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Restaurants with Michelin Star in Turkey
A Famous Tire Brand's Journey into the World of Gastronomy
Michelin is a well-known French tire brand founded in 1888 by brothers André Jules and Edouard Michelin. When these brothers were thinking about how to increase their sales after the decline in tire sales in the 1900s, they came up with an ingenious idea: They would create a guide that would provide the few and respected car owners in France with practical and useful information to help them on their journeys. Their main goal here is to encourage people to hit the road, to travel.
When the first edition was distributed, the guide, which provided car owners with practical information on car maintenance and traveling, was very popular until the First World War. Its distribution was suspended for a while due to the war. After the end of the war, it was revived in 1918 to be distributed only in Paris. In this series of guides, advertisements were removed, new hotel listings were added, restaurants were listed by category and the now legendary "Michelin Guide" was born.
This guide, which achieved great success, was not just a guide. In 1926, the Michelin brothers established an independent inspection team and commissioned this team to inspect restaurants. From 1926 onwards, quality establishments that scored well in the inspections were awarded Michelin stars by this team. In the first stage, all quality restaurants were awarded 1 star. Later, a three-tier rating system was introduced. In this three-stage system, restaurants were subjected to a scoring system based on the areas they serve and their performance.
Let's take a look at the degrees and meanings of these Michelin Stars, which are the dream of each and every world-renowned chef.
- 1 Michelin star: "A very good restaurant in its field"
- 2 Michelin stars: "A dish so perfect that it's definitely worth changing your route"
- 3 Michelin stars: "Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey"
What are the Criteria for Getting a Michelin Star?
Since 1936, the main criteria are as follows:
- The quality of the ingredients used in the meal
- Preparation and cooking technique
- Creativity in presentation
- Food value for money
- Consistent implementation of all these criteria
In addition, the atmosphere and concept of the venue being in harmony with the menu, the quality of the service offered, hygiene conditions, and the fact that the restaurant chef runs his own restaurant are some of the other important criteria.
Having and keeping these stars is of paramount importance to most chefs. Moreover, all of these standards have not changed since 1936. So who gets the Michelin Star?
1 The Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants that use very good ingredients and cook and serve food to a high standard. Another important factor here is the stability of this situation.
2 Michelin Stars are awarded when a restaurant chef is able to bring his or her character and talent to the food.
3 Michelin Stars are awarded to restaurants run by chefs at the peak of their careers and whose cooking has become an art form.
How Many Restaurants in the World Have Michelin Stars?
480 restaurants in the world have a Michelin Star. 349 of them have 1 Michelin Star. 81 restaurants have 2 Michelin Stars and 50 restaurants have 3 Michelin Stars. Even in London, one of the gastronomic centers of Europe, there are currently only 3 restaurants with 3 Michelin Stars.
Michelin Star Restaurants in Turkey
Recently, the Michelin Guide Award Ceremony took place at Istanbul Zorlu Performing Arts Center in a glamorous way. At the event, Turkey's 5 Michelin Starred restaurants were determined. While 4 restaurants were awarded 1 Michelin Star, 1 restaurant was awarded 2 Michelin Stars. In addition, 1 restaurant was awarded the Michelin Green Star, which means "sustainable gastronomy".
Let's get to know the award winners.
Turk - Fatih Tutak, 2 Michelin Stars
Chef Fatih Tutak's restaurant, which blends our Anatolian cuisine flavors with his own unique techniques, is located in Şişli district of Istanbul' s European Side. Chef Fatih Tutak was one of the strongest candidates for the Michelin Star. This fine-dining restaurant, which adopts the principle that every dish prepared has a character, prepares the traditional flavors of Anatolian cuisine by going back to the roots and offers them to its guests. Awarded 2 Michelin Stars, every plate is a work of art in this restaurant.
Address: Cumhuriyet Hacıahmet Silahşör Cad., Yeniyol Sk., No:2, 34440 Şişli/İstanbul
Mikla, 1 Michelin Star
Located in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Mikla is one of the most admired restaurants in Beyoğlu and offers a balance of Turkish and Scandinavian flavors. Creating a unique flavor of its own, Mikla has become a pioneer in its field. Mikla means Istanbul in Viking and the venue has a magnificent view of Istanbul.
Winner of 1 Michelin Star, every meal at the restaurant has a fascinating flavor. If you want to taste the flavors that blend harmoniously with each other, you should visit Mikla.
Address: Asmalımescit The Marmara Pera, Meşrutiyet Caddesi, No:15, 34430, Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Nicole, 1 Michelin star
Awarded 1 Michelin Star, Nicole is located on the top floor of the Sisters of the Nurses Apartment building where Franciscan nuns lived in the 1900s. The name of the place comes from one of the former owners of the building, Sister Agnés Marthe Nicole. Nicole, which combines traditional Turkish cuisine flavors with different flavors to create more modern tastes, offers its guests a gastronomic experience that will remain in their taste buds. We leave the address for those who want to witness unforgettable flavors.
Address: Firuzaga Mah. Boğazkesen Cad., Tomtom Kaptan Sk., No:18, 34425, Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Araka, 1 Michelin Star
Located on a street leading down to the sea in Yeniköy, Araka was founded by Chef Zeynep Pınar Taşdemir. Araka, which includes medicinal herbs and seasonal greens in its food ingredients, draws attention with its unique cuisine.
It is definitely the right address for those who crave a lush green plate that is both delicious and exquisitely presented. Awarded 1 Michelin Star, everything is fresh at Araka.
Address: Kapalı Bakkal Sokak, No: 8, 34464, Sarıyer/ISTANBUL
Neolocal, 1 Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star
Neolokal, located in Salt Galata, offers its guests a modern and minimal interpretation of Turkish dishes. Thanks to these unique flavors, Chef Maksut Aşkar, who earned the restaurant 1 Michelin Star, also received the Michelin Green Star award, given to restaurants with a sustainable gastronomy approach. So what is sustainable gastronomy? Sustainable gastronomy supports the production, preparation and consumption of food with environmental sensitivity, thereby improving the health, social and cultural quality of society. We recommend you to try the flavors created by Chef Maksut Aşkar, who is a role model and inspiration for both his guests and his colleagues.
Address: Arap Cami Mahallesi, Bankalar Caddesi, No:11/1, Beyoğlu/ISTANBUL
How Can You Get to Michelin Starred Restaurants?
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