Few chefs are recognisable from a single pose. Strut forward, Salt Bae. Now, the Turkish chef has revealed his desire to expand in Saudi Arabia, and open restaurants in Jeddah, Makkah and NEOM. While the details have not yet been confirmed, here’s what we do know. 

Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gökçe, told Arabian Business: “We’re in talks with the Saudis about the future. We will come back soon and strong. We decided we must open in a better location. I want to open in Mecca and Jeddah first. Once those are successful, we’ll move into the new NEOM project.”

In November 2021, he opened Nusr-Et Steakhouse in U Walk, Riyadh. The restaurant closed in April 2024, and he’s now looking for a new location. The concept is famous for its luxurious offerings, including steaks, spaghetti, and ribs.

Nusret hails from Senkaya, Turkey. In 2010, he opened his first restaurant in Istanbul. In 2014, he opened a restaurant in Dubai, which remains one of his most popular restaurants worldwide. He has venues across the globe, including Doha, London, and Los Angeles.

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