Grand Plaza

Grand Plaza (full legal name İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Grand Plaza Gıda, Otelcilik ve Turizm İşletmeleri A.Ş.) is a Turkish municipal company owned by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. It was originally established on 22 August 1985 under the name Arizko, as the Arap and İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Touristic Investments Joint Stock Company. On 26 April 1999 its title was amended to İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Grand Plaza Hotel Management and Tourism Enterprises Joint Stock Company, and on 20 August 2008 an extraordinary general assembly added the word 'gıda' (food) to its name, reflecting its expanded food operations. The company's stated purpose is to run tourism and gastronomy businesses to national and international standards. It establishes tourism facilities in various regions of Turkey, produces, processes, stores and sells food products, operates pide, pastry, bakery and bread ovens, and provides catering services. It also opens, builds, leases or operates hotels, holiday villages and accommodation facilities; runs shops selling tourist goods; buys and exports such goods; establishes travel agencies and partnerships; and operates cafés, restaurants, diners and tea gardens. Grand Plaza's portfolio of venues in İzmir includes Yasemin Kafe & Restoran, Nefes Restoran, Tarihi Asansör Restoran & Kafe & Bar, Havagazı Sanat Kafe, İzmir Sanat Kafe, Teleferik Tesisleri, Kuğulu Kafe, Develi Kafe and Engelsiz Kafe. It also provides services at Fuar İzmir (the İzmir International Fair), and operates the Halkın Bakkalı (People's Grocer) and Kent Lokantası (City Diner) concepts. Its service areas cover celebration and organization, catering, restaurant and café services, and buffet services, along with İzmirli Kahve. As a municipal enterprise, Grand Plaza combines commercial hospitality operations with a public-service mission, offering affordable food through initiatives such as Halk Ekmek (People's Bread) and Kent Lokantası. Recent news on its website highlights the opening of the first Kent Lokantası in Kemeraltı in June 2024, a second in Çiğli in July 2024, and plans for a third branch in Karabağlar, as well as a bread price reduction to 5 TL in April 2024. The company remains active and is a key vehicle for the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's tourism, gastronomy and social food policies.

Grand Plaza was established on 22 August 1985 under the name Arizko, formally the Arap and İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Touristic Investments Joint Stock Company. It was created as a municipal enterprise of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality to develop tourism investments. On 26 April 1999, its title was amended to İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Grand Plaza Hotel Management and Tourism Enterprises Joint Stock Company, marking a clearer focus on hotel and tourism operations. On 20 August 2008, an extraordinary general assembly decided to add the word 'gıda' (food) to the company's title, becoming İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Grand Plaza Gıda, Otelcilik ve Turizm İşletmeleri A.Ş. This change reflected the expansion of its activities into food production, bakery operations and catering. Over the years, Grand Plaza has operated a wide range of venues in İzmir, often in partnership with the municipality's public spaces and landmarks. Its portfolio has included Yasemin Kafe & Restoran, Nefes Restoran, Tarihi Asansör Restoran & Kafe & Bar, Havagazı Sanat Kafe, İzmir Sanat Kafe, Teleferik Tesisleri, Kuğulu Kafe, Develi Kafe and Engelsiz Kafe. It also provides services at Fuar İzmir, the city's international fairground. In addition to commercial cafés and restaurants, the company runs social food projects such as Halkın Bakkalı (People's Grocer) and Kent Lokantası (City Diner), which offer affordable meals. The first Kent Lokantası opened in Kemeraltı in June 2024, followed by a second in Çiğli in July 2024, with plans for a third in Karabağlar. In April 2024, the company reduced bread prices to 5 TL under the Halk Ekmek model. Grand Plaza remains an active municipal company, contributing to İzmir's tourism, gastronomy and social welfare.

• Company founded as Arizko (Arap and İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Touristic Investments Joint Stock Company).

• Title amended to İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Grand Plaza Hotel Management and Tourism Enterprises Joint Stock Company.

• Extraordinary general assembly adds 'gıda' (food) to the company title.

• First Kent Lokantası opens in Kemeraltı.

• Second Kent Lokantası opens in Çiğli.

• Third Kent Lokantası branch announced for Karabağlar.

• Bread price reduced to 5 TL under Halk Ekmek model.

Municipal hospitality and gastronomy company offering diverse café, restaurant and catering concepts across İzmir, combining commercial tourism operations with affordable public food services.

• Yasemin Kafe & Restoran

  Café and restaurant with sea view and green ambiance.

• Nefes Restoran

  Restaurant in İzmir.

• Tarihi Asansör Restoran & Kafe & Bar

  Restaurant, café and bar at the historic elevator with panoramic views.

• Havagazı Sanat Kafe

  Prestigious venue hosting many cultural events.

• İzmir Sanat Kafe

  Café at the fairground's hidden garden.

• Teleferik Tesisleri

  Cable car facilities with bay views.

• Kuğulu Kafe

  Café described as a paradise in İzmir.

• Develi Kafe

  Café in a natural wonder setting.

• Engelsiz Kafe

  Accessible café, a hidden paradise.

• Kent Lokantası

  City diner offering affordable meals; branches in Kemeraltı and Çiğli.

• Halkın Bakkalı

  People's Grocer concept.

1. 1İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Grand Plaza Gıda Turizm A.Ş. - Homepagegrandplaza.com.tr
2. 2İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Grand Plaza Gıda Turizm A.Ş. - About Usgrandplaza.com.tr
3. 3Grand Plaza - Wikidatawikidata.org