Elevate your culinary adventure with Michelin Guide dining in İstanbul, İzmir and Bodrum
Known for its rich culinary heritage and wealth of regional gastronomy highlights, Türkiye is a real treat for travelling gourmands. Its range of award-winning restaurants is testament to this, with more than 100 restaurants across three cities now recognised by the Michelin Guide 2024. From once-in-a-lifetime dining experiences in one and two-star venues, to memorable meals for less in Bib Gourmand-awarded eateries, and fantastic field-to-fork fare prepared by Michelin Green Star-awarded kitchens, a world of local culinary masters beckons.
Read on to discover the wealth of award-winning restaurants in İstanbul, İzmir and Bodrum, worth planning your entire trip around. As we say in Turkish: “Afiyet Olsun”.
Embark on a tasting tour de force in hip and happenin’ Istanbul
Set at the crossroads of two continents—Europe and Asia—İstanbul combines the best of both worlds in a tour de force of tasting opportunities. From “new Anatolian cuisine” on the rooftops of high-profile dining districts, like Beyoğlu, to boundary-pushing fusion with the cool crowd in the dining rooms of Etiler, and upscale field-to-table mezze with striking Bosphorus views in Ulus, the city’s sheer variety of top-rated restaurants are a sumptuous showcase of multicultural Turkish cuisine.
Splurge on a meal of a lifetime at Istanbul’s only 2 star-restaurant, Turk Faith Tutak, whose superb 8 or 12-course tasting menu is a labour of love for the Turkish terroir. Raise a glass to your trip over a meal of a lifetime at one of the city’s six 1-star Michelin restaurants—from upscale artisanal eats at Nicole, to meticulously-prepared sushi, sourced from the local waters at Sankai by Nagaya. And make every meal an occasion as you eat your way around the 14 Bib Gourmand-awarded eateries, chosen for their exceptional value and quality local ingredients. Whether it’s the fantastic Turkish breakfast at Cuma, tucked away in the trendy Çukurcuma district, or classical kebab with a twist on the scenic terrace of Tershane, it’s easy to see how the capital has earned its nickname as “the tasting room of the world.”
Feast on standout regional cuisine in the bay of Beautiful İzmir
Located at the point where the Anatolian Peninsula extends into the Aegean Sea, İzmir Is known throughout Türkiye simply as “Beautiful İzmir”. With its stunning bay setting, it’s no surprise that seafood comes highly recommended here—from sardines cooked in vine leaves, to octopus nibbles and stuffed mussels. But the area’s specialty meat dishes—expertly flavoured with the endemic herbs of the region—are just as memorable. As are the local wines, grown in the vineyards of the surrounding Urla hillsides. For real restaurant-destination appeal, look no further.
Head into the hills of Urla for 1-star Michelin dining in splendid surroundings. From the rustic, romantic terrace at Vino Locale, to the trendy glasshouse at OD Urla, tucked away on a family estate, these award-winning restaurants showcase the very best of homegrown produce, complete with exquisite vine-to-glass pairings. For everyday dining at a whole other level, try one of İzmir’s five Bib Gourmand-awarded eateries, where exceptional dishes are served up at a more affordable price point: Whether it’s the Bosnian-inspired buffet at Aysa Bosnak Borekcisi, the homage to traditional cuisine at Begendik Abi, or wild-foraged ingredients at Hic Lokanta, you’ll find standout dining experiences, worth planning your whole itinerary around. Browse all Michelin Guide recommendations and get ready for an Izmir feast of a lifetime.
Make every meal exquisite in the spectacular surroundings of Bodrum
From its exquisite bays and charming Old Town, to legendary ancient sites, and vibrant nightlife scene, Bodrum has all the ingredients you need—and more—for an unforgettable beach escape. And that’s before we mention the food: With a total of 18 restaurants named in the 2024 Michelin Guide, dining out in Bodrum is no ordinary experience. Take your culinary adventure to a whole new level as you explore its wealth of world-class eateries, infused with the flavours of the Aegean.
Splurge on the meal of a lifetime at Kitchen, where food is flavoured with herbs from the surrounding gardens, and the breathtaking view over the bay is just as noteworthy. Or head into the hills to Maçakızı, for a mesmerising feast of new Aegean cuisine, complete with equally bewitching views. Either way, these one-star Michelin restaurants are more than deserving of their accolades. Looking for a more rustic fine dining experience? Savour sumptuous, open fire-cooked meats at the Bib Gourmand-awarded Otantik Ocakbasi. Or feast on six courses of next-level Anatolian cuisine in the open-air dining room of ENT, nestled in the grounds of the boutique Casa’DellArte Hotel. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it cooked and presented to perfection in Bodrum’s top-rated, Michelin Guide restaurants.
