Turquoise Restaurant Reviews

What a wonderful little place on Roscoe! I've tried a couple of their dishes on two different occasions and both were delicious. I had lunch both times and couldn't finish the portions. A fine dining atmosphere for a moderate price. The service is excellent.

Just discovered this place and now a new favorite-small but charming restaurant with out door seating and full bar. We were celebrating family event and for modest corkage fee they graciously served the champagne we brought. Service was excellent and food delicious. Eager to return!

I really, really want to love this place and do plan to give it a second chance. It has a great atmosphere and for the most part, the wait staff seems friendly and attentive; I think we just caught this particular waiter on a off night. I ordered the most expensive thing on the menu, the rack of lamb. Ten minutes later, he came back and asked me what I had ordered saying the kitchen had lost my part of the order. As other customers sat down, got their food, and left, we still didn't have ours! I will admit when it finally did arrive it was so, so good. And, to ensure our experience was positive the waiter even threw in desert for us. That is good service in my book! See you again soon, turquoise!

My daughter and I shared two appetizers (caprese and zucchini pancakes, both delicious) and a single entree (one of the kebaps, also delicious) and were STUFFED. Well prepared, good flavors, and nicely plated. Only problem was our particular waitress, who seemed to be having a cranky evening, although all the other servers were extremely friendly.

We always enjoy the food at Turquoise and our last visit was no exception. They start you off with warm freshly baked bread. We started with the seafood salad. My husband had the lamb and I had the Ossobuco short rib—super tender and cooked to perfection. We finished off our meal with Turkish coffee and baklava for dessert. The restaurant is cozy, so I highly recommend making reservations. It’s a local fav and will fill up quickly. The people that work here seem to enjoy it and are always friendly and helpful. We jokingly asked our waiter to read our coffee grounds (known as tasseography). He laughed and told us he didn’t have that talent, but would give it a try just for us. He gave the coffee grounds a long and intense look and said he saw us going on a trip. He was right!

We are outside - Covid. The food was good. The bread is homemade and served with a carrot spread. The eggplant appetizer, hummus (served with raw Vege) and salad were good. I had the adana kebab and my son had the mixed grill - both were very good. We ordered a bottle of wine from S Africa- not crazy priced. We enjoyed our meal.

My husband and I live in Chicago with our 2-year-old daughter. We go to Turquoise Cafe on special occasions, because the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is unique and special. It's very authentic, and the service is great. The owners and waitstaff is always very friendly to our daughter and we never feel bad bringing her in with us. We love that it's family-owned and, again, the Turkish food is just amazing!!

Tuquoise was recommended to us by our Turkish-American friend, and were were not disappointed. I will state that we are not Turkish nor are we experts on Turkish cuisine so I can't speak to the authenticity; however, we are well-traveled and enjoy a wide variety of ethnic foods. The restaurant itself is located in Roscoe Village, and it is well-suited for that locale given its charming and cozy atomosphere. There is seating both indoors and outside, and I would recommend getting reservations as the restaurant was quite busy (you wouldn't think it would be given the residential location, but it is clearly a neighborhood favorite!). On to our dinner...the flatbread that they serve the table is excellent as other reviewers have stated. In addition, we had the Lahmacun and Su Boregi appetizers and enjoyed both. For entree, get the Adana Kebap - sooo good! I also really liked their rice pilaf (seems boring, I know, but whatever they use for seasoning is unique and tasty). Others in our party also got the Beyti Kebap and the Rigatoni with veal sausage; both of which they enjoyed although these are much heavier dishes. The servers were attentive but not intrusive, they kept our water/drinks full, and everything arrived as requested. We were very sad that we did not have room for dessert, but we look forward to trying it the next time we go!

Sometimes you make a rare and wonderful find, and when you do you want to either tell the whole world instantly, or you want to keep your secret lest you spoil it. In this case I knew I had to shout it out. My daughter lived in Turkey twice, and will be living there again soon. She is accustomed to Turkish cuisine and returned to the states raving about how great the food was there. She sent us snapshots of her eating with friends at waterfront cafes and night spots in and around Istanbul and other locations there, and she had a wonderful eating experience during both stays. On her return she set about to find comparable places to eat in and around Chicago, and then, last night, said we were going to Turquoise for brunch on Sunday. OK, not having much else to do, her Mom and I agreed. And what of Brunch? They do not have a "buffet", but bring the brunch selections to you. The food comes, and keeps coming, and then mores comes, and then more. The bread comes that they bake themselves, and the wonderful tea, and apple tea, and parmesan cheese eggs and hot veggie dish, and blueberry crepes and fruit platter, and . . . (puff puff puff!). It was far more than three people could eat, it was all good and the $17.95 per person we paid was more than reasonable. On this very pleasant Sunday we were seated outside, and the summer air contributed well to the living food carnival we had. I highly recommend this place, great for families with children, couples, or medium sized parties. My only complaint? The coffee needed help. I have had Turkish coffee, and this was ordinary stuff, like from Sysco or Continental. Nothing special, and kind of weak. Don't bother with it.

This place has great lahmacun and yummy lamb chops cooked Turkish style. Adana kebab was also really tasty. Their salads are so fresh and so good! Shepard salad with feta cheese was delightful. Baklava was also pleasantly light and fresh. We can't wait to come back!

I did not know I liked Turkish food until I went to this place for a graduation party.The food was very tasty. I did not feel like I was eating anything weird, how sometimes one can feel when you eat food from a different country. The price was reasonable, the staff were very friendly and the ambiance was very nice, and casual. It seemed small in the beginning since we were downstairs in a private room but when I went upstairs to use the bathroom it was bigger than I thought. If you want to try something different I would try this place. Remember, it is in the city so it is street parking if you are going by car. I will return next time with my husband. Make reservations, it was pretty busy and from what I hear, it is always that crowded.

Friendly neighborhood spot with good food, generous portions and very reasonable prices. We always end up with an extra meal for the following day with our leftovers. The seafood salad is very fresh and delicious. I've tried several of the kabobs and they are always excellent. The fresh bread is out of this world.

Waited almost 55 min for our food (4 dishes). Two of the dishes were over cooked. The slow kitchen slaps the great taste right out of the meal. If this was for lunch, dinner must be a sleepover. Its a shame because their food is delicious and the lunch menu is very affordable. I hope they fix their problem. Their is a lot of competition on Roscoe and in this economy you cant make your customer wait an hour for food.

I have been there twice in the past year, each time on a visit with friends to Chicago. The food is amazing. Ingredients are fresh and the menu items are unusual. I don't know enough about this cuisine to know for certain if it's authentic but it seems to be very much so. The onion kebab with the pomegranate reduction is other worldly. The only strange thing is that the waitstaff if a bit surly. It's kind of like a Saturday Night Live skit or the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. Order some of their very reasonably priced wine and you'll find it funny. Be sure to ask about their wine specials...they seem a bit reluctant to share that info so you might have to pull it out of them. We got a good malbec for $20.

