Michelin Guide 2026 Türkiye Selection Announced

• A restaurant in Izmir was awarded two MICHELIN Stars.
• Three restaurants earned their first MICHELIN Star.
• Three emerging talents were honoured with MICHELIN Special Awards for their excellence and commitment

The MICHELIN Guide is pleased to announce its 2026 restaurant selection for Turkey. This year's selection includes a total of 54 new restaurants, including some from Cappadocia that made the list for the first time. With its deep roots in tradition, hospitality, and terroir, Cappadocia left a strong impression on the inspectors. Istanbul, Izmir, Muğla, and now Cappadocia offer a rich mosaic of more than 25 culinary styles that reflect the diversity and identity of Turkish gastronomy.

It was also announced that, starting next year, the MICHELIN Guide will offer a selection covering all of Türkiye for the first time, creating the country's first national selection. More information will be shared in January 2026.

 Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide:
"This new selection demonstrates the strength and maturity of Türkiye's culinary identity. Our inspectors in Istanbul, Izmir, Muğla, and now Cappadocia have identified chefs who boldly embrace creativity while adhering to tradition, placing terroir at the center of their work, and dedicating themselves to more responsible cooking methods. The diversity, talent, and sincerity we encountered across the country confirm the existence of a gastronomic scene that is growing in depth and confidence," he said.

With this new expansion, our inspectors have included 18 new restaurants from Cappadocia in their 2026 selection. What impressed the inspectors most was the spirit of the region. Beyond the legendary Turkish hospitality and captivating landscapes, Cappadocia boasts a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that invites you to savor the simple pleasures of life without rushing. This understanding is also reflected in the food. Tradition, respect, and terroir hold deep meaning here. Many chefs remain faithful to recipes and techniques passed down through generations, offering flavors that have endured for centuries and still captivate diners today.

Another restaurant awarded two MICHELIN Stars

Winning a MICHELIN Star in Izmir's first selection in 2024 Local Wine, rises to two stars this year. Chef Ozan Kumbasar offers cuisine that blends Turkish terroir with subtle touches from Thailand, Japan, and beyond. Nestled amidst the greenery just outside Izmir, Vino Locale truly feels like its own place. The Kumbasar couple focus on highlighting local and seasonal ingredients, while the menu elegantly transitions between the earth, sea, and greenery, always blending character and identity. Seray Kumbasar's service and wine pairings elevate the experience, reflecting a profound professionalism and warmth.

Local Wine It became the first restaurant in Izmir to receive two MICHELIN stars. It is also the second restaurant in Türkiye to achieve this distinction. TURKISH FATIH TUTAK will share the same stage with.

Three new restaurants win their first MICHELIN Stars

This year, three restaurants join the One MICHELIN Star family of restaurants, each presenting a unique vision based on product, place and personal identity.

RevithiaWith its cuisine inspired by nearly forgotten recipes and revitalized with modern textures and profound flavors, Cappadocia has earned its first MICHELIN Star. Located in the UNESCO-recognized Kayakapı region, the restaurant honors regional traditions like lamb cooked in milk, fermented grains, and milk-based tarhana soup in Chef Duran Özdemir's vibrant and expressive menu. Local sauces and flavors also shape the character of this distinctive cuisine.

In Istanbul, under the leadership of Chefs Kenan Çetinkaya and Pınar Korgan Çetinkaya Araf, a small, characterful countertop restaurant designed around an open fire, receives its first MICHELIN Star. The restaurant offers a cuisine that prioritizes flavor, product integrity, and technique. With its intimate and bold approach, it reveals the depth of Turkish flavors in their purest form.

In Muğla, just outside Yalıkavak Hamlet YalikavakThe restaurant stands out under the leadership of Chef Serhat Doğramacı. The chef builds his menu around protected Turkish produce and heritage cooking techniques. Located on a working farm with gardens and livestock, the restaurant blends wood-fired, fermented, grilled, and marinated dishes into meticulously elegant compositions. Desserts, prepared by the chef's wife, add an unforgettable finishing touch to this impressive experience.

With these new additions, the total number of One MICHELIN Star restaurants in Türkiye reaches 15 distinguished venues.

16 new Bib Gourmands

Introduced by the MICHELIN Guide in 1997, the Bib Gourmand rating honors select restaurants that offer excellent food at affordable prices. These establishments cover a wide range of cuisines and offer quality dining options to suit every budget.

With these new additions, the total number of Bib Gourmand restaurants in Türkiye reaches 39. The 16 new restaurants, located in Istanbul, Izmir, Muğla, and Cappadocia, contribute to the strengthening of the national selection. These include: Kemal's Place, Civil Servants' Union ve Partal Brothers Fish Restaurantreflects Izmir's local traditions and products in the best way.

Muğla offers fresh and affordable cuisine that never disappoints. Mandalya ve Mezegiwelcomes as the region's two new Bib Gourmand restaurants.

