Cafe Istanbul
Address:1850 Lawrenceville Hwy # 700, Decatur, GA 30033
Date of Visit: Wednesday, 4/15/09, 7:30 p.m- 11pm
Price: beer- $4-6 a bottle, food $ 10.50-17.99 for entrees, hookah $15.00
Parking: free but limited
Cover: None
Age Restriction: None
Atmosphere: Middle Eastern, most of the seating is on the floors on pillows (try to sit against the wall), there is a sign that says smoking is permitted but it is for hookah use only, our waiter happened to be the owner and was went above and beyond to make sure we were happy- including a free shot for 15 something in our party, good for groups, dates, hanging out, whatever
Entertainment: Great belly dancer- she balanced miscellaneous items on her head such as a sword and a cane, also a ‘psychometrist’ (fortune teller) was floating around looking to predict your future for a nominal fee of course, hookah in all different flavors
Bathrooms: girls room was nice enough but boys bathroom was out of control (there appeared to be urine everywhere)
Food: Excellent, authentic seeming, Turkish food. The falafel makes a great appetizer, also the lamb and feta based calzone is a unique take on Turkish/Italian cuisine
Drink Selection: Only beer and wine for now, issue with liquor license (we did get free shots)
Demographics: there appeared to be mostly large parties including: us (awesome, young 20′s something crowd), sad girls club, large large Turkish? party, some high school baseball players). Weekends bring in a larger, more diverse crowd
Tips: Bring more money than you plan on spending, check out the one-eared donkey outside
Strengths: Food, owner/wait staff, Turkish beer, Efes, is worth trying
Weakness: men’s bathroom
Overall Rating: 
