Yalıkavak, on the northwest of the Bodrum peninsula, was once a town that made its living from sponge diving. Today, it is home to the peninsula's densest cluster of venues: world brands at the marina, long-established fish restaurants on the shore, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant on the hill, and a dozen beach clubs in the bays. Yalıkavak's venues are spread across these three distinct worlds.
In this guide in Yalıkavak where to eat, where to have breakfast, where to go — We gathered them all episode by episode. There's also the non-food side: windmills, the abandoned village of Sandıma, the Küdür Peninsula, and three different market days of the week.
Michelin restaurants in Yalıkavak
From Bodrum's three-star restaurant in the 2026 MICHELIN Turkey selection two of them are in Yalıkavak.
- Mezra Yalıkavak ★ — Dirmil Mah., 6885. Sokak No:3. Chef Serhat Doğramacı. The new star of 2026 and also holds a Green Star. A cuisine based on open fire, pickling, and fermentation; there is a tandoor oven in the dining room. @mezra.yalikavak
- Kitchen by Osman Sezener ★ Inside The Bodrum EDITION, Balyek Cad. No: 5A. As defined by Michelin, a cosmopolitan perspective on Turkish cuisine; region-focused ingredients a priority. @kitchenbodrum
- Sait — Yalıkavak Marina, Çökertme Cad. No:2. Selected restaurant; the catch of the day is displayed on ice. @sait.restaurant
- DAHA by Mehmet Akdağ — Inside The Bodrum EDITION. The third generation of Antalya's 7 Mehmet; modern Anatolian cuisine, open-fire cooking. @dahamehmetakdag
Dining at Yalıkavak Marina
The marina is the peninsula's most expensive dining strip. Bodrum branches of global brands are gathered here—most of them only operate between May and October.
| Space | Kitchen | No |
|---|---|---|
| Zuma | Japan | Izakaya and robata. In the Michelin selection; only May–October. @zumabodrum |
| Novikov | Pan-Asian / Italian | The brand's first branch in Turkey. @novikovbodrum |
| Sakhalin | Seafood | From the Russian White Rabbit team. @sakhalin.bodrum.wrf |
| Phoenix | Asia-South America | Open until late at night. @fenix_bodrum |
| Hey | Greek | Every night after 19:00. @opabodrum |
| Nusr-Et | Steakhouse | The best known of the marina. @wearenusret |
| Bagatelle | French Riviera | Stage program a few nights a week. @bagatellebodrum |
| Spoken | Modern Europe | Moved from Istanbul to the marina. @parle_restaurant |
| Half-moon | Italian | Marina views; a long-established Istanbul brand. @mezzalunatr |
| COOKSHOP | World cuisine | Open in winter too; the upper floor has the view. @cookshoptr |
| The Populist | Bistro | One of the new addresses of the marina. @thepopulisttr |
| Icon | Restaurant and bar | Inside the marina; the bar side picks up in the evening. @ikon.happymoons |
The marina has a capacity of 620 boats and accommodates yachts up to 140 meters; there are more than a hundred shops and boutiques. Non-boat owners can also visit on foot.
Fish restaurants in Yalıkavak
Outside the marina, along the coastline, there are well-established fish restaurants — and their prices are noticeably more affordable than the marina's.
- Memedof — 42 Çökertme St. Daily fish and a wide selection of mezes; crowded in the evenings, reservations are a must. @memedof_bodrum
- Minos — Çökertme Street No: 32. It is known for its appetizers and starters. @mynosyalikavak
- Reis Fish — Palm Street No: 42/E. Extensive menu, suitable for large tables @restaurantreis
- Yalıkavak Fisherman — Şeyhülislam Ömer Lütfi St. No:27/3. Simple yet flavor-focused; good price-performance ratio @yalikavak.balikcisi
- Pasanda Panorama — Eski Okul St. No:64. View-oriented; breakfast service between 10:00 and 13:00 @pasanda_panorama
- Mussels 7 — Çökertme Cad. Mussels and seafood; busy in the evenings. @midye7
- İskele Fish Restaurant - Fish and appetizers; it is known for its price-performance ratio, and it also has a fish market. @iskelebalikcisiyalikavak
- Immigrated — One of the long-standing fish restaurants along the shore. @goctuyalikavak
Meat, ocakbaşı and pizza in Yalıkavak
Besides fish, the town's other strong suit is meat and ocakbaşı grills. Most sit outside the marina, and prices are more moderate than marina level.
