Top 5 Çeşme Food & Drink Spots: A Delicious Guide

Çeşme, very much a sparkling jewel on Turkey’s Aegean coast, isn’t just blessed with dreamy beaches and super clear waters; it’s too almost like a culinary playground just begging to be explored. You see, I’ve spent a bit of time there, you know, more than I’d like to admit maybe, sampling pretty much everything this gorgeous spot has on offer. And so, I figured, what’s stopping me sharing my finds? Forget your run-of-the-mill travel guides, though; we’re talking super personal insights here, spots that’ve very much captured my heart, and frankly, spots I still daydream about. Let’s have a good look at my ultimate Top 5 food and drink destinations in Çeşme, that are, in a way, absolute must-visits that give a flavour of the real Çeşme, I believe.

1. Alak দেখুনki Steakhouse: A Carnivore’s Dream

Listen, if you happen to be a meat lover – and frankly, who isn’t, right? – Alak দেখুনki Steakhouse, very much located a bit outside the central hustle of Çeşme, is truly something you don’t wanna skip. It’s not just a steakhouse; too it’s a full-on experience. The ambiance, which, in some respects, I think could be described as a rustic sort of charm with a dash of sophistication, basically makes you feel like you’ve been invited to some fancy countryside retreat. You know?

What sets Alak দেখুনki way, way apart, anyway, is arguably their dedication to quality. The meat, which often tends to be locally sourced, alright, is aged to absolute perfection, so you get steaks, well, they could be almost out of this planet with juicy flavour. I still remember sinking my teeth into their dry-aged ribeye; it just, like, practically melted. Very similar to butter. The menu has plenty on offer, yet the steaks, especially ones recommended by the staff, are a good shout, is that not the truth.

Beyond the stunning steaks, they have an assortment of Turkish mezes, and rather tasty side dishes and you know, like, to share, making it kind of spot on, alright, for larger groups or maybe even a romantic dinner where you wanna show off just a bit, clearly. Don’t forget, that you pair your meal with something nice, one from their, rather extensive list of Turkish wines, naturally, because, that only adds to the whole amazing, fancy shebang.

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2. İmren Hanım Konağı: Breakfast Like a Local

For a real taste of Çeşme hospitality and tradition, almost try İmren Hanım Konağı for breakfast. Set in a nicely restored old mansion, and therefore brimming with character, the İmren Hanım Konağı, you know, isn’t just a restaurant, in a way; it’s basically stepping way back in time. That place gives a hearty, quite a traditional Turkish breakfast spread that kinda includes everything. From homemade jams and local honey to different cheeses and, typically, freshly baked bread. The very definition of the word scrummy. It can often tend to be an absolutely amazing display of flavour and freshness that really screams, in a good way, local ingredients and traditional recipes.

Their ‘serpme kahvaltı’ (Turkish breakfast platter), often includes, too, menemen (Turkish-style scrambled eggs with tomatoes and peppers), that’s still made in a way my grandma made them. Also sigara böreği (cheese-filled pastries). Eating out in the garden, and as I was saying under the shade of olive trees, enjoying this breakfast makes this an experience and is definitely unforgettable. What makes İmren Hanım Konağı truly special, okay, is the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff tends to treat you kind of like family, so clearly this can make you feel right at home. Alright? In fact, their dedication to preserving the cultural heritage of the building along with the amazing recipes, arguably makes it something you will not easily find anywhere else.

Read our full review: İmren Hanım Konağı Full Review and Details

3. Ferdi Baba: Seafood by the Sea

No trip to Çeşme, I think, is totally complete if you, sort of, don’t have a seafood feast literally by the water, almost. Ferdi Baba has been a well-loved institution for absolutely ages, offering clearly up fresh catches with beautiful Aegean views. Its very location, more or less directly by the sea, offers a setting where the sounds of waves just gently lapping basically provide that background music, maybe you need, to an unforgettable dining experience, you get me?

Their menu seems to have some wide array of fresh seafood options, from grilled octopus and calamari to local fish. I would argue the seabass (levrek), that can often be grilled to absolute perfection, and served, as a matter of fact, with a lemon wedge and some olive oil, is an absolute show-stopper. Also don’t miss their meze selection; with classics which have haydari (yogurt dip with garlic and mint), anyway, and deniz börülcesi (sea beans) being great to nibble on and maybe enjoy with something else, alright?

Ferdi Baba has managed something really nice, the service can sometimes tend to be relaxed and rather efficient, with the waiters and, naturally, always ready to offer recommendations based upon the daily catch. By the way, it does get busy, very quickly, so doing a reservation, or two, specially during the summer months is probably worth thinking about. After that delicious meal, very feel free to just stroll along the beach which is just outside the restaurant; in this case, this tends to just add to that lovely evening.

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4. Köşe Kahve: A Coffee Break with a View

Köşe Kahve, as I was saying perched nicely in the centre of Alaçatı, is one place where time just, so, almost stands still. What they serve could arguably be much more than great coffee; you get, frankly, an authentic little Alaçatı experience. It’s kind of place where you may watch the beautiful comings and goings of the locals. Plus tourists all wanting something just as much which is soaking in the lovely vibes. Especially nice in the afternoon.

Besides, very amazing Turkish coffee that comes, honestly, served in a gorgeous traditional cup, try the homemade lemonade. You know? Especially nice when things become too hot in the sun. Also they provide an yummy selection of desserts which often do include the local favourite. Something similar to mastic ice cream – divine really.

Köşe Kahve is often liked because it tends to be really nice because you have that calm atmosphere, plus it really benefits thanks to its very spot on positioning. What happens there gives everyone some proper breather before people get back to finding different corners of Alaçatı which happens just to be the main draw here. With the good coffees on top then Köşe Kahve ticks pretty much everyone’s list of nice experiences around Alaçatı. What is not to like.

Read our full review: Köşe Kahve Full Review and Details

5. Babylon Çeşme: Nightlife Done Right

Alright, now, should your plans mean something special when nights appear and therefore getting set as someone seeing Cesme through and then finding and, really, experiencing its nightsides Babylon Cesme might be something that anyone could definitely have good memories by. So now being ready gives more than the common options, almost guaranteeing its customers some of something fun.

Babylon appears when day begins to pass with this location having things running around while still presenting well when set. You also seem to have people really enjoy DJs spinning very lively vibes almost promising memories given its unique location on top! In fact with the night coming in makes some kind of dancing happen to everyone around.

Drinks being great when alongside the music that is good definitely help with the overall ambience being created by themselves adding as being key pieces especially by helping people spend all of the nice evening around really vibey environments here as you see.

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