Kök Kalkan — Restaurant in Kaş

One of the worst dining experiences ever. So where do I begin. I was recommended this restaurant by a friend, so I came from Kaş in order to try it. The first significant problem was that you apparently can't order a tasting menu for one. Everybody at the table has to order it. I was with a child so I couldn't order the specific menu that we came for just because my son didn't feel like ordering the same. The waitress also couldn't help by answering any questions and just said "no" to everything. Okay, fine, I thought, let's order a la carte. By the way, the waitress looked scared the whole time, and obviously intimidated by simple questions like what's in the dish. Also, didn't understand a word of english, and tried multiple times to clear a plate after I asked her not to. There were multiple problems with service that are not okay for a fine dining experience. There was no spoon for a dish that requiered one. The napkin that my son accidentally dropped to the floor never got replaced so I was forced to give him mine. There was no presentation or explanation what's in the food, so I ended up eating beef that I normally don't eat. The chef then tried to blame it on me (?) for not warning them beforehand, but beef wasn't listed as an ingredient anywhere on the menu, it just appeared somewhere for some reason. So definitely zero for service that was so non-existent it bordered negative numbers. Now to the food. The starter of melon and prawns had well made prawns which gave me some hope, but the ensemble of melon, soft cheese and olive oil lacked in texture and was basically soup. The taste was also slightly off. Maybe if they used aged cheese, maybe one of local sheep cheese varieties, it could have given it an original twist on the old classic. But with a creamy sour cheese the dish didn't work properly. The chicken main dish ended up being a disaster of the evening. The spicy olive oil around the chicken was so hot that you couldn't taste any other flavours. The chicken itself was so dry and overcooked it was basically a disgrace to a great culture of kebabs. The wheat risotto-like fantasy that the chef paired the chicken with lacked any intrigue and was bold and simple beyond my deepest fears. The dish tried, and it failed miserably. The other main we ordered was the sea bass. Again, the fish was well cooked, and the flavour combination was slightly better, with an interesting sweetness in place of the usual sour note when it comes to bass-like fish. HOWEVER, the sweetness was way too on-the-nose and killed the delicate balance of the meal. The chef tried to balance it off with some greens, which was not nearly enough, but still, probably the least disappointing of all the dishes tried. I am SO not coming back to this shame...

Whether you're new to Kalkan or a regular, you must go to this incredible place! Book well in advance as this small, quaint restaurant has limited seating, but it's worth it for the culinary delights that await you. With other restaurants in Kalkan, you can find reliable and solid menus that have stood the test of time and tourism, for that I can't fault them. Kök takes what you expect from Turkish food and elevates it to the next level. The combination of flavours, the presentation, the skill involved in all of the dishes is head and shoulders above what you can find in Kalkan. The love and effort the team here have for their menu and restaurant is evident to see and guarantees you a wonderful evening. Also, a strong nod to their wine list, we had a glass of the wines which were their cheapest on the menu, but you wouldn't have guessed. The whole menu's value for money is brilliant.

This isn't your typical Kalkan restaurant (as their vision states) and it's the better for it. Don't come here expecting to get your classic garlic prawns and shish kebab with chips. This is a place for those who want an evening to appreciate their food, flavours and quality...

I had an absolutely fantastic experience at Kok Restaurant Kalkan. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with a warm, genuine welcome and the service throughout the evening was simply outstanding. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made sure we were completely looked after without ever feeling rushed.

The food was next level amazing. Every dish was beautifully presented, packed with fresh, vibrant flavours, and you could tell each plate was made with care and creativity. From start to finish, everything we tasted was absolutely delicious, and it’s clear that Kok takes great pride in delivering a truly special dining experience.

The setting at Kok Restaurant Kalkan is also perfect stylish yet relaxed, with a lovely atmosphere that makes you want to stay all evening. It’s rare to find a restaurant that combines incredible food and exceptional service so effortlessly.

This was easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Kalkan, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone visiting. We’ll...