Turkey's largest city has been firmly placed on the culinary map. The inaugural Michelin Guide to Istanbul was revealed last night and five restaurants have been crowned with stars.

TURK Fatih Tutak in the Şişli district was the highest-ranked and the only restaurant to be awarded two stars. The anonymous Michelin judges described the fine dining restaurant as "a modern and sophisticated stage for gourmets looking for typically Turkish flavours, which are cleverly reinterpreted by chef Fatih Tutak". 

Four restaurants, Araka in the Yeniköy district, Mikla in Beyoğlu, Neolokal located in the Modern Art Museum and Nicole in Beyoğlu, each earned one Michelin star. Neolokal, which serves typically Anatolian fare, was also recognised with a Green star for the efforts of chef Maksut Aşkar and his team to safeguard and promote Turkish culinary heritage.

"Istanbul has always been a prominent cultural and touristic destination; today with the Michelin Guide, we hope to express to local and international gourmets alike, that it is also a prime gastronomic destination," Michelin said in a statement.

Ten Istanbul eateries were awarded a Bib Gourmand, a category that highlights restaurants that offer a quality value-for-money three course meal.

Michelin Guide Istanbul at a glance

Two-star restaurants: 

• TURK Fatih Tutak

One-star restaurants: 

• Araka
• Mikla
• Neolokal 
• Nicole

Bib Gourmand

• Pandeli
• Karaköy Lokantası 
• Alaf
• Aheste
• Tershane 
• Giritli
• Calipso
• Cuma 
• SADE Beş Denizler Mutfağı
• Aman da Bravo