Lokanta by Divan Returns with “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator for the Second Time

A strong wine program in fine dining restaurants is considered one of the key elements that supports the brand positioning and international visibility of the business, going beyond just offering a rich beverage menu. One of the latest examples of this approach is Lokanta by Divan, which operates under the Divan Group. The restaurant has won the “Award of Excellence” for the second consecutive time in the 2026 Restaurant Awards organized by Wine Spectator.

The Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards is one of the most established international programs evaluating the wine lists of restaurants worldwide in terms of quality, variety, and gastronomic harmony. The “Award of Excellence” given within the program represents not only a wide wine collection but also a balanced and carefully curated wine program that aligns with the restaurant menu.

Consistent Approach in the Wine Program

According to the company's statement, Lokanta by Divan maintained its success in international evaluations by retaining the “Award of Excellence” it first won in 2025 in 2026 as well.

The restaurant's 2026 wine menu features wines selected from 14 different countries. The selection brings together Turkey's viticulture heritage with international producers, offering a wide range of different grape varieties, boutique producers, private labels, and various vintages.

Lokanta by Divan's approach is not limited to creating a comprehensive wine list. The wines are curated to complement the dishes on the menu, aiming to create a balanced selection that appeals to different palates.

Culinary and Wine Experience Designed Together

The kitchen team led by Chef Volkan Arık adopts a gastronomic understanding centered on seasonality, local product usage, and sustainability. The restaurant presents Turkish cuisine with a contemporary interpretation, positioning the wine program as one of the complementary elements of this experience.

Planning food and wine together is considered one of the criteria that directly affect guest experience, especially in the fine dining segment, and is recognized as an important topic in international evaluation programs.

What Does “Award of Excellence” Represent?

Since 1981, the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards has evaluated restaurant wine programs at three different levels: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence, and Grand Award.

The Award of Excellence category rewards wine lists that feature quality producers, align with the restaurant's cuisine in terms of price and style, offer sufficient variety to guests, and are professionally managed.

Therefore, the award serves as an international reference that evaluates not only the number of wines but also the integrity of the selection, the service understanding, and the contribution to the gastronomic experience.

Also Featured in International Gastronomy Guides

In addition to its success with Wine Spectator, Lokanta by Divan has also been featured in various gastronomy guides over the past two years.

The restaurant was selected for the 2025 and 2026 Recommended Restaurants list of the Michelin Guide and was awarded 2 Toque in the Chef’s Table category by Gault & Millau Turkey. It also received a rating of 4 Pearls in the Pearl Gastronomy Guide and was awarded the “Best Service” award at the Golden Spoon Gastronomy Awards.

These evaluations demonstrate that the restaurant maintains its visibility on national and international platforms in various areas such as kitchen performance, service quality, and wine program.

What Does This Mean for Restaurant Operations?

International gastronomy guides and award programs are among the important references that strengthen the brand perception of restaurants. Especially in destinations with a high volume of foreign guests, such achievements can enhance the business's international visibility and positively influence reservation preferences.

However, sustainable success is not limited to winning awards. Up-to-date wine lists, trained service teams, proper stock management, and beverage pairings that align with the kitchen play a decisive role in maintaining this standard.

Stafflink’s View

While restaurant successes in Turkey are often evaluated based on kitchen performance, international wine awards are increasingly making the contribution of beverage management to business success more visible.

Awards from international platforms like Wine Spectator not only enhance the prestige of restaurants but also indicate that the investment in wine program management, service quality, and guest experience is recognized on an international scale.

In the upcoming period, creating a strong wine program, employing qualified sommeliers, and investing in the culture of gastronomic pairing will continue to be strategic elements that provide a competitive advantage, especially for restaurants operating in the fine dining segment. In this regard, the award received by Lokanta by Divan for the second consecutive time is not only a success for a single restaurant but also a remarkable development for the international visibility of the gastronomy sector in Turkey.

Main Source

Gastronomy Magazine — “Excellence Award from Wine Spectator to Lokanta by Divan” — July 27, 2026 - https://www.gastronomidergisi.com/restoran/lokanta-by-divan-a-wine-spectator-dan-mukemmellik-odulu

Primary Source

Wine Spectator — 2026 Restaurant Awards / Award of Excellence - https://www.winespectator.com/restaurant-awards/detail/15307/name/lokanta-by-divan

Michelin Guide - https://guide.michelin.com/tr/tr/istanbul-province/istanbul/restaurant/lokanta-by-divan