Aynalı Kavak

Beautiful, intimate dining experience set indoors and outdoors amongst trees, tea lights and unique antiquities from Istanbul. We were welcomed as one of the family by the charming and charismatic Cem, and his extended family, who treated us to a smorgasbord of local cuisine that we wouldn't have known, or considered, to order ourselves. Aubergine tapenade was served with home-made bread and delicious dry-white wine from Gallipoli. This was followed with stuffed dolmade, fresh and crispy salad, succulent beef and pureed potatoes and a pistachio dondurma, nuts and caramel sauce. Exquisite and delicious. Cem was indeed a gem who attended to our every need, giving us a local potted history of the area and tips on where to explore. Attracts a local crowd away from the hoi-polloi of Palmarina and its American junk-food establishments. Hard to find but one not to miss for an authentic, warm and friendly Turkish experience.