Cafe Turko Reviews

4.3

204 of 3,215 Restaurants in Seattle


Reviews

Yummy food for lunch...

By wing6rider |

and really friendly place to visit. We were just passing and happened by. We only had a light lunch but the soup and pide were excellent. It seemed to be very authentic. We would love to adopt this place but sadly we live too far away.... YMMV

Good Food

By gabriellap |

Great Turkish food. Service is so so. I made reservations online but they didn't have them, was a bit of a hassle. No parking so be prepared to walk. But the food is worth it,

bland food

By Liz C |

We ordered lunch to go and waited about 10-15 minutes for food. I had the eggplant in pita and it was very bland. Adding some hummus or something to flavor it could have helped. My husband ordered the lanb in pita and they forgot to put eggplant on it and it too was bland. We ordered halva which was delicious and wanted another dessert they were out of. The restaurant itself was very pretty. They did not give us napkins or silverware so it was also a big mess to eat.

Authentic Turkish Food in Eclectic Fremont Area

By Dave |

A large group of us decided to try Cafe Turko after exploring the fascinating and eclectic Fremont area. It was extremely busy, but the service was friendly and good. I have traveled to Turkey, and found the food very authentic. I had the Beyti Kebab (lamb) ...excellent!!! If you're in the area give it a try!

Special Celebration

By Margeskk |

Celebrating our twins (not kids) Birthday, 13 of us gathered for this celebration (some locals, few from two different states and a couple from another country). This was everyone’s first time. At the beginning the chef came out and greeted us then she gave one of our members who deals with serious food allergies, few recommendations and made a note so our waiter, Mamat would know and always point out the items that our member should stay away. Everyone was happy with their selection. The service was great, the food was great, the atmosphere was great. I wish I lived closer so I could visit this place every so often. But I will make a note and the next time I end up in Seattle, I will be sure to visit. The only thing is that the address we were given and used to get here was 750 N. 34th St. Mamat and Chef Surraya thank you for the wonderful service and our great food. The twins enjoyed it.

Love this place.

By Dale H |

Great Mediterranean Food. Turkish style. Like Greek, Like Turkish. Styles of food are similar even if they are not. Had great service and great food. Have liked everything they have served here. Loved their lemonade and baklava. Good cup of Turkish coffee. No alcoholic drinks. but with good food who cares.

Perfect setting and location

By Peggy L |

In this place you feel that you are in Turkey or somewhere in Europe. The walls are covered with Turkish rugs and other decorations, which give the place a sense of fullness, and the tables are relatively small and close to each other. This is a must visit, Turko Cafe in Fremont, to taste something fresh and out of the norm. It can get crowded so you may have to wait. No fine dining but good flavor and presentation $25 dollar range per person if you are really hungry. Good menu, lamb with apricots and almonds... Very good :) This place is walking distance from Gasworks park

Delightful Staff

By LindaSeattle |

Our party of six all enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. Colorful, clean, well lit and no blaring music. Four of the guests were either Vegan or Vegetarian and all found menu items that included their dietary needs. The group collectively enjoyed the Hummus and pita but found the food not very spicy and they love spicy food. It was my daugher's birthday and as a surprise and a delightful one at that, the staff turned off the lights in the restaurant and brought her a dessert with a candle in it! So thoughtful and sweet. Parking in the area is a nightmare so be prepared to walk a distance. Prices are very reasonable.

Very good Turkish food

By Alec D |

It's nice to find a place in Seattle that has good Turkish food. The dolmas were excellent, some of the best I've had. We had the sample plate which is a nice way to try different things on the menu. The service was OK

Wonderful Turkish food, and shop

By C_J_CCTx |

Blend of Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mediteranean, but different than all three. We loved the spices. Vegan options available. Fun shopping the the "bazaar" like back of the store.

Do not go here!!!!! Bad customer service!!! No respect for customers!!!!

By Winning1 |

I ordered Uber eats for pickup from this restaurant. There was an offer on Uber eats for buy one get one free hummus at the time. I let the restaurant know that they did not give me the second one. They said that was not their problem and take it up with Uber eats. The guy from the restaurant was very aggressive and disregarding of the customer.I had purchased a big order from this restaurant. Instead of making it right with the customer when they had a chance, they decided to instead upset the customer and lose future business. If there is an offer advertised from the restaurant, it is a lie and they will not honor it when you pick up your food. I had to spend additional multiple hours with Uber eats to get a refund and explain the situation with the restaurant. I would never go to this restaurant again and have told my friends about my experience. This business needs to learn how to treat customers better.

Good food and service!

By Susan R |

Some friends and I had lunch at Café Turko a few weeks ago. The food was fantastic and reasonably priced, our server was friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was excellent. The only quirk is that it's an odyssey to get to the restroom (and don't forget the code!). I'd go back next time I'm in the area.

Amazing Food, Lively Place !

By Pradeep Kaushal |

Visited with family on weekend for lunch. Located close to very pleasant looking water front. Nice lively interiors depicting Turkish ambience. Service was prompt and friendly. All Nazik with chicken was very good. Will certainly visit again.

Good Food & Service

By Alec D |

Cafe Turko is a good choice if you're looking for some Turkish food in Seattle. Located in Freemont (with free parking after 6pm) it's easy to find. The food is consistently good as is the service. I tried the lentil soup on my last visit, it was very good.

intimate restaurant, family run, home cooking

By heyheypippa |

café turko, located inside a non-descript exterior in hopping fremont neighborhood, is like going to your neighbor's house for a meal. wife & husband owners are friendly & involved. she cooks, he serves, both watch over the place & chat up the customers. used to be his rug shop, now converted into a turkish eat & shop. atmosphere is casual. food is fresh, delicious ingredients pop on your palate. everything is tasty. servers are casual too... usually have to be flagged down. easy on the budget, you can sample a few dishes to share or not. authentic food, authentic desserts, authentic owners!

Kamal is on the ball

By goodfoodrider |

After traveling for over 36 hours a friend picked me up at the airport and insisted we do all the touristy things in Seattle.. ( having lived there, I was reluctant and tired yet happy for the ride... ) after an entire day of trekking the hills of downtown in the rain my friend informs me that we are now going to a Turkish restaurant in Ballard she had heard about...oh dear.! Well I must say that turko was some of the best food I have enjoyed in years! We shared 8 different menu items and each one was as good as the last.absolutely a wonderful meal.the best part of the meal was the server named Kamal.he went above and beyond making us happy.i have been back again ( travelling 5 hours to get there) and my friend has returned a few more times ( a 5 hour round trip).i recommend the rose sorbet lemonade, any of the lamb dishes, the baklava and finish with the Turkish coffee. Did I mention the entire meal was well under 100$ for 2..a feast.! With lots of leftovers. And the part we look forward to is KAMAL.! What a great guy who obviously loves making people happy.! Can't wait to go back again.!. Kudos cafe Turko.

Wow! Great Food and ambiance!

By Wildwoodatheart |

We stopped in for lunch while seeing the sights in the area. We love Middle Eastern cuisine, so we stopped based on the good reviews. It took a bit before we were seated. The place was really busy. There were open tables, but the staff was really busy. It took them a bit to get tables cleared in order to seat new customers. Once we were settled, we were impressed with the great service. Our waiter was quick and efficient, and our food arrived very quickly. All four of us LOVED our meals. The food is flavorful and tasty. We tried a few of their specialty beverages and loved those too. There were so many interesting things on the menu! We cannot wait to go back again.

Turkish Cuisine in the Heart of Fremont

By gypsy007 |

Like a little taste of Turkey in Seattle with authentic dishes prepared fresh from scratch. Nice ambience in the expanded dining section and interesting rugs and imported items in the rest of the store. My favorites: the eggplant, shepherd's salad and beet humus- what exquisite color. Love the cay served just like in Turkey in little clear glasses. Cooking classes offered as well.

Birthday Date and add a TROLL $50

By ProsperityHabit |

Really a fun place with graceful full bodied food smothered in flavor. The ambiance is upbeat and fashion forward. Be creative and adventurous in the menu it is appropriate portions and order dessert trio for sure. The reason I say this is a birthday space is because the entire restaurant stops and sings- the kitchen stops too. This is also walking distance from the famous TROLL so definitely add the troll stroll to this date.

