Izmir and Bodrum added to Turkish MICHELIN guide map
Izmir and Bodrum join Istanbul as two new Turkish territories under the scrutiny of MICHELIN guide inspectors. The first selection of MICHELIN restaurants for Izmir and Bodrum will be announced in Istanbul on November 9, 2023 during the MICHELIN Guide award ceremony
“Following our first stop in Istanbul last year, our inspectors are delighted to include Izmir and Bodrum on their roadmap. Indeed, these two cities are not only great places for unforgettable cultural and tourist experiences, they also boast culinary delights that deserve to be discovered. If Izmir and its surroundings offer amazing restaurants that praise the local terroir and showcase the high gastronomic skills of many young chefs, then Bodrum is famous for its variety of eateries, of which many traditional and affordable ones are located in the city center, while innovative concepts can be found in luxury resorts. . By adding these two new territories to the MICHELIN family of travel guides, we sincerely hope to spread the word about Turkey as a gastronomic destination not to be missed,” MICHELIN Guide International Director Gwendal Pullennek commented.
Izmir and its surroundings, including the delightful Urla region, are deeply rooted in Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean culinary traditions and local terroir (a combination of soil and climatic factors and special characteristics of the area - topography, wind rose, the presence of reservoirs, forests, surrounding animals and flora that defines the type and characteristics of wine﴿.From gastronomic and trendy restaurants to modern coffee houses and traditional and popular eateries, Izmir impresses with the variety of its culinary offerings.Many restaurants, often run by local young chefs, offer Aegean dishes, freshly caught fish and hearty snacks.
Bodrum, one of the most famous high-end Turkish tourist destinations in the city of Muğla, surprises with a mix of Turkish restaurants celebrating authentic diversity and seafood dishes, eateries serving international cuisine. Here luxury resorts concentrate on the best gastronomic experiences.
Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey Mehmet Nuri Ersoy added: “We are pleased that, after Istanbul, Izmir and Bodrum are also coming to the fore as “gastronomic cities”. We will be able to show the world the richness of our sustainable gastronomic culture through our talented chefs who combine the region's best products with their farm-to-table approach. Visitors who come to Izmir and Bodrum to taste these delicacies will be surprised by the turquoise waters of the Aegean region, the deep historical heritage, the quality of services and the limitless possibilities, from cruise tourism to blue travel (gulet). We are thrilled with these two new additions, which showcase the growing potential of Turkish gastronomic culture, and we strongly believe that many more cities will be added in the coming years.” As with all destinations it covers, the MICHELIN Guide highlights the culinary landscape of Izmir and Bodrum and recommends the best restaurants that are suggested based on the historical and universal methodology of the MICHELIN Guide. This methodology, developed by a team of anonymous and independent inspectors, former industry professionals and currently staff members of the Michelin Group, focuses only on the quality of the food offered, judged against the following 5 criteria:
- the quality of the ingredients;
- knowledge of cooking techniques;
- harmony of tastes;
- the identity of the chef;
– constancy both in time and in the whole menu.
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