Whenever I’m in Fethiye I love escaping the crowds for a day to explore Kayaköy - a mountain-side town on the Mediterranean left abandoned after the 1923 Population Exchange between Greece and Turkey. This little slice of peace and quiet, eight kilometers from bustling Fethiye, is so unique it’s the inspiration behind Louis de Bernières’s epic novel, “Birds Without Wings” and featured in Russell Crowe’s 2014 movie, “The Water Diviner”. Nestled at the foot of the town is a 400-year-old stone cottage, once inhabited by the town’s sheriff and now home to Fethiye’s gourmet dining leader, Levissi Garden Restaurant. Not only is the ambiance of the restaurant sublime, the quality of the food and wine is first class. Dishes honoring the Greek heritage of the town are their specialty so try the lamb shanks and after devouring every succulent piece that falls from the bone, take a bottle of wine to sip slowly in the open-air garden by the ghost town. Make sure you visit the wine cellar before dinner to sample one of the thousands of wines they have stored down there. Levissi is ideal for the foodies visiting Fethiye. Do book ahead and select the pick-up service so there’s no need to drive.
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Levissi, the culinary diviner
Whenever I’m in Fethiye I love escaping the crowds for a day to explore Kayaköy - a mountain-side town on the Mediterranean left abandoned after the 1923 Population Exchange between Greece and Turkey. This little slice of peace and quiet, eight kilometers from bustling Fethiye, is so unique it’s the inspiration behind Louis de Bernières’s epic novel, “Birds Without Wings” and featured in Russell Crowe’s 2014 movie, “The Water Diviner”. Nestled at the foot of the town is a 400-year-old stone cottage, once inhabited by the town’s sheriff and now home to Fethiye’s gourmet dining leader, Levissi Garden Restaurant. Not only is the ambiance of the restaurant sublime, the quality of the food and wine is first class. Dishes honoring the Greek heritage of the town are their specialty so try the lamb shanks and after devouring every succulent piece that falls from the bone, take a bottle of wine to sip slowly in the open-air garden by the ghost town. Make sure you visit the wine cellar before dinner to sample one of the thousands of wines they have stored down there. Levissi is ideal for the foodies visiting Fethiye. Do book ahead and select the pick-up service so there’s no need to drive.