One of the most prestigious restaurant evaluation guides in the global gastronomy scene, Gault & Millau, created great excitement in the culinary world with its 2026; Turkey selection. This guide is not merely a list that ranks restaurants; it is also a comprehensive reference that highlights the creativity of chefs, the development of local culinary culture, and emerging gastronomy trends.
The 2026; Turkey guide reveals the diversity and maturity that the country’s gastronomy scene has reached. From Istanbul to Gaziantep, from Urla to Van, restaurants across a wide geography demonstrate that they offer world-class gastronomic experiences.
In this comprehensive guide article, we will examine in detail the evaluation system of Gault & Millau, the standout restaurants in the 2026; Turkey selection, awards, gastronomy trends, and the global position of Turkish cuisine.
What Is the Gault & Millau Guide?
Gault & Millau is one of the most important gastronomy guides in the world, created in 1969; by French gastronomy critics and now evaluating restaurants globally.
The main objectives of the guide are:
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Supporting creative culinary approaches
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Discovering new chefs
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Raising gastronomy standards
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Evaluating restaurant experiences based on objective criteria
Evaluations are conducted by independent gastronomy experts, and restaurants are reviewed according to the following criteria:
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Quality of ingredients used
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Technical mastery of the chef
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Creativity in the kitchen
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Presentation aesthetics
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Sustainability approach
Restaurants are scored out of 20; points, and establishments that receive more than 11; points are awarded the prestigious “Toque” (chef’s hat) distinction.
Scope of the 2026; Turkey Guide
The 2026; Gault & Millau Turkey selection covers a wide geography reflecting the country’s rich gastronomic diversity.
Some of the cities included in the guide:
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Istanbul
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İzmir
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Muğla
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Gaziantep
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Antalya
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Ankara
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Nevşehir
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Balıkesir
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Aydın
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Çanakkale
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Van
This wide geographical distribution demonstrates Turkey’s broad gastronomic spectrum, ranging from traditional cuisine to modern fine dining restaurants.
Another important innovation in the 2026; guide was the introduction of a new category.
For the first time, hotels were also evaluated and the “Hôtel Sélectionné” category was created, allowing accommodation establishments that contribute to the gastronomic experience to be included in the guide.
2026; Gault & Millau Turkey Awards
Within the scope of the guide, numerous awards were given to leading names and establishments in the gastronomy world.
Restaurant of the Year
The Restaurant of the Year award in the 2026; guide was given to:
Teruar Urla
located in Urla, İzmir.
This restaurant stands out for:
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its use of local Aegean products
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its cuisine based on vineyard and agricultural culture
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its creative gastronomic approach
Chef of the Year
The Chef of the Year award in 2026; was presented to:
Aret Sahakyan
Sahakyan holds an important place in the gastronomy world with his creative culinary work and modern interpretations of Aegean cuisine at:
Maçakızı Restaurant (Bodrum)
Traditional Turkish Cuisine Awards
The Gault & Millau Turkey guide does not only reward modern restaurants but also honors establishments representing traditional Turkish cuisine.
Best Turkish Cuisine
The winner of this category:
Borsa Kandilli
This restaurant is known for presenting Ottoman and classic Turkish cuisine in an elegant setting.
Best Anatolian Cuisine
This award was given to:
Natolia Restaurant (Istanbul)
Chef Ömür Akkor stands out for interpreting traditional Anatolian recipes with modern gastronomic techniques.
Venues Contributing to Gastronomy History
The guide also honored historic establishments that have contributed to gastronomy culture.
Two restaurants that received the “Centennial Business” award:
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Baylan
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Pandeli
These two restaurants are among the most important representatives of Istanbul’s gastronomy culture.
Street Food and Modern Gastronomy
The Gault & Millau guide includes not only fine dining restaurants but also street food.
In 2026;, the award for:
Best Street Food
was given to:
Akali
Known for its gourmet burgers, the restaurant stands out as a successful example of modern street cuisine.
Design and Atmosphere Awards
A gastronomic experience is not limited to food; restaurant design and atmosphere are also important factors.
The Best Restaurant Design award in the 2026; guide was given to:
Menua Restaurant
Dessert and Beverage Culture Awards
The Gault & Millau guide also gives special importance to dessert and beverage culture.
Awards include:
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Best Pastry Chef: Metin Saruhanlı
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Best Chocolate Chef: Ghislain Gaille
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Best Patisserie Venue: Cova Istanbul
These awards demonstrate the growing development of pastry and dessert culture in Turkey.
Restaurants Highlighted in the 2026; Guide
Among the restaurants receiving the highest scores in the 2026; guide are the following.
4 Toques (Highest Level)
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TURK Fatih Tutak
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Neolokal
These restaurants are regarded as world-class representatives of modern Turkish cuisine.
3 Toque Restaurants
Notable restaurants in this category include:
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Teruar Urla
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Vino Locale
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Mikla
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Nicole Restaurant
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Araka
These restaurants successfully combine modern Turkish cuisine with international gastronomic techniques.
Other Notable Restaurants in the Guide
The guide is not limited only to fine dining establishments.
Other notable venues include:
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Od Urla
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Tershane Karaköy
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Mutfak Sanatları Merkezi
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Hünkar Lokantası
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Zübeyir Ocakbaşı
This diversity shows that the guide supports both luxury restaurants and traditional culinary culture.
Importance for Gastronomy Tourism
International gastronomy guides such as Gault & Millau play a significant role in a country’s gastronomy tourism.
Their impacts include:
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increasing gastronomy tourism
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directing international gourmets to new destinations
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promoting local culinary culture
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increasing the global recognition of chefs
Turkey’s growing presence in prestigious guides such as Michelin and Gault & Millau in recent years shows that the country’s gastronomic potential is being recognized worldwide.
The Golden Age of Turkish Gastronomy
The 2026; Gault & Millau Turkey Guide clearly demonstrates that Turkey is becoming a rising power in the gastronomy world.
The most important insights revealed by the guide:
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Turkish cuisine is being rediscovered through modern interpretations
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Local Anatolian ingredients are entering fine dining cuisine
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Young chefs are achieving international success
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Gastronomy tourism is growing rapidly
Cities such as Istanbul, İzmir, Bodrum, and Gaziantep are no longer just tourism destinations; they are increasingly becoming important centers of global gastronomy.
For this reason, the Gault & Millau Turkey selection is considered not just a restaurant list but also a strong indicator of the rise of Turkish cuisine on the global gastronomic stage.
