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Istanbul Food Tour: A 6-hour Culinary Journey Off the Beaten Track
5.0
192 Ratings
Beyoğlu
Embark on a 6-hour culinary journey through Istanbul, exploring the authentic tastes of Turkish cuisine and discovering hidden delicacies. Immerse yourself in Turkish history and culture while indulging in mouthwatering dishes off the beaten track.
Embark on a 6-hour culinary journey through Istanbul, exploring the authentic tastes of Turkish cuisine and discovering hidden delicacies. Immerse yourself in Turkish history and culture while indulging in mouthwatering dishes off the beaten track.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Karakoy Iskelesi - Your personalized Istanbul food tour experience starts with a warm welcome from your guide, who will meet you at your hotel reception, holiday rental, or Istanbul Galataport cruise port at the time of your choosing. We will begin by walking or taking a tram to Karakoy, where you’ll savor a delicious Turkish breakfast. Indulge in…
- Karakoy Iskelesi - Your personalized Istanbul food tour experience starts with a warm welcome from your guide, who will meet you at your hotel reception, holiday rental, or Istanbul Galataport cruise port at the time of your choosing. We will begin by walking or taking a tram to Karakoy, where you’ll savor a delicious Turkish breakfast. Indulge in the flavors of Turkish menemen, sucuklu omelet, kaymak, and honey - all carefully selected to give you an authentic taste of Turkish cuisine.
- Tophane Meydan Cesmesi - After relishing a scrumptious breakfast, we will accompany you on a leisurely walk through the vibrant neighborhoods of Tophane and Karakoy. During this walk, you will get to know the rich Turkish coffee culture and savor its unique flavor. Additionally, you will get a chance to satisfy your sweet tooth with the freshest baklava, paired with a scoop of delicious Turkish ice cream.
- Kadikoy - Let’s take a lovely stroll down Tophane to reach the Karakoy ferry station on the European side of Istanbul. From there, we will hop on a ferry to the Asian side and visit the charming neighborhood of Kadikoy (formerly known as Kalkedon, which means the “city of blind people”). You’ll love the authentic Turkish dishes and traditional kebabs available there, or if you’re feeling a bit more daring, go ahead and try a liver wrap! Afterward, let’s head to the fish market, where we can indulge in some delicious stuffed or fried mussels or pickles.
- Kadikoy - After tasting various delicacies, the tour will end at Kadikoy ferry station on the Asian side. From there, you can take a ferry back to the old and new city of Istanbul. Our itinerary is subject to change based on location availability and weather, and we also have some secret dishes for you to enjoy.
• Please note: the itinerary is subject to change, based on the location’s availability and weather.
• You will have a chance to experience local culture while visiting some local markets, bazaars, and backstreets.
• This is a 6-hour walking tour.
• We will use public transportation such as ferry.
• You have full freedom on our tours. You can even change your mind on the day as we go.
What's Included
- Breakfast
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Non-alcoholic beverages, tea, and coffee
- Experience the delightful variety of food on both the Europe and Asian sides of Istanbul
- Breakfast
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Non-alcoholic beverages, tea, and coffee
- Experience the delightful variety of food on both the Europe and Asian sides of Istanbul
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
Additional Information
From kebabs to baklava to Turkish delight, Turkish food is famous worldwide. While many people have enjoyed more than the odd kebab in their time, there is so much more to Turkish food than just kebabs, as you will discover on the 5- 6 hour Istanbul Food Tour. The tour takes you off the beaten track so you can sample the authentic tastes of Istanbul and…
From kebabs to baklava to Turkish delight, Turkish food is famous worldwide. While many people have enjoyed more than the odd kebab in their time, there is so much more to Turkish food than just kebabs, as you will discover on the 5- 6 hour Istanbul Food Tour. The tour takes you off the beaten track so you can sample the authentic tastes of Istanbul and experience delicious Turkish delicacies you may not have known existed. While discovering local markets, you will also gain an overview of Turkish history and culture while appreciating the unique architecture of Istanbul. Whether you are a food expert or love food, the Private and Guided Istanbul Food Tour - Taste of Istanbul will fulfill your eating dreams.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Please note: the itinerary is subject to change, based on the location’s availability and weather.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- The tour concludes on the Asian side at the Kadikoy ferry station, where you can easily take a ferry back to Europe.
