
OD Urla
RESTAURANT SUMMARY

Where ancient fire meets modern sustainability, OD Urla Izmir transforms Aegean gastronomy through Chef Osman Sezener's Michelin-starred vision atop the olive-studded hills of Turkey's culinary heartland. This glass-fronted sanctuary represents more than fine dining—it's a manifesto of terroir-driven cuisine that has redefined Izmir fine dining since 2018.
Born from Chef Sezener's childhood memories of his family's holiday farmhouse, OD Urla embodies a deeply personal culinary philosophy rooted in fire, sustainability, and hyperlocal sourcing. The İzmir-born chef, trained at New York's International Culinary Center, returned home to create something unprecedented: a restaurant that grows half its ingredients within its own gardens and sources everything else within a ten-kilometer radius. This commitment earned OD Urla both a coveted Michelin Star and the prestigious Michelin Green Star for sustainability, alongside Gault & Millau's Farm to Table Award.
The cuisine at this best restaurant in Izmir centers on Sezener's mastery of open-flame cooking, where every dish emerges from charcoal grills that guests can observe throughout their meal. Signature creations include perfectly grilled squid glazed with braised onion jus and finished with squid tuile, robust beef rib balanced with textured celeriac, and calamari marinated with orange juice and fennel. The monthly-changing tasting menu offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian journeys through Aegean flavors, each dish showcasing the natural character of ingredients enhanced—never masked—by fire. This approach creates cuisine that feels simultaneously rustic and refined, deeply personal yet universally compelling.
The OD Urla experience begins with a winding drive through vineyards and olive groves, culminating at a stunning glass-walled restaurant that dissolves boundaries between kitchen and landscape. Garden tours reveal the source of evening's ingredients, while the open kitchen creates an intimate theater where fire transforms local bounty. The adjoining boutique guesthouse with pool offers overnight guests the complete immersion into Sezener's sustainable vision. Service balances professional precision with warm hospitality, while the carefully curated wine program celebrates local Turkish vintages and craft cocktails like the signature "Kuzukulağı."
For discerning diners seeking authentic innovation, OD Urla reservations represent access to Turkey's most compelling culinary destination. Book well in advance for this transformative encounter where fire, sustainability, and Aegean terroir converge in perfect harmony.
CHEF
Osman Sezener
ACCOLADES

(2024) Michelin 1 Star

(2025) La Liste Score: 76pts

(2025) Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked #218
