I spend a lot of my time eating out for a number of reasons. The first reason is that I always think food tastes better when someone else has cooked it. The second is that I cannot cook and the third reason is that I won’t cook out of pure laziness.
Hey, this is my life and I totally admit that I am not a master chef in the kitchen. I am always on the lookout for new places to eat and when the floating restaurant of Giritli was recommended, I felt I had to see it for myself.
The Floating Restaurant of Giritli in Kazikli Akbuk
So we headed off in the direction of the small coastal resort of Kazikli on the Aegean coastline. We ended up taking a detour and got lost however we did eventually find the Girtili restaurant. Now I have always wanted to be a restaurant critic so since this restaurant is not your average dining establishment, I have decided to write my own restaurant critic guide to the Giritli Restaurant.
Pick Up Service
We did not use the pick-up service as we had hired our own transport. Having said that though, if you like the retro era and fancy taking a step back in time, the pick-up service will be your perfect mode of transport.
Ambience and Décor
Giritli restaurant has hit upon a good seller here. They put you on a floating pontoon and push you out on the water as far as you want to go. The ambience and décor is provided by Mother Nature herself in the shape of calm waters, green mountains and blue skies.
Service and Staff
So considering the seating areas are out on the waters and the restaurant itself is on dry land, you may be wondering how the service was. Well, watching the poor lad row that boat back and forth every time I wanted a bottle of beer means there is no way that I could criticize the service even if I wanted to.
We did have a concern at first because we were not quite sure how to place our order to the kitchen on dry land. However the waiter had forgot to give us the remote control radio into which you say your order and he duly gets in the rowing boat and brings it to you. This one mistake was soon rectified, much to our pleasure as we soon released that none of us could whistle loud enough to attract anyone’s attention.
Food
The menu is basic and you get to choose from chicken, fish or meatballs. It is not posh dining however the Giritli does not claim to be a top notch establishment. I opted for the fish which was quickly delivered to my table by the man in a rowing boat.
Toilet Facilities
The toilet facilities are on dry land and are very clean however you are advised not to leave it till the last minute due to the fact it takes a while to reach the toilets. If you want to relieve yourself, you have to get on the radio, the waiter jumps in the rowing boat, collects you, takes you to the toilet and brings you back again. How that is that for service? You get your own escort to the toilet!
Overall opinion
Giritli restaurant is definitely worth a visit simply for the overall novelty. I actually indulged in the concept of a floating restaurant and along with the fine sea air, good food and wonderful ambiance it was a fantastic day out.
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Hi Paul, their Facebook page is showing a telephone number but you will need to try it to see if it is the right one – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Giritli-restaurant-kaz%C4%B1kl%C4%B1-koyu/215770191779437
Anyone take you there from Altinkum?
Hi Cindy, Thanks for commenting. It is a special restaurant but unfortunately I did not manage to make it back this summer. Definitely a first for next summer
there are lots of surprising places in Turkey my husband and myself have been visiting since 1984 and and for the past five years have lived there.This resturant is special
Hi Jackie, That’s the thing with places like this. Sometimes we want to keep them a secret but they do such a good job that we want to tell everyone as well. I hope to go back very soon
I have been here for a wonderful romantic meal….its all it seems and more! I will say, I live here and its almost a safe haven, half of me wants to keep it a well kept secret so it doesnt get swamped and spoiled….then again I would like the owners with this wonderful idea to benefit financially from it. In my 48 years, I have never been to anywhere like it, and so far it stays as No 1 in my most memorable days! The company I went with was by far the best in the world too…so all in all a definate recommendat?on from me!
Sounds like a fantastic place. What a fun adventure. Though it does sound like a trip to the restroom might be a smudge embarrassing!
I am sure they would Alan. There are about five of the floating pontoons so they would be able to accommodate you all.
do you think they can handle a minibus of us on a day out?
I also think food tastes better when someone else has cooked it, haha! That fish looks wonderful.
were off to the airport in about an hour and we just dont no where to go first thank you for your blog Natalie its given us so much to look forwrd too
OMG, how cool is that. I just told my fiance I want to go there. Very cool idea and you don’t get to do that everyday.
A novel approach to dining al fresco. Great fun. I’m not sure the poor rower could cope with the quantity of wine we get through nor could my bladder wait that long!
How very odd. Would definitely give it a go though, like you said, just for the novelty value. Love the retro car!
Julia
Hi Millie, Yes, it is one of the resorts past Akbuk. About a 15 minute drive from there. Lovely calm place to relax.
Roving Jay – I thought that as well. Nearly felt bad about eating him!
Your fish looked like he was smiling! Looks like he was happy to be in the middle of the water – or maybe he’d just eaten one of your chips!!
Wow lovely, is that the place you go over the hill at akbuk??
What a cool restaurant!