COVER REVEAL

Turkish butcher reveals all in first-ever sitdown interview

In the outdoor seating area of Nusr-Et steakhouse, a man casually strolls with a cappuccino in hand. His outfit – a simple white t-shirt tucked into black trousers – might seem ordinary, but on him, it’s iconic. Add the signature round sunglasses, and there’s no mistaking him.

This is Nusret Gökçe, known to the world as Salt Bae. He walks the grounds of his Dubai restaurant like a king surveying his castle, calm but focused. “We keep growing,” he tells Arabian Business, a smile hinting at the pride behind his words. “Business never sleeps. Our concept, our brand – everyone is waiting for us.”

2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for the Turkish butcher. His empire is expected to expand with new openings in Mexico City, Monaco, Milan, Rome, Cappadocia, and Istanbul. But while Nusret continues to conquer new markets, he’s not without his setbacks. His Riyadh restaurant, which closed its doors in April 2024, marked a rare blip for the Nusr-Et chain. Salt Bae is philosophical about the closure, attributing it to the restaurant’s location and the timing of its opening. “We have a very good relationship with the Saudi people,” he explains. However, plans are already underway for a triumphant return, with aspirations to open in Jeddah, Mecca, and even the ambitious NEOM project on the horizon.

Nusret’s meteoric rise hasn’t been without controversy. His appearance on the pitch during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar, where he touched and kissed the trophy, drew widespread backlash. The illustrious prize is only supposed to be touched or held by a select group of people, including FIFA officials and tournament winners – on that day, the Argentinian football team. Salt Bae admits, “It was my mistake. If I knew the rules, I would never have touched it.” He’s quick to assure, though, that he’ll steer clear of such controversies in the future. “Next World Cup, even if I have the chance, I’ll never touch the World Cup. I will go to the stadium to see the match, but I’ll never touch it again,” he says.

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