Istanbul Kebab & Donair

Mahsa & Tëma

Google

Jul 29, 2026

3

Updated review: After our previous great experience, we decided to hold a small gathering at Istanbul Kebab and Donair. Unfortunately, this visit was disappointing and not at the level we expected. We had made the reservation more than a week in advance and confirmed it a couple of days before the event. When we arrived at 5:30 p.m., the restaurant had a steady crowd, but service felt understaffed, rushed, and disorganized throughout the evening. It took quite a while for our order to be taken. While waiting, we wanted to bring tea to our guests from the self-serve tea station, but we were told the tea cups were dirty so only some people could get tea. We then asked for water before placing our order, but the water did not arrive until about 30 minutes later and only after we followed up. Our server seemed very rushed, and the service came across as cold rather than welcoming. As dishes started coming out, they were placed on the table quickly and the server left immediately, so we did not have a chance to mention that we still needed water or ask for anything else. The main dishes came out in a very uneven manner: some guests received their meals first, others received theirs several minutes later, and my husband and I received our food about 5-10 minutes after that. By the time our meals arrived, most of our guests were nearly finished, which made the dinner feel awkward and took away from the shared experience we had hoped for. We also ordered coffee to have with the cake, but it arrived only after the cake was finished and after we reminded the staff. We had also received permission in advance to bring our own cake. We completely understand that some restaurants charge a cake service fee, but we were not told about the fee or the amount ahead of time. To their credit, they did not charge the cake service fee at the end, which we appreciated. However, the main concern was not the fee itself; it was the lack of transparency upfront. The food itself was still enjoyable, but the service, timing, and communication were not suitable for a reserved gathering. We had spoken very highly of this restaurant to our guests based on our previous visit, so this was especially disappointing. We would be hesitant to hold another event here. Original Review: The space had a warm and inviting feel. The carpeted bench seating gave the restaurant a cozy atmosphere, and a self-serve tea station was such a lovely touch. As big fans of Turkish cuisine, we always enjoy trying Turkish restaurants when we travel, so we were excited to try this spot. For lunch, we ordered the Iskender kebab, Beyti kebab, and shepherd salad. The Iskender kebab was definitely among the best we have tried so far. The flavours were rich, comforting, and beautifully balanced. It was our first time trying Beyti kebab, and we loved it. It was juicy, flavourful, and had that satisfying, homey quality that makes a dish feel especially memorable. The shepherd salad was very fresh and generously portioned. The tea was brewed perfectly, and the bread was delicious as well. We especially enjoyed the way the bread was served warm and puffed up, full of steam inside — it made the presentation feel fun, fresh, and inviting. We were so impressed with the food that we ordered their platter for two as takeout before leaving. The platter included two skewers of Adana kebab, one skewer of chicken, one skewer of beef kebab, two pieces of lamb, two individual portions of lahmacun, fries, roasted tomatoes, freshly made bread, rice, chef’s salad, and three dips. It was generous, varied, and a great way to try more of their menu. We tried the takeout the next day, and it was still very tasty. Even after reheating, the kebabs stayed tender and juicy, which says a lot about the quality and preparation. The restaurant had a steady lunch crowd, but it did not feel overly busy or chaotic. Service was impressively efficient, and everyone we interacted with was friendly and professional. Overall, we truly enjoyed our experience at Istanbul Kebab and Donair in Edmonton.