As promised, here’s part two of our list of the most romantic restaurants in Türkiye. This time, instead of Istanbul and Cappadocia, we are focusing on the fine eateries and romantic settings in Izmir and Bodrum.
MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN TURKEY – IZMIR
Photo Credit: Agrilia Restaurant
AGRILIA RESTAURANT, ALAVYA HOTEL, ALACATI.
There’s no better way to kick off a romantic list than with the fabulous Agrilia restaurant at Alavya Hotel in Alacati – after all, the hotel is pronounced: “I – love – ya!”. We have written about the hotel before in our post on the food scene in Alacati, as it’s a place that oozes character and charm. The hotel consists of six beautifully restored historic stone houses facing a central courtyard. The rustic stone and arty additions make for many Instagram-worthy backdrops, and the location is ideal for a romantic escape.
Agrilia is the ancient word for Alacati, and the restaurant is hidden away in Alavya’s shady courtyard and away from the tourist crowds. It’s a beautiful location, and the fine Italian and Mediterranean cuisine and local wine selection generate rave reviews online. The focus is on making seasonal produce and ingredients taste fabulous. Booking suggested. http://agriliarestaurant.com/
ARVEN RESTAURANT, ALACATI
Alacati is again the location for Arven Restaurant, widely considered one of the town’s foodie highlights. Arven serves an impressive menu of beautifully cooked and presented Turkish, Italian and international dishes in a romantic garden setting, tucked under the shade of lemon and pomegranate trees.
Photo Credit: Arven
Aside from the fabulous food, Arven is also known for its wine and has a cellar with over 200 kinds of local varieties – so it’s a great option if you have wine lovers on board. http://www.arvenalacati.com/
Photo Credit: Equinox
EQUINOX, SWISS OTEL, IZMIR
If fine dining and a romantic table with a view are called for, head to Equinox, located on Level 9 of Swiss Otel in Izmir. This restaurant is known for its innovative fish and meat dishes and the views are superb, looking straight over Izmir Bay.
Photo Credit: Equinox
Equinox serves a mix of Aegean and international dishes using the best ingredients. It’s a great choice for those celebrating an occasion, and don’t be surprised if you spot a diner down on one knee as it’s one of the coast’s most popular places to pop the question! Do book in advance. https://www.swissotel.com/hotels/izmir/dining/equinox/
Photo Credit: Hic
HIC RESTAURANT/LOKANTA, URLA
For a unique romantic dining experience, head to Hic Restaurant/Lokanta in Urla, where their “forest-to-fork” concept turns heads and is a hit with guests. Located in a beautifully converted former Greek theatre, this unusual and informal location adds to the atmosphere, making an evening at Hic a genuinely memorable experience.
Photo Credit: Hic
The Hic concept turns the findings in the forest into beautifully executed, generously portioned and utterly tasty dishes. The menu constantly changes, and the tasting menu and choice of boutique local wines have proved a hit with yacht guests and crew – plus the price point is remarkably fair for what’s served. The Hic concept runs deeper than simply the restaurant, and they also produce their own olive oil from their farm and run cookery classes. Hic is a popular place for a romantic and different night out. Booking is suggested.
https://hicurla.com/
MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN TURKEY – BODRUM
Photo Credit: Isola Manzara
ISOLA MANZARA, BODRUM
Located at the top of Bardakci Bay, opposite METT Hotel, Isola Manzara boasts fabulous views over Bodrum Castle. You may be familiar with the name, as its sister restaurant is located in Dubai’s Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse. Isola Manzara is inspired by the tastes of Italy. Expect flavour-packed homemade pasta, seafood dishes and pizza, alongside an excellent wine selection sourced from the best vineyards in Italy. Book in advance. https://www.isolarestaurant.com/
ENT RESTAURANT, TORBA, BODRUM
Ent Restaurant is another fabulous haunt we have mentioned before in our post the best restaurants in Türkiye. Ent aims to transform “eating” into an unforgettable experience, and judging by the wealth of five-star reviews, they achieve this. Only accepting 30 diners per night, Ent offers multiple course menus that change according to the season, complemented by an excellent selection of fine Turkish wines.
Photo Credit: Ent Restaurant
Ent Restaurant is a romantic place that should impress. It is not tucked away on a rooftop or in a fancy hotel; its location is more reminiscent of a high-end villa. Chef uses a range of French, Anatolian and Mediterranean techniques to serve a thoughtful, delicious and memorable range of meat, seafood and vegetable dishes making it one of the most well-regarded restaurants in Türkiye. Booking is a must.
http://www.entrestaurant.com/
Photo Credit: Orfoz Bodrum
ORFOZ RESTAURANT, BODRUM
If a culinary ode to the ocean appeals, few places are better than Orfoz in Bodrum. This laid-back taverna-style setting is informal, but don’t be put off by the paper placemats – it’s a gourmet restaurant with an exciting seafood menu and mentioned in 50 Best and Vogue France.
Photo Credit: Orfoz
What makes Orfoz stand out is the food – the fresh local catch plus a number of interesting and rare additions. The food is served simply, with a focus on the flavour and ingredients. There’s seasonal local fish cooked to perfection, but also clever twists like Aegean ceviche, sea snails in wine, sardine sashimi and shell-baked oysters with Parmesan on the tasting menu. Tables are hard to secure, so do book in advance. https://orfoz.net/
The most romantic restaurants in Türkiye
We hope you enjoyed our look at the most romantic restaurants in Izmir and Bodrum, and don’t forget we can tailor itineraries and include a table reservation at any of these fine eateries should you wish, please CONTACT US.
