Analyzing Online Visitor Reviews for Museum Restaurants and Cafés in İstanbul

Abstract

Purpose – The new generation of museum restaurants and cafes represents a trend that aims to modernize the traditional museum concept, offering visitors a more interactive and enjoyable experience. This development shifts museums away from being mere places for exhibitions and collections. It incorporates various strategies to provide visitors with a broader cultural interaction and entertainment experience. This study aims to comprehensively examine visitor experiences in museum restaurants and cafe establishments operating in Istanbul. Design/Methodology/Approach – The concept of new-generation museology is a previously unexplored concept on a national scale in Turkey, and this study marks its first comprehensive exploration specifically within the Istanbul province. To achieve this goal, 12 different establishments actively providing services between 2011 and 2023 have been assessed. In the study, qualitative research methods, specifically archival document scanning and content analysis techniques, were utilized. Findings – Content from Google reviews was obtained through a Python-based application. The content was analyzed and visualized using the Microsoft Power BI program. As a result of the study, detailed insights into which themes garnered more attention and identified areas of improvement were presented. Discussion – Museum restaurants are special places that bring together culture, history, and gastronomy. The analyses conducted and experiences gained frequently highlight key themes in visitor reviews, summarizing them under titles such as delicious food, quality atmosphere, and top-notch service. These findings will not only contribute to maintaining a sustainable cultural heritage but also serve as a crucial foundation for the success of future projects.