This restaurant located in the heart of Roscoeville, not too far from famous Cubs' Wrigleyfield. Inside of the restaurant is charming and stylish with a bar. You can visit this place either at lunch or dinner. If you ask me you have to try Lahmacun (Turkish meat pizza) and Borek (cheese pie) for appetizer and go for the entree of lamb chops. Since it has full var you can try Turkish drink Raki. The signature desert takes 30 minutes to prepare, therefore order it with your appetizers, to enjoy warm Kunefe (not to be mixed with Arab Kunafa). Either with friends or with family you will enjoy the visit and Turkish food.

Chicago's population is composed of many different and diverse ethnic groups, making it one of the most culturally diverse cities across the nation. You don't really need to leave the city in order to get a taste of a different culture. What's a better way to experience a culture than by eating its delicious, unique, and maybe even outrageous, cuisine? On the North Side of Chicago, a significant Turkish population resides. Turkey is known worldwide for their rich and deliciously flavored cuisine, so I decided to visit one of the most popular Turkish restaurants in the area. Right in the heart of Roscoe Village, a small restaurant named Turquoise Cafe is situated. Growing up in a multi cultural household, with a Palestinian father and a Turkish mother, I had an expectation of what the restaurant would have to offer. But still, I desired to satisfy my expectations. Turquoise Cafe, located at 2147 West Roscoe Street, lies at the center of a striving location. A Turkish chef named Mustafa established a restaurant in Istanbul, but after hearing about the job opportunities in big American cities, he decided to relocate to Chicago to establish himself. With the help of a couple of friends, Mustafa was able to bring his most popular dishes and recipes to Chicago. He decided to name the restaurant Turquoise after the beautiful, blue color of the Black Sea. I think the name suits the restaurant perfectly. When I had arrived there, I noticed something unique about the setting. It looked exactly like those small and cozy cafes that are located all across Europe. The structure of the building, the flowers, the vines, and the welcoming atmosphere all reminded me of my recent trip to Spain. I basically felt like I was back in Spain upon arriving and being seated at the restaurant. Upon entering the restaurant, a welcoming host flashed a beautiful and bright smile at me and I instantly felt a warm and positive vibe. The inside of the restaurant was kind of the opposite of the outside setting. The lights were dim and the room was too crowded because of the small space. White tables aligned against the wall and there was a small bar located right at the entrance. The setting isn't too fancy, but it is a little more than casual. It's a good thing that there is an outside and spacious area for those who do not like small and crowded areas. On the walls, there were beautifully painted pictures and works of art straight from Istanbul. I really do believe that the owner and the workers did a fantastic job of implementing the Turkish culture into their restaurant. As soon as I was seated at the table, my eyes widened as I saw the simple yet detailed menu. I was so anxious to see what they had on the menu and to also see if I recognized any of the dishes. While I was searching for a meal to capture my heart, a waitress brought fresh baked bread and a small plate of a mixed vegetable spread along with two glasses of water for my mother and I. I picked up a piece of warm bread and I literally felt the warmth of the bread travel throughout my body. I placed some of the spread on top of my bread and indulged. It was heavenly and I wanted to eat more and more of it. I had to stop myself from eating the delicious bread and spread so I could actually have room for my main meal. My eyes scrolled the menu and I noticed something in particular; almost every single entree contained vegetables; even a simple chicken and rice dish had grilled tomatoes on the side. The appetizer list included well known favorites such as calamari and mussels. However, the list also included a few things that are very popular among the Turks but not very familiar among Americans, such as Lahmacun (pronounced lah-ma-joon). It is a simple dish of thin bread with minced meat and spices. I'm not much of an appetizer fan so I went ahead and ordered my entree called Chicken Kebap. There were many dishes that suited both meat lovers and vegetarians. It is a Mediterranean dish with marinated chicken breast served with grilled vegetables, rice, and yogurt sauce. I patiently waited a good twenty minutes before my food had arrived. As soon as my food arrived, I instantly indulged. The food tasted exactly. like the food I had eaten when I visited Istanbul. I felt like I was honestly back in Turkey for a second. The chicken, rice, and vegetables were cooked perfectly and each had their own individual and explosive flavor. I ended my course of the meal with a nice cup of Turkish tea and a deliciously flaky slice of Baklava for dessert. My mother and I were extremely impressed with their food and highly appraised them afterwards. The waiters were also of Turkish origin, and they were very polite and well mannered towards their customers. The service is fantastic and most of the customers were left very satisfied from the smiles I saw on their faces. Overall, I give Turquoise Cafe a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The food and the service were exceptionally great, but

Visited the turquoise the last Friday in August, 2014. What a pleasant surprise. Eat inside or outside, both are nice, but on a good night, outside is best. Our table of 4 shared a late night dinner preceded by calamari as an appetizer. All ordered the 10 ounce filet mignon, one of the best deals in all of Chicago. The medium rare steak was more medium than than medium rare on all four counts; and they were out of asparagus tips. But all in all it was a lovely dinner. A good time was enjoyed by all. When I am in the mood for a filet, there is no other place in town to go!

I am turkish and I thought it would be fun to take my co workers there when we were in Chicago on a business trip. Was hoping that it is authentic and couldn't have been happier. Service excellent, ambience very nice and the food was delicious and authentic. Coulnt have given my co workers a better introduction to Turkish food, plates were cleaned out 😊.People working there were Turkish felt like I was home. Strongly recommend.

A very good restaurant featuring Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Excellent lentil soup. The doner featured good quality meat and generous portion. Superb homemade bread served with a fine eggplant based spread.

Checked all the reviews and everybody said this is the best Turkish Restaurant and they were right about it . Great meal . Started with appetizers and then Adana Kebab just like in Turkey . Great taste and tender ! Desserts were amazing too . Only negative was there were no music playing all night ? Would definetly be back when I'm in Chicago .

The kitchen chief lady, is well educated about both Turkish and world food, I like the food and the presentation as well, the restaurant staff very professional and attentive, parking is not very difficult and they provide free wi-fi access, my last meal was lentil soup, shepherd salad and famous lamb chops and dessert with Turkish tea, it was perfect dinner, I highly recommend this place and I will repeat

This is a nice find in a neat little neighborhood. The menu is expansive, and the food is quite tasty, from the warm bread and ratatouille on the table to the delicious desserts. The restaurant is cute but spacious with a party room downstairs. Our server was patient, pleasant and eager to make our dining experience excellent, which she did. We will be happy to return.

Turquoise is a small, friendly, outstanding store-front restaurant in the heart of Roscoe Village, Chicago. The many appetizers are absolutely delectable, and meat and fish entrees are excellent. Notable are the zucchini-feta pancakes and the salt-encrusted baked porgies (sea bass.)

20-something hostesses with an attitude. On their cellphones while not greeting guests - not just us. And they turned away three parties without reservations despite tables STILL open after we were finished. Bad first impression. We had a reservation, the restaurant was near empty, and we’re offered the table ON the front door or on the back wall next to the dirty dish bin and napkin folding station. Finally got seated at a normal table. And then things changed. The waiter, and all server staff, were gracious and attentive. And the food... The lentil soup is making my mouth water as I write this. I would come back JUST for that. But then there’s the grilled calamari. And the unbelievable Sultan’s Delight - perfectly seasoned pieces of lamb shank over a bed of creamed eggplant mixed with loads of cheese. Perfection. Switch out the “hostesses” and we would come back weekly.

