!! Their fresh bread is amazing with the meze options. The staff is very helpful in explaining their menu as well.

BRAND NEW TURKISH RESTAURANT!!! It made us feel like we were in Turkey in America. Everything was delicious. The staff was friendly and knew the menu. Everything was fresh and served nicely. It's definitely a place to try. Their menu is quite extensive and there are many different flavors!

With their friendly and attentive service, and legit Turkish kebaps, they quickly became one of the greater new Orleans area favorites. Highly recommended for anybody longing for Turkish cuisine. Lentil soup and kebap with yogurt, as well as lahmacun are my personal favorites so far.

Brand new place!!! The food was amazing. They make their own bread!!! Fresh baked bread smell as soon as you walk in. All of the staff was friendly. Even the owner came by to say hi. I had the beef/lamb gyro. Enjoy it like I did. Highly recommend

If I can make any recommendation for a place to try, this is it! Istanbul Grill is AMAZING! So happy to see an authentic Turkish restaurant in our community! The chefs are Turkish and know what they’re doing. The menu is very large! There’s something for everyone but if you’ve never had Turkish cuisine before, I highly recommend the Adana Kebab to start. Iskender and Lahmacun were also so good. The meats are super tender. I can’t wait to go back (probably weekly 😅) to try more of the dishes. I highly encourage giving this place a try and everyone to support this new restaurant. The owner is a great guy, service was very good, and the space is simply beautiful!

Istanbul Grill is a feast for the senses and an absolute must-visit for lovers of authentic, high-quality cuisine. From the moment you approach the restaurant, the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread draws you in—it’s impossible to resist. The bread is warm, fluffy, and baked to perfection, adding an extra layer of comfort and authenticity to the dining experience. Of course, the meat is the undeniable star. Every dish is crafted with care, showcasing meat that is tender, flavorful, and of the highest quality. Whether it’s the perfectly grilled kebabs or the succulent lamb chops, every bite is a celebration of expertly seasoned perfection. The service is just as outstanding, with a team that goes above and beyond to ensure you feel welcome and cared for. From the first bite of bread to the last savory morsel, Istanbul Grill delivers an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a taste of excellence!

Delicious food and great service. Interesting, beautiful Turkish plates, vases and lights were in display to purchase too.

This was my first time trying Turkish food. I've passed this place so many times but never expected it to be so cute inside. It's in a strip mall on vets so I wasn't expecting it to have so much character. The service was ok. First they brought out some bread which was so good. I had to keep myself from eating too much so I could actually save room for my food. We had the Findik Lahmacun, which is the thing I was looking forward to the most, and it did not disappoint. It was really good. The bread was crispy and the meat was flavorful. We also had Eggplant Shakshuka. It's had some pretty complex flavors. The person I was with loved that dish the most. I also had the Turkish tea because I felt like t I had to try it. It was really good.

Prepare for a departure from your customary restaurant experience, since the ordering process and ambiance do not fall into the "comforting" range. Lots of bright light and sound permeate the interior, and don't expect wait staff to speak English. Once the food arrives, however, you're in for a treat. Sitting next to you will undoubtedly be families of regulars to know the menu a bit deeper, so look around the take your time. Beverages are mostly of the bottled/boring variety, and there's no alcohol available on premises (it's currently BYOB). Vegetarians will be delighted, as will serious meat eaters, not to mention kids, with ample selections for all proclivities. Parking is hit or miss, as you're dealing with a smallish parking lot next to a very busy thoroughfare.

Wish I could give this place more than five stars!! It truly is that good! We ordered an array of dishes and all of them were perfectly done. Well seasoned and nothing overcooked. The "balloon bread" that they bring to the table is a show-stopper. It's always freshly baked in their oven and comes with dipping sauces. I suggest trying it with the muhammara. Their falafel and tzatziki sauce with hummus is a must, as well. I ordered the chicken Adana as my main course, which I thoroughly enjoyed! It wasn't dry at all despite being ground chicken. I've never experienced that combination of flavors before! It'll be difficult to order something else next time. For dessert, we had the Kunefe. Please do yourself a favor and indulge, because it's worth it! That cheese pull is something else. The service was above and beyond. Very attentive. We never ran out of drinks and they cleared the table as we ate so nothing was messy or in the way. It isn't a huge restaurant, but there is still plenty of seating with a view of the oven. It's nicely decorated and well kept. It's somewhere I'll be taking my family again for sure! Thanks!

