Quick info
About Little Istanbul
Little Istanbul is a takeaway restaurant on Charles St in Leicester, set behind Primark in a small, busy space with people coming in and out. Chicken shawarma and lamb shawarma are recurring orders, served as plates or wraps with fresh naan, bread and fries or chips. Falafel is also on the menu. Tables carry extra sauces, including a spicy chilli sauce and a pomegranate sauce, for those eating in. An open sink is available for washing hands. Payment is cash only, so customers should plan accordingly. It opens daily, and reservations are recommended. The format suits quick meals as well as sit-down orders, given the shared sauces and washing facilities on site.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- Good for kidsGood for kids
Menu & Prices
58 dishes- Get collection or delivery
- Chicken Shawarma Sandwich
- Chicken Shawarma Wrap
- Chicken Shawarma In Plate
- Lamb Shawarma Sandwich
- Lamb Shawarma Wrap
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken shawarma, lamb shawarma with bread and fries, free tea and falafel disappointing.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken shawarma, lamb shawarma with bread and fries, free tea and falafel disappointing.
Customer Review Summary
Chicken shawarma draws the most consistent praise, described repeatedly as juicy, well seasoned, and generously portioned, with several diners calling the lamb shawarma equally strong and among the best meat they've had in the city. Close behind, reviewers repeatedly highlight the naan bread as fresh, the chicken sandwich and platter as satisfying, and one recent visitor praised a meat feast pizza. Value comes up again and again, with meals cited around five to eleven pounds for generous quantities. Staff are called friendly and welcoming across many reviews, and one diner notes staff clearly explained dairy content when asked about allergens. Not everything lands well: one reviewer says the falafel was oily and tasteless and the hummus underwhelming, advising others to skip it and order more shawarma instead. Two reviewers raise hygiene concerns, one describing a dirty back seating area with a bad smell and a reused-looking sugar spoon, and another reporting finding a hair in their shawarma and informing staff. Several diners mention returning for the free tea offered when dining in.
Customer Review Summary
Chicken shawarma draws the most consistent praise, described repeatedly as juicy, well seasoned, and generously portioned, with several diners calling the lamb shawarma equally strong and among the best meat they've had in the city. Close behind, reviewers repeatedly highlight the naan bread as fresh, the chicken sandwich and platter as satisfying, and one recent visitor praised a meat feast pizza. Value comes up again and again, with meals cited around five to eleven pounds for generous quantities. Staff are called friendly and welcoming across many reviews, and one diner notes staff clearly explained dairy content when asked about allergens. Not everything lands well: one reviewer says the falafel was oily and tasteless and the hummus underwhelming, advising others to skip it and order more shawarma instead. Two reviewers raise hygiene concerns, one describing a dirty back seating area with a bad smell and a reused-looking sugar spoon, and another reporting finding a hair in their shawarma and informing staff. Several diners mention returning for the free tea offered when dining in.
Featured reviews
- Dominik toxic
“This is a great restaurant and I love how you can refill delicious tea for free”
- Anjum Gebi
“This the first time in London I ever had this tum food the shawarma platter omg was so delicious n the service was so good the whole staff was so kind n their smiling face made a day thank U so much the whole staff for ur kind and good gesture 🙌 would definitely visit again soon”
- Barıscan Karaca
“It was my first day in this city and there were so many options, but we finally made the right choice and came here. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and the prices were very reasonable. I highly recommend it.”
- Sal Pat
“Went today with my daughter and the service was amazing very friendly staff amazing Shwarma wrapI recommend this place to everyone”
- Andrew Heckingbottom
“Visited wen working at network rail the food was 9/10 staff very welcoming atmosphere 3 stars as of how small the restaurant is with people coming in & out over all ferry good food defiantly visit again wen I go back to the area value exalant quality exalant service exalant very friendly staff”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
- Small plates
Amenities
- Accepts reservations
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Casual
Show more amenities
- On-site services
- Quick bite
- Solo dining
- Toilet
- Dining options· 2
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Offerings· 1
- Small plates
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
Location
Restaurants near Little Istanbul
- KungFu Ramen4.62140.2 miVegetarian optionsGood for kids
beef brisket ramen, chilli oil topping station, handmade noodles
- 0.2 mi£15–30Vegan optionsVegetarian optionsGood for kids
salt and pepper pork chop, four treasure rice, roast meat
- The Frame4.74350.2 mi£30–40Vegan optionsVegetarian optionsWheelchair accessible
espresso martini, mocktails, corn ribs
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little IstanbulGood for kids · Reservations | 4.3294 | — | £1–15 | chicken shawarma, lamb shawarma with bread and fries, free tea |
| KungFu RamenVegetarian options · Good for kids | 4.6214 | 0.2 mi | — | beef brisket ramen, chilli oil topping station, handmade noodles |
| Taste of China RestaurantVegan options · Vegetarian options · Good for kids | 4.2227 | 0.2 mi | £15–30 | salt and pepper pork chop, four treasure rice, roast meat |
| The FrameVegan options · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.7435 | 0.2 mi | £30–40 | espresso martini, mocktails, corn ribs |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Restaurants nearby
More to explore in Leicester
68 places
Restaurants in Leicester
Photo: Pesto at the White Horse · 4.5 · 2,470 Google reviews
See all 68 restaurants in Leicester
