Michelin stars soon in Turkish cities Izmir and Bodrum
25 July 2023Michelin has announced the expansion of the Michelin Guide to include the Turkish cities of Izmir and Bodrum. The inaugural restaurant selections for these cities will be unveiled, along with the second edition of the Michelin Guide Istanbul, during a ceremonial event in Istanbul on November 9th.
Traditional and creative In Izmir, Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean culinary traditions are deeply rooted. With gourmet and trendy restaurants, modern coffee houses, as well as traditional and popular dining places, the city shines with its culinary diversity. Many of these establishments are run by local young chefs who present their heritage in a modern way, offering a variety of Aegean flavors with freshly caught fish and rich mezzes. Bodrum, one of the most famous Turkish high-end tourist destinations belonging to the city of Muğla, has a great food culture with a mix of traditional Turkish (fish) restaurants and international cuisine eateries. Here, many luxury resorts focus on high-quality and creative gourmet experiences.
Not-to-be-missed gastronomic destination Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, says: “After making a first stop in Istanbul last year, our inspectors are delighted to include Izmir and Bodrum on their agenda. While Izmir offers exciting restaurants with a strong local character and gastronomic skills of many young chefs, Bodrum excels in the diversity of its restaurants, with many traditional ones in the city center and innovative concepts in luxury resorts. With these two new regions, we want to underline that Türkiye is a not-to-be-missed gastronomic destination.”
From farm to table Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, states: “We are pleased that after Istanbul, Izmir, and Bodrum are also recognized as ‘gastrocities.’ We will showcase the richness of our culinary culture, with sustainability at its core, to the world, thanks to our talented chefs who combine the most qualified products of the region with their farm-to-table approach. We are excited about these two new nominations and are confident that many other Turkish cities will be added in the coming years.”
Istanbul In the first Michelin Guide Istanbul, released in 2022, the gastronomic potential and culinary diversity of the Turkish metropolis are confirmed with 53 recommended restaurants: four with 1 star, one with 2 stars, one Michelin Green Star, and ten Bib Gourmand restaurants.
Five core criteria Michelin will evaluate the culinary scene of Izmir and Bodrum and recommend the best restaurants based on its historical and universal methodology. Using anonymous and independent inspectors, the quality will be assessed based on:
- The quality of the ingredients;
- The mastery of preparation techniques;
- The harmony of flavors;
- The chef’s personality reflected in the menus;
- Consistency both over time and in the menu.
The full restaurant selection of the Michelin Guide Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum 2024 will be unveiled on November 9th during the Michelin Guide Ceremony in Istanbul.
