32 Comments From Visitors (2011) Add Your Comments Here
22 November 2011
hı all just havın a cheeky 2 weeks ın akbuk just had a fantastıc meal @ celbı restaurant half chıkern chıps and fresh fısh mmmmm!!! hope your all keepın warm carnt waıt tıll frıday for the quız....
akbuk heather - wırral
29 October 2011
Hello Lee,
I have read your comments regarding your steak at Pasa and would like to apologize that you did not think it was up to scratch, i do hope when dining with us that you did inform your waiter of your disapointment with the steak, our fillet steaks (which are the real deal) have proved very popular this year. I can only apologize that maybe a sub standard one has slipped through the net and that on your return next year you will introduce yourself to give it another try.
Regards, Donna. - Pasa Restaurant
18 October 2011
Again the main place we ate was Covent Garden. The fillet steak is one of the best I have ever tasted, cooked perfectly, if you like it rare this is the only place to go! I recommended it to friends who joined us one night and they were equally impressed.
I also tried the steak at pasa, firstly it was overcooked and secondly had been smashed so it was barely 1 cm thick. I doubt whether it was a fillet steak at all and this was recommended by the staff. I returned several times to convent garden and it was excellent every time. Staff friendly and attentive.
I ate at pasa on my last visit and this time I was very under whelmed.
I also ate at Garden Mehmet. The Turkish Bread is amazing and the mezze is, in my opinion the best in Akbuk. The personal service and ability to watch the chef in action was also a nice touch.
I look forward to returning to Akbuk next year and hope convent garden and garden mehmet are going strong!
Lee Thomas - Frodsham, Cheshire
30 September 2011
Returned last week from Akbuk, furnishing our place in Summer Breeze, still a lot to do yet!
We ate at the Garden restaurant, having been there before, did not disappoint this time either.
On place we were not happy with was Shari's No.4.
How they can call themselves an Italian restaurant/Continental beats me. The garlic bread is just about ok, not in the true sense though. The lasagne with bechamel sauce was so stodgy, no sign of the bechamel sauce, just liberal amount of tomato sauce, could barely see any meat in between the layers which you could slice into wedges. I ordered a side salad to go with it as nothing else accompanied the lasagne. The salad dressing was fairly heavily vinegar based, not very nice. Son's spagetti carbonara dish was mainly spagetti, again very stodgy, husband's beef strogonof was very tough/chewy meat but because he was very hungry he ate what he could. I cannot even remember the starters. The service was extremely slow, although the server did explain about the staff shortages and they were very friendly. However, not very impressed especially the prices we paid. One to avoid for us.
Anna and Peter - Reading, Berkshire
29 September 2011
Hi...Just back from Akbuk & the Marina Restaurant has certainly taken over as the best restaurant in Akbuk. For quality of food, best value, pleasant & accomodating staff, nice spacious surroundings & also very comfortable chairs!!!!. Some of the nearby restaurants should look at the way that the Marina is run & take note, otherwise their business will dwindle down. Good Luck to Mehmet & his staff for the future....Alan
Alan - Wellingborough
15 September 2011
Hi Rob / Web master
We are just back from Akbuk after another super holiday with grandchildren and family, We did the usual restaurants who were all as good as last year as the children have their favourites,
I do have one issue I would like to point out, I tend to do my talking with my feet. I was not happy with some of the restaurant staff calling, trying to thrust a menu into our hands and offering to show us to a table by the harbour, We will decide where we eat and will spend our money,
Because of this we passed by and continued to the next venue / Restaurant, we walked on to the Marina Restaurant & Bar, When we arrived we were met by Mehmet who was smartly dressed in his kitchen uniform and his staff , we were made most welcome,
We started with the mezze then followed on with the stakes served with the usual salad mixed vegetables & cream and peppercorn sauce or chicken which ever we had individually ordered, all had been cooked to perfection.
All together it was a supper meal in the best of venues served by people who were genuinely pleased to see you and look after you,
The staff are attentive but in no way pushy, all ways with a smile & nothing is too much trouble (some thing that we seem to have lost back in the UK)
We sat in the garden overlooking the bay with the sun shining , it could not have been better,
Rob my recommendation for what its worth is, even if you only want a coffee, a beer or a meal “The Marina Bar & Restaurant” is a must for old and young alike
We are back in October, with luck we might just bump in to you?
