WOOD FIRE BARBEQUE — Restaurant in Göreme

I genuinely didn’t want to leave a negative review, but the staff’s attitude made it impossible to ignore. I didn’t even get the chance to try the food — which I had been looking forward to — because I was refused outdoor seating twice, with no proper explanation. It felt like the staff simply couldn’t be bothered to set it up.

To make things worse, just as we were about to leave, the owner arrived — and suddenly outdoor seating became an option. That was incredibly frustrating and honestly ruined the mood, especially after reading so many glowing reviews.

At the very least, if you’re going to reject a simple customer request, offer a clear and honest reason. The final staff member/owner we spoke to gave a weak excuse that the others “don’t speak English” and didn’t understand my request — which clearly wasn’t true.

While I didn’t try the food and won’t judge it unfairly, I’ll give 5 stars for the food based on benefit of the doubt. But service and hospitality? A big disappointment.

Edited with further reply to owner:

Thank you for your response. I appreciate that customer satisfaction matters to you as the owner and your attitude is commendable. However, I’d like to clarify a few points from my side:

While I was repeatedly denied outdoor seating, there was a group already seated outside. If rain was truly the concern, why was it acceptable for others but not for me?

The weather forecast didn’t indicate rain for the evening, and indeed, it did not rain at all. A simple check of the forecast could’ve resolved this misunderstanding.

You seem genuinely dedicated to your business, but unfortunately, I cannot say the same for your staff. Their attitude was dismissive and unhelpful, and it left a poor impression. It might be worth reviewing your service training standards.

Please consider how a customer would feel after being told "no" two or three times by multiple staff — without any real explanation. That kind of inconsistency can be very off-putting, especially when others were seated outside at the same time.

I understand that good reviews bring in business, but consistency in service is what sustains it. Thank you again for taking the time to respond. I genuinely hope my feedback will be helpful for you...

Touristy, yes. Traditional, no. Think of it more like a fusion restaurant, or a place with Turkish cuisine catered to foreigner tastebuds. I definitely liked the taste here, but it’s also definitely different from the more authentic dishes I’ve tried.

Atmosphere is actually great. But I did notice that tablecloths aren’t swapped out after each customer and the table runner is cleaned with a mini broom. Sanitation wise, I’m not sure it’s up to par as the rest of the vibe. Vibe is great, modern with traditional touches.

Service is good. The manager is very friendly and speaks good English. Very helpful in helping you choose items from the menu. But the rest of the servers seem like they need a lot of direction. It was like they were doing everything they were told to do but lacked initiative. So no one comes to check on you for more drinks or to ask if you want dessert or coffee, or offer a bill. With as many servers there are, this felt off.

Wings Seven drumette pieces. Wood grilled and smoky, well flavored. Really good with the yogurt and salsa condiments that came with the bread.

Beef and lamb kebab Looong piece of sausage like kebab. More flavorful than normal Turkish version, and a bit spicy, but my Korean tastebuds are happy.

Rice As a side, a tad wet.

Fries So so. Not bad. Not great.

Salad Fresh greens, onions. Carrots. No dressing or oil. But you probably want some veggies.

Tomato salad (complimentary) With some balsamic vinaigrette. Good.

Bread It’s good, more chewy than other Turkish breads I’ve had, which tend to be very airy.

Fruit plate Watermelon and honeydew. Tasteless. And old. They should’ve stuck with local fruits, like pomegranate or something.

Overall, main course food was great, though some sides were lacking. Still a...

So there we were, wandering the dreamy rockscape of Goreme—surrounded by restaurants shouting “Traditional Testi Kebab!!!” from every corner. We’re hungry. We spot a place called Wood Fire Barbecue, see the solid reviews, and think, “Alright, let’s give it a shot.”

Now, we had just come from Bosnia, where ten cevapi and a drink run you about six bucks. In Goreme? Not so much. We opened the menu and—bam—$20 for pottery kebab. Suddenly, the $13 hamburger was looking mighty attractive.

I know what you’re thinking: “You went to Turkey and ordered a hamburger?” Yeah. Yeah, we did.

But here’s the twist. The owner comes out—super friendly guy, full of personality, clearly proud of what he’s built. We tell him we’re from the U.S., and his face lights up. 😀

Next thing we know, he’s queuing up classic country—not Turkish folk music, but full-on Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. “Islands in the Stream” plays while we’re sitting under the alien landscape of Cappadocia, and suddenly this whole experience feels like something out of a dream.

Then the food starts coming. First, warm fresh bread with two dips—ranch-style (God bless him) and spicy red pepper—on the house. Then the burgers: massive, juicy, loaded, with a mountain of golden fries. Felt like we were at a steakhouse off a Texas highway BUT with a much better view!

And it didn’t stop there—fresh tomato and onion salad, a fruit platter, and traditional Turkish tea to wrap it all up. All included. No extra charge. Just good old-fashioned hospitality.

What started as sticker shock turned into one of the most memorable meals of our trip. Great food and service. Killer music. And a Turkish host who might’ve been a Texan in a past life.

Highly...