From start to finish, excellent. Seated quickly, menus brought quickly, bread and spread (both out of this world) brought quickly, order taken quickly, appetizers excellent (lentil soup, eggplant pancakes and sauce) and timely, and main courses excellent (osso buco, mussels appetizer, onion kebab - phenomenal). Be prepared to eat - be hungry - we had to take a lot home as servings were generous.

Great atmosphere outside, and enjoyed the service with our server Kadir! He did a great job making sure we had enough hot water with our tea. The beet salad was delicious and the grilled calamari was tasty!

We had a lovely lunch there on a snowy afternoon. The warm ambiance and the delicious food more than made up for the inclement weather. The lentil soup was terrific and the bread with that luscious spread is really great. The prices are more than reasonable. The service was attentive even though the server was a bit overbearing but not terribly so. We will return!

Sweet spot with cozy, warm atmosphere, tasty food with generous portions and good service. The people are friendly too.

We were delighted with the food and nice, quiet outdoor seating. Everything was mouth watering and the service was second to none. Lovely waitress and servers.

Tried going to dinner here and despite the fact that their website says they close at 11 pm on Thursdays and that we arrived at 9:50, we were ignored by 3 employees while waiting at the door until exactly 10:00 and told that they are now closed. Way to turn away new business. Never coming back.

This is a restaurant we frequent when we visit Chicago. Their vegetable dishes are excellent and this time around the lamb chops were very good. Do order starters as those are some of the best examples of real Turkish/Mediterranean dishes. The bread as usual is great. Just be careful not to fill up on it before your meal arrives as it's hard to stop eating it.

This place is fantastic. I miss it. We moved from chi recently to Florida. Turquoise brunch on a Sunday. We have dined with turquoise at least 10 times. So much delicious food that it could fill you for the entire day. Love it. Wish we could find a place like this around us now.

Go here. Food is great and so is the service. Bill was about $100 for two plus tip for dinner, drinks, and an excellent - flaming - dessert. Make a reservation - it is a very busy place. Try the Turkish beer - very good. We also recommend the calamari appetizer (portion is big enought to share). Turquoise is highly recommended. They do it right.

I might have been a little too tough on them previously regarding how authentic the food is as it was quite good this time. The appetizers and the lentil soup were delicious and yes authentic like Mom used to make topped off with great Turkish deserts. Not sure why people were less than impressed with the service. The wait staff was attentive and accommodating throughout our meal. We did have one instance when we ate here and it looked like the owners were filling in for the regular wait staff and they were having trouble keeping up but even then it really wasn't bad. All in all this is the best Turkish restaurant out of the four we've sampled in Chicago.

Quiet lunch on a weekday... Service was decent. Food was tasty. Mixed kabob was yummy but strangely the steak was a bit tough. Chicken was remarkably tender though. I would go back...

as others have commented , the cozy space feels European and the cooking is consistent, refined and authentic. We have dined at Turquoise Cafe numerous times and it is always a most pleasant experience. I cannot think of anything we have ordered that wasn't perfectly cooked and delicious. The chef obviously sources from high quality purveyors and the vegetables that come with each entree are fresh and beautifully prepared.Freshly baked bread is too good to not want to devour but we need to save room for the outstanding appetizers and entrees. Flan for dessert is yummy.

This spot has been around for a long time and even though management and maybe the chef changed the food is still excellent. I can't believe how many people they can seat in this place! But it is still comfy. The Zucchini Beignets are exquisite, we love the way they make it and the portions. The Doner Kebab is almost as good as the ones we had in Istanbul during visit there. The Chorizo Flatbread is to die for! (the sausage is spicy but very tasty. The brazed lamb shoulder wrapped in eggplant and the Doner Kebab are our recommendations. There are few tables outside during the season, but always busy.

Website posts hours until 11pm then employees ignore us for 5 minutes at door at 10 pm When we try to ask them where to sit we are told kitchen is closed.

Went with a group for lunch. Loved the menu. So many options that it was difficult to choose. Hummus had a lovely presentation and bread was extraordinary. Lemon chicken, beef kabob, schnitzel. . . All delicious! Nice atmosphere and very accommodating wait staff. Relaxing and delicious meal. So worth the drive.

This restaurant offers a variety of Turkish dishes and has a friendly and helpful staff. It is not cheap but the quality of the food justifies the price. You can sit inside or not depending on the weather and the neighbourhood is lovely.

While the cafe is small, the food and the service are wonderful. The white fish on potato nest with spinach was excellent as was the baked bread. Friends had Turkish specialties and they raved about these. I would make a special trip down to the city for this place and the lovely independent bookstore across the street.

We were with our son and his family and our daughter, walking in their neighborhood in Chicago and looking for a place for lunch. We were wandering down Roscoe when we spotted the Turquoise Cafe and decided to give it a try. Part of the appeal was the outdoor dining option as one of us was only 6 years old and could enjoy a bit more freedom of movement outside. We opted for a series of "small plates", all of which were greatly complimented by the delicious bread made at the restaurant. Several of our party were vegetarians, so we focused on the vegetarian offerings, including the Sogurme (Smoked eggplant, creamy yogurt, brown butter, toasted walnuts, and crushed pepper), the Hummus, and the Su Boregi (Homemade dough layered with Feta cheese, and fresh dill). The portions were generous, the food delicious, and, although we all walked away very well filled, the bill was very reasonable for a party of 7.

They changed the menu. It was stellar and now it's just meh. I was a regular. I use to crave the diver scallops. I'd go regularly just for that. So many other great choices. The oxtail ragu pasta? To die for. Last time I went all they had that appealed to me was lentil soup. So sad that this is no longer my go to place.

Fantastic Turkish restaurant! The bread with carrot spread is amazing. The lamb hunkar, beef osso bucco, Doner, and Mediterranean mixed salad were all very flavorful! Great Turkish pilsner. Good service. We'll be back.

This Roscoe Village storefront restaurant serves a fantastic lunch. The menu is big and varied, the food is well-prepared and the portions are very large. They even have white tablecloths. And it's inexpensive! Loved it.

We love going to Turquoise with our friends and introducing it to people that haven't been there previously. The food is always good, the service is great, it is not expensive and if you ask them for their wine specials they have 20$ bottles of decent wine! I highly recommend it if you haven't been there you will not be disappointed. I almost forgot to mention they bake their own bread and it is too die for!!