Fantastic dinner!

By goddess0063 |

Hubby and I were visiting Seattle and walked past this lovely place our first night in. But after a long journey I was craving a burger so on the 2nd night we came in for a fabulous dinner. This is such a pretty restaurant with all the lights hanging overhead. We didn't have reservations but it was still early and we waited less than 5 minutes for a table. We started with Muhammara, which was good, but not my favorite. Didn't stop us from eating it all! Hubby ordered the Süleyman the Magnificent, if I remember correctly. Everything on the plate was delicious and beautifully presented. I ordered the Aromatic lamb with Turkish apricots and almonds, which immediately after the first bite became my new favorite dish. Sadly I don't live in Seattle so I'll have to spend the rest of my days looking for it on other menus! Aromatic - Yes! Gorgeous - Yeppers! Delicious - Oh, my oh my YES! I was stuffed but had to try the Revani, which I've had before but not this delicious or lovely. I really wanted to try the Turkish coffee but it was late and we had an early start the next day. :( From the warm and lovely look to the restaurant, to the wonderful service, and the magnificent food - it made for a fabulous meal! We'll be back to Seattle and will definitely come back here!

Turkish Delight!

By Oinkoinkone |

Stopped in for lunch, very crowded but friendly owner explained there was a large group in for lunch. Not an issue at all, great service, friendly server, tried two different salads, mine with chicken was very good. Hubby had beet salad which was good ( but small ) for the price. Would go again and try other things including the coffee and dessert.

Great first experience

By GROFREE |

This was my first time having Turkish food. The waitress was patient and knowledgeable explaining everything on the menu. I got something that was like a flat bread pizza, a Turkish bread, to die for, topped with a variety of meats. Reasonably priced, generous serving, I ended up taking half to go. Wish I had room for dessert!

fun and tasty,slightly pricey

By Mauri S |

We enjoyed our food and service at Cafe Turko. The owner was our waiter and spent a little time chatting with us, even though the restaurant was crowded. I asked a table of 10 young people near us if they like their food and they all said, YES! They have no liquor license, however. The owners are Moslem.

Go here!

By guysuiess |

Wow what a great meal. I had the Beyti Kabab with lamb and it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Easy to share too. I could probably eat that everyday. Fun atmosphere, we even had a little view of the harbor and downtown Seattle from our seat on the patio. Staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Don't forget to walk up the hill under the overpass and see the Fremont Troll.

Just superb

By Manuel d |

Went there for late breakfast. This is a family owned restaurant. The food is just delicious and the service superb. The menu offer many dishes. Must go there.

New location same very good food

By Alec D |

Cafe Turko moved less than a block away from their previous location. It's on the same side of the street and very easy to find. If you love Turkish food then you must plan a visit to Cafe Turko.

Delicious, family-friendly

By Elle454 |

Dinner at Cafe Turko is like eating at your favorite relative's home: delicious food, all ages welcome, erratic service, relaxed and homey. Come for the warm welcome and wonderful meals, and leave your hurry and deadlines at home.

Soccer Dinner

By DaveJohnson1 |

We had dinner at Cafe Turko while in Seattle for a soccer tournament. There were four of us for dinner The location is excellent, located in a nice clean neighborhood. Our waiter, Tony, was the best. We asked him to order for us to ensure we tried a little of everything. Tony first brought us the appetizer sampler which was awesome. For dinner we had lamb, chicken, Turkish pizza, lamp kabobs, and a dish that reminded me of a calzone. Everything was excellent! Going to Cafe Turko is a must while in Seattle. Ask for Tony simply the best waiter we have had!

Good Food & Service

By Alec D |

If you like Turkish food then Cafe Turko is a great choice. It's nice location is just a few steps away from the old location. I liked the ambiance better in the previous space but...the food is still very good and the service is good.

Eat everything

By vamsally |

Food is awesome here...really everything is. I have also taken cooking classes from Sureyya and it is worth experiencing more than once.

Yummy Food, OK Service

By Chad D |

Cafe Turko is a homey Turkish restaurant in Fremont. Along with the restaurant area, they also sell rugs, jewellery, and other assorted knick knacks. The wait staff was OK, the service was nothing spectacular. There was a lot of idle waiting for the server to come by with food, drinks, and check. However, the food was terrific. I went with 2 friends and we each sampled each others food and everything was great. I especially liked their yogurt based dishes.

Freakin' awesome!

By Mohamed E |

I frequent ethnic restaurants a great deal and can say without reservation this is a GREAT restaurant! The food is outstanding. If you are reading this, look no further - you will NOT be disappointed!

Came for the Turkish Lentil Soup and Stayed for Dinner...

By ShellTowne |

I read a review from a local newspaper critic and she recommended the lentil soup. She's right it is "tasty and homey," but so much more... best lentil soup I've ever tasted. I had a pide which is a Turkish style pizza. It's a gondola-shaped bread to hold the ingredients in. Ingenious. The one I had was called a Karışık, which includes lamb, sucuk (a dry, spicy sausage and very tasty), chicken and cheese along with vegetables and mushrooms. It was incredible. I also wanted to try the Turkish coffee. My only disappointment. Guess I'm too spoiled with great coffee in the greater Seattle area. I had the Turkish Delight for dessert. Reminded me of the Aplets and Cotlets I used to eat as a kid from Liberty Orchards in Washington state.

Authentic. Family Friendly

By Barbara M |

Wonderful array of Turkish cuisine. Enjoyed the Hummus platter (Spinach, Beet, Sweet Potato and traditional hummus served with pita). Something different and enjoyed it. The salad is fresh and tasty and my friends enjoyed the donar kebab and falafel sandwiches. Beautiful Turkish artwork adorns the restaurant and I purchased gorgeous lapis lazuli earrings.

A Thousand and One Delights

By Lois-ellin |

Lunch on a day of sunshine & warm breezes, with a seating choice of the large outdoor deck overlooking the lake (picnic or smaller tables, umbrella-shaded) or inside where carpets, Turkish glazed pottery, and paintingsadded color and sparklet. The servers were cheerful, very friendly, well-informed about ingredients (one of my friends is allergic to garlic, for example, and I prefer piquant over mouth-searing). Service was warp speed for arrival of the food and leisurely with not table-turnover hassle. Wonderful setting, intriguing & charming atmosphere, and a sense of personal welcome. The food was distinctively different from other Mediterranean cuisines (such as Greek or Egyptian). My entree for example was called "Mishmish" and incorporate tangy apricots, field greens, walnuts, and pomegranates with a touch of honey. A friend had an eggplant mousaka-like dish that was not layered but more a loose style also with some apricots that was tender, packed with flavors, and played beautifully with the accompanying saffron rice with carrot shreds. Portions were generous but we left room for a shared dessert: a fresh fig presentation infused with a cheesecake like---sabayon-ish? custard. Delish! And a baklava intense in texture & flavor but not (praise be) overly sweet or drenched to inedibility with honey. Prices were low to modest to moderate making for an excellent value. Any negatives? None. An interesting, beautifully presented dining experience, both unusual for many of us who are not familiar with Turkey's delights, in a welcoming atmosphere.

Bland

By DrYuri |

Nice place. Nice people. Bland food. Ordered pita wrap with lamb and eggplant. Long long wait. Bland lamb without eggplant.

an excellent choice!!!

By tsm1162017 |

We were in the neighborhood to see the Fremont St Troll. On a whim, we decided in favor of the cafe turko over the generic coffee house next door. Perfect choice!!! The breakfast was excellent, the atmosphere was delightful, and the service was beyond friendly. The owner actually came out and sat with us and shared her pomegranate jam recipe. The food was extremely good and obviously fresh and made to order.

