Top 5 Eating Out Recommendations by John Moon

Guest Article written by John Moon

I’ve been visiting the Bodrum Peninsula regularly since 2005 and it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with it.

Having encouraged everyone I know to follow in my footsteps, I’m now at the stage where I have interests in a number of properties there, as do many of my friends and colleagues.

Whilst I don’t visit anywhere near as often as I would like, one of my main pastimes is eating out, so I’m pleased to give you my very subjective recommendations, which I hope will be useful. I’ve purposely chosen a selection which offer a great all round experience rather than high end gastronomic delight.

 

SOĞAN-SARMISAK Kafe, Gümüşlük

Onion-Garlic cafe aka Sogan-Sarmisak Cafe on the beach at the far (south) end of Gümüşlük.  This is as much an experience as it is a place to go for a meal, so you have to put it in perspective and enjoy it for what it is.

Run by a lady and her elderly mother, who have an interesting connection with Bristol in the UK, this is one of the few remaining of its kind where a Turkish family invites you into their house to share their food. It’s a little more commercial than that these days, but the essence of it remains.

Set aside plenty of time, because the service is relaxed. Don’t expect too much choice either. Your only dilemma will be whether to go for fish or meat, whilst the mezes are very different from what you may have experienced in the usual tourist haunts. But it’s all home cooked and delicious and if the owner has time to chat, you’ll soon appreciate how special and different she is.

They offer classic Turkish dishes and new recipes from 12:00 to 22:00 daily.  Between 11:00-14:00 hrs on Sundays is the brunch and beach party. Brunch only by reservations.

For a unique and memorable Turkish experience, it’s hard to beat.

 

Kavakli Kofteci, Yalikavak

Kavakli Kofteci in the centre of Yalikavak. I’ve put it at number 2 partly because it’s so different to my number one, but mainly because it does the best kebabs you are ever likely to eat.  Bearing in mind I generally prefer not to eat meat, that’s about as complimentary as it gets.

Most of the tourists in Yalikavak will simply walk on by, but a quick double take might give them a clue this is not just your average ‘fast food’ outlet. For a start it’s usually packed with Turks, almost any time of the day or night and there is a real buzz about the place. It’s spotlessly clean and it’s geared up to provide fast service with a minimum of fuss.

The simple menu has very little choice, (is there a trend here?) but no matter. Just order a bit of everything and a few minutes later it will be there in front of you. I defy your salivary glands not to work overtime when you get stuck in and there’s a double bonus at the end, when the bill arrives and you settle it from the loose change you happened to have in your pocket.

Our tradition is then to walk a few yards up to Bitez Dondurma, which does the most delicious home made ice cream, again for an almost derisory sum, given the quality.

Teldolap Restaurant, Gümüşlük

The Teldolap Restaurant up in the hills beyond Gümüşlük town is another little secret, not even known to many of the locals, though it’s them rather than tourists you will usually find here.

You will need a car and some tenacity to find it, or they will arrange transport if you have a big enough group.

The lovely setting, with far reaching views, is part of the experience, coupled with very tasty, traditional food and live music from the owner if you are lucky.

Keyifli Cafe & Restaurant, Derekoy

I’ve chosen this place because you have to go here for the amazing Turkish breakfasts, though it’s great for dinner too.

Keyifli is on the road from Gumusluk to Bodrum, not too far from the dual carriageway.

If you are coming from Gumusluk it’s past the shops selling the traditional lights at Derekoy, and just before you reach the dual carriageway.

We’ve always eaten outside in the ‘garden’ and whilst it’s close to the main road, it’s set down position means it’s all very pleasant and not at all noisy.

If you’ve had a Turkish breakfast before, you will know it’s an unusual (for westerners anyway) mixture of sweet and savoury and far more substantial than many of us are used to.

But at Keyifli you discover a whole new definition of substantial, though it’s certainly not just about quantity, as the quality is as good as you will find anywhere. Four different kinds of cheese, four different kinds of olive, jams, meats, fruit, savoury pies, wonderful home made bread – the food just keeps on filling the table.

At the end it seems there is as much left as there was at the start, even though you are stuffed to the brim. Although your mouth may still be watering at the delights laid out before you, it’s usually your stomach which cries enough.

And like some of my other choices, the cost is almost insignificant, to the point where you feel a little guilty at giving such a small amount of money for probably the best breakfast you have ever had.

 

Korfez Balik Restaurant, Kadikalesi

My final choice is as much about the setting and the value as it is the food. The Korfez Balik Restaurant is also little known to those outside the area, set as it is on Kadikalesi beach, beyond Gümüşlük towards Turgutreis.

It’s not at all pretentious and looks very similar to most of the other beach restaurants of the area. But of its type, it’s one of the best. The real treat is to bag a table right on the edge of the water. Make sure you wear flip flops though because your toes will inevitably be enjoying a dip, sooner or later.

As the sun goes down, you appreciate the magical setting even more and it’s easy to while a way an entire evening.

The menu offers the usual choices you might find here, with fish being a big part. You won’t be blown away by the tastes, but it’s all perfectly cooked and presented and it won’t break the bank.

For another article about Korfez, hop on over to Sedef’s blog to see what she said about it

 

About the Author

John Moon is an entrepreneur who lives in Bath in the UK. As well as running a number of successful businesses, he has enjoyed a second career as a journalist, broadcaster and commentator. If you are interested in renting a villa or apartment on the Bodrum Peninsula, you can contact John at stayinbath@gmail.com, or have a look at the villa

Don’t forget to check out the Eat in Bodrum site for more Restaurant recommendations on the Bodrum Peninsula:

 

 

 

 

 

© All photo’s sourced for the restaurant website, except for Onion/Garlic which was sourced from Trip Advisor