Cappadocia enters the MICHELIN Guide with five new Bib Gourmands; among them Babayan House, has also earned a Green Star rating for its generous traditional dishes and deep respect for the land and produce of Cappadocia. These new additions reflect a vibrant culinary scene where flavor, generosity, and local produce collide.

Four Restaurants Awarded Green Star Rating

The Green Star highlights businesses committed to inspiring practices. Four restaurants were awarded this distinction in the 2026 selection:
• TURKISH FATIH TUTAK (Istanbul)
• Grouper (Mugla)
• Terroir Urla (Izmir)
• Babayan House (Cappadocia)

These venues represent a dynamic, original and forward-thinking approach to gastronomy.

Three MICHELIN Special Awards

As part of its 2026 selection, the MICHELIN Guide Turkey also highlights three Special Awards, honoring individuals who stand out for their mastery, dedication, and vision that enrich the culinary experience. These honors highlight the extraordinary talents who shape the country's culinary identity and elevate it through their passion and expertise.

MICHELIN Young Chef Award 2026, in collaboration with Jumbo, in Muğla Yakamengen III the talented young chef of his restaurant Duru AkgulDespite being just 29 years old, he impressively blends technical mastery with a deep commitment to his region in his cuisine, a focus further enhanced by his international experience abroad. Located in a meticulously restored former olive oil mill in the village of Yaka, his restaurant's menu highlights seasonal produce sourced from local farmers and fishermen. He's particularly passionate about overlooked species like blue crab and lionfish, transforming them into thoughtful and delicious dishes. His signature dish, blue crab salad, is served with crispy zucchini fritters and aromatic spices; this dish perfectly reflects his approach: generous, meticulous, and packed with flavor.

MICHELIN Sommelier Award 2026The award was given to Ersin Topkara, the acclaimed sommelier of Neolokal restaurant in Istanbul (one-star and one-green-star winner). Topkara's wine list, distinguished by his deep knowledge of Turkish wines, impressively showcases the richness of Türkiye's wine-growing regions. Since his return to Neolokal, inspectors have been further impressed by his ability to select wines that not only complement the dishes but also tell the restaurant's story. His pairings are a testament to meticulous research, a sensitive palate, and a strong commitment to promoting Turkish wine culture.

MICHELIN Service Award 2026, in collaboration with Olivana, in Izmir Terroir Urla working in the restaurant Ezgi SerdarogluSerdaroğlu manages the restaurant with an impressive blend of professionalism, intuition, and genuine warmth. He often describes himself as the "orchestra conductor of the terroir experience," and this description is fitting. He supports Chef Osman Serdaroğlu's vision, seamlessly orchestrating the flow between the kitchen and the restaurant, and directs his team with both meticulousness and sincerity. Thanks to his attentive eye, impeccable timing, and unwavering sense of hospitality, every guest is treated with care from beginning to end of their dining experience.

38 new restaurants added to the Michelin Recommended list 

Türkiye's gastronomic scene continues to grow and impress. This year's expanded selection includes: 38 With the new addition, the total now encompasses 115 restaurants. The most striking element is the warmth and sincerity that defines Turkish hospitality. Inspectors were impressed not only by the food but also by the hospitality, the atmosphere, and the genuine spirit of generosity that brought everyone together, leaving each visit asking, "When can we go back?"

From Istanbul's cosmopolitan energy to Izmir's strong commitment to its terroir, from Bodrum's evolving coastline to Cappadocia's timeless traditions, this selection reflects a country with a rich and diverse culinary identity. More than 25 different cuisines are represented, but tradition and respect stand out as the common values ​​that bind this landscape together. Whether led by established young chefs or seasoned masters honoring ancestral recipes, these restaurants share a strong philosophy and a commitment to the exceptional produce their land offers. Turkey has firmly established itself on the international culinary map, and the inspectors thoroughly enjoyed discovering and re-experiencing what makes the country's culinary culture so special.

Overview of the MICHELIN Guide Türkiye 2026 Selection:

• Two MICHELIN Stars: 2 restaurants (1 new)
• One MICHELIN Star: 15 restaurants (3 new)
• Bib Gourmand: 39 restaurants (16 new)
• Recommended: 115 restaurants (38 new)
• Green Star: 13 restaurants (4 new)

In addition to its restaurant selection, the MICHELIN Guide offers a unique selection of accommodation options, featuring hotels from all regions in Turkey and around the world. Launched in 2024, the MICHELIN Keys are awarded to the most distinguished hotels in the guide and are celebrated like the world's best restaurants, which are awarded the renowned Stars. Each hotel is defined by its design, architecture, service, and character. The MICHELIN Key symbolizes the truly exceptional experiences within our selection. All hotels in the selection can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and mobile app.

Source: HORECA TREND and MICHELIN Türkiye