Muti by prokopia Restaurant. Ürgüp, Cappadocia, Turkey
Muti is an elegant gourmet restaurant tucked away behind the fruit and nut shops on Ürgüp's central plaza, hidden like a well-kept secret. The entrance may not be easy to spot at first, but once you have walked through the archway and into the courtyard of the restored 250-year-old caravanserai, be prepared to be more than pleasantly surprised. A distinctive pink sign invites guests into Muti by prokopia (the previous restaurant here was Prokopia). Despite being located on Ürgüp’s main square, this concealed gem can be hard to find. Run by a brother and sister, Muhittin and Gülçin Ülkü, the restaurant was renovated in 2012, with a new contemporary charm infused into a 250-year-old caravanserai. The elegant sophistication of the interior design equals that of the food. Ottoman and Turkish cuisine, regional, and international dishes blend into a variety of elaborate plates on Muti’s menu. Diners can choose from a sensational range of starters, pick a salad, pasta, or meat dish, or try a Turkish or Armenian specials such as karnıyarık (stuffed eggplant with chopped meat and tomato sauce) and topik (chickpea paste with an onion, currants, cumin, and tahini filling).