We'd been quite keen to try this restaurant. Unfortunately, we had a poor experience on a Saturday night. We had a reservation for a party of 6. We were running about 10 minutes late and tried to call the restaurant three times to let them know; on all three attempts, no one answered the phone. When we arrived, three hostesses were sitting at the front of a near-empty restaurant staring at their smartphones. Not sure why they couldn't pick-up the telephone. The entire meal, the main message of the staff was: get out. We were seated near the back; at the table behind us, staff and owners were having a meal together. Our server appeared at the table about 10 seconds after we sat down and wanted drink orders; when we told him we needed time to look at the menu, he came back about 30 seconds later. The same applied to ordering food; many of us felt so pressured to order quickly that we didn't fully absorb the menu. When it came time for the check to be presented, he put it in front of one person. We let it sit a couple of minutes while we finished our meal, and he came back and deliberately set-it in front of another person. That person got up to go to the bathroom, and he set it down in-front of a third person, making a big show of the behavior. Totally obnoxious. We were not offered coffee, nor dessert. If the staff of this restaurant are so keen to get home and kick-out the customers so they can hang out with each other, then they should not accept 8:15pm reservations. We were out by 10pm, so we were not lingering. In addition to the rushed service, the service was unrefined. We were presented a mezze platter of multiple appetizers; instead of taking 15 seconds to explain what was on it, the tray was just dropped-off without explanation. Main courses were served at different times rather than together. Food was equally disappointing. Some things were fine; many were bland. I ordered lentil soup; when it was served, it had been sitting for so long that a skin had formed on the top of it. Not recommended. Mediocre food and rude service.

This is a very nice Turkish restaurant for those who like to try a range of Turkish food. They have very nice eggplant and red pepper/tomato appetizers. I also recommend doner, Adana and Islim kebap. If you like Turkish coffee, make sure to try it with mint liquor. I will stop by again during my next trip. 👍👍👍👍

We have an informal dinner club that seeks out restaurants that are out of our geographic range. One of our 'members' got a recommendation from a Turkish chauffeur who said Turquoise is the best in the city and he was right. We left the ordering to the server and asked her to bring us the house favorites and that was the right choice. Terrific hummus appetizers, excellent kebab main course and the rice was delicious. We all passed plates so we could get a sample of everything. The food was perfect -- flavorful and abundant. The atmosphere was tasteful and cozy like a good neighborhood bistro. If I lived closer I'd be there all the time.

We were interested in trying something new tonight. Since we love mid eastern food of all kinds, we gave it a try. GREAT DECISION! Food was fabulous from beginning (fresh baked bread with a carrot dip) to end (Turkish baklava). Traditional Turkish flatbread pizza with ground lamb, arugula and tomato was a good first plate, as were the zucchini beignets with yogurt sauce. The shepherd’s salad was a good middle course…fresh, flavorful and easily feeds 2-3. Entrees of mixed grill (salmon, seafood and meat), lamb kabobs, and Turkish lamb chunks served over puréed smoked eggplant were each very nicely prepared. Reasonable corkage if you want to bring in wine. Full bar and wine available, too. Fun, upbeat vibe and delightful staff. We look forward to coming again.

Very delicious turkish food. Small cozy place. I love Sunday breakfast in Turquoise Cafe. I have fixed breakfast menu on weekends with reasonable price. Nice turkish music on background.

Seven days a week, Ezgi Bozdas' Turquoise never disappoints! We've never had less than a satisfying bite. Fresh, warm crisp, bread is memorable and always served, with a mouth watering carrot and vegge "slaw" in a light yogurt dressing. It's hard to resist starting without Onion Soup—but the Zucchini fritters are great, too—as well as risotto funghi to share, or/and a giant salad! We've eaten our way through the menu more than once during the many years we've been going to Turquoise. Any kebab will satisfy, Salmon with gnocchi, Lamb Chops, or shank or chicken or a pair of perfect stuffed baby eggplants called "Imam Bayildi" which translates to "priest fainted"—that's how good it is! If you have room for dessert, it's safe to try any or everything. It can be noisy indoors sometimes but the attached Bordeaux room is usually a bit quieter and often has live, really good music that doesn't interfere with conversation. The wait staff is knowledgable about ingredients, spice levels and portion size. William is an impressive busser…he is watchful and responsive, warm and funny and on the spot with refills of everything. Meet Ezgi if she leaves the kitchen…she is as memorable as her menu.

A special bucket list trip to Chicago took us to the very pretty neighborhood of Roscoe Village. The streets are abuzz with unique restaurants, this being one of them. We didn't realize it was Turkish food until we got the menu--we were just attracted by the beautiful outdoor seating (indoor seating was available but it was 6:00 on a beautiful 68*F June evening). We enjoyed hummus with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, HOT french onion soup, and delicious hot turkish bread.Service was a little slow but it was evident the employees knew the locals who frequented the restaurant--calling them by name, asking about their work/family, suggesting items for their enjoyment, bringing them "extras" to take home, etc. We enjoyed watching the neighborhood come to life, with the locals walking their VERY INTERESTING dogs (most restaurants we saw had bowls of water available for their four-legged guests which were as important to the business as the human patrons were!). We met Hazel, the Rhodesian Ridgeback; Larry and Deano, the lab/husky mix rescues; and Emma the English Bulldog.

Four of us met for dinner on a Friday night. All of us have visited Turkey and enjoy the cuisine, so even though the menu is large with many appealing-sounding dishes like rack of lamb or risotto or pasta, we zeroed in on the Turkish specialties, found under "Mediterranean Dishes" on the menu. With a little help from our waiter, a recent transplant from Ankara, Turkey, we made some good choices. We shared three ample appetizers: zucchini pancakes in a garlic/yogurt/dill sauce, hummus, and lahmacun which is like a thin-crust pizza and was our least-favorite of the 3 dishes. Rather than pita bread, they bring a house-made fluffy focaccia-like bread that's addictive. Then we had mains. Both ladies had beef kebabs, cooked to the done-ness we specified, served with a yogurt sauce and rice pilaf. The men had pantlican islim sarmasi which was a very pretty-looking dish of spiced, braised lamb cubes hidden in a package of eggplant slices sitting on a thin tomato sauce which was delicious. It also came with rice pilaf. Dessert was house made baklava. One order provided 4 small warm pieces, just the right amount for a sweet bite at the end and came with 4 small glasses of hot tea. Perfect. There was enough of the apps and mains left over to take home for a good lunch next day. All this plus one glass of wine and one cocktail came in at $138 with tax but before tip. A remarkable bargain considering the food quality and nice appearance of the restaurant. One thing, tho, sitting near the front door on a cold winter night, you get a chilly draft whenever the front door opens. Best to sit in the back of the restaurant. Street parking wasn't hard to find along Roscoe St. and there were not even any parking fees to pay. We will return to Turquoise!

We visited Turkey a few years ago and since then we have been searching in vain for genuine Turkish food. That search ended last night at Turquoise. Our Saturday night visit began with a warm greeting at the door. We were immediately struck by the wonderful smells of Turkish food...we could tell this place had promise! After being seated our waiter came to our table to serve us water and to take our order for raki. In the meantime, fresh warm bread with a dip appeared on our table. It was perfection...and we hadn't even ordered food yet! We started our meal with mussels and patlican salatisi (smoked eggplant on flatbread). Both were excellent and this morning I'm wishing we had brought home the leftover broth from the mussels! For our meals, I chose the Yogurt Kebaps and she chose the Manti. My dish was lamb kebaps with yogurt over pide...delicious! Hers was veal-stuffed tortellini in yogurt with a chili/tomato sauce on top. So yum!!! We always have a contest as to who got the best meal...in this case it was a tie! The prices are reasonable, the service is excellent, the food is superb! This was a truly wonderful experience and we can't wait to come back!

