KUMRUCU ŞEVKİA Çeşme institution since 1970, Kumrucu Şevki serves the region's iconic kumru — a crispy local bread filled with sausage, melted cheese and tomato, best enjoyed with pickles and cold ayran. Simple, honest and utterly addictive.
YUSUF USTA EV YEMEKLERİIn a town better known for its chic restaurants and cocktail bars, Yusuf Usta Ev Yemekleri has been a quiet constant for over 27 years. The menu changes daily, built around fresh, seasonal ingredients — olive oil-braised vegetables, slow-cooked meats and regional Aegean herbs. Honest, unfussy and genuinely homemade.
BEFORE SUNSET BEACHNestled in Çeşme's Azmak Koyu, Before Sunset is one of Turkey's most sought-after beach clubs — and for good reason. Adults-only, dress-code enforced and unapologetically selective, it pairs a pristine sandy beach with a restaurant, two bars and a hotel of 25 private garden suites. A full Aegean experience, distilled into one address.
SOLE & MARE BEACHTucked into Çeşme's sheltered Ayayorgi Cove — a rare wind-free pocket on this famously breezy coastline — Sole & Mare has been a summer staple for over 20 years. With 400 metres of shoreline, a restaurant, snack bar and a roster of headline DJs and live acts, it delivers both relaxation and energy in equal measure.
THE BEACH OF MOMOSettled into its own secluded cove in Dalyanköy, The Beach of Momo trades the typical beach club formula for something more intimate. Crystal-clear water, a luxury bohemian aesthetic, an Italian restaurant helmed by Chef Carlo Bernardini, and weekend happy hours that regularly draw a celebrity crowd — it's Alaçatı's most talked-about summer address.
YUZU BEACHOpened in 2019 on Ayayorgi Cove, Yuzu Beach stands out with its warm wood-heavy interiors and a distinct Far Eastern aesthetic. Its extensive sushi menu is the real draw — alongside beef tataki, dynamite shrimp and creative cocktails — making it one of the few beach clubs in the area where the kitchen is as much a reason to visit as the sea.
FLY-INN BEACHEstablished in 1994 on Altınkum Cove, Fly-Inn holds the distinction of being Turkey's first beach club — a pioneer that's been setting the summer standard for over three decades. Spread across 40,000 square metres, it pairs multiple beaches, bars and restaurants with a full water sports centre and a legendary single-engine plane perched above the bar, designed by architect Hakan Dalokay.
SOMMER KLEIN BEACHThe Alaçatı outpost of Istanbul's celebrated Klein brand, Sommer Klein brings a serious electronic music pedigree to the Aegean coast. Set on Çark Plajı with a capacity of 3,500, it operates as a beach club by day and a club by night — hosting world-class DJs and international acts against a backdrop of fine sand and open sea.
OM PAPARAZZIOne of Ayayorgi Cove's most storied addresses, Paparazzi Beach has been part of the Çeşme summer scene since 1984. Reborn as OM Paparazzi, it pairs a blue-flag shoreline with illuminated evening seas, garden dining fragrant with lavender and bougainvillea, and DJ sets that run well into the night.
KÖŞE KAHVEOpened in 2004 on a 15-minute decision, Köşe Kahve was one of the first cafés to keep its lights on year-round in Alaçatı — long before the town became a destination. Founded by Tomris Maravent with just nine tables, it grew into one of the village's most beloved institutions, serving coffee, herbal teas, breakfast and homemade tarts from its corner spot in the heart of the bazaar.
ALAÇATI MARKETEvery Saturday since 1994, Alaçatı's village market takes over the entrance of town in a sprawling display of colour and scent. Local producers from surrounding villages bring wild herbs — sea purslane, sorrel, thistle — alongside organic eggs, fresh fish, handmade cheeses and seasonal produce. Part farmers' market, part flea market, it remains one of the most authentic weekly rituals on the Aegean coast.
LISA CORTIA Milan-born label with a devoted global following, Lisa Corti's Alaçatı outpost brings the brand's signature explosion of colour to the Aegean. Vivid block-printed kaftans, tablecloths, cushions and home textiles — all rooted in Indian craft traditions — sit beautifully against Alaçatı's whitewashed stone walls, making it one of the most distinctive shopping stops in town.
BOM DIANamed after the Portuguese word for good morning, Bom Dia is one of Alaçatı's most charming breakfast and brunch spots. Tucked into a lush garden, it serves classic Turkish spreads alongside avocado toasts, smoothie bowls, homemade tarts and fresh-pressed juices — a relaxed, plant-forward corner that makes starting the day feel like the best part of it.
YASEMIN KARAGÜLLEA homegrown İzmir label with a seasonal presence in Alaçatı, Yasemin Karagülle brings a quietly refined approach to womenswear — clean silhouettes, considered cuts and a laid-back Aegean sensibility. The Alaçatı store, tucked into the village's cobbled streets, stocks the brand's own collection alongside a carefully curated selection of other Turkish designers.
GRAMAFON EVİNestled inside Alaçatı's historic antique bazaar, beneath vaulted brick ceilings, Gramofon Evi is a haven for vinyl lovers and nostalgia seekers alike. Gramophones, vintage radios, record players, antique restoration and a carefully curated selection of records — all housed in one of the most atmospheric little shops on the Aegean coast.
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