Guided tour

Istanbul Food and Culture Tour: Taste of 2 Continents

4.9 / 5

94 reviews

Activity provider: My Local Guide Istanbul
Guided tour

Istanbul Food and Culture Tour: Taste of 2 Continents

Activity provider: My Local Guide Istanbul
Likely to sell out

From US$ 108.60 per person

Likely to sell out

Savor the flavors of Asia and Europe on a food tour of Istanbul and conquer the cuisines of the city’s 7 hills. Follow a local to neighborhood cafés to find Kurdish food, typical drinks, and more.

About this activity

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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 5 hours
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Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Try the foods of Istanbul on both the Asian and European sides of the Bosphorus
  • Cross the Bosphorus Strait by public ferry
  • Browse the local food and fish markets in Kardikoy
  • Sample local drinks like cay (tea), served in a tulip shaped glass
  • Taste the Kurdish foods typical of southeast Turkey
Full description

Explore the cuisines of Istanbul on a food tour of both sides of the Bosphorus. Take in the city as your cross the Bosphorus with the included ferry. Stop a 9 mouth-watering locations and sip on 4 drinks. Savor an entrée, main course, and a dessert.

Starting at Karakoy Pier, ride a public ferry across the Bosporus Strait to Kadikoy Port. Enjoy views of 2 continents on the journey. 

Stroll around the Kadikoy neighborhood visiting local markets and diving down a maze of streets lined with local shops selling all kinds of produce. Go to the fish market to try some delicious mussels stuffed with rice and spices.

Stop at break at a café, full of locals playing backgammon. Follow your guide to a restaurant that specializes in home cooked food from the Kurdish area of south east Turkey (vegetarian and gluten free options available).

Head back to the European side on the ferry, admiring views of Istanbul at night. Indulge in something sweet at a local eatery where you can sample a Turkish dessert.

Relax with a drink as you watch the locals going about their business. Try the fruity flavors of an authentic Nargile (water pipe), washed down with some Turkish beverages, such as chay (Turkish coffee), sahlep (milky drink made from orchid tubers). 

Includes
  • English-speaking local gourmet guide
  • Bosporus ferry crossing (return)
  • Entree, main course, and dessert
  • 8 food stops with 14 different kinds of food
  • 4 non-alcoholic drinks
  • Nargile (water pipe)
  • Extra food and drinks not mentioned in "what's included"
  • Tips and personal expenses

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

• Please meet your guide at the right side of the entry of the Karaköy Pier, Karakoy İskelesi, under the yellow sign; Your guide will come and ask if you are waiting for the tour. • If you come by tram, please get off at Karakoy tram station. Facing the direction of Galata Tower on the hill, walk from the tram station and turn right when crossing the traffic lights. Keep walking along the left side of the water and you'll find the tour within two minutes. • If you come by taxi then please tell the taxi driver Karakoy İskelesi Şehir hatları (not turyol). He will drop you off on the bridge and you can walk to the pier in two minutes.

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Important information

Know before you go

  • Please advise on booking of any dietary requirements (vegetarian, food allergies, etc.)
  • Please provide a contact mobile number
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5

based on 94 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5
  • Service
    5/5
  • Organization
    5/5

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Star rating:

Had a wonderful experience, especially thanks to our guide, Salih. He was very helpful and accommodating. There was lots of food and options. Salih was also incredibly careful of my partner's nut allergy, which was a huge relief for us. He was also generous in offering us many tips and recommendations for the rest of our time in Istanbul! A wonderful experience, I would do it again.

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March 23, 2023

Salih was excellent. Despite the rain and snow and just 2 people, the tour went on. He brought us to hole-in-the wall eateries that we wouldn’t have discovered on our own, taught us the right way of eating savoring local delicacies, and told us stories about places we passed by. Truly enjoyable company paired with exceptional food!

March 23, 2023

Had an amazing time with our guide. He took us to the Asian side of Istanbul and we had about 7 stops. So much food I couldn't even eat it all! We are vegetarian and he was able to cater a tour that accommodated us alongside the meat eaters. He educated us on Turkish history, cuisine, culture and more. Highly recommend this tour!!

March 23, 2023

Product ID: 45418