Tasty, authentic Turkish food

By Capybara22 |

This restaurant was recommended by a friend, and I'm very glad it was. The menu has a vast selection of options for vegetarians. I ordered the platter of 5 mezzes, selecting regular hummus, beet hummus, kefir cheese and zaatar (similar to labne), antep patlican ezme (similar to baba ghanouj), and olives. Everything came on one long platter with olive oil and tasty seasonings drizzled across the top. Soft, warm pita bread was served on the side, sliced into handy bite-sized pieces. The generous serving of iced mint tea was very nice (ask to have it sweetened for a real treat). My husband enjoyed his meatballs with rice and salad. The only negative we experienced was that we had different people attending to our table, and service was a bit slow and unorganized. The check came while we were still eating our dessert, and once one of the waitresses carried off our credit card no one ever returned to the table, so I had to go and fetch someone to bring our credit card and receipt back. The food was so good, though, we'll definitely be back for more.

Great meal and fine service

By gyw |

The parking is typical for Seattle, hard to find. But well worth it for a meal this Turkish restaurant. We opted for a family style sharing of our dishes. Glad we did, as we had chance to sample multiple dishes of chicken, lamb and beef along with different presentations like Adana Kebob (lamb and beef), Ali Nazik (lamb), and pita stuffed with eggplant. all very tasty and wonderful mixing of spices that were not overwhelming. The place stayed busy throughout our time which is good indicator of quality to us. A must visit when near the Lake Union, Fremont Bridge area.

One of few Turkish in town

By TaqWin644 |

This place is great change of everyday food , the Pide( Turkish Pizza) is outstanding , so are the desserts The rest of the food is hit and miss , but generally very good flavors if you stick with a couple of dishes like Byeyi Kebab and Ali Nazek The Manti was not good at all and feels from a can Sureyya is the chef owner and is very nice and courteous when she is around

My husband and I visited Cafe Turko before and after a trip to Turkey.

By Pat G |

We visited Cafe Turko before and several times after a trip to Turkey and found it friendly, affordable and authentically tasty. Service can be a little slow when the restaurant is crowded, but it is a place where families, students, people from Turkey and the Middle East and travelers alike gather. No alcohol is served but save the money for desserts.

They moved across the street to 900 N 34th st

By sealbeachtraveler |

Wow. What great flavorful food. They expanded and moved and are busy. The appetizers we had were spinach hummus and walnuts and red peppers. Delicious apricot stew, egg plant moussaka, vegan pide a flatbread. Even better was the beet salad. We will be back

Nice ending to a evening on Lake Union

By lady58_11 |

We had a reservation for 8 guest. When we arrived the table was ready and the staff was very welcoming. One of gust was Vegetarian and there was plenty of options for Vegetarians and Vegans. Everyone enjoyed their selection and we shared....delicious! The bill was reasonable. Loved it all. Just a small note, they do not serve alcohol. The restrooms are a trek so plan ahead.

Simple, fresh and tasty

By Debra Z |

Turkish food is the best and this little restaurant serves it up just right. As I expected, everything in my Village salad was fresh and the grilled chicken was beautifully spiced. It's nice that you can have things prepared as you want them, because I don't care for cucumbers or red onions and I was not forced to endure their presence in my food. Do not miss this restaurant if you are in Fremont. You will not be sorry, and the service is gracious and welcoming.

Overpriced, grumpy staff, excellent food

By enthusiatic |

Food here is very expensive for what it is, döner kebap $10 and only 3 Strips of meat! It was super tasty, but I couldn't help feeling short changed. Baklava is given free with the check in most places, here $5, for 2 pieces! We had a Chinese waitress, she was grumpy but did everything we asked. When wanted to leave, and wanted a bag for our doggy bag, she wouldn't acknowledge us at the desk. When I looked around the counter, she was on Facebook. The food excellent, but the atmosphere could be made better by the staff!

Lunch - it's open!

By Brian M |

Great meal and service. We had hummus appetizer. Then Ali Nazik with lamb and a wrap with beef. Both excellent and just the right amount. We heard they closed for a week but are back in business. Good for us!

Slow food, but tasty

By LSBPHD |

Make sure you're not on a deadline when you go here- this place runs on Middle Eastern time. The food is worth is; try the Turkish Wedding Soup if your appetite is slight.

Deplorable Customer Service

By Mjt09 |

We were visiting Seattle for the weekend and were looking forward to a great meal at Cafe Turko. Having read the reviews, a recent reviewer reported having a bad experience, where they had made reservations through Open Table and upon arrival to the restaurant were met by an arrogant, dismissive host that claimed there was no record of their reservation. Upon showing the host their confirmation email from Open Table, the host questioned whether they had created a fake email. Needless to say, the reviewer angrily left. Due to this reported experience, I contacted Cafe Turko directly and made a reservation for Saturday night at 6:30p.m. We arrived to the restaurant at 6:20 p.m., and were met by an arrogant, dismissive host. I stated that we had reservations for 6:30 p.m., that were made directly through the restaurant. He did not attempt to look up our reservation and simply stated, “There were people that had reservations after you, but showed up early, so, I gave them your table. The wait is now at least 40 minutes”. He then walked away from the podium and went to the back. Standing in disbelief, I waited for him to re-emerge from the back and attempted to speak with him about the absurdity of the situation, to which, he offered no apologies or a solution. I then asked to speak with the manager, who he agreed to get. The manager, possibly the owner came to podium, offered a superficial apology, agreed the conduct of the host was inappropriate, however, absolutely offered no solutions. He stated if we wanted to stay, we would have to wait for however long it took for a table to leave and there were now other people ahead of us. We were beyond disgusted and left.

One Of A Kind Experience w/ Delicious Food!

By Kelly Qian |

The food was delicious!! My friend and I ordered the Spinach Hummus, Zaatar Flat Bread, Grilled Eggplant Durum, and Manti. Best food I've ever had!! Our wonderful server, Mehmet Goze, was just the best. He was kind and funny. He made our experience here one of a kind! We are definitely coming back for the food and to see him. He's a gem!

Make a reservation before going!

By Adrianator |

You should make a reservation before going here. Meat + veggies + rice. Reminds me of teriyaki, but with Turkish style flavors. Quite delicious!

good Turkish food

By Arianna W |

Food was really yummy! Loved the hummus plate.I got the lentil soup, it was excellent. Also got lamb, it was cooked perfect.

Had a great dinner

By Arjun |

Went here for a dinner with a friend and everything was amazing! Mocktail to main course to the dessert, all of it were great.

Get the chicken Ali nazik

By SeeAndalucia |

Fresh and flavorful, the flavors will dance on your tongue. We've tried a few entrees here, but the Ali nazik is my favorite. The shop itself is a delight - rugs, lanterns, and pewter ware from Turkey decorate the space, and there is a gift shop with pashminas and jewelry. Each table has herbs and spices in pewter bowls. Cardamom and pomegranate tea are available, and of course the Turkish coffee.

Check delivery orders carefully

By Chien Andalou |

Their food is fine. Tasty, and reasonably priced for what you get. Veg options. Because parking in Fremont has gotten so hard, we've ordered for delivery twice in recent months. Both times we didn't get what we ordered. The first time it was a major blunder, like most of the order missing and lots of things we didn't order. The second time it was just a couple of missing items. This fits with a number of recent reviews that note service problems.

Amazing

By kef1545 |

I don't know how this place only has 76 reviews on here. We found it on Yelp and it was so amazing and delicious! You can eat at the restaurant or do take out. The staff is so friendly and doesn't hesitate to give recommendations. They have a fan club for one of their dishes.... that's how good it is! You will not be disappointed with your meal here.

