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BODRUM’S CITY RESTAURANT: A NEW MODEL FOR AFFORDABLE PUBLIC DINING

10.02.2025

Mayor Mandalinci: “Our efforts that touch the lives of people shall continue”

Bodrum Municipality has launched its first City Restaurant, aiming to provide citizens with high-quality, reliable, delicious and affordable meals. The opening ceremony was held at the Old Bus Station in Bodrum Center and was attended by Mayor Tamer Mandalinci, municipal council members, deputy mayors; Ibrahim Akbaş, the Chairman of Bodrum Gıda Inc. Board, representatives from NGOs, neighborhood headmen, press members and citizens.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the Turkish national anthem. Speaking at the event, the municipal council member Tayyar Gündoğan stated that the City Restaurant will offer a place where everyone can enjoy healthy, delicious and affordable meals, saying, “Our aim is to serve all segments of society, strengthen solidarity and share our table. We are not just opening a restaurant, but implementing one of the best examples of social municipalism.”.

“Any service that does not touch people's lives cannot be permanent or valuable.”

Mayor Tamer Mandalinci emphasized that they have taken an important step together to strengthen social justice and increase solidarity, stating: “The Municipality is not just about building roads, making infrastructure improvements or regulating zoning and housing. Municipal work is truly about touching human lives and elevating human dignity. We know that no service that does not touch people's lives can be permanent and valuable. The City Restaurant we are opening today is the most fundamental example of this understanding. City restaurants are not just places to eat; they are where fair sharing, solidarity, and equality come to life.”.

Municipality with a People-Centered Approach

Mayor Mandalinci also stressed that City Restaurants reflect a municipal understanding that prioritizes the well-being of the public, stating: “With this project, we shall provide our townsmen with access to affordable, healthy and good meals. By preventing food waste and using ingredients sourced from local producers, we will both support our local producers and offer healthy food to citizens prepared by skilled hands. The City Restaurant will make a significant contribution to implementing the concept of a social state at the local level. The City Restaurants we are opening will not only provide solutions to the problems caused by economic crises but also address issues created by unfair income distribution and inequality. Because we know that resources that are not shared fairly do not bring justice. We are taking steps in social municipalism with an understanding that places human dignity at the center.”.

City Restaurants Born from the People’s Efforts

Mayor Mandalinci pointed out that the City Restaurants project has been brought to life not only through the municipality’s efforts but also with the support of citizens, local producers and the dedication of the kitchen staff. Mandalinci stated, “In the kitchen of this restaurant, it's not just about food but also about effort, hard work and solidarity. Our colleagues here are not just cooking; they are contributing beautifully to the solidarity and unity of this city. I would like to thank all our valued colleagues, kitchen staff, and all the philanthropists who supported this project. May the opening of our City Restaurant, which we have created with the people's effort, be a success for all of us.”.

Following the speeches, the programme continued with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and meal service.

The City Restaurant will be open weekdays from 11:30 to 2:30. People can enjoy a three-course meal for 100 Turkish Liras, while students will benefit from the menu for 80 Turkish Liras. Additionally, generous citizens can contribute to the “pay-it-forward” meal programme, helping those in need receive free meals.