Nick B - Luton
04 September 2011
So many fabulous places to eat and great value. For us it has to be mehmet garden, sultan, summer cafe and celebi as the standout places. Pasa is, in our view, average and too European with slow service. But hey, I guess its all about opinions!
dave and eli - orpington, kent
31 August 2011
Been to Pasa restaurant on several occasions now and it is the best restaurant in the Didim area in my view. A well balanced menu, very friendly staff and excellent entertainment every weekend. Also has the best sunset view in the world. Highly recommended
Steve Frost - STAFFORD
24 August 2011
The restaurant to try in Akbuk is Pasa bar! Pasa bar is by far the best, we have been coming to Turkey for the last 7 years, although we stay in Altinkum we have been visiting this restaurant every year since it opened.
The food is really tasty and by far better than most of the restaurants in Altinkum, great value for money and the staff/owners are really friendly and welcoming. They have live music and are always busy everytime we have been in.
The view from the bar is breathtaking, sat watching the sun set over the sea. This restaurant is a must, the travel from Altinkum is well worth it for top notch food and atmosphere, I would definately recommend!
Natasha & Michael - Bristol, UK
23 August 2011
Hi just returned from our second stay in Akbuk and have to give a thumbs up to Korfez Restaurant. We had lunch there every day and some evening meals too and Nalan the owner and her husband were fantastic as was the food. Neither of them spoke English but we always managed to get by. Nalan is so friendly, always smiling! All the waiters were very nice and fantastic with our two kids. We went back to Pizza Hatti but didn't find it quite as good as last year. Covent Garden was a let down, we waited an hour and a half for our food!!!! Lastly we went to Celebi a couple of times, great food and great service!
Suzie Mitchem - Milton Keynes
17 August 2011
Just back from Akbuk and what a wonderful time I had! Went with a few of my old friends from up North and as always the food was excellent. Tried the usual places but we did find ourselves going back to the same place, Shari's @ No4. The food was sensational, on the last night we had steaks and all the lads agreed it was the best steak we had ever had.
Lovely chilled out atmosphere and the cocktails are definitely worth a try! Will be the first place I return to if I go back.
Stefan Hodgson - Middlesbrough
15 August 2011
Another fantastic two weeks in Akbuk and as usual tried many of the popular restaurants dont know if it was the busy season but found a couple not up to scratch in particular Shari No4 poor service, poor food, poor ambience. Our first visit to the Sultan restaurant was really good the new owners delivered good food coupled with attentive service well done Sultan.
For us Pasa gets our vote for the best restaurant in Akbuk great food, superb entertainment, great atmosphere and probably the nicest staff around. Donna & Serdar continue to pull out all the stops to ensure that your evening delivers on all fronts.
Steve & Carole Lloyd - Tyldesley Nr Manchester
03 August 2011
We have just returned from spending 10 wonderful days at the Pines in Akbuk.Having tried a number of restaurants we would certainly recommend the sumer cafe,both the food and service were excellent plus there was a great band playing every night.Would also recommend Covent Garden good food and in a lovely setting at the harbour.The Garden Restaurant and the Akvaryum are both worth a visit.On the down side we found the service at the Pizza Hatti bad but the food was good.The one place to avoid is the Liman Cafe both food and service were awful.Talking to other holidaymakers the Sultan was very popular but was always full when we went there[always a good sign].Looking forward to trying some others next year.
Howard and Heather - Great Wakering Essex
30 July
Forget the rest, eat at the best!!! SULTAN, great food, great staff, great atmosphere and value for money. Well done Akif, cant wait to be back. See you all in August
Charles William and Sheila Mary - York
21 July 2011
Just back from two fabulous weeks in Akbuk. Tried a few of the restaurants -
Sultan Restaurant was brilliant - without a doubt they had the best steaks superbly cooked, I believe the chef lived for quite a while in England and knows we like our steaks cut a bit thicker. Alfie, Hakkan and the rest of the staff are very friendly, having known Alfie from Yasmin Gardens he will go out of his way to please. Great for carryouts too!!
Shari's at No. 4 was also excellent - we enjoyed a few good meals their and Debbie and the staff are again very friendly without being too pushy. I agree with one of the other comments about the Cappuccino's they're great. Also, the best cocktails served here as well!
Akvarium - we have in the past always enjoyed eating here and had got to know the staff quite well but unfortunately this visit was very disappointing - soup was like water, garlic mushrooms in sauce(again like water) and the main meals were a bit cold and definitely more pricey this time around - not good!