We dine at Turquoise every time we visit Chicago. We had the pide and lahmacun which were tasty- brought leftovers home- good portion size. The Imam Bayildi (eggplant dish) was delicious. Great vegetarian option. The bread was even more delicious than las time. The only disappointment was no more Iskender. Instead my husband had the “Godfather” dinner that had the Adana Kebab - very good- and beef steaks- not so good. Other kebabs on the menu are tastier. A nice change is the wine bar also part of Turquoise. We enjoyed the live music during dinner. Love this restaurant!

YUMMY!!!! I have been here 2x - once with girlfriends and this time with my boyfriend. Make sure you make a reservation!! We came here on the weekend thinking it wouldn't be that busy, but they were packed!! Weekdays they are much slower so there is no problem getting a seat. The place is small and I really like the ambiance. Its very cozy and the candles on the table add a nice touch. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. Both times the service has been really good. Because the place is smaller, there are only a couple of servers so the pace is a little slower. It is actually very nice and you don't feel rushed and really have the time to enjoy your food and your company. When you sit down you get delicious warm toasty bread and a beet spread. The menu offers a nice variety of chicken, beef, seafood and vegetarian dishes. Last time I was here they had a 5 course meal deal that was really wonderful and offered a nice sampling of food. This time they did not have the same option, but we still had a good variety and had plenty of leftovers to take home! We started with 2 glasses of Riesling and appetizers: Lahmacun - seasoned ground beef and seasoned vegetables, homemade fresh dough, parsley leaves and lemon wedges. Like a Mediterranean quesadilla...you can't go wrong! and Mujver - zucchini pancakes with scallion, Feta cheese, mint, fresh dill with creamy yogurt garlic sauce. You get 3 fluffy pancakes, which were more dough than zucchini, and also tasty. I would have liked more veggies... For our main courses we had: Chicken Gorgonzola - pounded chicken breast, roasted red bell pepper and creamy Gorgonzola cheese. DELISH!!! Let me clarify and say that the chicken is DROWNING in this amazing, artery clogging, cheesy goodness. Be prepared to dip everything you can get your hands on into this sauce. You have been warned. Oh, and we ended up taking most of this home including the sauce...the sauce was not as impressive the next day. Eat this on site. and Turquoise Mix Grill - a mixture of (4) skewered chicken pieces, (2) beef medallions, (1) salmon piece, (2) sea scallops, (2) spicy shrimps, and rice pilaf with a small cabbage salad. It was tasty and offered a nice variety, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. The pilaf was very good and the scallops also stood out on this dish. This tasted good the next day. Dessert...ok, so we were stuffed, but the BF really wanted to try their dessert. Luckily the waiter brought us 2 free mini baklava to try and they hit the spot and provided that after dinner sweetness we were craving. We did share a cappuccino and it was really nice! We enjoyed ourselves here and will certainly be back. Both times it was too cold to try the outdoor seating area, but I bet its fantastic in the summer!

I took my family to this restaurant for the first time - found them at Restaurant.com. Made reservation 3 weeks prior and confirmed to them reservation and that we have a $50 restaurant discount certificate from restaurant.com. The woman on the other line agreed its fine to come and use the $50 certificate as long as its a sit down dinner and not brunch, so we came at 2pm on a Sunday. I handed the certificate immediately to a lady personnel, sat down, ordered food and had lunch. The food took forever actually and we kept on looking at our watches because we have to be at the airport. So bill came and guy server hand in the bill pouch to my husband and to our dismayed the bill DID NOT reflect the $50, and said they DO NOT ACCEPT THOSE. We felt lied, duped, betrayed since we did called twice and verified the discount cert. but had we known they will not accept, we could have just walked away and went somewhere else, its our word of honor against their business words of honor or lies to customers? We were very disappointed and never ever to go back there, though food was fine but the whole point of customer service and word of honor, their honesty did not met our expectation. They were dishonest people and management as far as we are concerned.

Turkish " lasagna" not accurate translation, more like Greek cheese pie, tiropita, and excellent. Mix of Turkish and Italian choices. All very good including red Turkish wine

Since returning to Chicago after a wonderful visit to Turkey, I've been to Turquoise three times, for lunch, dinner with a friend, and with a group. The food is fabulous, the bread very tasty, and the lamb just out of this world. It seems that I'm working my way through the menu. It's a bit American(women servers), but enough flavors and aromas to transport you to Sultanahmet. At the Chicago Turkish Cultural exchange, Turquoise was recommended to me by a Turk who was spot on as just wonderful. Try it, you'll like it. Be patient, everything is made to order. Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, good.

They have numerous menu options but I would highly recommend the Mediterranean menu. If you are accustomed to Turkish or Armenian food yoiu will finds many things of interest to you. Good place for a group and order dishes to share.

Food is classic Turkish flair for breakfast/brunch. We did the prix fix menu for $20 per person and there is no way two people will finish that much food. They have classic Turkish coffee as well as tea/american coffee. The items are absolutely fantastic. Three types of eggs, sausages that are more like a spicy pepperoni and meatballs, cheese, bread and all the stuff that goes with it.

We went there for lunch for the first time and the food was delicious. It is a very pleasant restaurant with good service. Note that street parking is not easy to find.

We frequent this restaurant as we live in the area, and we have always been happy with the food and service at this place. The ambiance is also great especially in the summer when you can sit outside. They have $20 bottles of wine...what? In Chicago? Yep! :-)

Another great experience! Took my visiting cousin and his wife here. Amazing Colorado Lamb Shank! Mixed grill and chicken kabobs also very good. Try the Efes pils. Baklava a must!

I have been here several times, and the food is consistently good. service tonight was a little slow even though it was the 4th of July and they were not crowded. we tried the calamari salad rather than fried and was quite impressed. lemon chicken, beef kabobs, rice, lentil soup were all excellent. can't wait till I am back in town to go again.

I would only recommend going here if you want to be treated rudely at the door. I arrived at 9:45 was left waiting for a table for 20 minutes even though there were many open and then at 10:05 rudely told the kitchen was closed and that they didn't want my business. I can't speak on the food but the staff and service are the worst I've seen.

It is perfect clean and nice warm environment and I think one of the best Turkish restaurant in Chicago .I highly recommend mix grill, lahmacun and beyti kebab at this location

When in Roscoe Village,have lunch or dinner here.The menu is outstanding.The food is prepared ,with taste and presentation in mind,to delight the customers. Meats are grilled to perfection.Vegetables are fresh.And their bread,baked daily on site is simply delicious. Service is very efficient and friendly.Full bar.

Turquoise came highly recommended by my son's colleague and we were not disappointed -- the food was delicious, portion sizes generous, and the server very attentive. Highly recommended!

What a lucky find for our first night in Chicago. We hoped to try some Turkish food and were pleased to enjoy great food in very pleasant surroundings.

