This wasn’t a restaurant I had planned around, but it ended up being one of the most memorable meals I had on Oahu.

Istanbul Hawai‘i quickly won me over with how satisfying and expressive the food is. Every dish was so flavorful, beautifully plated, and deeply comforting.

The restaurant is led by a mother and daughter team, Chef Ahu Hettema and her mother Chef Nili Yildirim, and their story is inseparable from the food. Chef Nili brings generations of Anatolian tradition and foundational flavors, while Ahu brings an artistic eye and personal voice to both the plates and the space itself. Together, they’ve created something that feels honest and deeply personal.

It’s rooted in Turkish cooking, but shaped by local Hawaiian ingredients in a really natural way. The flavors are vibrant, clean, and soulful, and you can feel how much heart goes into every dish.

@istanbulhawaii is a place I’ll continue recommending to anyone visiting O‘ahu.

Swipe through the carousel for highlights from a meal that I truly loved!

#istanbulhawaii #turkishfood #honolulueats #beneatshonolulu Less