Just stopped in for lunch while we were in town. FANTASTIC hidden gem with fresh & very flavorful food options. Will definitely be back!

Location is easy in and out on Veterans. Stopped in for an impromptu early lunch right after they opened (10:30A). Was the first customer that day, I believe. Lots of window lighting and comfortable temperature, clean bathrooms. Parking lot with limited spots, but street parking around the corner. Order at the counter and it's brought to you. Pricing is reasonable and portions are ample. Bread with dips arrived at the table; way more than I needed but very yummy. Feta Roll app was served with sliced fresh tomatoes, which was a nice offset to the cheese in the rolls. Saw the word I was looking for: sujuk. When I was a child, we lived in Turkey and had sujuk sandwiches from the street vendor. Here is served on a pide (pizza) with lots of cheese. It's not a "saucy" thing because sujuk is very flavorful, but it was still amazing. To go box was easy to obtain. Other patrons were filing in when I left. If you're into Mediterranean or Turkish, definitely give this a try.

My dad found this place online and we decided to try it out Saturday. When we walked in we were told we could sit wherever we wanted to and that our server would be with us shortly. The place is on the smaller side, but still relatively nice. This was our first time trying Turkish food, so our server gave us some recommendations for our meal and brought us some of the complementary bread which was really good. I ordered a fruit punch, and it's noted that all of their drinks are can drinks. I wasn't a fan of that because sometimes when eating I drink a lot, and can drinks basically mean no refills, so I got a water on the side. It was 3 of us and we decided to get the Mix Grill Kebab, which says it can feed 2-3. It was enough for the 3 of us. It came with 2 small lambchops, salad, chicken and beef shish, rice, kofte, and Adana. Our favorites were the kofte and the chicken Adana. The chicken shish was okay and the rice with the salad was okay as well. The lamb chops and beef shish were over cooked. It was hard to cut the beef with the butter knife because of how overcooked it was. If it would've been cooked properly this place would've received a 4/5.

someone that we knew recently went here and said it was really good so we decided to stop by and try it out. the restaurant is nice and has plenty of seating space. the service is also good. we ordered the shashutka, the farmers salad, and the gyro. fresh bread plus yogurt was given as a starter. the shashutka was really good with good flavor and great taste. the farmers salad was also very good with good chunks of tomatoes and cucumbers. the bread was really good and fresh and direct from the oven to the table. the gyro was alright, good portion size but average flavor. overall excellent food and ambiance, a big pricy but good flavors

I had a birthday dinner with friends and it was the first time visiting for all of us. The server was very nice and took his time explaining any questions we had about the dishes we ordered. We all really enjoyed our food but loved the puffy pita bread served at the beginning, delicious! The restaurant is very casual and most of the clients were made up of families. On this visit it was a busy night but service was quick and parking was a bit limited due to the location but there are more spaces in the back of the building.

Good quality. Authentic. Ordered from Uber eats and it was still warm and fresh. The Uber eats prices are HIGH. I would really like to return and try dine in .

Someone shared this place on a social media reel and since we were headed to NOLA for the day, we had lunch here. It is truly authentic and not some Americanized version of Mediterranean food. Being half Iranian, I know good kabob, and I can honest say that their kabob was amazing. It made with ground lamb and beef, the seasoning was on point and it was brought out fresh. I would gladly make that drive from Lafayette to NOLA to eat here again.

This place is adorable! It looks like a Turkish little cafe in the midst of metairie! Everyone inside was so nice. I got the lamp wrap and the grape leaves. Very very good! The menu looks great and I can't wait to try everything on the menu.

