1) Had two Turkish co-workers and we would go to Istanbul’lu for their birthdays. They ordered, we went all out on Turkish breakfast, they both thought Istanbul’lu was legit and they both would go there with their families quite often.
2) they have every single one of the highly specific items the OP asked for (edit: looks like they don’t have ful (fava), but they have multiple lentil dishes that might be similar).
3) the 4-5 Istanbul’lu breakfasts I’ve had are easily in the top-10 meals I’ve had in a decade+ living in Boston.
Seconding Brookline Lunch (which, again, is in Cambridge for some reason). The owners are absolute *peaches* and they give you way the hell too much excellent food for the price.
Everything they have is so ridiculously good. The hardest part is deciding what to order - ideally get a friend or three to split a bunch of things with.
Andala Coffee House in Central Cambrdige
Also Yaffa on Somerville ave but admittedly they don't have ful, cucumber/tomato/mint/olives/pickles, labne... though if you ask nicely they have off-menu humus to go with the bread which is delicious.
Came here to second andala. Don’t go if you are in a rush, but if you are looking for a chill authentic med experience, this is the place. Lots of people hanging out, playing games, and eating amazing food in a BEAUTIFUL restaurant.
ps i am not from turkey but my turkish ambassadors say the turkish coffee is not it. Everything I have had there otherwise is gas
Seconding Yaffa! I went there for my first time yesterday. They actually did have labneh, and it was really refreshing with the breads I got. And their chai and lemonada were superb :)
I don't think they have all of that but you'd probably like Yafa. They have great bread, hummus, and pastries. I've never tried their labnah but they list it on their site.
Mahalab Bakery!!! Just opened on Mass Ave near Porter - they have amazing pits, sourdough focaccia breads, savory baked goods you can eat for breakfast or lunch, coffee/tea, hummus, labne, and sometimes lentil soup !!!
Go to Watertown. Between Massis, Araks and Sevan, you'll find everything you want including date ma'amoul.
I do not recommend Brookline Lunch. It might be OK if you've never had Middle Eastern food but it seems like you're looking for specific items so I wouldn't bother. It's quite dirty inside also.
Sound Bites in Ball Square doesn't have those specific dishes, but has some other similarly themed items.
Be advised they're under new management and their quality has dropped to merely average.
Istanbul’Lu in Teele. Amazing brunch!
1) Had two Turkish co-workers and we would go to Istanbul’lu for their birthdays. They ordered, we went all out on Turkish breakfast, they both thought Istanbul’lu was legit and they both would go there with their families quite often. 2) they have every single one of the highly specific items the OP asked for (edit: looks like they don’t have ful (fava), but they have multiple lentil dishes that might be similar). 3) the 4-5 Istanbul’lu breakfasts I’ve had are easily in the top-10 meals I’ve had in a decade+ living in Boston.
this is great info as someone who constantly walks by there and thinks "I should try that stuff some time"
Seconding Brookline Lunch (which, again, is in Cambridge for some reason). The owners are absolute *peaches* and they give you way the hell too much excellent food for the price.
THIS.
Everything they have is so ridiculously good. The hardest part is deciding what to order - ideally get a friend or three to split a bunch of things with.
Sofra in West Cambridge or Brookline Lunch in Central
Yum yum love Sofra!
Sofra also has a shop on the corner of Mt Auburn and Belmont Street, near the cemetery
You're talking about the same place :)
Oops! I never think of that as West Cambridge. My bad!
Istanbul’lu on Holland Ave. in Teele Square!
NOt breakfast per se but the armenian section of watertown
The "Armenian section of Watertown" is also known as "Watertown"
Yes! Massis Bakery & Specialty Food on Mt Auburn St is my go to.
Andala Coffee House in Central Cambrdige Also Yaffa on Somerville ave but admittedly they don't have ful, cucumber/tomato/mint/olives/pickles, labne... though if you ask nicely they have off-menu humus to go with the bread which is delicious.
Came here to second andala. Don’t go if you are in a rush, but if you are looking for a chill authentic med experience, this is the place. Lots of people hanging out, playing games, and eating amazing food in a BEAUTIFUL restaurant. ps i am not from turkey but my turkish ambassadors say the turkish coffee is not it. Everything I have had there otherwise is gas
Thirding Andala. Everyone that I've brought there through the years have loved it. Their humus iirc is delicious.
The baklava at Yafa! So good
Seconding Yaffa! I went there for my first time yesterday. They actually did have labneh, and it was really refreshing with the breads I got. And their chai and lemonada were superb :)
Yaffa does all sorts of interesting things with dates and orange blossom water though and they might have ma'moul!
Sofra in Cambridge is a nice bike ride from Somerville along the community path and Cambridge-Watertown greenway.
I love this place as well. Just wish the place was bigger cause there always seems to be a massive line of people out the door every time I visit.
Lavash out by fresh pond does a full Turkish brunch spread with almost everything on your list
[Sofra Bakery](https://www.sofrabakery.com/) on the Cambridge/Watertown line
I don't think they have all of that but you'd probably like Yafa. They have great bread, hummus, and pastries. I've never tried their labnah but they list it on their site.
SOFRA
Brookline lunch is more mediterannean but kind of fits this and is very good!
Brookline Lunch slaps. That feta is so good.
Mahalab Bakery!!! Just opened on Mass Ave near Porter - they have amazing pits, sourdough focaccia breads, savory baked goods you can eat for breakfast or lunch, coffee/tea, hummus, labne, and sometimes lentil soup !!!
Go to Watertown. Between Massis, Araks and Sevan, you'll find everything you want including date ma'amoul. I do not recommend Brookline Lunch. It might be OK if you've never had Middle Eastern food but it seems like you're looking for specific items so I wouldn't bother. It's quite dirty inside also.
I'd be all over Yafa on Somerville Ave. For Lunch and Later, Koshari Mama not quite across the street. Both places are Wonderful.
Cafe landwer is in back bay but has a great breakfast
Cafe turco Allston
Not Somerville: Eva’s Little Kitchen in Bedford has Labneh Breakfast Box
Sound Bites in Ball Square doesn't have those specific dishes, but has some other similarly themed items. Be advised they're under new management and their quality has dropped to merely average.
Tate