"After 25 years in Alaçatı, Melih Teksen's Aegean cooking now meets estate wine and a vineyard sunset — a proposal table with a view."
About Agrilia
Agrilia spent a quarter-century as one of Alaçatí's defining à-la-carte restaurants before chef-owner Melih Teksen moved the whole operation, in early 2024, out to Buradan Vineyards in the hills above Çeşme. The relocation turned a town-centre favourite into a destination: tables set among the vines, the Aegean light dropping behind the rows, and the estate's own bottles pouring alongside the food.
Teksen built his name on inventive cooking that gives both Turkish and international classics a modern turn, and the vineyard setting suits that ambition. It is a different proposition from the marina seafood of Ferdi Baba or the resort-garden polish of Olea — here the wine and the landscape are part of the menu.
The Kitchen
From April to September the kitchen works to seasonal set menus paired with Buradan's wines, so the meal arrives as a composed sequence rather than a list. Melih Teksen's style leans on the Aegean larder — herbs, olive oil, wood-grilled seafood and vegetables, mezze given an inventive twist — reworked with the precision that earned him a following well beyond Turkey.
Because the cooking is built around what the season and the estate offer, the menu shifts through the summer; the constant is the pairing logic, with each course set against a glass from the vineyard around you. It is a $$$$ evening — priced as the occasion meal it is meant to be.
The Room
The setting does much of the work: a terrace among the vines with the sunset as the headline act, the kind of view that makes a quiet question easy to ask. In peak season the sundown service is the one to book, and the garden stays relaxed rather than stiff despite the ambition on the plate.
For how we judge a room that trades on landscape and occasion, see the seven signs of a great restaurant — Agrilia's vineyard terrace is a textbook case of place amplifying plate.
Best for a Proposal
Few tables in the Aegean are better built for a question worth asking: a vineyard terrace, a sunset and a wine-paired menu make Agrilia a standout proposal choice. It is equally a destination anniversary dinner, and the estate setting and composed menus let it impress clients visiting the coast. Book the sunset seating in season.
Not for
Not for a quick or casual bite, and not a year-round bet — the set-menu, vineyard experience peaks April–September. Budget diners and anyone wanting à-la-carte spontaneity should look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked
Who is the chef at Agrilia?
Melih Teksen is the chef-owner. He ran Agrilia in Alaçatı's centre for 25 years before relocating it to Buradan Vineyards near Çeşme in early 2024, and is known for inventive takes on Aegean and international classics.
What kind of food does Agrilia serve?
Contemporary Aegean. From April to September the kitchen runs seasonal set menus paired with Buradan's estate wines — wood-grilled seafood and vegetables, herb-driven mezze and reworked classics, served as a composed sequence.
Where is Agrilia now located?
Since early 2024 Agrilia has been at Buradan Vineyards in Ovacık, near Alaçatı in Çeşme, İzmir — tables set among the vines, replacing its long-time spot in central Alaçatı.
Is Agrilia good for a proposal or anniversary?
Very. The vineyard terrace, sunset views and wine-paired tasting menu make it one of the Aegean's strongest proposal and anniversary tables. Book the sundown seating in peak season.
When is the best time to visit Agrilia?
April to September, when the seasonal set menu and wine pairings run and the sunset-over-the-vines service is at its best. Reservations are essential in high season.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Agrilia
Reserve ahead for sunset tables among the vines in season.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressBuradan Vineyards, Ovacık, Çeşme, İzmir
NeighbourhoodBuradan Vineyards, Ovacık (near Alaçatı)
CuisineContemporary Aegean
PriceSeasonal set / wine-pairing menu, $$$$
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingVineyard terrace and garden
ReservationEssential, especially April–September
