Salt Bae inaugurates its first restaurant in Italy in Rome. The famous Turkish chef brings his cuisine to the capital, but there is no shortage of controversy
Nusret Gökçebetter known as Salt Baehas finally decided to bring his unmistakable culinary style to Italy, choosing Rome as the seat of his first Italian restaurant. After having conquered the main cities of the world with its spectacular gastronomic performances and its high quality meat dishes, the famous Turkish butcher is ready to make the big step into the Eternal City.
Who is Salt Bae
Nusret Gökçe, born in 1983 in Erzurum, Türkiye, began his career as an apprentice butcher. In 2010, he opened his first restaurant, Nusr-Et Steakhouse, in Istanbul. His international fame took off in 2017 thanks to a viral video showing his unique meat-salting technique, which earned him the nickname “Salt Bae”.
Today, Nusret heads a chain of more than 30 restaurants in cities such as Istanbul, Dubai, Miami, New York and London. Its restaurants are renowned for the quality of the meats, especially the wagyu steaks, and for the spectacular culinary experiences it offers its customers.
Where Salt Bae’s first Italian restaurant will open
The June 18th Nusret announced on his social channels that the opening of his restaurant in Rome is imminent. An Instagram post shows the famous Turkish chef signing a contract in a restaurant, with his iconic pose while sprinkling salt on a fillet. However, it is not yet clear where exactly the new restaurant will open in Rome.
Salt Bae’s first Italian restaurant, in Rome, should open in the Piazza Augusto Imperatore area.
“We don’t want you”: the social reactions against Salt Bae
The news of the opening of the Salt Bae restaurant in Rome has sparked various reactions on the web, not all positive, despite Nusret’s enthusiasm. Under the reel published on Instagram, numerous comments expressed criticism and skepticism. Among the most recurrent, the sarcastic “We don’t want you” echoed many users who complained about the exorbitant prices of his dishes.
This is not the first time that Nusret has found itself at the center of controversy over the costs of its menus. In the past, a staggering receipt at one of his restaurants in Dubai had raised a hornet’s nest of criticism, with figures reaching up to 100,000 euros for a meal for four people. This time too, the comments were not long in coming: “Lower prices” and “Stay home” are just some of the taunts directed at the Turkish chef.
Many recalled the stories of excess and extravagance linked to the restaurants of Nusret, where dishes covered in edible gold and prohibitively priced bottles of wine are the order of the day. This type of extreme luxury has sparked quite a bit of controversy, especially in a period in which attention to costs and sustainability is increasingly high.
Despite the criticism, Nusret, who had already announced in the past that he wanted to open a restaurant in Milan, is determined to bring his culinary experience to Rome, hoping to conquer the palates and hearts of the Romans. His popularity on social media, with over 53.5 million of followers on Instagram and 15.3 million on TikTok, is testament to the large following he enjoys globally. However, the challenge will be to transform this virtual following into a loyal and satisfied customer base in reality.
Salt Bae’s arrival in Rome is a mix of enthusiasm and controversy, with an audience divided between curiosity and skepticism. Only time will tell if the famous Turkish chef will be able to make his way into the hearts and palates of the Romans, demonstrating that his success on social media can translate into concrete success in the capital too.