Excellent Service: Good Food

By Rumples |

The Solstice Parade had drawn us to the Fremont neighborhood, so we decided to end our participation in the ensuing activities with dinner at Cafe Turko. The restaurant has moved to the next block on 34th Street from the former location where we ate a few years ago and remains as popular as ever. We got the last table in the big room when we entered at 6:30 p.m. on a Saturday night. Our waiter came immediately, ready to answer any questions about the extensive menu, which focuses on Turkish specialties. I opted for aromatic lamb with apricots and almonds and my husband ordered a muossaka plate. During the short wait for our meals, I admired the Turkish decor, which includes a wall devoted to beautiful plates, nicely arranged. The noise level from a full house remained fairly low at our side-of-the-room location, and it was easy to have a conversation without raised voices. My husband said the muossaka was OK but that he preferred the way the Greek version is seasoned. He really enjoyed his Ayran, a yogurt-based drink. Some of my lamb proved to be tough, and I found few almonds, but the dish was bursting with flavor. The plates for both orders brimmed with generous portions and it was impossible to finish everything. The final tab, which included a soda, was $35.50 without tax. Throughout dinner, our waiter provided excellent service. He was pleasant, prompt and attentive, despite all the other tables that he was responsible for. His professionalism reminded me of the style we are accustomed to in Europe. It’s tough to find a place to park in Fremont, so I was delighted to see that Cafe Turko advertises free parking. The entrance is from the alley at the rear of the building.

Excellent food reasonably priced served with friendly smiles

By northernlighter |

It's my first meal (dinner) here. We ordered Beyti Kebab (beef) and Ali Nazik with Lamb, both were good portion and delicious. We also loved their Pomegranate Juice and especially Rose Sherbet, both sweet and full of flavors. Prices for food and drinks are very reasonable. We also enjoyed the casual dining atmosphere with lively Turkish decor. The service was casual yet very friendly.

my favorite seattle turkish restaurant

By am918 |

A bigger menu than others, authentic, yummy. Open for breakfast, which I need to go try. best vegetarian selection of any local Turkish restaurant I've found.

Shopping and eating, who could ask for more!

By SashaStorm |

After attending a meeting at History House in Fremont, we stopped in at Café Turko just down the block. It's like stepping into another world with sights, sounds and smells of Turkey surrounding you. Very relaxed atmosphere, pick a table and the waitress will eventually come over. The Turkish coffees and teas are served in traditional cups which makes them all the more tasty! The menu is limited as far as meat dishes, with lots of vegetarian choices. We ordered the beef kebab and the lamb kebab and both were very pleasing. It is more of a gyro, not meat on a stick as you might expect for a kebab. Each table has a spice tray, be sure to ask the server to explain the different spices, they definitely add to the dishes! And of course, while waiting for your dinner, get up and browse the amazing Turkish scarves, jewelry, rugs and food items available for sale. We have returned a few more times for Sunday Brunch which is simple and delicious! Breakfast is served all day. The omelet my husband had was more like fired eggs, but very good. I would recommend the "Mother-in-laws plate" as it has a variety of amazing cheeses, veggies, olives and jam to eat with fresh pita bread. All dishes are reasonably priced. It is a family owned shop and everyone is very friendly and helpful. Our own taste of Turkey, right here in Seattle!

This Cafe moved to 900 N 34th St, Seattle

By SamGebala |

We had lunch at their new location (900 N 34th St) two days ago. I ordered the Custom Five Mezza plate and my partner ordered the Lamb with Apricot. For dessert, we topped it with a shared order of the Candied Orange Peel. All items were delicious and highly recommended. If you read Arabic, you will notice several Koran verses on the wall espousing the virtues of Allah and the Prophet Mohammed. Being surrounded by religious doctrine was not exactly my "cup of tea" as we ate lunch.

They poison innocent people

By Bobby-Jerry |

These are criminals. Toxic. They Straight-out poison people. My friend has a rare gluten-intolerance medical condition (I won't get into details, but it's even more grave than coeliac disease), to where the smallest amounts of gluten can harm her very badly and even kill her. This restaurant prides itself to be a specialist in gluten-free cuisine. About 80 percent on the dishes listed on their menu are "gluten-free." When we sat down, after picking on of the gluten-free meals from the menu, we specifically asked TWICE if it was indeed gluten-free, just to make sure. The waiter assured us that it was. As we were finishing the meal, he comes over to our table and tells us that the meal was actually not gluten-free, but it was really not his fault, but someone else's fault within the restaurant. Always putting the blame on someone else. He did indeed bring us the the real gluten-free version a few minutes later, which was quick, but it was after my friend had all that food that is poison to her. I left the waiter a 15 percent tip (didn't feel he earned the 20% I usually leave at restaurants, after his colossal mistake). Because of that, as we were leaving, he shouted at us "whatever, dude, whatever." My friend could not walk for half of the day after this experience, because the gluten this restaurant poisoned her with. To her, it really is a health hazard and could be a life-and-death issue. I am frankly looking into finding an attorney and pursuing criminal charges against this restaurant.

Simple but exquisite dining experience

By mrsdagle |

I have visited this gem three times, the first was by accident. I had already planned to eat elsewhere but the smells and menu were overwhelming. I first tried the rainbow hummus with Turkish coffee. The next visit I had Chef Sureeya's Ekmek with meat and cheese and cardamom tea. Today I had the Doner Kebap durum and shared the garbanzo bean hummus. It's one of those places that can be challenging to try new things because the first plate was so good, you want to repeat that experience. The food is amazing and fresh, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Try something you have never heard of. The service is very European. People who ask for what they want seem to get served promptly. It seems slow but they don't interrupt you and expect you to relax while you eat. You may get ignored if you continue to read your menu. You need to ask for your bill or just go to the cashier. Rubbernecking to other peoples' plates makes me look forward to ordering the lentil soup and salads and more kebab.

Authentic family style, lovely environment.

By see4yours3lf |

We really enjoyed our meal here, found the restaurant on a whim. The atmosphere is laid back and casual, yet very pretty with Turkish embellishments. Seems to be a local favorite, but we did not have any wait for a table mid afternoon. Food was delicious and fresh. The staff was friendly and prompt. Will go back!

A rich and fulfilling experience

By n j |

FABULOUS! I've traveled all over and some of my best meals have been in Turkey. I was thrilled to find Cafe Turko and share some of my favorite dishes with my daughters. My kids have a lot of allergies and the staff were very careful. This place is also very vegetarian friendly. They have a lot of refreshing and interesting beverages (I loved the iced cardamon green tree. my kids loved the sour cherry lemonade) as well as authentic Turkish dishes. The owner also brought out a few samples of things for my kids to try. That was an extra bonus. There is also a fantastic small gift shop filled with remarkably well priced Turkish finds. My daughters each found gorgeous sterling rings that were shockingly well priced. They also sold beautiful spice containers, ornate trays, small rugs, silk skirts, scarves, carved metal espresso cups, intricately carved jewelry, etc. These are the exact treasures that I hunted for at the Grand Bazar in Istanbul. And here they were being sold in Fremont for pretty much the same price as I might have paid for them had I found them in Istanbul. We were delighted that the owner sat down and joined us for part of our meal. We had a wonderful conversation and by the end of lunch, my daughters made me promise that we would return the following day (our last day in town) for our final meal of our vacation. As we left the cafe and wandered through Fremont, my daughters started telling me that we have to plan a trip to Turkey. Suffice to say that a meal at Cafe Turko is not only delicious, it also has the potential to be a fulfilling experience.

Amazing, authentic tastes

By Anne D |

It feels as if you are transported to Turkey with the smells and decorations. The people were friendly and helpful, and the food fantastic! We will be back soon!

Good food, but new location is too noisey

By pwiser |

I loved the previous location, but this one is noisey to the point where conversation is difficult. Food is good, but I probably won’t return for that reason and the fact that service seems slow and disorganized. They are busy, and need to staff up for it.

Food great/service not so

By edsatty |

First visit. Thursday night. Place was half empty when we arrived but despite that fact: first, the guy at the front barely acknowledged we had arrived/no eye contact - just turned and told someone else a table was needed. Seated. Waited 10 minutes - no one came over. Another couple got seated next to us and I asked the guy seating them “do we have a waiter”? Anyway, the food was great. Service really didn’t improve while we were there. Great eggplant appetizer, followed by a dish that had lamb cubes and my spiced chicken dish - both were wonderful. Will try this place again with the hope that the staff attitude improves.

Authentic Turkish Food

By Seth S |

I confess, I am not an expert on Turkish cuisine but this restaurant feels authentic - nothing on the menu from appetizers to beverages is Westernized. There are lots of tantalizing options. Many of which are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free. The wait person was very helpful. We were happy with our dinner and plan to return.

