Arka Pizza

We tried lots of different local eateries and Turkish lokantas during a recent housesitting gig in Bodrum, but one restaurant that we returned to again and again (and again) was Arka Pizza.

Arka Pizzeria and Restaurant is managed by Hüseyin Peker and Hüseyin Aşkın, and serves Italian pizzas, pasta, salads, and homemade Turkish food. It’s a comfortable and homely location that seats about 80.

Where is Arka Pizza located?

I stumbled past Akra during a Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guide research trip around Bodrum, I wandered down a narrow lane to cut through from Ataturk Caddesi to the old town shopping area, to get to the Bodrum Belediyesi café that overlooks Bodrum Castle.

This back lane splits the indoor dining area, Arka’s pizza oven and kitchen, from the outdoor seating area, where tables covered in red and white table cloths huddle under a canopy. 

I made a mental note to come back to visit, because I just loved the Italian vibe this restaurant oozed.

Even though It’s hidden down a little sokak (behind the Kule Bar), when you walk through the pedestrian area of old town Bodrum the waft of garlic will pull you in the right direction.

When people asked where it was, they said “behind Cumhuriyet Road” or “at the back of a building” so the owners named the pizzeria “Arka” which is Turkish for back or rear.

Good Food, Friendly Staff, Great Music

It took us a couple of months to find our way back here, and once we discovered how delicious their pizza and pasta was, you couldn’t keep us away.

But it’s not just the food that kept us coming back. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and they play a brilliant selection of music.

We’ve sat in the outdoor area, but really like the cozy feel of the rustic indoor seating area, when you get the warm glow from the pizza oven and can watch all the cooking action.

A few of our favourite Menu Items

Two salads really stood out, the Insalata Di Rucala and the Insalata Caprese, and two of our favourite main dishes are the Mushroom Pizza and the Mushroom Pasta.

The pizzas are thin crust and no matter which one you choose, will be delicious … guaranteed.

There’s a good selection of pasta and sauces to choose from, and there’s a homemade ribbon pasta that adds an authentic twist to their menu.

Do we need to Book?

Arka Pizzeria isn’t one of Bodrum’s little secrets anymore. It’s a popular destination because of their delicious food, central location and reasonable prices. So if you plan on going their for dinner during the season, bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment.

One evening we bowled up for a table, but they were jammed and it would have been too long to wait for a table, so we ordered pizza to take away. But to be honest, we’d eaten the entire thing before we even got home. It’s that delicious.

I can’t wait to visit Arka Pizzeria again, and if you’re visiting Bodrum town – make a bee-line for it.

Contact Details for Arka Pizzeria

• ADDRESS: Çarşı Mah. Dr. Ekrem Uslu çıkmazı 11/1-5 [Kule Bar Arkası] / Bodrum • Turkey
• E-MAIL : info@arkabodrum.com
• TELEPHONE: + 90 252 316 28 57
• GSM-1: +90 531 388 26 90
• GSM-2: +90 533 600 15 50
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arka.bodrum