The best restaurants in Bodrum offer a magical mix of world-class cuisine and impeccable service in an unrivalled, serene location. Here’s a round-up of what Bodrum’s sought-after resort has to offer.
Delicious food in beautiful Paradise Bay is a dream come true at Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, home of the best and carefully curated dining experience in Bodrum.
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate dinner by the beach, a classic barbecue, amazing mezze, a romantic dinner under the stars or simply the opportunity for some indulgent all-day dining with some astonishing views of one of the prettiest bays in Turkey, this luxurious resort has it all.
The resort’s Michelin selected Chinese restaurant Hakkasan in its open-air setting is a shining example of exemplary Asian cuisine with flair. Its set menus of up to eight courses cover supreme seafood platters, which include a lobster mango salad and caviar and tiger prawns, to Peking duck and Grilled Black Cod with Truffle Sauce. Look out also for the Supreme Dim Sum and its dumplings.
What better way to build up to a fabulous steak al fresco than to open with Salmon Sashimi, a dozen oysters, Scallops Ceviche or some Beluga Caviar from the Raw Bar & Crudo at Atelier di Carne? The sea views are stunning and the steaks sensational. And you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the steaks, with options including 21-day dry-aged Bistecca Fiorentina, slices of Filet Mignon, Delmonico Ribeye or Asado ribs. Lots of chicken and kebab dishes, too. The finest way to fine dine in Bodrum, in mar y terra style.
Think Paradise Bay and burrata pizzas. And stone-baked seafood. Lucca by the Sea is chic, relaxed and comfortable. With a nod and a wink to the traditional Turkish fish market, you can choose from fresh seafood displays. This popular Mediterranean eatery, with its buzzing bar that’s a firm favourite on the social scene, has Turkish and international DJs at weekends, making for a fun evening of live music, Bodrum style.
The resort actually has two Japanese gems. One for afternoons and one for the evenings. In the afternoons, Ioki on the Beach offers an intriguing mix of Japanese and Peruvian cookery that includes teppanyaki, tempura noodles and delights from the grill. Come evening, Kurochan by IOKI swings into action with its contemporary Japanese approach and open kitchen. There’s Japanese beer and sake too.
If you’re looking for the best beach restaurant in Bodrum, you have three to choose from at Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum. Blue Beach Club & Bar with its leisurely lawns right up to the beach, shaded decking areas and private waterfront cabanas is, arguably, the best spot for the best döner kebab in Bodrum.
A relaxed and often lively extension of Lucca by the Sea is Lucca Beach, a seaside pampering next to the lapping Aegean Sea. The setting is partial to beach parties and the occasional DJ sets.
Back at the resort at the pool, the Pool Bar & Restaurant is home to fun barbecues and serves cocktails and homemade ice cream and sorbets. There’s even a special dining area for children next to the family pool.
So, which is the best bar in Bodrum? It’s not a difficult question. Complementing all these wonderful luxury restaurants in Bodrum, Mandarin Bar is an exceptional location for a little cocktail time frequently accompanied by some live music. Whether it’s with a Mediterranean Lavender, a Pistachio Dream or a Smoky Fig cocktail, the bar serves a variety of tempting western and Asian bar snacks. A great place to watch the sun go down before your romantic dining experience in Bodrum.
Serving the perfect Turkish breakfast, inside or outside, from 8am to noon, family-friendly Sofra also has a wide assortment of local Bodrum dishes that include Aegean olives, Turkish bagels (simit), Turkish cheese, homemade yoghurt and freshly baked Turkish pastries (gözleme). Surrounded by greenery with views of the sea through floor-to-ceiling windows, Sofra is the go-to place for coffee to kick-start a culinary day of delights at the resort.
This lovely café with views across the sparkling sea is a treasure trove of chocolates, cakes, cookies, ice creams, profiteroles, banana splits and the renowned Vakko Chocolate. Open 10am to midnight, it’s the perfect pit-stop between dining at the best restaurants in Bodrum.
The crystal-clear water of Paradise Bay on the Aegean Sea is a temptation in itself. Couple that with customised private dinners in your cabana, villa or even on the beach and you have an alluring gastronomic experience. The area around Bodrum is sometimes referred to as the Turkish Riviera, but it’s also the fine food and relaxing atmosphere at Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum that keep luring people back again and again. Simply put, no one does it better than this extraordinary resort.