Aşeka Karaköy
Istanbul
Recensioni
Michelin star holder . We had a dinner invitation with a company . The service was very good . The food quality was excellent. May be small portions. The lamb was good. Not sure what cuisine was it , not Turkish .
Dinner at Aşeka was the best meal we had during our 5 nights in Istanbul, and that trip included two other places that have Michelin stars. We ordered à la carte and every dish was excellent. The duck leg confit and short rib were particular highlights, along with the fun and friendly service. The Gurbuz red blend was also fantastic. Don’t miss this place!
It wasn’t quite as good as I expected. Despite the Michelin star, the service was only average and the dishes were a bit too simple. The descriptions provided by the staff were lacking, and I felt the wine pairings could have been much better. When we asked for details, we were told most of the info was just what was on the menu—their own explanations weren't very helpful. On the plus side, the atmosphere was lovely and the tasting menu was definitely filling, but overall, it fell short of my expectations.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Istanbul, ASEKA is one of those rare restaurants where you feel genuinely welcome the moment you walk through the door. The atmosphere is intimate and warm, with dimmed lighting and a cozy setting that makes you relax instantly. The tasting menu is truly exceptional: thoughtful, balanced, and full of flavor without being overly worked. Each dish shows skill, restraint, and confidence in the ingredients. Equally impressive is the wine selection—exclusively local Turkish wines, carefully chosen to complement the food and highlight the richness of the country’s wine regions. This is not just a good meal, it’s a memorable dining experience. ASEKA is a gem, and in my view, absolutely deserving of at least a Bib Gourmand, given the level of cooking, consistency, and heart on the plate.