Having just arrived home from a wonderful trip to Istanbul, Turkey and some surrounding countries, we were eager to have another taste of the food from that area of the world. We chose Turquoise Cafe out of the blue based on reviews and went last night. What a treat! We sat outside and had a great evening with another couple. The food was very well prepared. We had the hummus and the zucchini pancakes for appetizers.For our entrees, I had the Turkish Delight - grilled vegetables and hummus, and my hubby had the lamb kebabs. The other couple had the filet and the oxtail ragu with gnocchi. Not a complaint to be made! The food was very good and the service was very acceptable. Our server was a lovely young woman who is returning to Istanbul in a few days after living in Chicago for nine months. She spoke English well with regard to the menu but I am not sure she got all of the conversation! No worries, we were well taken care of and left happy. I look forward to our next visit - both to Turkey and to Turquoise Cafe.

Very authentic and delicious. Their meze specials and the meats were very well prepared and presented. Unassuming but cozy and comfortable with caring service. There is a room downstairs for groups too. Excellent value.

In every state we visit, we always look for a Turkish Restaurant. So far in more than 30 states we’ve been to only one place really had an authentic Turkish cuisine. Until we discovered Turquoise Restaurant in Chicago. The food was so good we went there two nights in a row. The Iskender which is usually made out of prepackaged meat at most Turkish Restaurants was actually made fresh and was very tasty. The portions were so large we could barely finish our main course. Cheese Pide and Lahmacun were awesome and the baklava was one of the freshest I’ve ever had. We were very happy to find this place and we plan to make more frequent trips to Chicago just to dine at this restaurant.

Was great! Variety of traditional tastes! Thank you! Homesickness is out! Excellent place. See you next time in chicago

We were in Chicago visiting an exchange student we had from Turkey and she suggested we eat here. She went with us and helped us order and the food was fabulous! It was a busy place but we had reservations(best to make them or you might not get in). The atmosphere was nice but casual and the service was prompt and they were good about coming back to check that everyone's food was good, glasses were kept full and everything was going well. The Baklava was the best I have ever had and I have greek friends that have made it in the past for me, but this was THE BEST!

My mom, best friend, and I came here after wedding dress shopping on the recommendation of a shop owner. We loved everything! The portion sizes are huge and the bread with the sour cream carrot dip is addicting. Wish they had something like this near me!

Wonderful and unusual dishes served at this charming Roscoe Village spot. Outdoor patio on a summer Sunday is a delightful way to spend the morning. Brunch is a prix fixe and the food just keeps coming.

Love this place. The food is amazing. I've been there for few times. They have basically Turkish and Mediterranean food. The prices are average $$. Highly recommended.

We ventured to Turquoise in Roscoe Village for a NYE dinner. The food did not disappoint. We had two good appetizers- though the Hummus would have been enjoyed more if more pita chips and/or Pitas were provided. We shared a Mixed Grill that had beef, chicken, salmon, shrimp, and scallops. All flavorful and well- prepared. Many additional interesting items on the menu beckon a follow up visit. The one disappointment was our seating. As a party of 2, we were only offered two options- both tables seemed to be randomly placed in a high traffic area. At the time of our arrival, there were plenty of tables if 4 available, though none offered. They need to be more considerate of couples- this could be a showstopper for return visit and is what prevents higher rating.

The food is very good, the service not so much!! But its very worthy!!! We order a entree called Manti thats was soooo good!!! And the appetizer was called ' lamuka' or something like that and was also very good!!! I would come back for sure!!! Its a turkish/ mediterranean restaurant

We were a group of 14 on a Tuesday night. The place was warm and inviting. The appetizers were all great. We had eggplant, an open face pita with meat on top and some zucchini fritters. The bread is awesome and very addicting. Pace yourself so you have room for dinner with the bread. The entrees were well recieved by all. I had the Turquoise mixed grill (combo of seafood,chicken, and beef). It was fine. The meat was tender but the seafood was over cooked except for the scallop. Most got the Osobuku (beef short rib over polenta) I tried it and it was very good. The beef was tender and fell off the bone and the polenta was tasty. The desserts were tasty. We have had better baklava but the turkish creme Brule and rice pudding was really good. Our waiter was good and attentive. We will be going back!

The service was very good and staff was friendly. Our server recommended a few of her the favorites. Beef Kepabs were good, seasoning was amazing especially with the yogurt sauce. Came with a nice size helping of flavorful rice. Lamb shank was a hit. Filet was a hit along with the mashed potatoes with a few potato chips that came along with the meal. The Risotto Del Presidente was very good as well. Everything tastes very fresh and cooked just right. Had a couple couple of bottles of wine. Total cost with tip $260. A little expensive but well worth it. This is the first time I have tried Mediterranean food and I really like the it. Kudos to the chef and to Turquoise Cafe for making this a wonderful experience.

This is nice restaurant even if the dishes aren't totally authentic Turkish. Food is above average and service is good. Bread was excellent and the calamari not too bad considering proximity to the nearest ocean. Overal we've had a couple of nice lunches here and will go back to try some of the other dishes.

First time visitor to lunching at Turquoise. Outside tables looked inviting but it was just chilly enough for us to dine inside. Drinks ordered and served immediately. Bread and two different kinds of dip. One was a creamy carrot based dip. Oh my. Filet mignon sandwich cooked to perfection. Seared salmon w couscous, calamari,tomatoes and zucchini de-lish. Service excellent. We thought we didnt have room for dessert at the end, so we didnt order it. But with the check came a small dish with some yummies. A nice surprise. And, of course, we made room for it! :)) Will be back. Highly recommend.

The flatbread (appetizer) is wonderful - warm and served with interesting spreads (chopped carrots or beets in yogurt). Any of the lamb dishes are excellent. Portions are reasonable size (not overly large) so there's room for dessert, also a lovely assortment of choices. Just don't come too often and over-crowd the place!

The restaurant is small but the staff was so friendly and helpful. We started by sharing the hummus, and there was plenty for the 4 of us. I had the Iskender dinner, which was gyro meat over pita with tomato sauce and yogurt. This was a real winner! Just delicious. My husband had the Kuzu kebab and it was very good but not as good as my dish. One of our party had Manti, which was a dumpling dish and she liked it very much.

Although there isn't a "perfect 10" Turkish restaurant in the Chicago area, this one gets close. We were lucky to visit it on a perfect evening in late May and got a table outdoors. The restaurant does not accept reservations for the outside section, but we were there early, at 5PM and it was empty. . We have been to this eatery multiple times and are very familiar with the menu. We tried the following: Appetizers: mucver,lahmacun(Normally lahmacun is flat,but they have started to roll it. Easier to eat?),su boregi: All tasted great, humus: I found the taste somewhat weak. Main courses; Mixed grill, manti,islim kebab: All were excellent Deserts: Baklava,almond parfait: Both very good. Bread and Efes beer: excellent Service was very good. We were able to park on the street right in front on the restaurant.We plan next to try their champagne brunch on a weekend ($15?) I highly recommend this restaurant.

It is a must. Fantastic food with unbeatable price. Love their beef Sausage . One of my favorite brunch in Town.

Had delightful Sunday brunch on outdoor patio. Unusual prix fixe had servers bringing out so many dishes you lose count.