Fun and okay

By B S |

Just had lunch here today and was really looking forward to trying out this place. We ordered a mezze (muhammara), Sucuk plate with melted feta cheese and Kuzu Pide. We enjoyed the presentation and the taste of the food. My only disappointment was that I was envisioning a much better Turkish bread. The pita bread that came with the mezze and sucuk plates was nothing exciting and the Pide bread was okay. Though we enjoyed the atmosphere of the place and the way the food looked, we decided it was not a place we would return to eat. Also, it is a bit expensive which I do not mind paying if the food is fantastic. I recommend this for a fun experience and okay food. I think most people would enjoy this place for the ambience and the food. Please do not come here if you are in a hurry or are expecting good service...it is just not that kind of a place.

Average

By Jay M |

After going through reviews decided to try out Cafe Turko. My expectations was feast on some flavorful exotic dishes but was surprised at the lack of flavor or any dish that stood out. AND the portions are tiny. We actually ended up getting some snacks on the way home. The ambience is great but I can't eat that.

Fun place on 34th Street

By Nann Z |

Have you been to Cafe Turko? It's an experience quite different from any restaurant around, an emporium full of Turkish products from jewelry to rugs to food to wall hangings as well as a real Turkish restaurant. Last time we were there I had regular hummus, my favorite of the four different flavors of hummus available. I also tasted the excellent lentil soup my husband ordered, and it was delicious. For a main course I had Cappadocia chicken koftes, ground chicken legs made into balls, mixed with mysterious and wonderful spices and grilled. I recommend these, too. They came with beet salad and rice pilaf. Was too full for dessert, but previously I have had the excellent Baklava and recommend it. Ambience is minimal. Service is top-notch, friendly, helpful, pleasant. Do go.

Fun location for tasty Turkish food

By Marco W |

We had a great dinner at Cafe Turko including several different dishes. Our favorite was the İnegöl köfte. The Eggplant Durum was a bit light on the eggplant The wait service was warm and friendly, the decor is fun and enthusiastically Turkish. We had fun and I'd go again. Pay to park or park on the street if you can find a spot.

So Good!!

By fac767 |

Stopped here for lunch during a weekend trip to Seattle and so enjoyed it! My husband and I are huge fans of Turkish food since our trip there and have to say this was the closest thing we've had to it since. So fresh and authentic! Loved the atmosphere and service was great. Glad we stumbled upon it during our visit to the Fremont Troll. Just go, you definitely won't be disappointed!

Great Experience

By MSEK |

Food was delicious, restaurant was clean and colorful, waiter (Tony)was very well trained and professional. We enjoyed everything from the Turkish coffee, the 4 entrees and 3 desserts.

A very nice surprise

By Karen M |

This was a great little find in Fremont. The staff were friendly and the food arrived quickly. Possibly a little too quick as there was no break between courses. We ordered a sampler plate for starter and it was delicious and our mains were fantastic too. Even though I didn't try it the Turkish pizza looked great. The restaurant isn't licenced but they have beautiful mint iced tea. I would highly recommend paying a visit.

Authentic Turkish Food in Friendly Shop

By TheCheerfulGivers |

My husband was in Turkey in the mid-80s, and he was so pleased to find a restaurant with food like he remembered from Adana. There wasn't a thing that we tried that wasn't great - from the spinach hummus to the baklava and Turkish coffee. The owners are friendly, enjoyed talking about their homeland. The shop has a variety of foods for sale, along with handmade cups, plates, and other items. There are also scarves, rugs, and other decor available. We had the spinach hummus, and, as good as it was, the bread was even better. The freshly-made flat bread was hot and full of flavor. We had the Abdullah Kebab and Sultan Kebab plates. The lamb was fresh and tender. The rice had chick peas in it, and the salad had a pleasing balsamic vinaigrette. There was a variety of fresh desserts, and we tried a few. The baklava was nothing like I was used to. It was light and slightly sweet, nothing like the honey-drenched pastry I have had. It was wonderful, with pistachios on top of a light, flaky piece of heaven. The Turkish coffee was authentic and powerful, with the requisite grounds in the bottom of the cup. It was fun watching my husband savoring his, enjoying the memories along with the freshly-made, robust flavor. We will definitely return, possibly on a Sunday when we can enjoy the Fremont Sunday Market and the stop here for lunch. We about three hours south, but will be a short drive when we have Cafe Turko to look forward to.

My first introduction to Turkish food.

By A C |

This family run establishment is Turkish in the traditional way. The food reflects a flavor I had never had before. The introduction was a good one. Hummus has never been my favorite but the way the wife/cook makes it in the traditional way, a new convert. Eggplant, lamb, pasta wrapped pieces of beef in a yogurt sauce. All tasty. Decor has stunning lamps. Go back definitely.

Refered by Friends

By Mickey Q |

Will visiting Seattle we had dinner for the first time in a Turkish establishment and found the food to be delicious. It was recommended highly by our friends who now live in Seattle and they were spot on.

I Hoped for Better

By rerBellevue |

The service was my biggest problem. When we arrived, it took at least ten minutes to get water, although there seemed to be many servers working. A couple times we had to ask who our server was. When we finally identified one, he did not know what had gluten or dairy. Our eggplant appetizer was spectacular, but the lentil soup was bland and lukewarm. I would have sent it back, but I could not find our server. Our main courses were good, but they had spent too much time waiting for a server, so they were also lukewarm. I will probably go back to our favorite Greek restaurant the next time we want eggplant dishes and lamb.

Order Lamb

By Nida G |

We ate here on our visit to Seattle. We tried lamb at a lot of other places but I found Cafe Turko did the best job of them all. The lamb bayti was absolutely mouth watering, the lamb was very flavorful and succulent. I tried their chicken bayti too; it was good but not comparable to lamb. Their beef Kabobs were really good too. Baba Ganoush as an appetizer was a fine choice too. For dessert; try the Kunafa! Go here, it will be a wonderful experience, keep in mind though it is a tad heavy on the wallet but worth it.

Good food good prices

By lindakmom |

Stayed in the neighborhood so decided to try it out. Great food with great prices. Was very busy and service was OK. Not sure if food was ethnically correct as I do t know what it should e but it was good.

We love Cafe Turko - for the food and the welcome

By Docstone1 |

As always, wonderful, voluminous, honest, authentic Turkish and Meditteranean food, served with gusto and joy by Sureyya and her staff. Moving soon to large premises close by, the popularity is well deserved.

Excellent Food & Magnificent Flavors

By DKL317 |

Gluten free options are important to me so I was a bit skeptical about a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant. I didn't need to worry. The menu shows lots of options for GF, vegan, vegetarian, and more. The menu is so extensive that it took our party of three business colleagues to make our choices. We all loved the results of our selection. My lamb with apricot special dish was succulent and halva dessert was just the right amount of sweetness. I also had the pomegranate iced tea, delicious and refreshing without sugar. I hope my business travels take me to the Cafe Turko vicinity again, because I can't wait to go back!

Great!

By Christina H |

Had a large group of 8 and were accommodated very well. Got there early and in a 1/2 hour, it was packed. All of the food was outstanding!

Tasty Turkish

By Joe S |

Looked for a special place to take my mom and nephew during their visit to Seattle. My brother-in-law is Turkish, so Cafe Turko was logical choice. We (4 of us) loved it... lentil soup, pide.. everything was delicious

Outstanding!

By Brian R |

Had dinner with my wife here on our recent vacation. This was the complete high point of our trip to Seattle. The rest of Seattle was horrific! The food here was fantastic! The service was good. The value was excellent! They have food here for all tastes and budgets. They accommodate people with many different dietary requirements without effort. We will return here to eat if we should ever decide to return to Seattle!

brings back great memories of Antep

By brand763 |

The food is very authentic and incredibly delicious. Eating here brought back great memories of our travels through Turkey and especially in Antep (Gaziantep). The owner is friendly and happy to make suggestions if you can't decide. His wife puts out the some of the best Turkish food we've ever had! The place isn't very big, so I'd suggest calling for a reservation - not sure if they do them or if it's just first come, first served. We've also ordered take-out and it was just as good.

