Surprise decision from Chef Somer: He is closing his restaurant in Istanbul and returning to Australia.

Surprise decision from Chef Somer: He is closing his restaurant in Istanbul and returning to Australia.

18.08.2026 20:10

Somer Sivrioğlu, the beloved judge of MasterChef, bid farewell to his customers by opening the doors of his restaurant in Istanbul for the last time on August 13. Chef Sivrioğlu has turned the restaurant's new direction to Sydney, Australia, the place where he was born and where he took his first steps in his gastronomy career.

MasterChef judge Somer Sivrioğlu has made an important decision regarding his restaurant in Istanbul. The venue, which has been operating in Istanbul for about 5 years, is ending its activities in Turkey, and the famous chef's restaurant journey will continue in Sydney, Australia.

OPENED ITS DOORS FOR THE LAST TIME 

With the announcement made on the restaurant's social media accounts, it was stated that the restaurant's Istanbul adventure would come to an end. The venue opened its doors to its guests in Istanbul for the last time on the evening of August 13, 2026.

Somer Sivrioğlu's surprise decision for Istanbul restaurant

With this decision by Sivrioğlu, his activities in Turkey have come to an end, while the restaurant's story returns to where it all began, Sydney.

THE STORY BEGAN IN SYDNEY 

Somer Sivrioğlu's journey with the Efendy brand began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. The restaurant, which presents Turkish cuisine with modern interpretations, became one of the standout brands in the chef's career over the years.

Efendy, which also began operating in Istanbul about five years ago, quickly became one of the notable venues in the gastronomy world.

Somer Sivrioğlu, who has ended his operations in Istanbul, has decided to continue his restaurant work in Australia, where he was born and raised.

Thus, the Efendy story that began in Sydney in 2007 has moved back to Australia after the approximately 5-year adventure in Istanbul.

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