The room at the Turquoise is warm and welcoming on a snowy night; the decor is not specifically Turkish, just modern and fairly cosy. I dined alone, so I wasn't able to sample a great deal of the cooking, but what I had was what you might call high-end Turkish bistrot food. The mercimek çorbası / lentil soup came without lemon or ground chili but they were soon provided when I asked. The bread was served hot, and crisp outside. The lahmacun needed salt and chili but was richly filled. The adana kebab was a little too finely ground for my taste - I'd have preferred a more rustic texture - but good. Personally I'd also prefer bulgur to rice, but didn't see any on offer. I drank rakı rather than wine; but I was surprised to see an Öküzgözü on the list at $50 a throw, which seemed excessive. Overall the food was good but the service was erratic and relatively impersonal, except when the waiter or waitress was Turkish (various people served me as the meal went on). It took a while, initially, to get served at all. I was not asked if I wanted a drink before ordering food, and while a spoon arrived with the soup and admittedly I could have eaten the adana with the fork I had, I asked for a knife (and got one immediately). I might have liked another rakı before I left, but the (non-Turkish) waitress decided otherwise and brought the bill before asking if I'd like dessert or anything else - though she did offer me tea when she brought the bill. Saved me $6 more. This would be a nice place to come as a group of four - the lack of a personal touch in the service wouldn't be so striking as to a lone diner. The food is genuine Turkish - or at any rate, teh Turkish dishes are; there's a choice of "international" food as well. $40 for one is in the upper range for this kind of cooking - but then so is the quality.

Extremely pleasant lunch dining outdoors. Homemade bread was excellent as was the carrot yogurt spread served upon being seated. Turkish/ Greek dishes were varied from huge salads to satisfying wraps and sandwiches at affordable prices, about $8.95. Unhurried on a weekday afternoon added to the experience. Desserts were plentiful portions enough to share, again at reasonable prices.

We were keen on a nice Turkish dinner and, in the end, this place disappointed. Overall, the food was quite good (with the exception of the bland hummus starter). But a restaurant experience is more than just the food. The service was horrible: wrong food brought initially as starters, waiter disappeared after taking our order and never checked back, and we had to flag down other staff to refill water glasses and get the check. The restaurant was not busy; plenty of staff were, in principle, available. In practice, they were on their phones.

I've had mixed experiences at Turquoise. It's either really great or so-so. The entrees don't disappoint (lamb is a favorite of my friends - I typically order the salmon). The salads and appetizers have been lackluster. However, the service is always great and the small size gives the restaurant a cozy feel.

Great food. Very authentic and similar to our experiences in Turkey. The lamb chops were cut thin to my asking and grilled rare to perfection, served over a bed of grilled vegetables. The shepherds salad was a perfect compliment to the lamb. The bread is amazing and our Turkish tea glasses were never empty. The meal ended with their home made baklava- almost as good as my grandmothers. The food was so good that we were back twice in a weeks time!

This amazing little Turkish restaurant is a great find. From the hummus to the Baked Salt Encrusted Fish. I have also had 2 different salads, the chicken kabob and lamb kabob. I have gone there 4 weeks in a row. Their food is high quality, fresh and season to perfection.

My kids & I visited Turquoise for lunch yesterday. The weather was beautiful, so the outdoor sitting area was open and inviting. Some of the tables were situated under a canopy with hanging baskets and flowers. The lunch menu provided for a good selection of Turkish appetizers, Turkish main entrees, and many Americanized entree choices. I was looking for a basic lunch portion lamb kebap, however, this is not offered on the lunch menu. I went ahead and ordered off the dinner menu for this entree. There were lamp chops available on both the lunch and dinner menu. The homemade bread was fresh and hot. The appetizer (eggplant) was delicious. We ordered a kofte kebap entree, however, I did not care for the taste of the kofte and it was somewhat undercooked. The potatoes and salad that accompanied the kofte was excellent. I couldn't stop dipping my bread throughout the whole meal. The lamp kebap was excellent, along with the rice on the side. The bill was high for 1 adult and 2 young children - $45 for lunch. Service was Okay - could have been more warm, talkative, and inviting. Bathrooms were clean and well-kept. The inside of the "cafe" looked clean & modern - I would visit again and eat inside in colder weather. The bar had a good selection of drinks with summer specials.

I don't enjoy hot spicy fare so I did not enjoy my dinner. I told the waitress of my dislike of hot spicy dishes and was steered to a risotto and fish dish which tasted like fire. I can only imagine how one of the spicy recommendations would have tasted. My five dinner companions who like spicy dishes all said very positive things about the lamb, ossobucco and other fare. The food style is, as the name denotes, largely Turkish. Prices for entrees are generally under twenty dollars. The restaurant is a pleasant small size and the interior is charming and cozy. The wine offerings are very affordable and well chosen and likewise the mixed drinks were a good value. Service is a bit slow as possibly a small kitchen can only accommodate so many dishes at a time. In short, a good choice if you fancy hot spicy dishes. If you don't, stay away.

Absolutely outstanding food. Absolutely outstanding service. Absolutely outstanding appetizers, courses, desserts, drinks, coffee. Did I mention that it’s absolutely outstanding? The food, the guests, everything is international Chicago. This is why Chicago is a world class city. We will definitely return.

Pleasant. Outdoor sitting if fine. Good Turkish food at reasonable prices. We had to wait longer than usual for our food.

We were at Turquoise for the first time with a group planning to travel to Turkey in the next few weeks. I wasn't sure what to except and was delighted. The restaurant is relatively small, warm and cozy. The service was excellent. Our server caught the spirit and was so helpful in assuring we had authentic Turkish food. We were served family style so we could each taste a bit of everything from lamb to chicken to beef to eggplant to zucchini and more. We will definitely return! The restaurant is in a neighbor. While we were fortunate to find parking right in front, it may not always be that easy.

I am a Turkish and i highly disappointed about the food, pide and soup is okey but kebaps are one the worst i have ever eaten, i couldnt eat, not cooked and smelled like an out dated meat.. terrible never go there again

A wonderful place for a fantastic night! We went here for Valentine's day. We didn't know that they had a special menu for the day, but they were incredibly accommodating and allowed us to order off the regular menu. The beef kabob and talas boregi were incredible! Highly recommend!

Probably some of the best Turkish food in the city. We had a reservation, however when we showed up there was some confusion and staff was almost rude, once the staff cleared things up we were seated. It took over 15 minutes for our waitress to address the table, very little English. We ordered a mix of everything and all entrees were fantastic. The cafe is very small, almost cramped feeling, I suggest outdoor dinning...could be a little gem in Roscoe Village.

I recently saw Turquoise featured on the show "Check please" and I was excited to check it out. I had a very enjoyable experience, but was not completely blown away. -The place is very inviting, located in the heart of Roscoe Village with a welcoming storefront entrance and warm and convivial atmosphere inside. -The hostess seemed a bit confused and couldn't find our reservation, which is always frustrating. -We waited at the bar before our table was ready. The bartender was very nice and introduced us to the Turkish aperitif, raki, which we really enjoyed. It's kind of like a Turkish ouzo and was a great way to whet our palate. -We did finally get seated at a comfortable table in the back. -Our waitress was informative and attentive. -Fresh-baked bread was delicious and served with a tasty carrot-based dip. -Patlican salatisi (eggplant dip) and su boregi (like a feta lasagna) were interesting appetizers--good, but I wish they had a little more flavor. -Doner was delicious. -Adana kebap was decent, but the meat could have used a little more of a sear on it. I did feel we got a good value for our money--definitely generous portions. It overall was a nice dinner experience and I would definitely go back. I am glad to have an authentic Turkish option on my Chicago restaurant list.

