I love Cafe Gulistan! Great food, quiet atmosphere. My favorite Harbor Country restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeffrey Scott
Authentic Turkish food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Peter Slattery
If you are a local in the area, you know and likely love this place. If you are visiting for a beach week/weekend away, this is a dinner spot you must go to — take out or dine in. My family has been going here for more than 30 years and the variety of dishes suits all. Always friendly service and a wonderful time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zahra Ghorrati
The restaurant had a strong moldy smell, and I honestly regret staying and ordering. We ended up sitting outside because of it. The prices are definitely not worth the quality and amount of the food or service. My friend even thought that the food looks like the it warmed up in the microwave. The ground lamb on rice looked more like a Chipotle-style dish but at a higher price. I was actually looking for a Persian restaurant, but Google directed me here—it turned out to be Kurdish. Also, if you pay by credit card, they secretly add a 3% fee without informing you; you’ll only notice it later on your receipt. Overall, the food quality did not justify the price.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ahmad Esmaeili
Absolutely dissatisfying! Felt like the food was microwaved.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rebekah Kreckman
Six of us ordered and each was more than satisfied with their choice! The server was knowledgeable about adjustments for gluten-free and dairy-free diets, though it wasn’t marked on the menu. Vegetarian and vegan dishes were easy to distinguish on the menu. Excellent food, with reasonable portions slightly on the small side.
It's a Monday night and I just stopped by on my way home. I am not a regular but I have been coming here since 2011 when I bought a house close by. I ordered a Gulistani. The waitress dropped it off never to be seen again. No check back. I ate my meal without any water to drink and had to flag her down to pay. At $22, the portion was the smallest I've ever seen it. I've had takeout from them and they were all larger portions than what I actually got served in person. I don't leave many reviews, but this was not right from the front of the house, to the back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
chiveg
Vegan options are good but pretty expensive for the amount of food you get.
Updated from previous review on 2025-09-20
Leszek G
prices are out of this world... the food is delicious but the quantity is so small... it's laughable... I don't recommend it
Good food and unique dining experience for the area. Keep it going!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Ariansen
Other than the muggy heat that day and the bugs put on the patio thr food and service were great. Looking forward to our next meal there!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heather French
I’ve been trying to come here for years and it did not disappoint :) We got the hummus sampler platter appetizer, and an entrée that was not on the menu called the kebab sampler platter. Both exceeded expectations. I’d love to eat my way through the entire menu. The flavors were so subtle and aromatic. If you go, consider over-ordering because it’s such great leftovers food. The atmosphere is simple and quiet inside and peaceful and shady outside. There’s a pond at the entrance with frogs and an herb garden up the front walk. The service from Brandy was cheerful and prompt. Overall one of my favorite dinner spots in the area. The only opportunity here is hours of operation so I hope you can happen upon this wonderful spot when it’s open!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas Fitzer
Waiter aloof. Did not check on us once. When I saw the food come out I was very surprised at the portion size, especially for $25. When I tasted the food, it was if they took 2/3 microwaved frozen butter chickens and dumped them on rice. Do not recommend.
Demetrius Davidson
Overpriced for portion size. Pathetic soggy desert. Coffee wasn’t good. Better tasting Mediterranean food out there. I think the only reason this place stays afloat is because of unsuspecting tourists coming from the beach like ourselves.
I love Cafe Gulistan! Great food, quiet atmosphere. My favorite Harbor Country restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Authentic Turkish food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
If you are a local in the area, you know and likely love this place. If you are visiting for a beach week/weekend away, this is a dinner spot you must go to — take out or dine in. My family has been going here for more than 30 years and the variety of dishes suits all. Always friendly service and a wonderful time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant had a strong moldy smell, and I honestly regret staying and ordering. We ended up sitting outside because of it. The prices are definitely not worth the quality and amount of the food or service. My friend even thought that the food looks like the it warmed up in the microwave. The ground lamb on rice looked more like a Chipotle-style dish but at a higher price. I was actually looking for a Persian restaurant, but Google directed me here—it turned out to be Kurdish. Also, if you pay by credit card, they secretly add a 3% fee without informing you; you’ll only notice it later on your receipt. Overall, the food quality did not justify the price.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Absolutely dissatisfying! Felt like the food was microwaved.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Six of us ordered and each was more than satisfied with their choice! The server was knowledgeable about adjustments for gluten-free and dairy-free diets, though it wasn’t marked on the menu. Vegetarian and vegan dishes were easy to distinguish on the menu. Excellent food, with reasonable portions slightly on the small side.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Falafel Platter, Kavurma, Garlic Chicken
It's a Monday night and I just stopped by on my way home. I am not a regular but I have been coming here since 2011 when I bought a house close by. I ordered a Gulistani. The waitress dropped it off never to be seen again. No check back. I ate my meal without any water to drink and had to flag her down to pay. At $22, the portion was the smallest I've ever seen it. I've had takeout from them and they were all larger portions than what I actually got served in person. I don't leave many reviews, but this was not right from the front of the house, to the back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Vegan options are good but pretty expensive for the amount of food you get. Updated from previous review on 2025-09-20
prices are out of this world... the food is delicious but the quantity is so small... it's laughable... I don't recommend it
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 5
Food was phenomenal 😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Stuffed Rainbow Trout
Restaurantji Recommends
Good food and unique dining experience for the area. Keep it going!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Other than the muggy heat that day and the bugs put on the patio thr food and service were great. Looking forward to our next meal there!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been trying to come here for years and it did not disappoint :)
We got the hummus sampler platter appetizer, and an entrée that was not on the menu called the kebab sampler platter. Both exceeded expectations.
I’d love to eat my way through the entire menu. The flavors were so subtle and aromatic. If you go, consider over-ordering because it’s such great leftovers food.
The atmosphere is simple and quiet inside and peaceful and shady outside. There’s a pond at the entrance with frogs and an herb garden up the front walk. The service from Brandy was cheerful and prompt. Overall one of my favorite dinner spots in the area.
The only opportunity here is hours of operation so I hope you can happen upon this wonderful spot when it’s open!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Waiter aloof. Did not check on us once. When I saw the food come out I was very surprised at the portion size, especially for $25. When I tasted the food, it was if they took 2/3 microwaved frozen butter chickens and dumped them on rice. Do not recommend.
Overpriced for portion size. Pathetic soggy desert. Coffee wasn’t good. Better tasting Mediterranean food out there. I think the only reason this place stays afloat is because of unsuspecting tourists coming from the beach like ourselves.
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