Beğendik Abi

The 12 Most Affordable Summer Destinations for Food Lovers

"Holding a Bib Gourmand, this rustic charmer lays out an impressive counter of mezze and hot plates ready to enjoy, honoring traditional Turkish cuisine with soft-cooked eggplant filled with minced meat and peppers, topped with tomato sauce and a light potato mousseline; finish with the crispy baked puff pastry dessert filled with cottage cheese, caramel and hazelnuts for something delicious, authentic and affordable." - Rooksana Hossenally

"There is a rustic charm about this place that is reflected in its food. At the counter, there is an impressive selection of mezze and hot dishes that you can also order straight away. The restaurant pays homage to traditional Turkish cuisine. The soft-cooked aubergine filled with minced meat and peppers, covered with tomato sauce and a light potato mousseline, is a perfect example of this. Then there is the crispy baked puff pastry dessert with cottage cheese, caramel and hazelnuts. Here you are guaranteed a delicious and affordable dining experience." - Michelin Inspector

Türkiye: Dining like locals in İzmir, Adil Müftüoğlu, Beğendik Abi, Ayşa Boşnak Börekçisi

"A family-run spot that began as a humble diner in Urla, this restaurant has seen its location and style evolve since 1999 while the taste of its food has stayed the same. Founder Handan Kaygusuzer stepped from her home kitchen into the restaurant 25 years ago and has maintained the same standards of taste; the space, designed by her son and decorated with family heirlooms, carries a warmth and cheerfulness that feels like eating with relatives. After difficult early years when Urla was still a quiet town, her determination started to bear fruit after 2005; today, 25 years on, it’s the first place that comes to mind in Urla for artichokes, olive oil dishes, and homemade food. Part of that success comes from Kaygusuzer co-founding the Urla Artichoke Festival and championing the region’s prized “mastic artichoke,” which has earned a geographical indication." - The MICHELIN Guide

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"You’ll find Urla’s chefs and their friends dining at Beğendik Abi, a homey restaurant that welcomes guests with a warm interior decorated with antiques, flowers on the tables, and a long case filled with comforting dishes. Urla native Handan Kaygusuzer is happy to mother guests with an array of seasonal, daily, local specialties. Dishes could include çalkama (seasonal wild greens and cheese baked in a thin batter), sakız artichokes with lamb, elbasan tava (baked lamb with yogurt sauce), lahana sarma (baked cabbage rolls), Urla güveci (seasonal vegetable and lamb stew typically sent to the neighborhood bakery to be cooked), artichoke stuffed with rice and herbs, karışık ot kavurma (sauteed wild greens), nettle salad, or fennel salad. Whatever you do, do not miss the Girit böreği tatlısı (curd cheese-stuffed pastry with syrup)." - Tuba Şatana