Established in 1974
EFES is named after Efes or Ephesus, an historical city in Aegean Turkey.  Ibrahim Akbas opened Efes restaurant in 1974. He trained and continue to work as a chef, which could go a long way in explaining the consistently high standard of delicious and authentic Turkish cuisine to be found in this restaurant.
Many TV personalities can be spotted amongs the regular customers and the restaurant is also very popular with the local community,
having a reputation for generous portions and very good value. This reputation does mean that at busy periods customers may find the restaurant crowded but
space can always be found in the deceptively cavernous interior which reaches right through
from the Great Titchfield Street to Foley Street.
 

History of Ephesus
EFES or EPHESUS in ancient times was an imported city on the Aegean coast of Turkey near modern day Izmir it was once the Roman capital of Asia.
The archaeological site is now a famous tourist attraction with many impressive ruins.
The TEMPLE OF ASTEMIS was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world but sadly now reduced to a single standing column.
Fortunately many of the archaeological remains are better preserved including the GYMNASUIM OF VEDIUS, a combined gymnasium and baths dating from AD,
150, and the THREATRE. This is a massive tierred area carved out of the side of Mount Pion seating 24,000. The Theatre is still in use for the Ephesus Festival.
The ARBLE ROAD leads from the Theatre past the LIBRARY OF CELSUS with its beautiful marble facade to the BATHS OF SCHOLASTICA.
These baths are an impressive example of Roman Baths which had cold, tepid and hot areas and were heated by circulating steam.
Near these are the remains of the TEMPLE OF HADRIAN, well preserved with many rows of columns and sculptures.
The PRATHE-RIUM housed the holy light which was a flame kept burning all the time to allow the people to obtain fire to light their lamps and stoves.
This flame was guarded by girls of the noble families know as The VIRGINS OF HESTIA.