Linn & Ed from Co Down, Northern Ireland
18 July 2011
Hi, Just back from our 2nd trip of the year to Akbuk and thought i'd update my previous review as we tried a couple of new Turkish restaurants this trip and we were impressed by both. Firstly Ankara Korfez Pansion, this is in a lovely spot (you can sit really close to the sea here and watch the sun set). The staff were very friendly and the food was amazing. Fantastic complimentary bread and mezzes and great choice of food which was delicious, generous portions and very reasonably priced. Many Turkish eating here which is always a good sign. Secondly we tried the Sultan Restaurant at the other end of town and this too to be recommended, made to feel very welocme by Archie and staff.
Finally away from the Turkish restaurants, can't recommend highly enough Shari No 4. If this isn't on your circuit because its not on the sea front you dont know what you are missing! Debbie, Shari and staff are so friendly and the quality of the food is excellent at very reasonable prices. Call in and see for yourselves, i'm sure you will be back for a 2nd visit.
Katrina and Ian from N Lincs
15 July 2011
Hi, Just back from 2 glorious weeks in very hot and sunny Akbuk. Tried numerous restaurants as mentioned on your web site and have to say that although we both loved the Turkish element of the Sumer Cafe we found them to have increased their prices a lot since last year, and their beer is now one of the most expensive we had, at 4.5YTL. We were going to Pizza Hatti but it was packed as usual with Brits, so instead we went next door to the Sultan, which we had not tried before. Like you say in your recommendation, Alfie and his chef made us feel very welcome and we tried one of his specials, as a starter the mushrooms with garlic and cheese. This was superb and over the 2 weeks we went back 4 times as we liked the food so much! They are still getting things sorted out menu wise but I have to say they made some of the best food we have had since coming to Akbuk in 2006. We are nothing to do with this restaurant, but would encourage anyone to try it as the food is outstanding. Highly recommended.
Marvin & Diane Johnson from Witham, Essex
07 July 2011
Just back from two weeks at the CLC Apollonium spa and beach resort we(late June) ate in Akbuk most night as the food in our complex was not good....we had a party of nine and we all agreed that the Olivia was by far the best restaurant....the staff made us feel part of a family providing us with Turkish dancing and excellent food and service....we ate there 4 times and each night got better and better....one of our part is a vegetarian and the Olivia would go out of their way to make her something delicious every time... Other restaurants we liked where garden and covent garden.... service and food also very good.... The least favourite was pasa.....I think this was due to it being windy and cold that evening therefore the food was not very hot, service had been better in the others mentioned above....
Diane and Kenny moss from Glasgow
23 June 2011
Firstly The Covent is beautifully situated on the harbour, The staff are really friendly and very helpful. the food is superb although they don't have the oven to do the nice bread, they more than make up for it in the quality of the food they serve. The liver and onions is amazing and they are always more than willing to make whatever you ask for, including sending out for strawberry's and cream when asked. The staff always try to have a dance with all the customers, teaching them the Curdish dances which is so much fun. They also provide car service which is an added bonus.
The Garden Resturant is also very good, the casseroles are excellent and they do the nice turkish bread. The staff are very friendly and extremely efficient. And we have never had a problem with the bill there.
Jan and John Dobson from Yasmin Gardens
21 June 2011
we have just arived back from akbuk today we were there for 10 days and i have to say that there is not one restaurant we ate in that we found unpleasent or unfriendly talk about value for money they were all brilliant only let down with a couple of them is the loos but go with an open mind and plenty of mossie spray you will be fine
Tanya woodgate from wellington somerset
18 June 2011
We had some lovely meals but must mention a bad experience at the Akvarium, before we sat down I asked the head waiter/manager if we were ok for a lift home, he assured me that would be OK, so 5 of us including my 2 young children sat and enjoyed a nice meal, no complaints, but when I asked for our lift back he suddenly remembered their car had broken down, it was now quite late and my children were tired, I told him we were not happy and that he said he would be able to give us a lift before, but his answer was, 'oh well its not that far'. I have to admit I found his attitude stunk, considering how nice he was before he had our money and how friendly all the other Turkish people were to us, he was terrible. If we do go back to Akbuk we will NOT eat there again and would not recommend it to others because of his attitude and as he blatantly lied to us. In the end i had to carry my daughter home on my back, its over a mile walk, lucky it was walking distance as we didnt see one taxi !
