Nusrat Gokce (Salt Bae): The Rise, Fall, and Controversies of the World’s Most Famous Chef

The Rise of Nusrat Gokce’s Restaurant Empire

Expansion Across the Globe

By 2018, Nusrat Gokce had established his first American restaurant, NusR-et, in Miami. The success of this venture prompted rapid expansion into major cities worldwide. His restaurant chain now included locations in:

• New York City
• London
• Beverly Hills
• Dallas
• Las Vegas
• Dubai
• Doha
• Abu Dhabi
• Mykonos

Celebrity guests such as David Beckham, Naomi Campbell, Lionel Messi, and Snoop Dogg frequently visited his establishments, further boosting his reputation.

Lavish Menus and Extravagant Pricing

Nusrat’s restaurants became famous not only for their high-quality steaks but also for their luxurious presentation and astronomical prices. For example:

• Gold-plated tomahawk steak: $700
• Gold-covered meat spaghetti: $95
• Golden burger: $100
• Baklava with gold leaf: $50

The emphasis on luxury branding created a perception of exclusivity, attracting wealthy clientele and celebrities eager to experience the “Salt Bae” phenomenon.

Business Success and Wealth Accumulation

At the peak of his career, Nusrat Gokce’s net worth was estimated in the tens of millions of dollars. His assets included:

• A collection of luxury cars (including two Rolls-Royces worth $250,000 each)
• A private jet
• A personal yacht
• Real estate investments, including the historic Macca Palace in Istanbul, purchased for $42.5 million

He also owned a villa on the Greek island of Mykonos and was developing a massive hospitality project on Ibiza with 51 residential units and four restaurants.

October 21, 2025 | 5:58 pm