Excellent, I only wish I lived closer

By GlobalTouristHawaii |

I've been looking for authentic Turkish food since I ate my way through Turkey two years ago. I came here during a recent trip to Seattle and was not disappointed. We started with the beet hummus (I'd never even heard of it), it tasted great, as did the fresh pita it was served with. I can't remember the Turkish name of the entree I ordered but it was a chicken and tomato based dish that was beautifully presented and tasted great. Highly recommended!

Fun Fremont atmosphere and geat food

By Keith |

Café Turko has moved a block, so its current address is 750 N 34th. This is a fun Fremont restaurant, very interesting décor with a varied menu that includes quite a few vegetarian and vegan items. No alcohol but some excellent juices. I was very impressed with the muhummara, a tasty appetizer made with red peppers. The vegetarian moussaka was a hit with my guest. I definitely enjoyed this restaurant and will add it to my list when visiting Seattle.

A Good Place For Vegetarians

By MGKelly |

My traveling companion can not eat any meat products what so ever. He loves this Turkish restaurant for that reason. The menu is replete with dishes prepared only with vegetable products! The grape leaves were outstanding and the rainbow hummus very interesting and delicious! We had to sit inside because they were cleaning the bridge above the restaurant (sand blasting). Of course in Seattle there was no air conditioning. Great lunch experience all were satisfied. Just a note about the restroom; it's across the hall and requires a code to get in! I don't know if that speaks to the neighborhood or not! This restaurant is near the Troll Under the Bridge! Salute!

Home made food

By greatcats |

I was in the neighborhood so I thought I would stop in. Quite an interesting blend of a store and restaurant. Pretty cozy place to hang out. Very authentic and everything is home made. They have some great zatar and crushed peppers on the table so you can season to your liking. I had the moussaka plate which was served with rice and a salad.

Great lunch at a busy local favorite.

By Rockingpk |

We had a good lunch with excellent food. Service was slow because they were overwhelmed by the lunch crowd. It was busy for a good reason though. Good food!

Something for everyone

By ready2go123 |

Recently moved to Seattle and passed by this restaurant many times. Went with friends and was impressed with the wide variety of items- we had a varied group of eaters- vegetarian, gluten free and carnivores. Quality of the food was good, I had the pite which is like a pizza. It was good but others had dishes I would have enjoyed more. The Manti was like a ravioli style- sauce was really thin but tasty. Lamb /meat kabob was full of flavor. Place is busy but tables turn over rather quickly. Solid choice for Mediterranean style food.

Interesting

By Elana56 |

Cafe Turko was once a retail store to which they added a cafe to stay in business. Now, it's a cafe with trinkets and rugs for sale. The food is okay, plentiful, but my chief complaint is that the service is slow. On a very hot night, I had to ask several times for more drinking water. And what's with a Turkish restaurant running out of feta cheese? This is like a Mexican restaurant not having enough tortillas. There are also not enough options for a vegetarian. Most of the menu is meat based. Yes, there is a nice selection of appetizers, but they will not make a meal if you are really hungry and tired of eating omelettes.

Great middle eastern food

By C_J_CCTx |

Vegans, vegetarians and meat lovers will enjoy Cafe Turko in its new (since out last visit a year or two ago). I kind of miss the atmosphere of the old place, with about half the store selling ethnic goods, but the new place (only temporary before another move a 100 yards or so). Wonderful wait staff, and chatty owner. We had Lamb apricot and almond stew (10/10), Turkish Delight (8/10), Baklava (10/10), Halwa (10/10). Can't remember what our vegan daughters had but they loved it.

Excellent food and service, true Turkish experience

By 196rndthewrld |

Remarkable experience of friendly service making you feel like family, and delicious food made with high quality ingredients. Very authentic dining experience with a tray of seasonings brought to the table, everything handmade/house made and Turkish coffee served in tiny silver cups. The owner came by twice to ask how the food was - a very sincere, hardworking family run business. Great for larger family dinners and groups of friends.

B4 PLAY DINNER @ CAFE TURKO & IT WAS ANYTHING BUT...WICKED!!

By nhings |

Busy at 6:30 but attentive staff even once served...10 minute wait on so much food...& questions politely & professionally taken the time to answer. Generous portions & perfectly prepared but dont leave b4 ordering their baklava & turkish coffee!

Poor service

By Andrea D |

Almost one hour before to get served! Was that waiting time compensated by amazing food? Not at all. Disappointing!

Love this Turkish place!

By born_to_travel55 |

I took my husband to Turko since he loves turkish food. I have been here twice and every time I visit the food gets even better. They have moved to 34th street now since my last visit in 2015. The owner was very friendly andrecommended her favorite foods for us to try and she didnt let us down. We ordered the vegetarian kabab platter, Ali fire and her special eggplant pickle that was just freshly made. It was a lot of food and we ended up taking leftovers. The place is a must try if you like the turkish cuisine, you cant go wrong. The only thing that could use some improvement is their service, the service staff tends to be slow, so if you are looking to head there for a quick bite, mention that when you get seated.

Great Turkish food Seattle

By Stiv_Wa |

Visited Cafe Turko after a Sunday walk around Fremont. The restaurant is open and has outdoor seating during good weather. The food is authentic eastern Turkish which means it has a slight Arabic mix. Staff is great and gave good suggestions. The location is excellent giving you a nice walk to visit the troll and along the lake Washington "canal". Parking is tough but pY spots are available.

Lovely Turkish Food

By GHAITH |

My family and I have enjoyed the food at the restaurant during our visit to Seattle last June. The food is good and served very well. You may eat some of authentic Turkish dishes. The restaurant is located at Fremont area Seattle a good place to walk too. I do recommend the restaurant for families. The prices are reasonable and the services staff are very friendly. We have a warm welcome from the Manager. The food served well and the Place is very Turkish based decorated. They serve HALAL food. You may enjoy the Turkish delight

Good Turkish restaurant

By Sibq |

I really like this restaurant. Great atmosphere and service. Food was good. One of the best halal food restaurant in Seattle. Parking was free in a garage in the back alley.

Wow. Flavors I've Never Had Before

By hfulghum |

Un-freaking-believable. This was one of the best meals I've ever had. Not just truly fine eastern Mediterranean food - hummas, kebaps, pita - but over all one of the finest meals of my life. Try the lamb. Try the mezzes. Come back again and again and try EVERYTHING.

Get the lamb pita bread.

By Dave C |

My buddies are "foodies" and the BIG plate is something like ......."The Magnificent". Meat,rice and salad. The $9 pita is all that I can eat. The Turkish black tea is EXCELLENT! Many Turkish wares for sale because he used to sell authentic Turkish rugs there. Does very well as a Mediterranian(sp) food place,now. Fremont district in Seattle across from 24 hr, fitness place,next to a dance studio. Spices are served in a small tray to flavor your dish to your liking. Wait staff is all Russian speaking but do English very well. The owner is very busy with all of his customers and tends to your needs very well. The lamb dishes are excellent!

Great lunch stop while visiting Fremont, Troll, Walk to Gastown

By lisatomsio |

We just happened to pass this cute cafe on the way from seeing the famous "Fremont Troll" towards our walk along Lake Union to Gasworks Park and decided to come back for lunch. So glad we did! Ordered a rosewater drink which was refreshing, along with wonderful homemade hummus and warm pita bread. Our family had the chicken, lamb and eggplant Pita Pocket Dürüms ... DELICIOUS!!! Highly recommend if you are walking around the Fremont area.

I wish they would re-vamp the food part of this jewel

By Lorisong |

What a great and warm place to hang out. If the food was better it would be packed all the time. The butter in the pastry tasted rancid, such a bummer. The savory pastry I ate had no yummy herbs or flavor at all really. The pastry was flakey and good texturally. The coffee cost a fortune and could have been so much better. Too bad, they are in a really great location and have such a sweet place. I hope they work on the food part, and get some more freshness in the food!

LOVED this place!

