SORA Craft Kitchen

What we ordered: Mastabe Japanese Eggplant Salad Gavurdagi Salad Icli Kofte (Kitel) Root Vegetables Falafel Garlic-spiced Kebab Pekmez-marinated Chicken Kirecte Kabak Dining at Sora Craft Kitchen is unlike any other restaurant experience we’ve ever had & quite honestly the most memorable! Upon arrival we were greeted by the owner, operator, chef & one man show himself Chef Okay Inak! He greeted us by name & enthusiastically invited us to sit at a table closest to the kitchen reserved just for us. He was jovial & friendly….entertaining us with stories of his childhood and inspiration whilst preparing the draft we had just ordered at the kiosk by the entrance. Courses flowed seamlessly, often taken by surprise by the abundance and vibrant flavors that seemed to leap of the plate and onto our taste buds. His generous and gentle style flowed from the table to the kitchen as the oceans ebbing waves, with each h plate effortlessly gliding from his skilled hands to our table. Chef Onak serves his late mother’s Kitel and weaves his passion for using the most premium ingredients into each dish. He does it all with so much vibrancy and passion, and he does it all solo! I especially loved hearing how he sources his ingredients fresh twice weekly at the Santa Monica Farmers Market & imports his spices from Turkey. I also loved how he supports a woman owned local artisan for all of his serving ware & dishes made by Studio Molin. Chef Okay Inak is an inspiration to me an a small business owner, he has demonstrated the impact of a soloprenuer. 🙌🏼 Dress code: You’ll feel at home in just about anything Parking: paid metered street parking

Turkish food is one of my favorite cuisines, but it’s insanely difficult to find a restaurant in LA that properly captures the diverse influences of the country. Eating at SORA took me back to my time spent in rural Anatolia eating honest, good meals (but with the fine execution of a glitzy Istanbul hot spot!) I was bowled over by the complex flavors the chef created in dishes that looked simple and straightforward, like the tenderloin shish kebab– served with the best lavash bread and smoky pepper and yogurt sauces; or his refreshing Gavurdagi salad—a fragrant, tangy mixture of herbs, tomato, cucumber, and onion dressed in pomegranate molasses and a sunflower seed puree. My favorite dish is the candied pumpkin dessert: kabak tatlısı, so simple yet each bite leaves me happy and inspired. And all for a very decent price.

We recently visited Sora Craft Kitchen as a family, and had a wonderful experience. The chef’s table concept in this small six-table space is truly charming. The food was excellent: a beautiful, creative interpretation of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. The desserts were especially unique and delicious. We were very satisfied with everything.

SORA Craft Kitchen is an absolute hidden gem. From the moment we walked in, the cozy, intimate vibe set the tone for what became one of the most memorable meals my husband and I have had in a long time. This is a true one-man kitchen led by Chef Okay, who is incredibly warm, welcoming, and clearly passionate about his craft. You can feel the care, integrity, and creativity in every dish he creates. Every single plate we ordered was a standout, featuring fresh, well-thought-out ingredients prepared with so much detail. The presentation of every dish was also excellent, demonstrating the level of detail and pride Chef Okay puts into his work. Nothing felt rushed or generic, everything tasted like it was made with genuine care. My husband and I were so impressed. Literally every dish was a 10/10. The entire experience—from the warmth of the chef, to the cozy ambiance, to the unforgettable food—felt personal and heartfelt. It’s rare to find a place where the chef is both the heart and the hands behind every dish, yet still delivers such flawless consistency. Plus, it’s easy to find and has plenty of parking, which is a huge bonus in LA where parking is usually a nightmare. Overall, SORA Craft Kitchen is a must-try. A pleasant, memorable, and delicious dining experience, and we cannot wait to come back and try more dishes. :’) Highly, highly recommend!

I absolutely love this small, charming restaurant. SORA is run by the chef himself, and watching him work his magic in the open kitchen adds such a special touch to the dining experience. The food was absolutely amazing. The concept of a chef-run boutique restaurant feels both impressive and refreshingly authentic. Dinner at SORA was the perfect beginning to a great date night. I highly recommend this place if you’re looking for cool, vibrant new jewels in the Los Angeles cuisine scene. This is definitely the place to visit