Sedef — Restaurant in Göreme

Thanks to Google Reviews, We Found This Delightful Spot!

We were traveling from Istanbul to Mersin and decided to stop and see the fairy chimneys along the way. My sister found this gem of a restaurant on Google—and it turned out to be an amazing choice! It just goes to show how important reviews are.

We were two couples, easily found free street parking, and were seated right away without any wait. The staff were welcoming, and the atmosphere was warm and authentic.

We ordered a variety of appetizers, two main courses, and a bottle of local red wine. The wine was absolutely scrumptious—we loved it so much that we asked our server about the brand and later visited their vineyard to buy bottles!

While we waited for our food, they brought out an onion-based appetizer with yogurt, pepper paste, garlic yogurt, and warm bread. I’m usually not a fan of onions, but that dip was delicious!

For appetizers, we had hot hummus with pastrami, cheesy mushrooms, and shepherd’s salad. The mushrooms were hands-down my favorite—even my boyfriend, who normally doesn't like mushrooms, couldn’t stop eating them! The hummus was also great, though slightly salty for our taste.

For mains, we had the testi kebab and çökertme kebab. The testi kebab was flavorful, though the portion was a bit smaller than expected. Still, we really enjoyed it—especially the bulgur pilav on the side, which we loved so much that we ordered an extra serving! The çökertme kebab was also tasty and something I’d definitely order again.

The salad was fresh but had a bit too much onion and lacked seasoning. They brought olive oil and pomegranate molasses on the side, which was nice, but we think they could ask how guests prefer their dressing and mix it accordingly.

All in all, it was a wonderful dining experience. The prices were very reasonable, especially compared to Istanbul, and the quality of the food was excellent. We’d absolutely come back and recommend this place to others traveling through the area!

Bonus points: I loved their...

It is a beautiful restaurant, however, the experience left much to be desired. The food was incredibly overpriced considering the quality of the food. I think this place is too used to tourists and the low quality of the food in terms of flavor profile, freshness, etc. reflects that. I ordered the testi kebab and was disappointed with the flavor, the cold and dry over-cooked rice served with it, and the very little meat in the dish considering the price. Furthermore, the service was awful. They acted like it was a complete inconvenience to seat us when barely 1/3 of the restaurant was occupied. When we finally got to the table, we waited for almost 15 minutes trying to get a waiter’s attention to order. Then, our food also took a long time to arrive with many parts of our dishes being cold - it seems like time management is a big problem here. They gave us our bill immediately after eating, we had to ask for chai and the waiter rolled his eyes at us and then took the check back from the table. They ignored us after this and every employee was acting like this was the busiest restaurant in the world and they could not be bothered to help customers when at this point again barely 1/3 of the restaurant was full with customers. When we finally were ready for the check, it took almost twenty minutes to get someone to bring it to us. The employee who did was incredibly rude and he even removed the card machine from me as I was trying to pay then yelled at me when it didn’t read the card because it had been pulled away too early. I only went here based on a friend’s recommendation from a few years ago, it seems they have...

Sefed is a hidden gem for anyone seeking an authentic Turkish dining experience. From the moment you step inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere sets the tone. The décor combines modern elegance with traditional Turkish elements—think soft lighting, mosaic lamps, and intricate tile work—that create a cozy yet sophisticated environment perfect for both casual meals and special occasions.

The food at Sefed is the true star. Their menu showcases a wide variety of Turkish classics, from sizzling kebabs and succulent lamb chops to perfectly spiced mezes and freshly baked bread. The flavors are rich, layered, and unmistakably authentic. The Iskender kebab is a must-try, served with a generous drizzle of yogurt and tomato sauce over tender meat. Their pide (Turkish flatbread) and manti (Turkish dumplings) are equally delicious, delivering home-style comfort with every bite.

Service at Sefed is attentive and gracious. Staff are knowledgeable about the menu and happy to guide guests unfamiliar with Turkish cuisine. Orders arrive in good time, and special requests are handled with professionalism and care. The servers maintain a polite presence without being intrusive, making the overall experience feel both personal and seamless.

Whether you’re a fan of Turkish food or a newcomer to the cuisine, Sefed impresses on all fronts—ambiance, flavor, and hospitality. It’s clear that great attention goes into every detail, making this restaurant not just a place to eat, but a place to enjoy and remember. Highly...