Dive into the heart of Istanbul’s vibrant culinary culture with a guided food walk that takes you from the historic Old City to the bustling neighborhoods of the Asian side. This immersive food tour offers a rich blend of traditional Turkish flavors, local stories, and scenic ferry rides, making it one of the most authentic ways to experience the city.

Tour Highlights

• Start your morning at a traditional dairy shop, selecting fresh local ingredients like buffalo milk cream (kaymak), hazelnut paste, açuka, olives, and regional cheeses.

• Taste Menemen, a signature Turkish breakfast dish made from eggs, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and local spices.

• Enjoy the flavor of kaymak topped with organic honeycomb.

• Try simit (sesame-crusted bread) paired with soft Turkish cheese and sweet spreads.

• Taste fish lavash wraps, seasoned with herbs and salad.

• Sample tantuni, diced beef in lavash with yogurt sauce.

• Savor İskender kebap, doner meat over pitta bread with yogurt, tomato, and melted butter.

• Try stuffed mussels with spiced rice and lemon.

• Experience the rich flavor of lahmacun, a thin Turkish flatbread topped with spiced minced lamb and vegetables, cooked in a stone oven.

• Sample kokoreç, seasoned lamb offal served in crusty bread with tomato and spices.

• Enjoy the classic dessert künefe, made from fine pastry threads filled with cheese and soaked in sweet syrup, topped with Maraş ice cream.

• Sip Turkish coffee, prepared the traditional way in a copper pot over charcoal.

• Ride the ferry between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, offering excellent photographic views along the Bosporus.

• Try five unique local beverages throughout the tour.

Tour Details

Tour Style:
Street food experience, ferry crossing, local lifestyle discovery, city orientation, Turkish and Kurdish cuisine, hidden gems, and storytelling.

Ideal For:
Travelers eager to explore authentic local flavors, food lovers, and anyone seeking a cultural experience off the tourist track.

Inclusions:

• English-speaking licensed local food guide

• Round-trip Bosporus ferry crossing

• Food tastings at 8–9 stops (may vary by season)

• Five traditional local drinks

Exclusions:

• Additional food or beverages not listed above

• Personal shopping expenses

• Gratuities (Suggested amount: 10–20 USD per person)

Group Size:
Up to 10 participants
Tours available daily

Special Notes:

• Children aged 5–11: €50

• Children aged 12 and above: Full price

• Families with children under 5 are advised to book a private tour

• The tour starts a short walk from the Eminönü tram station

• Public tram service operates from 6:00 AM to midnight

Tour Schedule

75 Euro : Kids age 5-12
100 Euro: Adults age 13 +

Duration:
5 to 6 hours

Meeting Point:
Itimat Fabrika Satış Yeri
Rüstem Paşa, Avrupa Yakası, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul
(Located beside the entrance gate of the Spice Bazaar, facing the Galata Tower)

Start Time:
10:00 AM or 10:30 AM (based on your selected booking time)

Approximate End Time:
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Ending Point:
Near the Karaköy ferry pier. Your guide will assist you with directions back to your hotel.

How to Reach the Meeting Point

By Tram:
Disembark at Eminönü tram station. Face the mosque with two minarets and cross the street using the traffic lights. Walk along the right side of the mosque and enter the Spice Bazaar from the gate facing the Galata Tower and Galata Bridge.

By Taxi:
Ask your driver to take you to “Mısır Çarşısı” (the Turkish name for the Spice Bazaar).

Itinerary Overview

The food walk begins at the Itimat dairy shop, located at the edge of Istanbul’s historic Spice Bazaar. After meeting your guide, you’ll start the day by shopping for local breakfast essentials including kaymak, cheeses, olives, açuka, and sweet spreads. Following this, you’ll enjoy a traditional Turkish breakfast of simit, menemen, and çay (tea) in a nearby café.

Next, board a public ferry across the Bosporus to the Asian district of Kadıköy. During the scenic ride, take in views of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks such as the Bosporus Bridge, Dolmabahçe Palace, and the Maiden’s Tower. Your guide will provide insights into the city’s history and architecture.

Upon arriving in Kadıköy, enjoy a traditional charcoal-brewed Turkish coffee. If your guide knows how, you may even experience a brief fortune reading from your coffee cup.

Continue with a stroll through the Kadıköy Market, where locals shop for daily ingredients. Sample kokoreç sandwiches, lahmacun, and stuffed mussels straight from the market stalls. A highlight of the walk includes a stop at a historical restaurant for İskender kebap, prepared by the descendants of the dish’s original creator.

After lunch, take a sweet break with künefe, one of Turkey’s most beloved desserts. Board the ferry back to the European side, where you’ll enjoy a final tasting—grilled fish wrapped in lavash bread with spices and pomegranate sauce.

The tour concludes with Turkish coffee or tea at a scenic café overlooking the city.

Final Notes

This food walk offers a rich balance of walking, tasting, and cultural storytelling. The portion sizes are designed to be small so guests can enjoy each dish without feeling overwhelmed. Even those with modest appetites find themselves comfortably completing the tour.

Reserve your spot for the Istanbul Food Walk and explore the city’s culinary heart through local markets, authentic eateries, and the stories behind every dish.