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Neolokal

Fine Dining in Istanbul · Contemporary Turkish

Michelin Guide (One Michelin star in the inaugural Istanbul selection, published for the 2023 guide.) · Michelin Green Star (Recognised for its sustainability approach in the inaugural Istanbul selection.)

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Photo: Official website · neolokal.com

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Awards & Recognition

Michelin Guide

One Michelin star in the inaugural Istanbul selection, published for the 2023 guide. · 2023

Michelin Green Star

Recognised for its sustainability approach in the inaugural Istanbul selection. · 2023

Inside SALT Galata, Neolokal interprets Turkish culinary memory through contemporary technique. Founded by Maksut Aşkar, it connects fine dining with the preservation of recipes, ingredients and producer knowledge, making it a defining restaurant in Istanbul's modern food culture.

The Story

Origin

Opened in 2014 in SALT Galata, Neolokal grew from Maksut Aşkar's interest in preserving the tastes and food knowledge of his homeland while making them relevant to contemporary dining.

Philosophy

Culinary heritage survives through thoughtful adaptation, supported by the people and landscapes that sustain it.

Why Important

Neolokal is a key example of Turkish fine dining built around cultural continuity, demonstrating how inherited food traditions can inform an ambitious contemporary restaurant.

Differentiation

Its identity links culinary preservation and environmental responsibility rather than treating sustainability as a separate operational message.

Food Philosophy

Familiar Turkish preparations and regional references are reworked through modern technique and detailed presentation. Seasonality, sourcing and the transmission of food knowledge are central themes.