I ordered dinner (UberEats) from a new spot tonight and WOW.... Istanbul Grill is special! The Lahmacun is kind of like Turkey's version of pizza; a crispy flatbread with seasoned ground beef and lamb. It was served with fresh tomatoes and parsley and lemon and it's one of my new favorites... sooo delicious and perfect for a meal or late night snack! The red lentil soup was mild but tasty. I got two kinds of house bread plus kibbie (which was a bit different from the Lebanese kibbie I'm used to, but still delicious)! Topped it all off with the most decadent baklava ever! I'm truly trying not to eat it all in one sitting! The portion sizes are generous, looking forward to leftovers tomorrow! Highly recommend you give Istanbul Grill a try (they really need social media accounts)!

ISTANBUL GRILL 4407 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006 When you decide to gamble on a new restaurant and it's a solid 10/10? That just means you hit JACKPOT! This new Turkish restaurant was so delicious that I was shocked in awe of how tasty it was!! Did I mention that everything is made fresh per order? 1. Turkish Tea? I do not recall the name, sadly. 2. ADANA KEBAB Ground beef/lamb flavored with red peppers, seasoned with Chef blend char-grilled. 22. 3. LAHMACUN (1 PC) A traditional Anatolian specialty, mixture of ground lamb, tomato parsley, green peppers, garlic mix spread over hand-rolled dough. 9 4. Kunefe- Crispy cheese-filled dessert made with kadayıf (kah-dah-YUF'), which is a traditional shredded wheat dessert with pistachio filling. #TurkishFood #MetairieEats #FoodPorn #Jackpot #nomnomnom #Tonylameats #istanbulgrill

Hidden gems like this restaurant are a true find. The food is amazing!!! One of the ladies working there asked if this was our first time there. We said yes and then she said you will love it. She was right! I cannot wait to bring the rest of my family back. We had the falafel, mix grill kebab plate, kunefe and Turkish tea. Best falafel I have ever had. The Grill Kebab plate (for 2) was so flavorful and huge portions. The bread they serve is wonderful and the kunefe was absolutely delicious. Thank you for the wonderful service and we will be back soon!

Omg the perfect fix for wanting something other than Louisiana food. Everything was amazing and reheated great.

Went last Sunday.. it was excellent! Will definitely be going back! The food was authentic, fresh, and the service was stellar!

Food and service is amazing, I recommend the Beef Sauté. You are greeted with fresh hot bread and dipping sauces (vary). My favorite is puffy bread but you have to ask for it. The lentil soup is made fresh and is always served hot.

We went for a late lunch on a Saturday - the service and food couldn't have been better. Best Mediterranean food I've had in several years. The bread was freshly baked and delicious and the kebabs were succulent. Highly recommend - a bit pricey but worth it.

Delicious food and warm, welcoming service! My husband, who resists gastronomic adventures, was delighted to dine here. He prefers his meat cooked rare, and they prepared his lamb as requested perfectly. The bread is especially wonderful! There were many items that were new to us. If you like eggplant and veggies, there are multiple tasty options. Do try this restaurant!

Loved this new restaurant that was once Falalfel King. We started off with the Lahmacun (pizza) for our appetizer. It was thin with minced meat and peppers! It tasted SOOO GOOD. For my entree, I ordered the Donor beef/lamb specials plate that came with a lentil soup and rice. Lentil soup was light and wasn't too heavy. It had a sweeter taste. The only thing that underwhelmed me was beef. It was dry and hard on the edges but the flavor was there. Service was great and fast! Loved the chill ambiance.

My friend and I had a wonderful dining experience at the Istanbul Grill. She and I had not seen each other in over 20 years and the staff was super kind, even though catching up took over 2 hours, but we never felt rushed! in fact, as we were finally preparing to leave, they brought us out a scrumptious baklava, on the house!! I should also note that was the best humus I've ever tasted and my beef pide was amazing! Even though I live in Covington, it was well-worth the drive, and we will definitely be back!!

