Serafina Kemer Country Club

Established in New York in 1995, Serafina was built around the principle that lively dining and authentic Italian recipes belong together. Over the past three decades, that Manhattan dining culture expanded to Istanbul, operating across three distinct branches: Akmerkez, Kanyon, and Kemer Country Club in the northern district of Eyüpsultan. Among these outposts, the Kemer Country Club branch occupies a uniquely peaceful position. Situated within the sprawling green landscape of Göktürk, this venue moves away from high-traffic commercial centers to offer guests an unhurried, pastoral retreat anchored by classic Italian culinary traditions. The brand operates under the enduring philosophy that 'a day without a good meal is a day without sun' ('Un giorno senza un buon pasto è un giorno senza sole'), shaping an environment focused on long, generous table gatherings. Visitors make the journey out to Göktürk specifically for this open-air, nature-immersed atmosphere, where stone oven aromas meet tranquil woodland scenery. The destination has garnered wider recognition across the city, having been featured in Gazete Oksijen's published compilation of notable Italian restaurants in Istanbul. Beyond its serene setting, what truly sets this specific club location apart from its sister venues is its exclusive culinary offerings, including a dedicated Italian morning service that cannot be found at any other Istanbul branch. Whether dropping in for handmade pasta after a morning in the forest or gathering for an evening celebration, it provides an authentic slice of Italian culinary identity tailored to an expansive green setting.

Cuisine and Menu

The kitchen centers on authentic Italian cooking, encompassing more than 60 dishes and handcrafted cocktails, with every price including applicable taxes (as recorded on January 3, 2026). The menu divides its stone-oven pizzas into crisp, thin-crusted Romano styles and blistered Napoli creations. From the Romano selection, options range from the foundational Margherita (810 TL) with San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil, to the pancetta-accented Pancetta (1,200 TL) with beef bacon and capers, up to the indulgent Bresaola pizza (1,550 TL) topped with aged bresaola and parmesan shavings. Napoli fans can opt for the truffle-infused Tartufo (990 TL) layered with forest mushrooms and edam cheese, or the creamy Pomodoro e Burrata (1,350 TL).

Handmade pasta and risotto form another core pillar of the dining room. Classic comfort is showcased in Penne alla Norma (950 TL) with eggplant and buffalo mozzarella, alongside seafood-heavy Linguine ai Frutti di Mare (1,350 TL) featuring salmon, sea bass, squid, and shrimp in a pink bisque. Porcini fans gravitate toward Tortellini ai Funghi Porcini (980 TL) or Risotto ai Porcini (1,210 TL), enriched with truffle oil and leek chips. The dedicated New York Signatures series directly honors the brand's 1995 Manhattan roots, presenting favorites such as Farfalle al Limoncello e Gamberi (1,280 TL), Penne alla Vodka Piccante (1,150 TL) with creamy stracciatella, and the pungent Tartufo Nero pizza (1,150 TL).

For starters and mains, portions are measured by raw weight. Guests can open with Calamari Fritti (1,190 TL) paired with gorgonzola cream and lime sauce, Arancini al Cavolfiore (890 TL), or the generous 200g Buffalo Burrata (1,620 TL). Heartier entrees include the 200g Salmone dell'Atlantico (1,490 TL) over stewed lentils, the 450g slow-cooked Stinco d'Agnello (2,100 TL) served atop saffron risotto, and the prime 180g Cafe de Paris tenderloin (2,150 TL). Morning visits introduce the house's defining breakfast: the exclusive Italian Colazione, complemented on Sundays by an open-buffet brunch spread held between 10:00 and 14:00.

Atmosphere and Who It Suits

The dining room and grounds balance refined sophistication with an organic, pastoral ease. Surrounded by thick stands of trees, the venue delivers a tranquil nature view that separates diners from the bustling energy of central Istanbul. Its architectural aesthetic leans toward timeless Italian hospitality—warm wooden textures, polished place settings, and soft ambient lighting that transitions gracefully from sunlit midday brunches to intimate candlelit evenings. The open terrace and spacious outdoor seating area are particular draws during fair weather, inviting guests to sit back beneath the open sky and breathe in the crisp woodland air while savoring signature cocktails.

