I was surprised to read some of the poor reviews. What do you expect when a huge group goes to share one pizza and has two hookahs for the table. I am not sure that any other sit down restaurant would allow this. I have been going to Cafe Istanbul for years. Every time I take people that have never been there from Atlanta or even from out of town, they have an amazing time. Food is fresh and authentic. The Kurdish/Turkish actually cook the food themselves. I do like the variety of music, Turkish, Arabic, Indian mixes. It all goes well with the dancing customers and at times the owners/employees. I have yet to visit a place in Atlanta with even a similar environment. The staff and customers are one with the restaurant. This place is popular and with the new expansion, after several complaints of a long wait, it is even better. This restaurant will easily become anyone's ""Cheers."" A home away from home. You can just come in and relax. You can dance and drink or you can sit back, relax, smoke some hookah, and drink some ""chai"" (tea) or wake up with a jolt from the traditional Turkish coffee. This place also makes one of the best pizzas in Atlanta. Try the Adanna Kabob, Mediterranean Chicken, Mezza Plate, Cheese Bread, Lamb Pizza with Hummus, or if its your first time, ask Mustafa what you normally like and leave it up to him to give you the best.
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