I've been here four times so far. Each visit was good and food was very good. My only thought is it may be somewhat overpriced on a number of things but that's just the way it is around here. The best value at Istanbul Grill is the lunch specials. At $17 I felt the offerings shown in my photo was generous and it did include soup (not shown) The Kafta kabob was well seasoned and perfectly grilled. The breads they make are exceptional. I had a dessert on one occasion the Kunefe which is one my all time favorites. HOWEVER, it wasn't good - barely any cheese and nowhere near the quality I've had at another place on the West Bank. Overall though food alone, it. Very good, tasty and satisfying. Ownership and service very good, and the space is bright and comfortable. Good ambiance.

Everything about our experience at Istanbul Grill was splendid! The service was magnificent. The staff were as warm as the delicious breads and super friendly! They've made the best out it the space. Although it isn't very large, the tables are spaced well, so guests aren't on top of each other. The decor is lovely with traditional Turkish design touches. The food is wonderfully delightful. The complimentary bread is beautiful and tasty. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked and smelled mouth watering. The tasty didn't disappoint by any measure. The lamb kebab cooked perfectly. The doner which is Turkish gyro was incredible. Nothing like what's serviced at other restaurants. The rice was flavored well and the vegetables were fresh. The beyti is highly recommended. This authentic Turkish cuisine will not disappoint, so don't over look this little gem!!! I pray they do well and expand!

The restaurant was clean and the staff were friendly. We liked the kebab but not the cheese and egg pide.

This is the first authentic Turkish restaurant in metro New Orleans area for decades. The menu is very diverse including vegetarian appetizers, many prepared with olive oil such as stuffed grape leaves, hot appetizers, kebabs and pides. The pides are the Turkish version of flat breads with toppings. This is not a pita bread that we have been exposed to in New Orleans. Service is always with a big smile, lead by the owner, who is ever present on location. The ambiance is unquestionable Turkish and frequently it is full of loca Turks.

I usually don't review Middle Eastern food, mostly because many restaurants with Middle Eastern food adopted the same style as Chinese food in the US, ie: indistinguishable from one and another. Fortunately, Istanbul Grill is a wonderful exception, the food is delectable, from classical mezze to the Lahmacun, and of course the best kunefe i've tried in recent memory. The bread baked in their own oven is frequently brought at the table by a congenial and friendly service. The environment is calm, and clean with a music tuned in a much appreciated low volume. The portions are generous and the price moderate. You should give Istanbul Grill a try !

Legit Turkish food in New Orleans...finally! I would give them 5 stars if the prices weren't 2-3 times higher for most of the menu than they should be. That said, it's all good. The Lamaçun is great and authentic. A rare find in the US, and at $8 is a good value. I wish they offered a German style döner in addition to their more expensive döner plates. Service is fast and friendly. Restaurant is simple and more fitting to take out than dine in, but it's all clean and well kept. I really hope these guys stick around (and add German style döners!).

Istanbul Grill has the most authentic Turkish food I have found since leaving an assignment in Turkey years ago. I have spent time since then in Houston, San Diego, Philadelphia and New Orleans and I have found nothing that has compared until now. Had a Doner sandwich (like a Gyro - but way better), Mezas (Turkish appetizers) Aryan (Yogurt based drink) and fresh brick oven based bread. Really brought back memories. Perfect.

the place looks better and more open. nice staffs! i ordered the sea bass didn't think i was getting a WHOLE fish,thought i was getting a filet but it was really good! turkish pizza is always good! we would come back

Ordered uber eats. AMAZING!! Highly recommended. The seabass is phenomenal. As is everything!

Istanbul Grill is AMAZING and serves authentic Turkish food! I highly recommend the Adana Kebab, Iskender and Lahmacun. I can't wait to try more of the items on their very large menu. There's something for everyone. The meats are super fresh and tender. I highly encourage giving this place a try. Great service, convenient location and the space is simply beautiful!

The food was amazing! The best Turkish food around. Freshly made daily. Service was fast and friendly!

