Michelin starred successful Turkish chef Maksut Aşkar was awarded the 63rd place in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list with his chef-restaurant “Neolokal.”

With chef Maksut Askar at the helm, Neolokal spins Turkish heritage produce into global and local dishes like bulgar wheat kofte dumpling, and olive-oil-braised pumpkin with tangerine sauce and walnuts.

Everything is inspired by nature, which is also reflected in the tableware and crockery. The setting is a glamorous spot with jaw-dropping views over Istanbul – be sure to make time for a cocktail on the rooftop.

At Neolokal, Chef Maksut Aşkar believes that those who take the time to preserve and care for their traditions ensure a brighter future. It is through these deeply engrained traditions that he has learned to taste and learned to live. Even with need of adaptation to modern day, it is a responsibility to maintain and pass on our heritage to the next generation. At Neolokal, Aşkar humbly shares by redefining the borders of taste.

Neolokal considers itself timeless. This gives it the opportunity to renew itself yet continue learning from the foundations of past tradition and lost culture. It is just like a bridge between the old and the new. The taste of its dishes come from the past but are presented in a modern way to be enjoyed well into the future. The Neolokal team aims to serve their guests genuine food inspired by mother earth. They examine traditional recipes to the finest of details blending in any endangered foods of the heritage. Chef Maksut Aşkar leads his young and curious team with the understanding that we must protect our food for the next generations to come. By combining modern techniques with innovative perspectives, a new and refined approach to local cuisine is gained.

At Neolokal, Aşkar offers exclusively designed dishes that provide an opportunity to reminisce in traditions threatened by extinction as they are no longer commonly used anymore. In each of these tastes, guests will gain a glimpse of what this land has always offered. He strives to present foodies a real, honest meal by sourcing first-hand each ingredient.

The 21st edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, will be announced on 20th June 2023 in Valencia. Tune in to the livestream of the awards ceremony on YouTube or Facebook from 20:40 local time.