Where a Local, Michelin-starred Chef Eats in Istanbul
The Best Bites in One of the World’s Culinary Capitals
The Relisher is where the world’s top chefs reveal their favorite spots in their home cities. This week, I met with Michelin-starred chef Cenk Debensason, co-founder and chef of Arkestra in Istanbul. Arkestra, established in 2022, earned its first star within just two years.
“Istanbul is literally the bridge between East and West. You can find all the traditional restaurants, like kebab spots, really nice fish restaurants by the Bosphorus, and many unique and interesting street food options you won’t find in Europe. At the same time, there’s a growing scene of new, up-and-coming chef restaurants as gastronomy in Istanbul has evolved over the past 10 years.
Turkey has a population of around 85 million, and about 16 million live in Istanbul. It’s a massive metropolis and a great hub for experiencing everything the Turkish culinary scene has to offer.”
Chef Cenk, who grew up in Istanbul and trained in France, is one of the city’s most exciting up-and-coming culinary talents.
Below, he shares his favorite restaurants in Istanbul—including must-visit spots for first-time travelers—and Turkish delicacies to try during your visit.
(Note: A Google Map with all locations listed is provided at the end of the interview.)