Safran

Awarded its first chefs hat in 2020, Safran is one of the Central Coast's best-known fine diners — and highly recommended by locals. Chef and co-owner Suleyman (Sulo) Kirbancioglu opened the Turkish restaurant with his partner and wife Natalie in 2013. Drawing on his experience in fine dining venues in Istanbul, as well as a family lineage of hospitality experience, Kirbancioglu takes pride in presenting his country's cuisine in the finest style.

Kitti Gould

Safran offers three- and four-course menus for $50–60, with optional wine pairings from $29 per person. With each menu, diners can choose from a selection of entrees and mains, such as etli borek — filo pastry filled with slow braised angus beef ribeye and jerusalem artichoke — and blue-eye cod baked in prawn and raki foam, served with celeriac puree. And for dessert, there are more traditionally known flavours like pistachio baklava and turkish delight. It's far from what you might expect, and all the better for it.

Images: Kitti Gould