Ayar Meyhanesi — Restaurant in Muratpaşa

Tourist trap - better avoid!

I expected more from this restaurant based on the good reviews. While the food is tasty and the waiters are attentive, the restaurant uses "tourist trap" tactics in order to overcharge you.

Basically, the waiter recommends a seafood plate of the "day catch" which costs significantly more than individual dishes on the menu. He brings you a paper with the fish / seafood types and the price. While expensive, the offer does not sound bad for a large amount of freshly caught fish and seafood. Once the food arrives, you realize that you are scammed. The portion is much smaller than it should be (because according to the waiter "half of the fish is lost while cleaning" which is not true - I know how big is a 1kg fish), and it's not "catch of the day" but frozen / farmed fish and seafood. The food is actually quite tasty (good mix of spices and well grilled), but you pay a high price for something you can buy in the frozen section of a supermarket.

To top it all off, the waiter asked us to give a Google Maps review and stood there expecting us to do it in front of him. I did not want to do it, but it did not stop him from asking again several times after that. I guess that explains most of the good reviews - people just wanted to get out of an uncomfortable situation.

I cannot submit a picture of the itemized bill here as the waiter literally ran off with it after paying, leaving us only with the payment receipt (which only has the total price).

All in all, it's not a complete scam as the food is still very good, and even the total bill, while way overpriced (we paid about 110 euros for two people), is not too severe (there are certainly worse scams). However, I would not recommend this place as we later ate similar or better food than this for 1/3 of the cost in honest places.

And for the owner / manager of this restaurant, I would advise you to stop these shady business practices and focus on providing honest service and prices. Your food is quite good - charge an honest fee for it and long term it is a better decision for your restaurant than overcharging tourists. Maybe then your restaurant would not be mostly empty on a...

A Seafood Lover’s Paradise

If you're a seafood enthusiast, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the warm, inviting atmosphere. The soft lighting, tasteful decor, and the soothing tunes of the live band created the perfect setting for an unforgettable dining experience.

Now, onto the star of the show—the food. Every dish we tried was an explosion of flavors, showcasing the restaurant's dedication to sourcing only the freshest seafood. The oysters were plump and briny, tasting as if they'd been plucked straight from the ocean. The grilled prawns were perfectly seasoned and cooked to tender perfection, with a slight char that added a delightful smokiness. The highlight of the meal had to be the lobster—it was succulent, sweet, and paired beautifully with the buttery, garlic-infused sauce.

What truly set this place apart was the attention to detail. Every dish was presented with care, and the flavors were well-balanced, allowing the natural sweetness of the seafood to shine through. You could tell that the chefs here have a deep respect for their ingredients.

The live band added a magical touch to the evening. Their soulful melodies filled the air without overpowering conversation, creating a relaxed yet vibrant ambiance. It was the perfect accompaniment to an already stellar dining experience.

In short, this restaurant is a gem for anyone who appreciates good food, great vibes, and top-tier seafood. I'll definitely be back for another round of...

Ayar Meyhanesi was the best restaurant we experienced in Antalya, Turkey. It is seafood based and located in old town amongst a bunch of other restaurants.

Outside, they have a glass case with fish and other seafood options available that day. All of the seafood is sold by the kilo, so the cost will depend on the size of the item.

Although busy, we were seated almost immediately. Our server, FERHAT, was amazing. He made some suggestions and escorted us to the fish case. We selected the Rock Sea Bass and octopus.

We returned to the table and began looking at the menu for additional items to order. FERHAT indicated the fish and octopus we ordered would be more than enough and suggested a shrimp in butter and garlic sauce appetizer.

The fish was prepared grilled into steak style pieces. The octopus was super tender, and the shrimps were delicious. Every one of FERHAT’S suggestions were perfect. And, he was correct, we ordered plenty of food. They also provide complementary watermelon and tea at the meal’s conclusion.

Regarding the interior, it is large with plenty of tables. Its interior is classy but comfortable. In addition, the bathrooms were clean. We were also lucky enough to enjoy a live trio band that was playing while we ate.

This restaurant is a must try if you find yourself in...