Lezzet Cafe

Sweet find! I have been meaning to try this place and I finally found the time. I will be coming back for sure! I tried the Dumplings and Lamb Lavash. Both were great, authentic and the waitress was really nice! Even though this place looks a little rough on the exterior and located somewhat out of the oridinary, definitely give it a try! The patio has a really nice touch!

In a rather abandoned looking, recluse location, this restaurant stands out with nice décor, lovely service, and perhaps most importantly sincerely good food. Warm bread and three sauces greet you most inmediately. We shared the dolma, spinach gozleme, and lamb kebab which came with a full salad and great rice. The gozleme was a bland to my taste but everything was otherwise really delicious and filling. Also much cheaper than expected: three plates shared between two of us with some to take home came out to about $ 30. It was rather empty at noon midweek but service was also super kind and friendly. Had a great all around experience dining. Highly recommend if looking for some turkish cuisine in SD.

I loved everything about this place: the food is delicious and served in generous portions; the staff is very friendly and helpful; the ambiance in the back patio is great; and it’s not expensive at all! I will definitely come back next time I’m in San Diego!

Surprisingly lovely place. You wouldn’t give it a thought when you pass by it. But once you get pass the entrance, what a delight! They have this enclosed backyard with real life vines covering the ceiling. Very lovely environment.
Our waitress was very nice to us. Knowing that we are Vietnamese amd have never eaten Turkish food before, she even took time to explain how their breads are specifically made in a «tunduri» instead of an oven.
The food is fresh and very well seasoned. We ordered the chicken kabob and the ravioli, both are yummy
What a great find!

We thoroughly enjoyed everything we tried and can hardly wait to return and sample other dishes. The charming waitress, who happens to be the daughter of the owner/​chef, did a wonderful job of explaining the different dishes offered. The first treat just out of the oven was their special light, puffy bread with three sauces. We shared succulent, well spiced dolmas, both meat and mushroom dumplings and meat, cheese, and spinach pancakes. The pancakes were more like crepes than pancakes. Everything was well spiced and so delicious!
I would have given the restaurant five stars except at this point, if you want wine or beer, you have to bring your own. The patio is quite charming and much more appealing than the few interior tables, but heat lamps are needed on a cool evening like tonight. At the end of the day the bathroom was in need of attention.
Do yourself a favor. Venture off the familiar path and enjoy a fantastic meal at this unique restaurant. Where else in San Diego can you enjoy tasty, authentic Turkish/​Russian/​Uzbek dishes? This very hard working and delightful family deserves your business.
I

Excellent customer service and delicious food! Best mantu in town. Yummy yummy. They also got samsa and shashlik. FIVE STARS!!!

This place is amazing! The food is fantastic, affordably priced, and super-​fresh. The back porch is relaxing and comfortable. The staff is friendly.
Grab a friend and come kick back here for a leisurely lunch or dinner. The first time I went, it was dynamite. I went back again yesterday and it was just as amazing. The fresh tandoori bread is too hot to even touch when they bring it out. The Turkish coffee is rich and deep. The mantis are filling and delicious.
And then there’s the honey cake. Oh, the honey cake! One of my dining partners doesn’t even like cake and he lost his mind when he tried it… I love this place!!!

4.5 stars.
I recommend seating out back. It’s decorated, relaxing, and spacious. They have 2 – 3 TVs that are on silent. Some music of English and Turkish (?) are playing but not too loud.
Their house bread is freshly made, delicious with their dipping sauce. My favorite was the combo of the red spicy sauce with the yogurt!
Their chicken kabob plate: the rice was flavorful with fennel seeds and I think sweet potato or yam? The chicken was spectacularly juicy. Just wow’ed.
Also, their mushroom manti (dumplings) are freshly made with yogurt on the side. The filling was well seasoned. They cooked the mushroom thoroughly so it doesn’t have this «grassy» flavor and brings out the more umami flavor. The dumpling skin is different from what I’m used to: it’s soft like pasta, rather than a chewy kind of dough.
Service was friendly! I wanted to take some baklava to go, but they ran out. Next time!

