Grape to glass, plate to palate: Redefining vineyard experiences in Izmir, Türkiye

Step into the world of Alaf, where Chef Deniz Temel redefines the essence of Yuruk cuisine. Join us as we explore the stunning ambiance of Alaf’s ...

Imagine the first places where wine was produced: The Caucasus, Anatolia, Mesopotamia. In other words, the geography of present-day Türkiye touches these lands with all its edges. That’s why it’s no surprise that Türkiye’s grapes become jewels in the hands of local producers.

As you would expect in a famous holiday destination like Bodrum, there are many stunning hotels renowned for their views, service, bars, and cocktails. However, some of these hotels also stand out for their restaurants, such as Kitchen by Osman Sezener at The Bodrum Edition and Maçakızı led by Aret Sahakyan—you’ll want to visit them even if you’re not staying there!

In Bodrum, there is a place for everyone, whether authentic, secluded, or vibrant. Bağarası, Dereköy Lokantası, and Kurul Bitez are proof that Bodrum restaurants are not limited to a single type of cuisine. These restaurants offer flavors of different cuisines but have something in common: the pleasure of dining beneath lush trees.

Among the fine-dining restaurants in Bodrum are some of the most celebrated cuisines in the world. Some of them stand out not only for their delicious dishes but also for their cocktails, sunset parties, and vibrant atmosphere, such as Isola Manzara -the representative of Italian cuisine, Zuma -one of the leading restaurants of Japanese cuisine, and Hakkasan which introduced Chinese cuisine to the world.

İzmir, one of the largest and oldest cities in Türkiye, is a true gastronomic gem. From Aegean herbs to sea fish, marinated lamb to artichokes, local ingredients are combined with centuries-old recipes here. Like any real gastronomic city, İzmir offers enjoying good dishes at very reasonable prices. Here are some of İzmir’s well-established and affordable places to eat.

As a region in an excellent climatic zone, Urla nurtures fertile vineyards, yields valuable agricultural products, and thus inspires local cuisine. Perhaps one of the most beautiful aspects of the entire Aegean coast -or the Mediterranean climate in the wider area- is “delicious tables in the open air,” which appear with brand new interpretations in Levan and Teruar Urla.

Osman Sezener is a renowned figure among gastronomy enthusiasts in Türkiye. He has been followed closely for years as what he will do next is a matter of curiosity. One of the pioneers of the farm-to-table movement, he has raised the bar with his restaurants and now stands as a MICHELIN-starred chef with three distinct establishments. Ristorante Pizzeria Venedik in İzmir is on the list of recommended restaurants by MICHELIN. Kitchen in Bodrum has one MICHELIN star, and Od Urla in İzmir has one MICHELIN star and a Green Star.

Sankai by Nagara is one of the latest One-Star restaurants in Istanbul. It serves the city’s most sophisticated Japanese flavors and promises to offer an authentic Japanese dining experience with a kitchen led by Chef Nagaya and Chef Shibata. And how could they create this “authentic Japanese dining experience” in Istanbul?