Every Michelin Star Restaurant in Türkiye

When you land in Türkiye, even the air feels different—brighter, more electric, and just a little bit hungrier. Maybe it’s the scent of grilled eggplant wafting from a local eatery, or the call to prayer echoing off domed rooftops as you plan your first dinner. What you might not expect is that you’re about to eat at some of the best restaurants in the world.

From the glittering skyline of Istanbul to the olive groves of Urla and the luxury hideaways of Bodrum, Türkiye’s fine dining scene has arrived—and the Michelin Guide has taken note. Whether you’re flying in on a whim or building an entire trip around your next reservation, this guide brings you into the heart of Türkiye’s growing constellation of Michelin stars.

Why Is a Michelin Star Important?

If you’re new to the fine dining world, here’s the deal: a Michelin star is the ultimate stamp of culinary excellence. Originally created by a tire company, the Michelin Guide now dictates where food lovers book tables around the globe. For restaurants, earning a star means packed reservation books, global recognition, and a whole new standard to live up to.

How Are Michelin Stars Awarded?

You’re not imagining it—these stars are hard to earn. Anonymous Michelin inspectors assess each restaurant based on:

• Quality of ingredients
• Mastery of flavor and technique
• The chef’s personal style and story
• Value for money
• Consistency, dish after dish

Even maintaining one star is a triumph.

What Does It Mean for a Restaurant to Have a Michelin Star?

• 1 Star: “A very good restaurant in its category.”
• 2 Stars: “Excellent cooking, worth a detour.”
• 3 Stars: “Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”

In Türkiye, every star tells a story of heritage, innovation, and chefs putting their roots on the plate.

Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Türkiye – 2025 Updated List

You’re here to eat. So, let’s get to it. Türkiye currently has 14 Michelin-starred restaurants across three standout destinations:

Istanbul’s Michelin Star Scene

You’re standing at the intersection of Europe and Asia, where Ottoman history meets rooftop bars. Dining here means each restaurant has its own view—not just of the Bosphorus, but of what Turkish cuisine can be.

• TURK Fatih Tutak (2⭐) – Şişli: Step inside and you’re stepping into Chef Fatih’s mind—plates filled with memories, humor, and bold Turkish flavors. It’s intimate, expressive, and totally modern.
• Araka – Sarıyer: A lush garden setting away from the city buzz, where Modern Turkish dishes feel both familiar and surprising.
• Arkestra – Beşiktaş: Stylish and progressive. The tasting menu hops around the globe while remaining grounded in Istanbul’s energy.
• Casa Lavanda – Şile: A serene escape on the Black Sea coast, where time slows and the Mediterranean dishes taste like a countryside dream.
• Mikla – Beyoğlu: Dine above the city skyline, where Turkish ingredients meet Scandinavian precision. The view is cinematic, the flavors unforgettable.
• Neolokal – Beyoğlu: Tradition reborn—heritage dishes presented like contemporary art, with a strong story behind every plate.
• Nicole – Beyoğlu: French-influenced Turkish refinement served in a historic mansion with elegance in every detail.
• Sankai by Nagaya – Beşiktaş: A minimalist Japanese haven with flawless omakase, offering a meditative break from the chaos of the city.

If you’re browsing our Istanbul travel guide or looking for Michelin star restaurants Istanbul, this is your list.

İzmir’s Culinary Stars in Urla

You arrive in Urla and immediately everything slows down—the air is softer, the breeze smells of the sea and grapevines, and your next meal is likely growing just a few kilometers away. Dining here feels less like a performance and more like being let in on a local secret.

• OD Urla – You’re surrounded by vineyards, sipping a crisp white wine while the sun sets. The food here blends French technique with Aegean sensibility—smoke, salt, olive oil, and freshness on every plate.
• Teruar Urla – It’s dinner as storytelling. Menus change with the harvest, and every course feels like a postcard from the land.
• Vino Locale – Candlelit and intimate, it’s where chefs and winemakers come together. Expect surprises, but always balanced, earthy, and honest.
• Narmior – You’ll swear you’re at your grandmother’s table—if she were a world-class chef. Traditional Turkish recipes elevated without losing soul.

Use our Izmir travel guide to find the perfect pit stops—and yes, cheap flights to İzmir make it that easy.

Bodrum’s Aegean Elegance

In Bodrum, the days end with salt on your skin and a mezze platter in reach. This is where fine dining is sun-kissed and sea-soaked, never stiff or overdone.

• Kitchen – Yalıkavak: You Walk barefoot off the dock and into a breezy open kitchen. The dishes are bright, modern, and playful—Modern Turkish food that tastes like summer.
• Maçakızı – Göltürkbükü: This is where the yachts anchor and the wine flows. Dining here is luxurious but laid-back, where Mediterranean flavors meet jet-set sophistication in every bite.

If you were planning a cheap flight to Bodrum anyway, consider these your final course a perfect end to a trip filled with flavor.

Turkish Chefs with Michelin Stars

You sit down and the server says, “This dish tells the story of the chef’s childhood.” That’s no exaggeration.

• Fatih Tutak (TURK): Türkiye’s only two-star chef, blending nostalgia with daring modernity.
• Maksut Aşkar (Neolokal): Rewriting Anatolia’s culinary memory.
• Mehmet Gürs (Mikla): A rooftop visionary who’s long led the scene.
• Osman Sezener (OD Urla): Where the chef knows every local producer by name.

Concepts of Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Türkiye

What connects them all? A few shared values:

• Hyper-local sourcing
• Respect for Turkish terroir: olives, seafood, grains, spices
• Menus that shift with the seasons and the mood of the land
• Spaces that feel like modern meyhanes, vineyards, or even art galleries

Characteristics of Michelin Star Restaurants

Expect more than a plate of food. Expect:

• Tasting menus that read like poetry
• Flawless service that feels like old-world hospitality
• Stories behind every dish
• A sense of place, no matter the cuisine

What is a Michelin Star?

It’s the restaurant world’s gold standard. Think Oscars, but edible. Check out our Michelin-Starred Guide to learn more.

How many stars does Michelin give?

One to three. Each level gets exponentially harder to earn.

Does Istanbul have Michelin-star restaurants?

Yes, eight and counting, including a two-star standout.

How many restaurants are recommended in Türkiye by Michelin?

Dozens more beyond the stars: Bib Gourmand picks, hidden gems, and rising stars.

You’ve checked the Türkiye travel guide, maybe even grabbed an Istanbul flight ticket . Now it’s time to eat. Whether you’re hopping between Michelin restaurants Istanbul, escaping to Urla with cheap flight tickets to Türkiye, or relaxing beachside in Bodrum, Türkiye serves a full-course experience—no matter your pace.

And if you’re flying Pegasus, browse the Pegasus Cafe for a preview. Want to splurge a bit? Go for the upgrade package and land ready for your next reservation.

Explore local food traditions in Mardin or Konya, take a culinary detour with our Antakya travel guide, or dive into bold new flavors after a session of extreme sports in the mountains.

From ancient cities to cutting-edge kitchens, Türkiye’s food scene is having a moment—and you’re invited to the table.