I would also like to add that we didnt see or hear any entertainment at the Akvarium on any evening as it started after 10.30-11.00pm, so was too late, which was a shame, it would be nice if they started it earlier so the whole family could enjoy.
As for the other restaurants no complaints at all, The Garden provided very good food and informed us they did not provide a car service home to start with so also honest.
I have to mention Ossucan restaurant at Bozbuk, thank you Derek and Sandra for telling us about this place, as we hired a car for 2 days we took the 20 minute drive to Bosbuk and loved it both evenings, located in the small bay right next to the sea what a peaceful place, the owner Ossie was a wonderful host and chef, excellent fresh fish, home made burgers, and fantastic sunset views. I hope Ossucan does well as it is quite far from Akbuk, Ossie deserves success so good luck to him.
Richard & Debbie Crouch from Aston Clinton, Bucks.
17 June 2011
We have just returned from 2 fabulous weeks in Akbuk. We ate @ Garden Mehmet & Pizza Hatti - as always with both excellent food & service. We went to Olivia, it was awful, cats kept climbing all over us, owner wouldn't leave us alone, he was so pushy, wanting us to order food we didn't want. The food was cold, small portions, poor quality & we left hungry & very disappointed. We went to see Ozzzie @ Camlik Bay, the setting was beautiful, as was the food & service again. Not forgetting Osgar @ Liberte Bar - wonderful Ice cold beer & fabulous beach spot. We liked the new Liman Cafe too, friendly staff but we didn't eat there on this ocassion.
Andrea from Lancashire
17 June 2011
We've just returned from a wonderful time in Akbuk.
Had wonderful meals at Restaurant Mehmet. The choice and quality of food was excellent,Mehmet provides great service and all very well priced. We ate there on numerous occasions during our week in Akbuk and not once did anything dissapoint.
On the other hand we had a meal at The Olivia and were very disappointed. After waiting to be seated, he only shouted to staff but couldn't be bothered to actually get up! The menu was limited. We asked for Meze and three tiny dishes arrived with two slices of bread; not a patch on Mehmet's where you get a choice from approx. 12 dishes and lovely fresh warm bread and beautiful salad.
The main courses were disgusting with a few rings of Calamari and eventually forgotten chips and salad arrived.
We would question there recommended status as they do not appear to care for customers and the food is very poor.
Caroline Davies from Cambridge
13 June 2011
Read your review re Sultan restaurant Rob, and we totally agree with you. Visited many times on our 10 week stay and had a party with around 30 friends last Sunday. The service was great and the food very good. Alfie and staff are very friendly, the menu is varied and we also feel very relaxed and under no pressure.
We are back in August with our son, daughter in law, 2 grandsons and grand-daughter and look forward to taking them all out to eat here, we I know they will receive a wonderful welcome, and good food for all the family
Jacqui and John Harrison from Ashton in Makerfield
12 June 2011
We visited 1-15 May this year and visited the following restaurants:
Pasa restaurant - is by far one of the best restaurants, a little bit more expensive, but as the saying goes 'you get what you pay for' and they have never disappointed us! They also provide really good entertainment and this obviously has to be paid for. Ambience, food, staff can't fault it. They also do one of the best breakfasts in the area!
Covent Garden - We had shish kebabs, ottoman casseroles and meatballs all really good! Staff extremely friendly and willing to put on a 'staff dance' at the end of the night and get you involved! Staff are a credit to the owner like one big happy family! See someone of this web site commented about the fish not being good but as we didnt try the fish cannot comment. However, they're so accommodating at this restaurant that if you were to say you didnt like the fish, for example, they would be eager to please and change it for something else!
Garden Restaurant - (one on the left from the roadside, as there's two, side by side with the same name) great food and nice owner/staff.
Didnt go to Pizza Hatti this year so cant comment but this is our 3rd visit to Akbuk and food there is good, basic and cheap.
Celebis - excellent food, friendly staff but not much ambience more like a 'cafe style' set up with furnishings/lighting, not necessarily somewhere you would want to stay all night, just eat and move onto somewhere else.
