Yalı Balık Restaurant is only a 10-minute drive or a 25-30 minute walk from the center of Turgutreis. Located right by the sea, there is a beautiful sandy beach in front of Yalı Balık. Although it gets very crowded during the summer months, you can still use this spot for swimming. The sea of Kadıkalesi is amazing when the wind is calm!

In the evenings, the tables are moved to the sandy beach. Yalı Balık, one of Kadıkalesi’s popular spots, has a laid-back atmosphere, and both the service and food are top-notch!

We find the appetizers at Yalı Balık to be very delicious. We’re not sure if it’s the freshness of the ingredients or the skill of the chefs, but we can’t find the same taste at other fish restaurants in Turgutreis.

Girit Ezmesi (Cretan Dip), Atom, Tahini Eggplant, Köpoğlu, Levrek Simit (Sea Bass Bagel), Octopus Salad, and Sea Beans are appetizers we repeatedly enjoy every time we visit. Let’s emphasize that there are about 30 different appetizers in the fridge.

Make sure to try their Kaymaklı Ekmek Kadayıfı (cream-filled Turkish dessert). Be warned, it runs out late at night, so it’s best to reserve it as soon as you sit down at the table.

During the summer, the beach in front of the restaurant gets extremely crowded, so we prefer to go in the evenings. The atmosphere is quieter and more pleasant at night. The restaurant starts serving in April and closes the summer season at the end of October. The Kadıkalesi beach is relatively peaceful in September and October.