By MJad1 |

The food at Café Turko is amazing! I ordered the Kofte while my husband ordered the lamb with almonds and apricots. We both loved our dishes - it was extremely flavorful, fresh and the rice was amazing. For desserts, I had the Mamoul (small pastry filled with dates) and my husband had the Turkish delights. All delicious. I also recommend the Ottoman's Rose Sherbet - the lemonade makes it extra special. The staff is friendly and the restaurant's decoration is very authentic. I will definitely go back - many times. Things to know before you head there: there is usually a line so plan ahead and make reservations - there is quite a bit of wait time to get seated and get your food (worth the wait), parking is scarce so be prepared to park far away or pay for parking - especially during the weekend.

Food is incredible

By Marie6393 |

We accidentally stumbled across this place while exploring Fremont and I am so glad we did! Traditional Turkish food that left as wanting more and service served with a smile.

Family-owned jewel - authentic and tasty, a wonderful discovery

By Docstone1 |

Subtle tastes, generous portions - flavoursome, healthy and wholesome. Busy, relaxed atmosphere, Patron always present and friendly. An exceptional local eatery.

Best Turkish food in seattle!

By Adriana Medina |

The food is absolutely delicious! I’ve been here 3 times. The rainbow hummus is my favorite and I had the adana fish with rice and salad. The only bummer is parking during lunch. So take bus or be prepared.

Good Turkish Food & Efficient Service

By Rumples |

We've been to Turkey often and really like the food there, especially the sweets. So we couldn't resist stopping at Cafe Turko for lunch during one of our frequent visits to Fremont. We had no expectations except for the type of cuisine and found ourselves mostly pleased with the food, ambiance and service. A server met us at the door, ready to explain Turkish cuisine if we were unfamiliar with it. I requested a table in a cooler area of the restaurant because the front felt quite warm. She led us toward the back to a table by a side wall and the comfort level was perfect. The room had many nicely spaced tables, with diners at six of them at 1:30 p.m., and an industrial look with the high ceiling displaying many pipes. Turkish rugs, which I think were for sale, hung on one wall. Other Turkish items, including jewelry, were for sale at the rear of the room. I was surprised at the amazing number of items on the menu. It took us awhile to decide what to order. My choice: lamb durum in a pita pocket with grilled eggplant, yogurt sauce, salad greens and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses ($10). I didn't think the bread was as flavorful as I've had elsewhere, but it was OK. The lamb's temperature varied from cool to piping hot but was quite tasty. My Turkish lemonade with sour cherry and fresh mint ($3) was refreshing and delicious. My husband ordered a doner kebap pocket ($8.50) that consisted of beef, homemade tomato sauce, grilled eggplant (very little), yogurt sauce, salad greens and feta cheese crumbles (just a few). He thought it was "very good" and enuoyed his iced sage tea with a dash of lemon juice ($2.75), but when I sampled it, the sage flavor reminded me of the turkey dressing that I make at Thanksgiving. For dessert, we split an order of revani ($4.50). This is a semolina and orange cake with light syrup and coconut sprinkles. We both thought it was heavenly and the highlight of lunch. We plan to return to try other desserts, along with Turkish coffee and Turkish tea.

One of the best halal options in Seattle

By Salah A |

Good food. Great vibe. Love the owners. There is also a prayer room in the back. Definitely one of the top halal options in Seattle. Great place to take visiting friends or family.

Remarkable food- friendly service!

By Gina V |

Wow1 What a find!! Delicious homemade Turkish cuisine- lovely gourmet hummus, delicious lamb dishes, really tasty salads and desserts. I will be back!! I hope, many times. Lots of gluten free options as well- a life saver for my husband.

Fun place

By Leah S |

Left the nearby brewery and walked to this restaurant because I wanted vegetarian food - met up with this new friend while waiting in line to be seated and ended up staying three hours! Both of us just passing through town got lucky enough to find this little place! It was lively and colorful and we got seated and fed quickly! Service and food were great! The flavored iced teas and Lemonade was nice too and got baklava to go!

Reservation fiasco

By ferspratt |

Shame on me. Shame on me for trying to go to this place again. I remember going there when they used to be a rug store and were just stating out. The food was great and authentic. Fast forward to 2 years ago, went there with friends who had made a reservations, and to our surprise they did not have the reservation. No biggie, honest mistake maybe? Then tonight, I made a reservation as it is Friday night in Seattle, and I would not dare go out without having one . So I made a reservation on open Table , got a confirmation email, etc. We arrived 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time and the place was busy. Waited a few minutes to check in with a host or server. Young guy comes to the counter and he is already frazzled and asks me how many I say I have a reservation for 6:30 pm and give my name. he says he does not have it and asks me in a super snarky tone, how long ago did you book? I said today and proceed to pull up my phone to show the Open Table confirmation email. He says again he is not showing it on his system, and that they don't know if any new reservations have come in the last 2 hours. This is not my problem, however I have a confirmation email and don't really care how they run their business. he then tells me he doesn't really know if I have a reservation or not and doesn't know if my email is real. WTF? Do I have time to make fake email reservations? Are you kidding me? So I say this is ridiculous, how can you use a reservation system but not honor it? He just simply didn't care and said that maybe he could sit us. We just walked away furious. If the host is that bad I can't imagine how service would be had we stayed. While we enjoyed a meal there in the past they have clearly changed how the manage customers and their experiences. I am a local, live in the neighborhood and love to support local businesses, but this is just unacceptable. There are other Turkish restaurants in town so i will absolutely try elsewhere, but I will most certainly not ever go back to Cafe Turko. Good food is not sufficient anymore in a city like Seattle. A note to the owners: get with times! Why even bother having a reservation service if you don't use it! It makes you look bad, really.Fool me once, shame on you, and it seems you fooled me twice, so...

Yummy Turkish Food at a Reasonable Price

By Pamela A O |

The food at this friendly and comfortable restaurant is very good, and at a much more reasonable price than another Seattle Turkish restaurant I've been to. There's plenty here for both the vegetarian and the omnivore. Service can be a bit slow. The birthday celebration the restaurant throws for people celebrating their birthday is astounding!

Great Turkish food in an authentic atmosphere

By Emily B |

Cafe Turko was a great find. Walking into the restaurant, I saw how authentic it was. The food was nicely seasoned, fresh, and authentic. Having Greek heritage, I can attest to this, as Greek and Turkish foods are quite similar. The owner was so nice, and even recommended items on the menu to us...all of which were delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting an authentic taste of Anatolia

Disappointing, considering what we had heard...

By Greg_Lazin |

This restaurant had been recommended to us. We made an online booking, but the restaurant was largely empty when we arrived. Notwithstanding the restaurant being almost empty, the service was slow. We sampled a couple of dishes this past Sunday. My wife had the Beet Hummus, and I had a Lamb Pidde (pizza). The hummus and pita were fine, but the Pide was embarrassingly scant of toppings. I would have expected at least 1 piece of lamb per slice; instead, there were 3 tiny pieces on the whole pidde. The pidde was bland, and needed seasoning. The lamb,(what little there was, was good). Would I go back? I might try again, but not soon. There are just too many other, better restaurants in Seattle...

Its like traveling to another country

By jtmandelbaum |

This is the second time I have been here and I was expecting to be let down after my memories had blown this place up to high expectations. I was not let down! The food was amazing - have the Al Nazik with the Olive Plate- Yummm The staff are all run by the woman who I guess owns the shop. They are all very nice and provide great service. Do not let the looks of the place put you off, its all part of the experience. Don't forget to try some turkish delight for desert.

Great atmosphere, very friendly staff, delicious food

By Marc13510 |

On a recent Sunday afternoon we set out to find a place to eat in the Fremont neighborhood. Turkish food was not in our thoughts; however, we are so thankful we found Café Turko. We arrived around 1:30 and the place was filled. The owner created some space and set up an additional table to accommodate our party of five. The Kofte Kebab was very delicious as was the Chicken Duram. The apple tea and Turkish coffee were also among the highlights. We will return.

Great Hummus Selection

By 206GlobeGirl |

This place has great food and decent prices. We loved the hummus variety as well as the 4 appetizer combo. Everything was very tasty. Quick and pleasant service.

Completely new modern setting after two moves to accomodate construction.

