Bodrum is one of Turkey’s hottest summer destinations, with beautiful beaches, luxury hotels, and top notch restaurants as well as laid-back local spots and eateries. When you’re in this city, eating fresh seafood right by the water’s edge is a pretty essential experience, so Culture Trip has rounded up the best places where you can dine on excellent food and watch the sun set over the Mediterranean.
Definitely one of Bodrum’s most popular seafood restaurants, you must make reservations in advance at Memedof to get a table, preferably right by the water. As soon as you walk in, you’ll see a display of the day’s freshest catches as well as the myriad of meze varieties. Order some rakı, and then as the food makes its way to your table, watch the waves crash softly on the shore.
Located in Bodrum’s upscale bay of Türkbükü, Miam is a classy restaurant that’s right on the water, complete with tables set up on a wooden dock. You’ll watch the moon shine over the water by candlelight after you’ve chosen your fish and meze from the display by the kitchen. We recommend ordering a bottle of Turkish white wine to go with your grilled fish.
The most luxurious boutique hotel in Bodrum also has one of the most upscale restaurants in town and with prices to match. Make reservations in advance to dine at Maçakızı’s fine-dining restaurant by the water, where modern design meets the natural Aegean landscape, including lush bushes of bougainvillea. If you choose to hang out at Maçakızı’s private beach for the day, you can also enjoy their excellent lunch buffet and get a drink at the bar when the sun begins to set.
One of the most laid-back eateries on the list is directly on the beach in the very down-to-earth Gümüşlük neighborhood. Open for lunch and dinner, Soğan Sarmısak (which means Onion and Garlic) serves up excellent Turkish home cooking with a different menu every day. Stick your feet in the sand and enjoy some delicious food made with love.
Decorated with colorful dried gourd lanterns and flowers, Mimoza is the place to go for dinner in the Gümüşlük neighborhood if you want to sit right by the water. As it serves excellent meze and fresh fish, Mimoza’s prices are a bit higher than expected; however, the beautiful atmosphere and delectable dishes are reason enough to make a reservation.
One of the upscale Türkbükü bay’s more affordable and laid-back restaurants, Çetimek is far removed from the crowded promenade, taking shelter under a large tree decorated with lanterns. Make sure to book one of the tables by the water, which look out over colorful fishing boats, before you make your way to the display to choose your fresh fish and meze.
One of the few places on the beach that doesn’t serve seafood, Hoca’nın Yeri is one of the best restaurants in Bodrum to eat mantı (small ravioli-like dumplings filled with minced meat and topped with tomato sauce and garlic yogurt) and çiğbörek (puffy fried pastry filled with minced meat). Make sure to order an ayran (yogurt drink) to wash it all down.