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Sahara's Turkish Cuisine
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Sahara's Turkish Cuisine
8.5
Family-run since 2002, Sahara’s fills a long Kips Bay dining room with meze platters, charcoal-grilled meats, and a steady hum of birthday dinners and big-group celebrations. Its combination of longevity, warm service, and generous portions has made it a neighborhood standby for Turkish feasts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed Cold Appetizer Plate, Iskender Kebab, Kunefe
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Long-running Turkish spot with big platters and family-style hospitality.
Who should go: Families and groups planning a casual Turkish feast.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for a lively, celebratory dining room.
What to order: Mixed meze plate, iskender kebab, kunefe dessert.
Insider tip: Order a mix of cold and hot meze for the table before committing to mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive after 6pm; nearby paid garages on 2nd and 3rd Avenue are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans are fine, but many diners lean slightly dressy for dinner.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—easy to talk at smaller tables, but larger group energy raises the volume as the night goes on.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours (7–9pm).
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 5–10 minute wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—strong selection of vegetable meze, lentil soup, falafel, and eggplant-based dishes.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—several cold meze, salads, and bean-based options fit vegan diets.
Gluten-free options: Many grilled meats and rice-based dishes are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is possible—confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a relaxed, food-focused date than something intimate—great if you want to share plates and talk over a lively backdrop.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weeknights, but weekend dinners are busy and reservations are strongly recommended for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—welcoming to families with spacious tables, shareable food, and familiar options like grilled chicken and rice for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Big-group Turkish feasts, generous portions, and old-school hospitality that feels warm and celebratory.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic room or a tightly modern, upscale dining experience.
Sahara's Turkish Cuisine
8.8
Sahara’s Turkish Cuisine has spent decades turning out family-style meze spreads and charcoal-grilled meats in a long, always-busy Kips Bay dining room. Massive delivery and dine-in volume signal a reliable choice for Turkish feasts, birthday dinners, and casual group gatherings built around generous platters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed hot and cold meze platter, Iskender kebab over yogurt and tomato sauce, Kunefe with syrup and cheese
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Long-running Turkish spot known for big platters and lively energy.
Who should go: Families and groups planning a relaxed Turkish feast.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for peak buzz and celebration vibes.
What to order: Mixed meze, Iskender kebab, kunefe to share.
Insider tip: Start with a full meze spread so the table is covered before grills arrive.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; very limited after 6pm. Nearby paid garages on 3rd Ave are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans and sneakers are fine, but many groups dress slightly elevated for dinner.
Noise level: Lively to loud—great energy, but not ideal for quiet conversation during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak evening hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—strong selection of meze, salads, vegetable casseroles, and cheese-based dishes.
Vegan options: Moderate—several cold meze and vegetable dishes work, but limited hot entrées.
Gluten-free options: Partial—many grilled meats and salads are gluten-free, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, social-first date than an intimate one—the room is energetic and shareable plates help break the ice, but it’s not quiet or romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but be prepared to wait on weekend evenings; walking in on weeknights before 7pm is usually manageable.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—kids are welcome, portions are generous, and many dishes are familiar and not overly spicy.
Best For
Better for: Large-group Turkish feasts, family celebrations, and classic meze + grill spreads at solid value.
Skip if: You want a quiet, upscale date-night atmosphere or highly modern, chef-driven Turkish cooking.