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Guided tour

Istanbul: Guided Food and Culture Tour

4.9  / 5443 reviews
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Guided tour
Istanbul: Guided Food and Culture Tour
4.9  / 5443 reviews
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

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Small group
Limited to 10 participants

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

A
Alan Gavin – South Africa

We had an incredible experience with Salih. We arrived at the wrong location to start but Salih quickly sorted out a solution and met up with us with little difficulty. We are a family of four with our son aged 23 and daughter aged 21. We all loved the tour. We were joined by another couple and really enjoyed their company. The ferry ride across the Bosphorus was spectacular. Walking the streets of the Asian side of Istanbul was amazing. We tasted so many interesting foods and drinks. Eating with the locals was such an unique experience. A minor criticism was the lentil soup at the “soup stop” wasn’t good but the spicy beef soup was excellent. I had the “ lambs head and feet” soup which was nice. If you like your desserts, the final stop is a real treat. Overall an experience not to be missed!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A
Alan Gavin – South Africa
D
David – Australia

This tour was awesome. An amazing insight into local foods and culture from a local. Doing the tour with Borak felt like you were being shown around by a friend. I got to experience foods I would have otherwise never known existed. Highly recommend.

D
David – Australia

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.

Includes

  • English-speaking local gourmet guide
  • Bosporus ferry crossing (return)
  • Entrees, main courses, and desserts
  • 8 food stops with 15 different kinds of food
  • 4 non-alcoholic drinks
  • 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 443 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Value for money
    4.7/5
  • Service
    5/5
  • Organization
    5/5

Customer photos

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Recommended
A
Alan Gavin – South AfricaJanuary 19, 2025  – Verified booking
We had an incredible experience with Salih. We arrived at the wrong location to start but Salih quickly sorted out a solution and met up with us with little difficulty. We are a family of four with our son aged 23 and daughter aged 21. We all loved the tour. We were joined by another couple and really enjoyed their company. The ferry ride across the Bosphorus was spectacular. Walking the streets of the Asian side of Istanbul was amazing. We tasted so many interesting foods and drinks. Eating with the locals was such an unique experience. A minor criticism was the lentil soup at the “soup stop” wasn’t good but the spicy beef soup was excellent. I had the “ lambs head and feet” soup which was nice. If you like your desserts, the final stop is a real treat. Overall an experience not to be missed!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Helpful?
D
David – AustraliaDecember 1, 2024  – Verified booking
This tour was awesome. An amazing insight into local foods and culture from a local. Doing the tour with Borak felt like you were being shown around by a friend. I got to experience foods I would have otherwise never known existed. Highly recommend.
Helpful?
C
Cory – United StatesNovember 22, 2024  – Verified booking
Excellent way to experience all the highlights of Turkish and specifically Istanbul food, from the less touristy Asian side. Our guide was amazing and the tour was extremely well organised and provided excellent value. I would suggest skipping lunch and going into this tour ravished, as the dishes just keep coming. Definitely recommend this if you are in Istanbul, even for one night.
Helpful?

Product ID: 45418

Activity provider:My Local Guide Istanbul

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