Instanbul Grill on Veterans in Metairie is a hidden treasure! 11/10. I was referred here by a coworker who is originally from Eastern Europe. Due to her ravings I was inspired to try this place out for myself & not only did i leave satisfied, but i was overjoyed by the experience. Service is incredibly hospitable, genuine & generous! Treated like a guest & greeted with the most soul-comforting fresh oven baked bread (which is complimentary). Ambiance is wonderfully decorated to feel like you are stepping into a village near Turkey or Greece. My favorite table to sit at is next to the open fire oven! Menu is extensive with great options. Eggplant Shakshuka & Spicy Ezme stole my heart. I paired those with the Fried Beef Liver which was cooked to perfection; crispy, still tender, and rich! Check is delivered with a customary hot Turkish tea like a peppermint on a check presenter. Instanbul Grill is IMPECCABLE. *chefs kiss!

My wife and I ate lunch at Istanbul Grill and were very impressed with the service, staff, cleanliness, but especially the food. The Liver appetizer was well presented and very delicious. We also had the falafel appetizer which was surrounded by hummus and well presented. For our entree, we had the Guvec Kampama which was very tasty with its mix of tender beef, vegetables topped with a thin pastry layer over the dish. We finished off with Kazandibi, Baklavas, and some refreshing Ayran (yogurt drink) and Turkish tea. I recommend trying this place for the food, atmosphere and friendly staff.

Friendly service, nice devour, and delicious good. Everything was great and was authentic.

Grill platter was amazing and iskender kababs delicious Will come back Nice ambiance

The food was outstanding! There is some overlap with "Middle Eastern" cuisine but also some distinctively (delicious) Turkish offerings. I highly recommend the Muhammara and haydari apps. The Alana beef/lamb kabob was spicy and savory -- my favorite kabob ever. The salad was light and tasty. Even the rice was tasty- i ate it all when i just wanted to taste it. I can't wait to come back and try new things, but it will be very difficult to not get what i already ordered. This is definitely a welcome addition to the New Orleans metro food scene. Service was very friendly and professional. I cannot wait to go back! Please give it a try!

Whether you're looking for a chill hang-out with your friends or a large get-together with family, Istanbul Grill does not disappoint. Not only is the food affordable, authentic, and delicious, but the staff and owner go above and beyond to ensure your experience is pleasant. The orders also come out quickly, so it is a good place to go if you are in a rush, or have little kids. 10 out of 10.

Very delicious and authentic food. The atmosphere is so cute with lots of nice decor and ample parking. The service is excellent, very warm staff and efficient service. You get some delicious Turkish bread for free. We hope to come again!

Great, tasty food. Generous portions. Friendly and attentive wait staff. Nice ambience with large brick oven in view so you know they make all their breads. Have been a few times and each meal was top notch.

Delicious and authentic! We had a group of 10 and tried a good many things on the menu. Unfortunately we didn't take pics. But I definitely recommend dining there.

Delicious food, friendly staff, clean restaurant and restrooms. Authentic Mediterranean/Turkish cuisine. The first time I've had Turkish coffee and kunefe in years. My family and I will definitely be back when in the area!

Fantastic. We got the mixed grill, lahmacun, and kunefe. Everything was absolutely incredible. The meat was so flavorful and juicy, definitely the best kebab I've ever had. Do not skip out on the kunefe, it was so yummy. My only regret is not eating here sooner

Baba, Shakshuka, hummus, and fried feta sticks were all delicious apps! I believe our fave was the shakshuka! I had the lamb kebab, and my friends had falafel, and lamb pide. We all thoroughly enjoyed our entrees and the staff was so friendly and helpful with avoiding my allergies to pistachios and cinnamon! We will definitely be back! 11.5/10

Good authentic Turkish food! Will recommend for customer's interested in middle-eastern food

This rest autant is great and the he people running it very pleasant. The food was amazing and the portions generous. I will recommend to my friends.

Food is delicious, people there are friendly and welcoming, beef and all kinds of grill are perfect , have amazing pide , best sutlaç. Everything i tried was super delicious.

Went there this last Saturday with my wife for lunch, I highly recommend this restaurant. The food we had was fantastic, it reminded me of the genuine dishes that we had in Izmir when we lived there.