Istanbul Food Tour

General information

Destination	Category
Istanbul, Turkey	Attractions/Entertainment

Program details

Our tour meets on the European side of the city for an early-morning ferry across the Bosphorus. Enjoy a cup of tea and beautiful views over the city as your guide explains how you can trace Turkey’s history through its foods – and particularly its spices. This isn’t just a food tour, it’s an education too!


Over in Asia we’ll do as the locals do, heading to the lively fish and vegetable market. Here your guide will show you which foods are native to Turkey and explain those strange edibles you don’t recognize, like kelek, green plums and idge. We’ll visit local spice stores to learn why saffron is more expensive than gold; about metze, Turkey’s answer to Spanish tapas; and how differently people eat at home and in restaurants.

Our culinary adventure continues through the streets of Kadikoy. We’ll eat like the Turks, visiting the best hole-in-the-wall shops and eateries for metze, kebabs and Turkish pizza. You’ll sample such local treats as stuffed mussels, lentil balls and delicious kofte. Two of the highlights of our tour are a surprise for many guests – Turkish dairy products! You’ll try yoghurt with honey and a selection of Turkish cheeses; from raw buffalo cheese to goat’s milk cheeses and smoked cheddar.



Because we want to give you an authentic taste of Istanbul, you’ll have the option to sample some local favorites you may not have tried on your own.
Our last stop will be for a delicious Turkish coffee at a local café and some last questions for your guide as you board the ferry back to Europe (although you’re welcome to hang around if you’d like, your ferry ticket is valid all day). We hope you haven’t made lunch reservations though, you may not be hungry again until tomorrow!



Meeting/pick-up point: At the Karakoy Ferry terminal (in turkish: ''Karaköy Vapur Iskelesi''), located near the Galata Bridge and Tower. At the entrance of the terminal, which looks like a bus stop on the port, there is a Caribou coffee shop. We meet in front of the shop. Please note: this is not the Karakoy cruise port terminal which is nearby.

Duration: 3.5 hours.

Start/opening time: At 9:20am.

-End/closing time: At the Asian side Kadikoy Ferry terminal. Your guide will ensure you get on the correct ferry back to the meeting point or preferred area of town.

Languages: English.

Others: : Please notify us before booking if you have any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or other special requirements. While we can provide an option for vegetarians, guests should be aware that tastings such as the Kebab meats on this tour cannot be replaced with a vegetarian alternative. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate customers with wheelcharis, strollers and baby carriages.