Michelin Guide 2026 selection announced

The 2026 Turkey selection of the Michelin Guide, one of the world's most prestigious restaurant evaluation systems, was announced at an awards ceremony held with the participation of Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. The 2026

Michelin Guide TurkeyA total of 171 restaurants were included in the Turkey selection.Of these restaurants, 2 were awarded two Michelin Stars, 15 were awarded one Michelin Star, and 13were awarded theGreen Star, while 39 were awarded the Bib Gourmand. Additionally,115 restaurants were included among the establishments recommended by the Michelin Guide.

Speaking at the awards ceremony,Ersoy said, "We are experiencing the joy and justified pride of having our Cappadocia included on the list as well." The MICHELIN Guide's TStating that the scope in Turkeyhas been expanded this year, Ersoy said, "With the MICHELIN Guide's fourth year in our country,we are experiencing the joy and justified pridethat our Cappadocia, which is on every traveler's bucket list with itsfascinating fairy chimneys, will also be included in the MICHELIN list."

Cappadocia is not only known for its naturalbeauty,not only historyand cultural heritagebut also stands outexplaining that the regionof Christianity'searlyperiods from underground cities that shed light on history to the pottery tradition, and from hot air balloon tours to cave hotels, it offers amultitude of unique experiences, he emphasized. Ersoy noted that it also contains the mostdistinguished examples of Central Anatolian cuisine,which has made Cappadocia a valuable destination in the field of gastronomy.drew attention to.

The region'sclay soil, unique cookingtechniques, and specialviticulture cStating that it contributes to its culture,Ersoy expressed that this has allowed Cappadocia to gain a unique gastronomic identity.

Ersoy continued his speechas follows: "This rich heritage, which has not escaped the attention of the MICHELIN Guide, is being presented by our talented chefs in world-classrestaurants, with the special touchof local productsin a way that highlights their unique character."thanks to their interpretation by chefs, it offers visitorsanunparalleled culinary journey. This rich gastronomic culture, which will now become even more visible with the MICHELIN selection,will turn Cappadocia intoa much strongerattraction pointfortravelers.wesincerelybelieve in theprocess."

NUMBER OF STARRED RESTAURANTS REACHES 17

In the 2026 Michelin GuideTurkey selection, three restaurants received a Michelin Searned the star. 'Mezra Yalıkavak' by chef Serhat Doğramacı from Muğla, and 'Araf İstanbul' by chefs Pınar Korgan Çetinkaya and Kenan Çetinkaya from Istanbul, along with'Revithia' by chef Duran Özdemir from Nevşehir were each awarded onestar in the 2026 selection.

In the Two Michelin Stars category, 'Vino Locale' by chef Ozan Kumbasar from Izmirjoined the list this year. TURK Fatih Tutak from Istanbul maintained its two existing stars, solidifyingits place in the selection.Thus,the number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Turkeyreached 17.

"MICHELIN GUIDEI TITWILL COVER TURKEY"

In his speech, Minister Ersoy sharing an importantdevelopment with the public, he announced that the next MICHELIN Guide selection willcover all of Turkey. Heexplained that this expansionwouldmake THe pointed out that the historical roots and regional diversity of Turkish cuisine would be made more visible.

A strong traditionemphasizing that it combined with the thousands of years of history and cultural mosaicof Anatolia to become refined in the palace cuisine,Ersoy noted,"Turkish cuisine,with itsdistinctive features across the 7 regions of our country, is a unique treasure."and offers unique flavors," he said.

Turkey's gastronomic richnessis not just about cooking, Ersoy noted, adding that it is also a philosophy of life and a wisdom passed down from generation to generation.

The successes achieved in gastronomy are not only about the pastbut alsoabout a vision for the futureas well. Ersoy expressed that it is taking shape, noting that traditional recipes are being combined with modern presentations, and that local products are being highlightedand that asustainable approachis being adopted.

Stating that the fact that the MICHELIN Guidewill evaluate this richness across Turkeywill contribute to the international promotion of local masters and flavors, Ersoy pointed out that this step will also increase the share that provinces receive from gastronomy tourism. attracted.

