When I visited Istanbul last year, I spent most of my days exploring the city on foot. Since I was staying in Fatih, many of the major attractions were within walking distance from my hostel, which meant I could wander through the streets for hours, soaking up the atmosphere and, of course, stopping whenever something caught my eye.
One thing I quickly noticed was how easy it was to find street food in Istanbul. Whether it was simit, kestane (roasted chestnuts), or közde mısır (grilled corn), there was always something to snack on.
Out of them all, simit was the one I kept coming back for.
If you’ve never tried one before, simit is a circular bread coated with toasted sesame seeds, with a chewy texture that’s slightly crisp on the outside. My favourite was the one filled with Nutella, and let’s just say I bought far more simit than I probably should have. 😂
Even after returning to Malaysia, I couldn’t stop talking about it.
Now, my partner has this habit of taking my food cravings very seriously. Whenever I casually mention that I miss eating something, he somehow makes it his mission to make it happen. So, not long after one of my many “I really miss simit” conversations…
I found myself having lunch at Turkish Cafe Istanbul.
✅ About Turkish Cafe Istanbul
Established in 2014, Turkish Cafe Istanbul was founded by Chef Deniz after he fell in love with Malaysia’s multicultural and Islamic culture, as well as the country’s undeniable passion for good food. Wanting to contribute his culinary expertise to the local dining scene, he opened Turkish Cafe Istanbul with a simple mission: to bring the authentic flavours and warm hospitality of Türkiye to Malaysia.
Today, the menu offers a wide variety of traditional Turkish dishes, from hearty breakfasts and freshly baked breads to kebabs, pide, gözleme, grilled meats, desserts, and of course, the iconic Turkish tea.
There are plenty of options to explore, no matter what you’re craving.
What I like most is that the restaurant doesn’t try to put a modern spin on Turkish cuisine. Instead, it focuses on serving traditional dishes that stay true to their roots.
✅ First Impression
The restaurant has a warm and inviting interior with beautiful Turkish-inspired décor that feels traditional without being over the top. Everything was spotlessly clean, and although it was quite busy during lunch, the atmosphere remained relaxed and comfortable. It had the kind of cosy, welcoming vibe where you could easily spend an hour or two enjoying your meal without feeling rushed.
Most of the staff were foreigners, which made the experience feel even more authentic. They were attentive, efficient, and friendly from the moment we arrived, while the restaurant manager greeted customers with a friendly smile as they walked through the door.
The seating is thoughtfully arranged, with cosy tables for couples, larger tables for families and groups, and plenty of space between them. Even with a steady flow of customers, the restaurant never felt cramped or noisy.
Before we’d even placed our order, I found myself smiling while flipping through the menu. Seeing so many familiar dishes, I couldn’t wait to find out if they tasted just as good as I remembered.
✅ What We Ordered
With such an extensive menu, deciding what to order wasn’t exactly easy. There were so many dishes that caught my attention, and I honestly wanted to try a little bit of everything. You can check out their menu [here]
Thankfully, my partner had been to Türkiye several times and was much more familiar with Turkish cuisine than I was. I trusted him to choose our lunch, making sure we ordered just enough to enjoy without going overboard or letting any food go to waste.
As for me, there was one thing I absolutely couldn’t leave without ordering: Simit…
- Simit Set (Jam & Butter) – RM7.90
After talking about simit for so long, I finally had the chance to eat it again.
One thing I did notice was that the simit here was the texture. Compared to the simit I had in Türkiye, this one was noticeably softer and easier to bite into. The ones I bought from the street vendors in Istanbul had a firmer texture, but honestly, I enjoyed both versions.
The set comes with butter and jam, making it a simple yet satisfying breakfast or light snack.
While I still have a soft spot for the Nutella-filled simit I used to buy in Istanbul, this definitely brought back those wonderful memories.
- Gözleme (Spinach) – RM20.90
Gözleme is a traditional Turkish flatbread that’s rolled thin before being filled with your choice of ingredients and cooked until lightly crisp on the outside. Turkish Cafe Istanbul offers several fillings, including spinach, potato, and chicken, but we decided to go with spinach.
The flatbread was freshly made, with a crispy exterior and a soft, flavourful filling inside. The combination of spinach and cheese worked beautifully together, creating a rich yet well-balanced filling that wasn’t overly heavy. The portion was generous enough to share.
It’s one of those comforting dishes that feels light enough for lunch but still leaves you pleasantly full.
- Chicken Thigh Kebab – RM32.90
For our main course, we went with the Chicken Thigh Kebab.
The meal comes with grilled chicken thigh, fresh salad and soft Turkish wrap, making it a complete and well-balanced plate.
The chicken was juicy, tender, and beautifully seasoned with aromatic spices without being overly strong. Everything on the plate complemented each other nicely, especially when paired with the soft Turkish wrap. The flavours are rich yet never overwhelming, allowing the freshness of the ingredients to shine through.
- Turkish Tea – RM3.00
No Turkish meal feels complete without a glass of Turkish tea.
Served in the small glass, it’s strong, smooth, with a subtle fragrant aroma that makes it incredibly comforting to drink. It’s a staple you’ll find almost everywhere in Türkiye, from restaurants to cafés and even small local shops.
At just RM3 per glass, it was the perfect way to finish our meal.
✅ Is Turkish Cafe Istanbul Worth the Price?
I genuinely felt that the prices were fair for the quality and portions we received.
The Simit Set was an affordable way to enjoy one of Türkiye’s most iconic street foods, while the Gözleme and Chicken Thigh Kebab were generously portioned and made with fresh ingredients. Even the Turkish tea was incredibly affordable at just RM3 per glass, making it an easy addition to the meal without stretching the bill.
For the two of us, the total came to around RM65 before any additional charges, which I think is reasonable for an authentic Turkish dining experience in Kuala Lumpur.
More importantly, nothing about the meal felt disappointing. The food was well prepared, the flavours reminded me of my time in Istanbul, and the overall dining experience exceeded my expectations.
Considering the quality of the food, generous portions, welcoming service, and cosy atmosphere, I’d happily pay the same amount again.
✅ Location & Opening Hours
Turkish Cafe Istanbul is located on the lower ground floor of Glo Damansara in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Kuala Lumpur. Since it’s inside a shopping mall, finding parking is straightforward, making it a convenient spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
📍 Turkish Cafe Istanbul
LG-08, Glo Damansara, 699, Jalan Damansara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur.
🕒 Opening Hours
Daily: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
✅ Would I Come Again?
Without a doubt.
One visit definitely wasn’t enough.
Turkish Cafe Istanbul reminded me why I fell in love with Turkish cuisine in the first place.
Although my trip to Istanbul wasn’t filled with the best memories, one thing that has always stayed with me is the food.
Sitting there with a warm glass of Turkish tea, surrounded by dishes I’d grown to love, brought me right back to those afternoons wandering through the streets of Istanbul, stopping at little food stalls before continuing my adventure.
That’s what I love most about food. Sometimes, all it takes is one familiar flavour to take you back to a place you’ve been, reminding you of the moments that made the journey worthwhile.
If you’ve travelled to Türkiye and find yourself missing the food, I think you’ll really enjoy dining here. And if Turkish cuisine is completely new to you, Turkish Cafe Istanbul is a wonderful place to experience it for the first time.
Wanderhoney Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Love,
Auri Duham 🌻