This serene setting translates into an adaptable space suited to diverse gatherings. Families find it exceptionally hospitable, particularly during weekend hours when the relaxed pacing and open greens allow children and multi-generational groups to dine comfortably without feeling constrained. On Sunday mornings, the 10:00 to 14:00 open-buffet brunch creates a lively yet composed social hub where friends gather for lingering meals over Italian coffees and freshly baked morning bites.

Couples looking for a romantic escape frequent the venue for its calm, sophisticated evening aura, where quiet corner tables overlooking the grounds create a private retreat for milestone dates. Beyond personal dining, the restaurant possesses the infrastructure and polish to manage private celebrations and corporate functions. The staff regularly hosts organized events, including birthday parties, engagement dinners, anniversary toasts, and corporate banquet gatherings. Whether arranged indoors among refined dining furniture or outside on the breezy terrace, the environment remains distinctly calm, upscale, and unpretentious, catering equally well to relaxed social mixers and structured business dinners.

Location and Practical Details

Serafina Kemer Country Club is situated in the northern woodland belt of Istanbul, positioned directly within the expansive Kemer Country Club grounds at Göktürk Merkez Mahallesi, Golf Kulübü, Atlı Spor Caddesi No: 7B/7D, Eyüpsultan. Bordered by the lush expanse of the Belgrad Forest, the restaurant sits immediately adjacent to the USGA-standard Kemer Golf Club championship course, the Kemer Country Equestrian Club (Atlı Spor Kulübü riding facilities), and professional tennis courts. This athletic and residential enclave gives the location an exclusive, self-contained character tucked well away from urban congestion.

Operating hours run daily throughout the entire week, opening at 09:00 for morning dining and continuing late into the night until 02:00. Given the steady demand for weekend tables and evening seating, reservations are highly recommended. Diners can place an online reservation request through the website by selecting the Kemer Country Club branch, their preferred calendar date, party size ranging from 1 to more than 12 guests, and booking times spaced every thirty minutes between 12:00 and 22:00. Once the digital form is submitted, the restaurant team verifies table availability and contacts the guest by telephone to finalize the confirmation.

For direct telephone inquiries, special arrangements, or immediate booking coordination, the restaurant can be reached at 0530 775 42 31. Reaching the venue by car is straightforward via the Göktürk access routes entering the country club gate. Guests arriving by private vehicle have access to comprehensive on-site parking facilities as well as professional valet services managed directly within the Kemer Country Club complex, ensuring a seamless arrival even during bustling Sunday brunch hours.

The Mio Angle: As a Meeting Spot

On Mio Social, where recommendations thrive on authentic discovery and genuine context, Serafina Kemer Country Club fills a very specific and sought-after niche: the restorative weekend sanctuary. When community members ask where to escape Istanbul's high-decibel core without sacrificing high-end culinary standards, this Göktürk destination stands out as an obvious reply. It is not an everyday budget bite or a rapid coffee-and-go pit stop; with its clearly defined high price tier, the restaurant represents an intentional dining investment. Soups begin at 490 TL, pastas hover between 890 TL and 1,350 TL, stone-oven pizzas command between 810 TL and 1,550 TL, and premium proteins reach up to 2,150 TL for the signature Cafe de Paris steak. Diners choose to spend here when the objective is a languid, multi-course feast where the table is occupied for several hours.

Visually, the venue provides remarkable content for community feeds. The striking contrast between polished Italian plating—such as the vibrant 200g Buffalo Burrata garnished with heirloom cherry tomatoes, or the blistered crusts emerging from the wood-fired oven—and the rolling green backdrop of the Belgrad Forest and neighboring equestrian grounds produces effortlessly photogenic moments. The sun-drenched outdoor terrace offers soft, flattering natural light that captures everything from sparkling signature cocktails to steaming pans of truffle pasta.

When advising fellow Mio users on visit strategies, recommend it primarily for celebratory milestones, structured corporate luncheons, romantic weekend getaways, and extended family gatherings. For early risers and brunch lovers, highlighting the branch-exclusive Italian Colazione and the four-hour Sunday brunch buffet (10:00 to 14:00) gives peers an actionable, insider tip that shopping mall branches cannot duplicate. It is the textbook answer for anyone seeking refined northern Italian comfort embraced by pure forest calm.