This is one of our favorite restaurants because of the vast menu of delicious dishes at an affordable price. Every meal starts with a special appetizer and amazing bread of which I cannot get enough. The servers are eager to please and happy to make food and drink recommendations. The dishes are beautifully presented and lovingly made with a mix of exotic spices that are so flavorful. And following our fabulous meals, we are often treated to a complimentary decadent dessert. With free parking on the side streets, Turquoise Cafe is easily a fabulous choice for a satisfying dining experience.

Stopped here for a lunch with a friend after seeing rave reviews on a segment of local TV Check Please. It's a very nice little place and the ambience is warm. We ordered and were told about the day's special soup so we ordered that. After about 15 minutes, they returned to our table to inform us that the soup was gone. Not a good sign. So we kept eating their marvelous bread which is really fantastic. I ordered a couple of apps which were recommended by patrons on the program and my friend had a salmon wrap. The apps were hardy but not anything I would miss if I had passed on them. Just sort of routine Turkish cuisine. My friend's wrap was very large, but he said that it was good, nothing outstanding. Prices seemed reasonable, but I would not go out of my way to seek this venue again.

I recently went for brunch at turqoise cafe and took my entire family along. We loved the 8 course brunch and great service. The eggs baked with the sausage/salami is just perfectly condimented and tastes amazing. The Turkish tea was a. Ice touch as well.. great place, decent prices and good service..

We always look for Turkish restaurants because, well, we are Turkish. We arrived in Chicago Friday night and enjoyed our experience so much we returned Saturday night. This place is a gem for anyone looking for a relaxing dinner with family and friends and excellent food. We had the lahmacun and eggplant salad for appetizers. Both excellent. I am not the biggest eggplant fan but I think I ate most of the eggplant salad. Nice combination of smokey eggplant and spices. Ate it up with fresh out of the oven bread. Next the main courses. First night we had Adana Kebab and Iskender. The Adana kebab had the right amount of spices, served with delicious rice. The yogurt sauce was on the side but I prefer a dollop if homemade yogurt. That would have put it over the top. The Iskender was cooked beautifully and a generous portion. We had lamb shish the second night. The meat was cooked to perfection. I was grateful for the waiter to remove the meat from the skewer. Did I say they gave great service? Dinner was concluded with Kazan dibi (a thick pudding with a caramelized coating) my favorite thing in all the world. Don’t forget the Turkish tea!

We went to Turquoise Cafe as we were going to an event nearby. What a great find. Interesting menu, divided into Turkish specialties and a broader list (with a strong Mediterranean influence). Several reviewers have commented that service is "leisurely" and this is true - it's not a place for quick bite. Our group barely had time for a main course over 90 minutes. But the food was outstanding. Very large portions of well made food with a very good price point. Several of our group had rack of lamb that was done perfectly. One had tuna that was also very nice. I had a seafood (shrimp and scallops) risotto that had great flavor, with the seafood cooked just right. Service was very friendly. We will definitely be back, and will plan our timing so as to fully enjoy the menu.

I really enjoyed my meal at Turquoise. The only complaint I have is that my friend and I ordered a Caprese salad for starters, and there were no asparagus tips in it as described on the menu. The delicious French Onion soup made up for that though, sort of! All in all it was very good and I'd go there again.

The drinks and appetizers were the best. The main meals were just ok. Excellent service. Interesting cocktails and authentic food.

Last time we ate there, everything smelled fishy. They changed the fries to frozen, prices are pretty high now. We were six people and automatically they charged me way over for tips, which they don't deserve it. Even though I called and emailed the manager he replied and won't give me my tips back. OK, fine but it is up to me, because of our unsatisfying experience it is up to me not to tip them, we left some of the food that smell bad. 2 people won't and refused to eat. They only ate bread and oil, with the yogurt spread that they offer with the bread. High prices and regretful going there. Discover it yourself and smell the plates.

We have been here several times when visiting family in this area of Chicago! Every time it is consistently great! The food is prepared perfectly! The menu is not very extensive, but there is something for everyone! On our last visit, our female server was not very attentive or friendly. Usually, the servers are fantastic. I enjoy the lentil soup, and the Turkish dishes. Highly recommend.

New-ish owner, Ezgi Serbest, may be young but she is wise and experienced. She's tweaked the Turquoise menu a bit yet no dish is missed. She's introduced new items that are sensational, creative and generous. Her take on French Onion Soup is the best in the city. Pide (Turkish Bread) is always served warm and crusty along with a lagniappe of fabulous carrot/yogurt or eggplant spread. It remains a family friendly, often noisy spot, but if it isn't on your list already, add it!

This is one of my new favorite place to eat when I visit my sister in Chicago. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food is excellent! To start we had the patlican salatisi - I recommend it, it was excellent. My sister had the chicken kabob which was very good and I had the Chicken Lemo which was DELICIOUS. I will definitely be back on my next visit

It's like a pearl in the oyster of Chicago. We walked to this gem and was greeted and served by Mahmut with a spectacular ambiance. I had the Mediterranean salt encrusted Porgy which was flamed table side. Soula had the Onion kebab in a delicious pomegranate sauce. We found the Malbec from Argentina a perfect complement to both lamb and fish. The portions were extremely generous and priced right. I felt like I was in Istanbul. not Constaninopoli.

The owner-chef is fantastic! One of the best lamb shanks I've ever had. The chicken kebap also gets a huge thumbs up! Try the Efes beer and baklava. Excellent service! One of our favorite restaurants.

Turquoise Cafe has terrific Turkish food - served in a very nice atmosphere with white table coverings and good service ! The bread is delicious - as are appetizers - and entrees, including the kabobs ! For some, the only downside may be getting to the location (in Roscoe Village). For a visitor to the Chicago-area, a car is needed for this.

Very cute neighborhood Turkish café. It's a busy place on a Saturday night. My boyfriend & I were lucky & were able to squeak in around 7pm. The service was fantastic and everything we ate was very good. The bread and 'dip', a yummy, creamy, tangy carrot based concoction was delish. We had two appetizers: the grilled calamari and the Lahmacun. The calamari was cooked perfect, had great flavor & was a beautiful presentation. The Lahmacun (like a flatbread) was very good. I would recommend both to anyone. We ended up only getting one entrée to share since we had so much food. We had the Risotto del Presidente, a seafood & mushroom extravaganza.... YUM! The only bummer was we sat near the door and every time someone went in or out, we got quite a chill and the door did not close automatically so a heavy draft was present at all times.

Had the fried calamari and Risotto Del Presidente. No adult beverages. Warm bread and a yogurt based vegetables dipping sauce were served. Sat at an outdoor table on a pleasant and quiet street. Good food. Nice atmosphere.

Turquoise cafe is without comparison the best turkish/Mediterranean restaurant in chicago. atmosphere and service is suburb but the food is really outstanding. The Beyti Kabob and the mixed grill were just perfection. I would recommend making a reservation on weekend night as they can get very busy.