Sait

The story

Sait Restaurant Yalıkavak – Michelin-Recommended Mediterranean & Seafood in Bodrum

Sait began as a few tables in Bodrum in 1993, founded by Sait Birtan Yilmaz and his wife Ferman Yilmaz. More than three decades later, it has grown into one of the region’s most respected seafood destinations, with a second location at Galataport Istanbul. The original Yalıkavak Marina outpost remains the heart of the operation, drawing loyal regulars who return for its consistent, quietly elegant cooking.

The kitchen treats Aegean seafood with respect and restraint. Menus change with the season, built around the freshest fish from local waters, lobsters, and crab. These are prepared simply and paired with a repertoire of classic Turkish mezes — sun-dried tomatoes, haydari, fava, artichoke hearts, çiroz (kippers), atom, and köpoğlu. The main menu extends beyond fish, offering seafood pasta, paella, and red meat grills, making clear that Sait is more than a fish restaurant.

The setting matches the food: contemporary architecture with a generous, open ambiance that prioritises comfort without sacrificing refinement. It is a place designed for long lunches and unhurried dinners, where the meal itself is the event.

Sait’s standing in the international dining scene was reinforced when it earned a place on the Michelin Guide Recommended List. The recognition, along with a Gault & Millau Gourmand Table “Seafood” category award, affirms what its regulars have known for years — that this is a kitchen capable of turning the day’s catch into something memorable, plate after plate.