By C_J_CCTx |

Maybe the same location as the original (not local so could be a block or two away). Miss the store portion the old place had, but the food has not changed - it is still as flavorful as ever. Service is still superb, with the owner(s) stopping at each table to ask how we liked the food. Vegan, vegetarian and meat lover's options. Price is reasonable ($20/per for a filling meal).

Delicious!

By vegalovetotravel |

We were looking for a good restaurant close to the cruise terminal. Glad we found this place.The food was delicious and authentic with lots of options to choose from. Loved the ambience! Service was good.

A Taste of the East

By BristolCharles |

We had been looking for some good Turkish food and local friends recommended Cafe Turko. A fun atmosphere with an eclectic Eastern decor and a good crowd of people tucking in to good looking starters and mains. Service was prompt but there was some confusion with a few of the main dishes and we got one wrong order. Great starters, a medley of Houmous with pickles and great olives. Main dishes came out looking very good and satisfied everyone in our big group. Sweets were good and not TOO sweet. Would go back again for sure.

The Gem of Fremont

By Christine |

I've been to Cafe Turko twice and both times had a great experience. The food is wonderful and the husband and wife owners are so nice. They take time to talk to the customers and genuinely seem happy that you are there. I've never been to Turkey but if this is what the food is like, I think I will be heading there sometime soon. Looking forward to going back to try more dishes.

Great Turkish restaurant in a funky Seattle neighborhood

By don666 |

Most Turkish restaurants you come across are really fast food sold on the street. Café Turko is a real sit-down restaurant with food you can't find in the States. (My significant other is German, and she knows Turkish food, given that Germany has so many Turkish-Germans.) It's a family place, and most of the staff are Turkish-Americans. The restaurant also sells Turkish gifts and the like, but the food is what you come for—and the prices are reasonable. (Although fairly large, this isn't fancy-schmancy. Come as you are.) The restaurant is located in Fremont. For those of you unfamiliar with Seattle, the Fremont neighborhood prides itself as being the center of the universe, and with all the street art (including the famous Fremont Troll devouring a Volkswagen, as well as a statue of Lenin (the communist, not the Beatle), who's to say Fremont isn't? Fremont is about 3 miles north of downtown and is easily accessible by bus. Parking is always tight unless you park in a lot; after all, this is still a dense city.

Food with style

By ATIQ K |

Great food and owners are too humble and polite. Serving size reasonable Environment is very nice Tried wedding soup and that taste good but little oily

A very popular Turkish restaurant

By Alec D |

Cafe Turko is a very popular Turkish restaurant located in Freemont. Located one block from the Freemont bridge and easy to find. They have free parking after 6pm. Tonight we had the Beet Hummus, as well as the regular Hummus. In addition we also had Aegean Musakka and a salad. It was all very good. Keep in mind that it does get very busy so you might have to wait for a table.

Authentic Turkish; As Authentic As It Gets

By Azzouni |

This Turkish restaurant is definitely one of the best I ate at in the USA. The chef is always there and she cooks right in front of you. She prepares the dough for the pies only when you order them so it can't be any fresher. I loved the sausage pie and sausage eggs. The Turkish coffee and desserts are a perfect way to finish a delicious meal. They need to work on their service a little. However, the wait is definitely worth it.

Excellent Authentic Turkish Restaurant 🍴

By Ferhat D |

It is one of the best Turkish restaurant 🍴 I have been. I really liked their service, authentication, and prices. I have tested ali nazik and beyti. OMG. I can't describe it. I am pretty sure their other foods are great as much as beyti and ali nazik. The owner is a really good man who you can have a talk easily.

Go for the lamb, stay for the dessert

By reeshot |

If you like lamb, this place does it fantastic. There are other meat dishes and vegetarian selections as well. Traditional Turkish meals and a wide variety of traditional middle eastern dishes served. Kabobs and grilled meats are wonderfully marinated and seasoned. Nice sized portions. No alcohol served, but some flavorful drink specialties are offered. Now getting to dessert... that bird nest pastry was SENSATIONAL. They have baklava and some other middle eastern pastries to choose from - all made on site. Service was a bit on the "hands off" side, could be a cultural thing, where they expect you to stay a long time, but we were starving and needed to get in and out a bit quicker. Nonetheless, the food was really incredible. Friendly wait staff.

A gem of a restaurant in Fremont, Seattle!

By Julia M |

I first ate here last night, and was very impressed with the food and service. My waiter explained about the food (I had moussaka) and discussed the different regional variations. It was very tasty! I came back tonight for more. The gypsy-style lamb was succulent and delicious. I especially love the accompanying salad with pickled. Good value too.

Wonderfully delicious food, caring family at work

By KDUB7 |

We just had a wonderful meal at Cafe Turko! We rally enjoyed the "Rainbow Hummus" as a starter: four kinds of hummus (traditional, sweet potato, spinach, and beet) accompanied by fresh-baked pita bread. We split several entrees, and Pides after that. Ended the meal with a variety of desserts and some Turkish coffee. Great stuff! Unfortunately, the cafe was short-staffed tonight (a busy Friday), which made service a but challenging. They really hustled, though, and were sincere in apologizing for the chaotic atmosphere. It appears this is a popular place for Turkish residents of Seattle, which is always a good sign. Check out Cafe Turko for a fresh, delicious meal!

Delicious Food, Good Service and still family owned....

By Lydia O |

I love the delicious and fresh Turkish (Middle Eastern) food at this wonderful restaurant. I've been coming here for a few years and they are now in their third location due to the rapidly changing landscape of Fremont. I have loved coming to this family-owned restaurant and seeing the parents and their grown children working there together. The menu offers great variety, and is an excellent place for vegetarians, meat-eaters, and even people on a gluten-free diet. The have gluten free bread to go with the hummus offerings, for example. Over time, Café Turko has changed. The food is just as good as always, but there are a couple of changes that I am not so fond of. In terms of decor, there are fewer of the beautiful Turkish textiles that I'd loved in their previous location. In addition, the new location has a vastly reduced mercantile section, so there were fewer jarred goods and trinkets for sale. All in all, still a great restaurant.

A Fremont Fit

By DP49 |

The Café brings back the casual funk look of old Fremont whether they intended it to or not. Everything says Turkish, from decor to the waiters that we talked with. A broad menu offers authentic Turkish dishes with very good explanations about each. I started with the 'Kisir', a Turkish version of Tabouli that was a nice variation on a familiar dish. For my entrée, I had the 'Süleyman the Magnificent', which was a mixed grill of chicken, köfte, döner and lamb. Rice and a small salad were included. My wife had the Lentil Soup with a side order of pita that she enjoyed. Service was very good with an appropriate wait between courses and our dishes were piping hot. While it didn’t diminish my meal, they don’t have a liquor license, but there is a very interesting choice of Turkish nonalcoholic drinks. If you’ve been to Turkey, you will not be disappointed. If you haven’t been to Turkey and you want something Mediterranean, but different, you will have a treat.

Authentic

By nickster |

Not only the food but the style the clientele all shout Turkish and Middle Eastern. It definitely worth a visit to taste authentic food. A fantastic change from the norm go and give itvs try.

Yummy Turkish food in the heart of Fremont

By CindyLooWho1 |

Went to Cafe Turko for lunch. Lovely mom and pop place in the heart of the funky neighborhood of Fremont. The cafe is on the same street as the Waiting for the Interurban sculpture. I felt like I had walked into a cafe in Turkey !! I had really yummy lentil soup. There are 5 versions of humous on the menu - yam, spinach, beet, eggplant and regular !! I will be going back there sometime soon.

By far the best Turkish food I've tasted

By subh27 |

The place has a nice ambience and offers excellent turkish, Mediterranean cuisines. I have visited this restaurant more than 10 times with friends and co-workers. Can easily accommodate a large group.

Just go. Seriously, just go now.

By Lori Brownell |

Love the atmosphere of this place and the decor (I bought one of the turkish coffee pots they have for sale). But, as with all restaurants, what keeps me coming back is the food. It's just sooo good! You can't go wrong at this place. The lamb pizza thing is delish.