Michelin is extending its coveted restaurant selection guide to İzmir and Bodrum, two of Türkiye’s finest culinary destinations. The inaugural MICHELIN Guide selections for these two cities will be unveiled alongside the second selection for İstanbul at a special event in İstanbul on November 9th, 2023.
Firmly anchored in the Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean culinary traditions, İzmir and its environs, including the captivating district of Urla on the wine route, boast a rich tapestry of culinary delights. A panorama of gastronomic restaurants, trendy coffee houses, and traditional eateries, İzmir offers an impressive array of culinary offerings, thanks to the creative innovation of young local chefs who blend Aegean flavours, freshly caught fish, and rich mezzes with contemporary culinary trends.
Bodrum, a leading high-end tourist destination in the city of Muğla, presents an intriguing mix of traditional Turkish eateries and international cuisine, with Asian and Italian styles particularly popular. Luxury resorts in Bodrum offer the most exceptional and innovative dining experiences in the city.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, remarked, “After a successful first venture in İstanbul last year, our inspectors are excited to explore the culinary landscapes of İzmir and Bodrum. These two cities not only offer unforgettable cultural and tourist experiences, but their food scenes also deserve global attention. İzmir’s restaurants celebrate local terroir and feature the extraordinary culinary talents of many young chefs. Simultaneously, Bodrum’s diverse eateries, ranging from traditional city-center spots to innovative concepts within luxury resorts, demonstrate a culinary brilliance worth recognition. We hope to showcase Türkiye as a must-visit gastronomic destination by including these two territories in the MICHELIN Guide.”
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, added, “We are delighted that İzmir and Bodrum, like İstanbul, are gaining recognition as ‘gastrocities’. Our talented chefs blend the region’s finest products with a farm-to-table approach, upholding sustainability as a core value in our culinary culture. Visitors to İzmir and Bodrum will be enchanted not only by the turquoise waters of the Turkaegean and the rich historical heritage, but also by our high-quality facilities and endless tourism possibilities. We eagerly anticipate the inclusion of many other cities in the coming years.”
The MICHELIN Guide İstanbul, first published in 2022, recognized 53 restaurants, including 5 MICHELIN Starred ones (1 Two MICHELIN Star, and 4 One MICHELIN Star), 1 MICHELIN Green Star, and 10 Bib Gourmand ones. This guide showcased İstanbul’s culinary prowess, featuring a range of seasonal and specialty dishes, and spotlighting different types of restaurants, from gastronomic bistros and luxury establishments to traditional eateries.
The MICHELIN Guide will now similarly spotlight the culinary scenes in İzmir and Bodrum. The guide’s experienced team of anonymous and independent inspectors, all former industry professionals and now full-time employees of the Michelin Group, will evaluate the best these cities have to offer using the guide’s time-tested methodology. The criteria include the quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the personality of the chef through the cuisine, and consistency over time and across the entire menu.
The full selection of restaurants for the MICHELIN Guide İstanbul, İzmir, Bodrum 2024 will be revealed at the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony in İstanbul on November 9th, 2023. The selection will be available on the MICHELIN Guide website and free mobile app for iOS and Android.
