About 5 minutes by taxi from the cruise port, Şef Restaurant Kusadasi is a harbour-view fish restaurant with a terrace overlooking Kusadasi Marina, about 250 metres from Setur Marina. It is about 5 minutes by taxi from the port along the seafront road towards the marina. Plan the evening backwards from your ship's all-aboard time and mention it when you book.
No need to go far once you're off the ship
Cruise days fly by. After visiting Ephesus or the House of the Virgin Mary, or browsing the bazaar, you only have a limited amount of time left before you're due back on board. Rather than heading to the other side of town, choosing a restaurant near Kuşadası cruise port saves time and makes it easier to keep an eye on your ship's schedule.
Şef Restaurant Kuşadası is about 5 minutes from the port by taxi. The address is Türkmen Mahallesi, Atatürk Bulvarı No:186, Kuşadası. With its terrace overlooking Kuşadası Marina, the restaurant is about 250 metres from Setur Marina. The elevated terrace has a panoramic view of the port and, in the early evening, looks out towards the sunset. This time, the port where you came ashore is the view from your table.
From the port to the restaurant: along the seafront towards Setur Marina
Once you leave the port, make your way to the seafront road – Atatürk Boulevard – and walk towards the marina. As long as the sea stays beside you, you're heading the right way. The restaurant is on Atatürk Boulevard, about 250 metres from Setur Marina. To get back, simply follow the same seafront road in the opposite direction.
By taxi it takes about 5 minutes; if you decide to walk, the time depends on your pace and the crowds. On a hot afternoon, or if time runs short on the way back, a taxi is the easiest option. For the address and directions, see the Contact page. The restaurant also has wheelchair access.
Plan your evening backwards from all-aboard time
On a cruise, the time that matters most is your ship's all-aboard time. Plan your evening backwards from it, leaving a margin for finishing your meal, getting back to the port and the security check at the port entrance. Passengers returning at the same time can form queues at the entrance, so allow for that as well.
- Ship's time or local time? Some ships run on their own time, which may differ from local time in Türkiye. Before you go ashore, find out which one your all-aboard time is based on. Your phone may have switched to local time automatically, so make a note of the all-aboard time somewhere.
- Tell your waiter at the start. If you mention what time you need to leave as soon as you sit down, it's easier to pace your order accordingly.
- Ask for the bill early. Asking for it with time to spare, rather than leaving it to the last minute, makes for a stress-free return.
- Sailing early? Make it lunch. The restaurant is open every day from 11am to midnight. If your ship leaves in the late afternoon, lunch may be the more relaxed option.
- Sunset or ship? If sunset is close to your all-aboard time, the ship comes first; you can watch the sunset from the deck, too. You'll find other places to watch the sun go down in Kuşadası in our sunset guide.
Add your all-aboard time to your booking
On ship days the seafront gets busy. When more than one ship is in port at the same time, restaurants near the cruise port can fill up too. That's why booking your table in advance is the safest bet. You can use the booking form, send a message on WhatsApp or call +90 256 618 25 54.
In your message, include the date, the number of people, the time you'd like to arrive and, if you want one, a request for a table on the terrace. Add your ship's all-aboard time too; it may look like a small detail, but it sets the pace of the evening. If you're coming as a large group from the same ship, mention that from the outset as well.
If you're celebrating a birthday or an anniversary on your trip, you can also request extras such as a cake, candles, flowers, special table decoration and photos when you book; the details are finalised on WhatsApp. For anyone planning a proposal, we also have a separate marriage proposal guide.
What's on the table? Fish from the counter, mezes first
Şef is first and foremost a fish and seafood restaurant. You choose your own fish from the counter, and it's charged at the day's price or by the kilo. When choosing, it helps to ask your waiter about the price and the cooking method. Cooking time depends on the type and size of the fish, so if you're in a hurry, ask about that too.
If you're short of time, keep the meal simple. A mixed meze platter that brings several mezes together on one plate, then a hot starter such as fried calamari or grilled octopus, and finally a fish chosen from the counter make a good plan for a ship day. There are meat and chicken options, too, for anyone who doesn't eat fish. Rakı or a cold beer can go with the meal; keep the journey back in mind and set your own limit. If you don't want to skip dessert, simple options such as baked rice pudding or candied pumpkin fit into a short meal as well. See the menu for the full list and the fish section for the different kinds of fish.
To get to know Kuşadası's cooking better, read our What to eat in Kuşadası guide; if your ship sails late and you're settling in for a long meal, take a look at our piece on the rakı and fish table.
Payment, language and other small details
- Paying by card: Credit cards are accepted. If you're paying with a foreign card and the card machine asks you to choose a currency, choosing Turkish lira usually works out better.
- Language: If some of your group don't speak Turkish, seeing the fish on the counter and choosing it there makes things much easier. The staff will also do their best to help you order. If you have an important note, such as an allergy, it's safest to put it in writing in your booking message.
- Wi-Fi: The restaurant has Wi-Fi, which comes in handy for checking your ship's schedule.
- Families with children: High chairs are available for young children.
A fish restaurant with harbour views in Kuşadası
Şef Restaurant Kuşadası was founded in 2004 and has been at its current location for about nine years. Owner and chef Ahmet Öz has been in the business for more than 30 years. With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 from 114 reviews on Tripadvisor and a Travellers' Choice badge, Şef is one of the best fish restaurants in Kuşadası according to guest ratings. The view, the sunset, the freshness and the service are recurring themes in guest reviews.
If you'd like dinner facing the sea without racing the ship's clock, there's no need to stray far from the port. Book your table, tell us your all-aboard time and let dinner take care of the rest.
