Five restaurants in Istanbul received Michelin stars for the first time

Five restaurants in Istanbul received Michelin stars for the first time

 

For the first time, Michelin has assessed Istanbul's high-quality culinary landscape. That the Michelin inspectors are impressed is evident from the fact that there are no fewer than 53 restaurants included in the selection.

 

Of the selected 53 restaurants, ten received a Bib Gourmand and the restaurants Mikla, Araka, Nicole and Neolokal received their first star. In addition to the red star, Neolokal also received a green star in recognition of its pioneering approach to sustainable gastronomy. The big winner was the restaurant TURK Fatih Tutak, which opened in 2019. Chef Fatih Tutak has previously worked for 3 star restaurants Nihonryori Ryugin in Tokyo and Noma in Copenhagen. His restaurant was rewarded with two stars thanks to the special interpretation of typical Turkish flavours.

 

“The presentation of the first selection of restaurants of the MICHELIN Guide Istanbul is a historic moment both for our teams of inspectors and for this unique city”, said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “With 53 restaurants, including 5 Starred establishments, our selection sheds light on the breadth of this talented culinary landscape, proud of its identity and traditions, but also open to the world. Istanbul has always been a prominent cultural and touristic destination; today with the MICHELIN Guide, we hope to express to local and international gourmets alike, that it is also a prime gastronomic destination”.