- Perran Ocakbaşı The Yalıkavak branch of the famous ocakbaşı brand known from Kalamış and Caddebostan; it features a scenic terrace and a cocktail bar. @perranocakbasi
- summer resort — Turkish cuisine and cocktails; in the Gault&Millau selection. It also has branches in Istanbul and Alaçatı. @sayfiyeyalikavak
- Arka Pizzeria — MICHELIN Bib Gourmand; Neapolitan pizza and homemade pasta. @arkapizzeria
- Fat Perihan — The Yalıkavak branch of the taverna in Beşiktaş; heavy on mezes, under olive trees. @siskoperihan.yalikavak
- Ten — Italian cuisine. @diecimoda
- Sarajevo Meatballs — Bosnian cuisine; the köfte comes with kaymak and its own pide. @saraybosnakoftecisi
- Kavaklı Meatball Restaurant — The town's long-established köfte house. @kavaklikofteci
- Fiko — Kebab and charcoal grill. @fikoocakbasi
Breakfast and bakery in Yalıkavak
- Rustic Bread — Geriş Mah., Şeyhülislam Ömer Lütfü Cad. No:111-2. Sourdough bread, croissants, and pastries @rustikekmek
- Vineyard Awning — Kayacık Cad. No:52. Kabaklı börek (zucchini pastry), homemade jam, gözleme (flatbread), pişi (fried dough) @asmalicardak
- Grandma Havva — Dirmil Mah., Ertürk Sok. No:18/2. Homemade bazlama, gözleme, and börek @havva_ana
- Boho Bakery — Atatürk St. No:32 Block B. Sourdough bread and butter croissant; 08:30–18:00. @bohobakerytr
- Paşa Bakery — Inside the marina. Borek, milk-based and syrup-soaked desserts @pasafirinibodrum
- First Garden — Spread breakfast with a Rumelian touch; reservation required. @seftebahce
- Pomegranate flower — Classic village-style spread breakfast. @narcicegi_yalikavak
- Zay Breakfast House — Pişi, bazlama and gözleme cooked over a wood fire; garden with a view. @zayyalikavak
- Historic Kuzguncuk Bakery — Bakery and cafe; stone-oven breads and pastries. @tarihikuzguncukfirini
Coffee, dessert and ice cream
Most of this side is inside the marina: Caffè Nero, Starbucks, Five O’clock, Dolce Bakery, Vakko Patisserie, Godiva, Mado, Pioppo Gelato and the one that makes mochi ice cream and bubble tea Mochiki.
Bitez Ice Cream‘s marina branch is open year-round. Outside the marina Zeugma Baklava At Atatürk Street No:33 A/4. @zeugmabodrum
Beach clubs in Yalıkavak
Tilkicik Cove alone is home to half a dozen locations; the Küdür side is greener and quieter.
- Bodrum EDITION Beach Club — White sand, infinity pool, VIP cabanas. Day guests enter at 11:30 AM @thebodrumedition
- Xuma Village — In Küdür; lawn area, wellness center, massage. Children under 6 are not accepted @xumavillage
- Kali Beach - Entrance includes sunbed and towel; if you arrive in the afternoon, the reservation drops @kalibeachyalikavak
- Villa Azur — A daybed on the sand during the day, a French-Mediterranean restaurant in the evening @villaazurbodrumbeachclub
- Seaside Ruins — Hotel beach; restaurant open from 08:00 to 01:00, with a separate breakfast menu @ruinsbodrum
- AURA Beach — Pool-focused lounge inside the marina; closes at 21:00 @aurabeachbodrum
- Itza — Daytime lounge chairs; cocktail bar after 8:00 p.m. @itzabodrum
For the entire peninsula Our Guide to Bodrum Beach Clubs You can take a look.
Bars, nightlife, and live music in Yalıkavak
Nightlife revolves largely around the marina and its surroundings, while the live-music side sits along the shore and inside the village.