Don’t be fooled by really questionable neighborhood, the cuisine TOTALLY makes up for that. The food was so delicious, I thought I died and went to Food Heaven!!!
The chef has to be some kind of magician in the kitchen!!!
P. S.Beef manti, so simple, and yet so complex.
When we left, we kept thinking when we would go there again!

We were absolutely delighted with the food and the service at this unique restaurant! The food is Turkish and Russian made by a family who knows and loves their native dishes. We loved everything we were served by our delightful, knowledgeable waitress, (and family member!) Guljan!
We would recommend sitting in the covered patio – simple, but very pleasant. We plan to go back to try the delicious sounding breakfast next. We love that this is a small, local business that is wonderful!
Thanks to Unilocal,we found it!

Unilocalers you never disappoint!
Neighborhood– ghetto, and run down
Ambiance– the inside is dark (we came on a rainy day but no lights were on), but it has a living room feel. Large chairs and hefty tables.
Patio– who wouldn’t want to sit in fern gullys home? It’s sprawling with vines and hanging plants. Yes, the TVs are a bit obnoxious but I absolutely loved this seating area.
Service– friendliest staff! Genuinely concerned about our dining experience and continuously checking on our pleasure of the food (but not overly checking in, just the right amount).
Food– Oy, where do I start? Based on the highlight reviews we went with some reoccurring dishes: dumplings, lavash wrap, dolmas, and beef kebab plate. EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING! It was more food than we could stomach, but it was so good we definitely over ate. The portions are extremely generous (that’s why I feel it’s really a $ sign verse $$ because you get a lot for your money). The sauces and cheeses served tasted so incredibly fresh and I tasted spices in these dishes that I couldn’t quiet put my finger on.
Lezzet Café, you saucy minx. I can’t wait to see you again.

Had really bad experience I called 30 minutes before and made reservation for 3 people and girl on the phone and when we got there in 20 minutes they said our kitchen is closed and when I told them I have reservation they sound so mean and rude by keep saying I’m that our kitchen is closed

I was a bit (a lot) skeptical about coming to this place, the location is not family friendly. Coming in was a pleasing surprise, staff if friendly and welcoming. Food is absolutely delicious, juicy chicken and nice flavor a that water in your mouth. The outdoor seating is calming and breezy. Will definitely come back, and yes… I will bring my family.
Btw, I think they welcome singles $

Very authentic Turkish/​Russian/​Uzbek food with an even more authentic feel to the restaurant. Right when you enter, it feels very homey and as if you’re entering a true Turkish/​Russian/​Uzbek home. There is inside seating, but also a really relaxing and spacious patio area in the back that has a sun roof and beautiful plants and vines surrounding the place. I suggest sitting in the back because it’s really nice.
The service here is very friendly, helpful, and attentive too. Our server has been serving there for over 3 years and he recommended us the lamb soup, the beef dumplings, the chicken kebab combo plate, and one of the pastas and they were all great. The lamb soup broth was extremely good and had a lot of meat and vegetables in it, the dumplings are very soft and nicely portioned in size, the chicken to the kebab combo is really tender and juicy with great flavor, and the pasta tasted really fresh. The portions are pretty big, so it’s definitely shareable between two. There is also complimentary bread that comes in 2 HUGE perfectly crispy pieces alongside 3 different sauces, which were all great. Probably the best complimentary bread and sauces I’ve gotten from any restaurant. It almost looks as if you can actually purchase it as an appetizer on the menu, but it’s free!
Cool and random spot if you want to explore some true and good authentic ethnic food.