Touching upon the importance of theMICHELIN Guide covering all of Turkey,Minister Ersoy said, "Everyone of our regions, every one of our cities has its own unique recipes, special coocooking techniques and unforgettable flavors. The fact that the MICHELIN Guide willcover the entirety ofTurkey means that our thousands of years ofcultural heritage, our local flavors, and our culinary artswill receiveglobalrecognition andappreciation.it means. This is not only for our restaurantsbut alsoforour entire culinary culture and gastronomic heritageaproud development. For the MICHELIN Guide's Istanbul, Izmir, Mugla, and finally Cappadociait is asource of prideThe selectionsprepared notonly increase the brand value of these destinations, but also contribute to our country taking its rightful place among the world'sleading culinary centers by attractinggourmet travelers toTurkey. Moreover, the presence of the MICHELIN Guide in our countryitsustainability, and a Turkish approach to gastronomy that centers on localityalso helps it become better recognized. The Turkish cuisineis, by its very nature, based on sustainable traditionsalthough it is connected, sustainability is not a strategy that we limitonly to the gastronomy sector. Even though ourfocusis on Turkish gastronomy, sustainabilityis the backbone of our tourism sector.to state that it forms theandthe most important stepwe have taken in this regard I would like to underline once again," he said.

"IISTANBUL, ONE OF THE W ORL D'S BEST GASTRONC ITYS ELECTEDT"

The concrete results of the communication strategies carried out by the Ministry for the international promotion of Turkish cuisine are becoming increasingly evident.gave fruitsstating that, Ersoy also touched upon an important title that Istanbul has earned.Minister Ersoy said, "Istanbul, with its selection that appeals to all five senses, ranging from street food to traditional tradesmen restaurants, and from fine dining establishments to Michelin-starred restaurants,accompanied bythe best examples of Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and European cuisines, is our gastro-city, with new dwas chosen as theworld's best. Accordingto the Travel Trends 2025 Report, prepared by theMastercard Economics Institute by analyzinginternational food andbeverage spending,Istanbul is thethe world'snumber one gastronomy city," he said.

Minister Ersoy, regarding Turkey's sustainable tourism fieldpioneering steps taken indrawing attention to, in the year 2022in the yearhe stated that the cooperation agreement signed with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) marks a first in this field.Minister Ersoy noted that with this step,Turkeybecame the first country in theworld to develop a sustainability certification framework at the government level.He added thatthis initiative is a significant milestone.reminded that.

Stating that this initiative has also inspired other countries,Ersoy noted that in just threeyears,the number of accommodation facilitiesthat have qualified for the internationally recognized GSTC Certificate has exceeded 2,000. Ersoy stated that this within this framework, they aim to complete the certification process for all accommodation facilities by the year 2030.He noted that they aim to complete the certification process for all accommodation facilities by 2030.

This sustainable transformationtaking place in theaccommodation sectorand the quality of servicehavenot escaped the attention of the MICHELIN Guide.stating thatErsoy noted that in the accommodationsector, the newly implementedevaluation system,the MICHELIN Keyselection, has secured an important place for Turkeyin the industry.

The first of the Michelin GuideIn the Global Key selection, 22 hotels in Turkey received '1', 3 hotels received '2', and 1 hotel received '3' Michelin Keys.

"We will witness the number of our facilities awarded with the MICHELIN Key increasing rapidly in the coming period," said Ersoy, adding that he believesthis success will continue to grow in accommodation facilities just as it has in gastronomy destinations.He expressed his beliefin this continued progress.

Ersoy stated, "I congratulate all our restaurantsand their chefs who have earned a place in the MICHELIN Guideselection for their efforts." congratulate them for this. I believe thissuccess will further strengthen the rising position of our restaurants, our destinations, and our country's tourism, and I would like to share with you my satisfactionwith the momentum of the MICHELIN Guide now expandingacross our entirecountry,' he said, concluding hisremarks.

News Source: İHA