Orient Restaurant at Rixos Obhur Resort & Villas brings a new dining perspective to the city, drawing on Turkiye’s culinary heritage and the history of the Silk Road.

The concept is evident from the moment guests enter the restaurant, where traditional Turkish flavors are presented with a contemporary touch, and the ambiance reflects the region’s history of trade and cultural exchange.

The menu is broad, featuring cold starters such as haydari, strained yogurt with herbs, and babaganus, smoked aubergine with tahini and olive oil. These dishes are straightforward and well-prepared, with fresh flavors and a clear attention to balance.

For the hot starters, we tried items like halloumi with pomegranate molasses and fried calamari with garlic aioli, which felt original and consistent with the cold dishes in preparation. Some items, however, such as the spiced beef borek, can feel heavy if ordered in multiple quantities.

For the main courses, I tried a range of meats and seafood. The testi kebabi — a clay-pot lamb stew with apricot and thyme — was carefully cooked, with the lamb tender and well-flavored.

The grilled seabass was simple but cleanly prepared, with a subtle saffron emulsion that didn’t overpower the fish.

I also ordered the ali nazik and kuzu sis, both of which were nicely seasoned and had good texture, though the adana kebab was less flavorful than I expected and could have used more spice.

The side dishes were straightforward. We opted for the bulgur pilaf and butter rice to accompany the mains, though they didn’t particularly add anything to the meal.

After finishing the savory dishes, although we were full, we decided to try the desserts. We went with baklava, kunefe, and sutlac, all executed consistently, though they offered few surprises in flavor or presentation.

This is a good place to celebrate a special occasion with its fine-dining setting or simply spend some quality time, enjoying cocktails or traditional Turkish coffee.