Cappadocia joins The MICHELIN Guide selection in Türkiye

• Cappadocia becomes the latest Turkish destination to join Istanbul, Izmir, and Mugla in the upcoming 2026 restaurant selection

• This expansion into an iconic, widely visited region reinforces Türkiye’s status as a leading and dynamic culinary destination.

• The restaurant selection for Cappadocia will be announced together with  the ones for İstanbul, İzmir, and Muğla, during a Ceremony to be held on December 4^th, 2025, in İstanbul

Michelin is pleased to announce the expansion of the MICHELIN Guide in Türkiye to Cappadocia. The first MICHELIN Guide restaurant selection for Cappadocia will be announced alongside the Guide’s restaurant selections for İstanbul, İzmir, and Muğla during a unique Ceremony organized in İstanbul, at The Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus, on December 4^th, 2025.

Rooted in Turkish and Anatolian culinary traditions, as well as local terroir, the Cappadocian region offers many possibilities. From high-end and trendy restaurants to traditional local eateries, Cappadocia’s gastronomy provides strong and memorable culinary experiences, such as meats slowly cooked in ‘Tandır’, delights praising fermentation technics, famous sealed clay pot preparations, fresh soups and rich mezzes.

Located in Central Anatolia, Cappadocia is a historic region that spans several provinces. Known for its surreal valleys, hot air balloon shows at sunrise, and troglodytic caves and houses, Cappadocia is a land of UNESCO World Heritage Site and many wonders beyond its food culture.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, commented: “After İstanbul, İzmir and Muğla, our inspectors are beyond excited to add Cappadocia to their plate. They discovered a strong culture and ancestral traditions that they cannot wait to recommend to our community of food lovers. The culinary tradition of Cappadocia is deeply connected to the region; chefs play with local products and agriculture, which are essential components in every step of the craft. Cappadocia is a land of historical marvels, travelers come from all around the world to visit its stone-carved caves, underground cities, and admire the air balloon spectacles. Now, we want to give another reason for visitors to choose this region: To experience the exceptional culinary landscape of Cappadocia.”

Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Republic of Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, said, “Cappadocia is one of Türkiye’s most famous destinations. The region’s unique offerings are already attracting millions of visitors from all around the world, but with its addition to the MICHELIN Guide, Cappadocia will now assume the role of representing the best of Central Anatolia’s cuisine. Shaped by thousands of years of tradition, influenced by civilisations ranging from the Hittites to the Roman Empire, the Seljuks to the Ottomans, our Central Anatolian cuisine offers the best of the terroir with a surprisingly creative approach. We are pleased that our talented chefs and world-class restaurants in Cappadocia have earned the MICHELIN Guide’s attention, and we are confident that they will provide visitors with a truly unique gastronomical experience" 

The MICHELIN Guide İstanbul was first released in 2022 and has since showcased the gastronomic potential and diversity of Türkiye’s largest city, recommending remarkable restaurants at various levels. The MICHELIN Guide then expanded two years ago to the coastal cities of İzmir and Muğla and is today taking a step further to include the secluded but highly praised Cappadocia region.

Thanks to its international team of anonymous inspectors, all former professionals of the industry and nowadays full-time employees of the Michelin Group, The MICHELIN Guide curates the best restaurants across many destinations. Their methodology only focuses on the quality of the food offered, which they evaluate according to 5 universal criteria:

• the quality of the ingredients.

• the mastery of the cooking techniques.

• the harmony of flavors.

• the personality of the chef through the cuisine.

• the consistency both over time and across the entire menu.

The full restaurant selection of the MICHELIN Guide İstanbul, İzmir, Muğla and Cappadocia 2026 will be unveiled on December 4^th, 2025, during a Ceremony in İstanbul. The selection will be available on The MICHELIN Guide’s website and free mobile App for iOS and Android.

The restaurant selections of The MICHELIN Guide is complemented by a global hotel selection which spotlights the very best properties in Türkiye and across the world

About Michelin

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world.

Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare.

The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide.

Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries and employs 129,800 people.