- Günay Restaurant — Live Turkish music with the atmosphere of an open-air garden theater, featuring renowned artists. @gunayrestaurantbodrum
- Sofi’s Marina Brasserie — Across from the marina; dinner with live music. @sofis_marina_brasserie
- 5:00 PM — A meyhane with an evening stage programme. @5masaofficial
- Feraye — Modern tavern. @ferayebodrum
- Mojitos — Cocktail bar; live DJ and dance area. @mojitosyalikavak
- Two Yalıkavak — Nightclub; guest artist nights are held. @twoyalikavak
- Yula — Cocktail and sunset. @yulayalikavak
- Noola — Nightclub. @noolayalikavak
- Bilbo Pub & Bistro — A younger, more relaxed pub atmosphere. @bilbo_bistro
Non-food: What to do in Yalıkavak?
Windmills
Bodrum’s windmills were built on wind-exposed hills starting in the 1850s; they feature a cylindrical body made of cut or rubble stone and a wooden conical roof. The most mills on the peninsula are in Yalıkavak. The windmill on the beach was built in 1859 and became the symbol of the town after being restored in 2005.
Sandıma Village
About 2 km from Yalıkavak, founded by Turkmens in the 15th century, approximately 600 years A village. It was abandoned starting in the 1960s, when its residents moved down to the coast to work in hotels and restaurants.
We are on a gravel road; No electricity or water, you need to bring water with you. The only active business in the village is a workshop set up in a house restored by the artist İsmail Erkoca and his wife Nurten.
Gydan Peninsula
By presidential decree “Strictly Protected Sensitive Area” A designated natural site. The Bodrum Municipality’s Pedasa and Leleg Civilization Unit organizes cultural and nature walks here—there is a free shuttle service and a registration system. It is also known as a sunset spot.
What day is Yalıkavak market on?
Not just one day, four days. They are all being set up on Tahsildar İbrahim Efendi Street.
| Day | What is sold |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Vegetables, fruit, local producer stalls |
| Thursday | Apparel and textiles — this is where the market's true fame comes from. 08:00–21:00 |
| Friday | Producers' Market (TARKO) |
| Saturday | Second-hand and flea market. 08:00–18:00 |
The market has been set up for 45 years; there are also products coming from Milas, Yatağan, Aydın and Denizli — homemade jam, olives, local herbs, handmade silver jewelry. Among the local people “society market” it is referred to as; it is considered one of Bodrum's expensive markets.
Practical tips
| Subject | What to know |
|---|---|
| Distance | 23 km from downtown Bodrum |
| Shuttle Bus | MUTTAŞ route: First departure from Bodrum at 7:05 a.m., last departure 02:00. First departure from Yalıkavak at 6:40 a.m., last departure at 1:20 a.m. During the day, every 20–25 minutes |
| Parking | The marina parking lot is paid and expensive; there is also valet service. Please confirm the current rate at the entrance |
| Season | May–October is the main season. July–August is the peak season; in September–October, the water is warm and there are fewer crowds. |
| Reservation | For marina restaurants and Michelin-starred spots, book well in advance for July and August |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yalıkavak market is held on Thursdays.
Three days: Tuesday—fruits and vegetables, Perşembe Clothing and Textile (this is the actually famous one), Friday producer market (TARKO), Saturday second-hand. All of them are on Tahsildar İbrahim Efendi Street.
How many Michelin restaurants are there in Yalıkavak?
Three: Mezra Yalıkavak and Kitchen by Osman Sezener have one star each, and Sait is on the selected list. Mezra also holds a Green Star.
Can you enter Yalıkavak Marina without a boat?
Yes. The marina is open to pedestrians and features over a hundred stores, restaurants, and bars. Security procedures apply to boats, not visitors.
Is Yalıkavak expensive?
The marina is definitely the most expensive strip on the peninsula. But the fish restaurants on the shore, the breakfast places in the village, and the Tuesday market are noticeably affordable. There are two different worlds of prices in the same town.
To be continued
- Yalıkavak Guide — places to visit, beaches, accommodation
- Bodrum Beach Club Guide — 36 address
- Bodrum Fish Restaurants
- Bodrum Michelin Guide 2026
- Bodrum District Markets
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