We attended the 'launch' night of Olivia restaurant. Absolutely disgusting. Waited apx 1.30-2 hrs for the main course and when it turned up it the one meal was the size of a starter, about 5 pieces of calamari and what were supposed to be chips, I've never seen anything like them! The other meals turned up at different times with cold rice. Very little sauce, when their should have been. We paid for our drinks and told the restaurant we weren't prepared to pay for the meals. The next day we heard on the grapevine that many people were disappointed with their food that evening. Hopefully they've got their act together since!
Angela Pitt from Mojacar, Spain
10 June 2011
We visited Akbuk in May/June 2011 ant ate at a number of quality restaurants. We ate at Pasa on a Sunday evening when there was live music. The meal was extremely tasty and good value for money. The atmosphere was fantastic and by the end of the evening many people were dancing! A thoroughly enjoyable evening. We also enjoyed Yosun (formerly My Way). The Indian Set Menu was delicious and the waiters were friendly and helpful. This was perhaps the most child friendly restaurant we visited. In addition we enjoyed a good meal at Covent Garden and were impressed by the friendly waiters and lovely setting at the harbour.
Jennifer from Blackburn
03 June 2011
We visited Olivia Restaurant and were bitterly disappointed. The waiter was very pushy and forced us into having the dishes he recommended. My father had a liver kebab which was cold and the portion was measly. I had the beef gulash on the waiters recommendation. It was 40TL for two people. The portion was small and it did not come in any kind of sauce. My husband had a mixed grill. He enjoyed the food but the mixed grill was served in three different sittings as the food was not all ready together! I was extremely disappointed - poor service, overpriced and poor quality meal. To top it all off the two of us who shared the beef gulash were ill the next day! Perhaps we went when the chef was having a bad day but our experience of Olivia was very different to others who have commented on this site.
Jennifer from Blackburn
28 May 2011
Having read your reviews and others comments we went armed with a list of places we wanted to eat at. We infact went to Olivia a couple of nights after Rob did according to guest book. It was strange on the Saturday night and we were the only customers, agree about the food though, the best Turkish we had all week. Biggest disappointment was Pasa, we went the night they had the lady singing and found it lacking in atmosphere and somewhat cliquey with ex pats flitting between tables. Only got asked if we wanted a sweet when we asked for the bill although they were busy. Our favourite was No 4 Shari, lovely food, great service from Debbie and her team and I thought good value. Others we tried were Pizza Haitti and Garden Mehmet (take a appetite as portion were ample). All were good in their way and would recommend a try.
Albie from Portsmouth
25 May 2011
Visited Akbuk for the first time, and just wanted to say what a beautiful place it is. Our best night out was at Pasa restaurant. We were given a lovely warm welcome and the staff were very friendly.The food itself was excellent, particularly the Fajitas and the Lamb Shank which was melt in the mouth. Later in the evening there was a singer on and the atmosphere was fabulous, with most people up dancing until late. I would heartily recommend Pasa to any one.
Pam from Newcastle
09 May 2011
Just back from our 1st visit of the year to Akbuk and thought i'd post our opinions on the restaurants this year. Without doubt our two favourites were Pasa and Sharis No 4. Both offer excellent food, lovely surroundings and friendly efficient staff. The fillet steak at Sharis is the best we have ever tasted anywhere and can be followed by an excellent choice of homemade desserts. Wine and local spirits cheaper here than Celebi which we visited for the 1st time and found disappointing. Best Turkish restaurant still Pizza Haiti, free bread and meze starter, free fruit platter and free car service plus lovely food!
Katrina & Ian Parkes from Barton-on-Humber
27 April 2011
Back from our third stay in akbuk ( fourth trip). just wanted to update our opinion about the restaurants.
Garden best so far. Nice personell and food to our liking. Tell them how you want your fish and they will do their best. Same prices as last year.
Akvarym. Disappointment again. More expensive then the rest, the food not really up to standard and very... peculiar waiter. Not to be recommended.
This years surprise was Pizza Hatti. Last year adequate, this year great. Free meze, good food and very nice service. Didn´t try any more this time.
Björn from Uppsala
17 April 2011
hi all, we always eat @celbi great place great food and great beer ....!!! and Yilmas is great 2...!!!!
akbuk heva from birkenhead
13 April 2011
Hi we ate in Covent Garden and found the food very bland the fish was very wet and the batter really bland, toilets are a disgrace and smelly. Pasa is a beautiful restaurant as is my way, we also got pizzas in pizza hatti these were lovely.
John from Yorkshire