Taste of home away from home!
I love this place for so many reasons!
First — their Manti. Growing up in Russia, Manti was always a big part of our eating culture. Whether it’s family dinner or a huge party — chances are it’s gonna be Manti on the table. Many cultures (Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Tatars) make Manti as well, with slight variations. But I like Lezette’s version a lot. It’s 6 of them that come on a plate, so it’s more than enough for me.
Second — their fresh bread — lepeshka. So good! Made in the house and served burning hot with 3 different sauces
Third — their huge patio. Very cozy vibe. Reminded me of summer cafés back home. There are a lot of huge tables, so you can bring a big party. You can also smoke there, which is a plus for a lot of smokers.
Fourth — their service. Always friendly and polite. Note: all of the food is made to order! So you have to be patient! But the wait is worth it. If you are in the rush, or trying to get a quick dinner — it’s probably not a place for you.
They have daily soup specials. I’ve tried lentil soup and a lamb soup and both were great. Pelmeni is also amazing!
Definitely recommend this place. One of my favorites in San Diego

This restaurant isn’t in the nicest neighborhood and it doesn’t look at all inviting on the outside, but the patio in the back is even nicer than it appears in the Unilocal photos. I’m so impressed that they’ve created such a pleasant area. Although I could really do without the TV.
The meal starts with complimentary bread and sauces, which were the best part of the meal for me. Hot, fresh bread is always delicious and I loved the yogurt sauce with garlic and dill. To be honest, this is mostly what I had for dinner, and would have been perfectly happy with just that and tea.
But we ordered real food as well. The lavash was amazing (although possibly I’m just bread obsessed) and I am definitely going for a wrap next time. The dumplings were good, and came with red pepper for a bit of heat and were served with yogurt instead of the sour cream. Still very rich with all the butter, but lighter than what you might expect. Not a bad choice.
The website is down and I couldn’t look at a menu before going, so in case anyone else is wondering about prices, I would say that most entrees are around $ 10, with meat kabobs around $ 15 and a few sandwiches for less. Very reasonable prices.

Somebody else posted that this is a hidden gem in a sketchy area… Absolutely ! Came here for lunch with my bestie and I was so excited to try the food. Our server was so polite and very attentive. I ordered the grape leave dolma, Chicken soup and the mushroom filled dumplings. Omg flavor in my mouth! I can’t wait to bring my husband here. This is home made u can taste the freshness just as if your momma made it. Don’t freak out w the location… The area around is definitely industrial but the place inside reminds me of the restaurants I have been to in Lebanon. Please try this place out you won’t be disappointed.
Ps my friend got the strawberry pancakes… our total was $ 24. Very impressed

A fabulous dining experience, it will take a little time than your average eatery but I took a party of 16 and the wait was wholly worth it. Now when I’m craving a quick lavash or just some beautifully fresh tandoor bread I’ll be stopping by Lezzet.
Our waiter was excellent and attentive though busy with our large table. The food was simply wonderful, the homemade pasta was very lovely with lamb ragu. The lavash was decadently crispy but with a crunchy, creamy consistency on the inside rivaling the best local taco shops.
They’re a beacon of light in an otherwise dreary area.
But Lezzet makes it worth the stop for sure.

4.25 stars
We were a party of 16 or so. The food was really tasty, everything from the warm comforting turkish/​uzbekian bread with three dipping sauces which were generously spaced throughout our long table, to the delicious mushroom dumplings/​Manti and the «wow, way better than potato latkes» potato Gozlemes that my wife and I ordered. We also got a lamb roll-​up, but I was so stuffed by the time I got to that portion of the meal that I just took it home instead of eating it tonight.
I really liked the atmosphere of the place. The inside of the restaurant personally gave me a feel of some of the restaurants we used to visit it Puerto Nuevo, Mexico. While the huge covered patio out back seemed like it would be a really cool place to hang out.
Our waiter was super friendly.
The only negatives, for which they get a 0.75 star deduction :
— there is only a single bathroom; it was a bit of an inconvenience tonight as one patron spent a good 15 minutes in there. If this restaurants seating capacity had been at maximum use, I could see this being a problem.
— our drinks came out slowly.

I ordered some dumplings, ground lamb and ground chicken skeweres.
The dumplings were kinda stinky, and the ground lamb was super greasy. My experience at this restaurant wasn’t good because of the food. The restaurant’s environment was ok but I didn’t like the neighborhood because it looks very old. The staff was just fine. The prices are reasonable.