Location
Murat Muhallebicisi
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(192 Ratings)
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Alexandra_p
Oct 6, 2024
Fantastic food and a great day out - We had an excellent day with Furkan and visited so many different places with a really wide variety of dishes. The day started with a lovely breakfast (I wish I could take the cream home in my suitcase 😄) and we even stopped for a beer. The stuffed mussels were a great surprise too. Would highly recommend this tour, Furkan was great company. However as we didn’t hear from him we guess our lottery ticket didn’t win 🤣
Review provided by Viator
Andrew_b
Oct 1, 2024
One of the Best Family Trips Ever.....Thanks to Derya.... - My family and I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to travel extensively around the globe, and during these trips, we often hire local tour guides to aid in our adventures.
On a recent trip to Istanbul, we had the good fortune to be assigned Derya for a private guided walking tour of local eateries.
From its inception, this educational excursion was met with significant resistance from my three teenage daughters, who preferred not to get up at 0730 to expand their culinary horizons but rather lay in the air conditioning and watch TikToks all day.
Undeterred by their grumpiness and pleas to stay in bed, we pressed on and assembled in the hotel lobby, where we met Derya. She immediately put everyone at ease with her warm personality, infectious smile & positive attitude.
For the next 8 hours, we went from one amazing quaint little cafe to the next. Derya's knowledge of local cuisine, culture & history was extraordinary. It was like we were taking a college-level class in Anatolian history while sampling the most delicious Turkish cuisines.
Each location was better than the previous, and Derya expertly planned the route & menu so that (1) the portions were such that you never felt "stuffed" (2) each restaurant was easily accessible on foot, (3) yet just far apart enough to burn off a few calories and make room for the next stop.
Needless to say, the day was a huge success, and it was all smiles and hugs as we said goodbye to Derya.
But our adventure did not stop there....
Later that evening, I received a WhatsApp message from Derya recommending several amazing dinner options within walking distance from our hotel. We were so impressed and appreciative of Derya's genuine desire to see us enjoy our stay in Turkey that we hired her again several days later to give us a guided shopping tour of the Grand Bazaar.
This decision turned out to be a huge windfall for me, as Derya knew exactly which vendors to deal with for the highest-quality handbags, rugs, jewelry, and spices. Not only did she ensure we purchased the best-quality products, but she was also very familiar with pricing throughout the Bazaar and helped us negotiate excellent deals.
I normally do not fill out surveys or write reviews ( now that I think about it, this is my 1st one ). but in this case, Derya's level of customer service, local knowledge and professionalism was so extraordinary that I felt compelled to share our stories.
If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, I strongly encourage you to contact Derya in advance for recommendations on hotels, restaurants, transportation, tours, etc.
I can promise you will be glad you did!!!
Review provided by Viator
Hallie
Sep 15, 2024
Food, fun and Istanbul - Our unforgettable five and half-hour walking tour through Europe and Asia included an incredible food tasting experience. We were delighted to spend time with Furkan, who led us to savour mouthwatering, authentic Turkish cuisine that we would have missed without his expertise. Furkan’s profound understanding of the city and his well established connections enriched our adventure, offering us an exquisite fusion of food, history, culture, daily life, and exploration.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paula
Sep 7, 2024
A delicious day in Istanbul - The Istanbul food tour with Derya exceeded my expectations. Derya not only gave a great tour and was hilarious, but she also shared a wealth of knowledge as a food and wine expert. We visited Karakoy and Kadikoy, where we tasted wonderful traditional breakfast, baklava, ice cream, stuffed mussels, kebabs and wine. It was definitely worth the time and money if you want to experience Istanbul and Turkish gastronomy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carissa
Aug 30, 2024
Fabulous food tour for all ages. - We went on this awesome private and guided Istanbul food tour with Furkan as our guide. He met us at the Galataport cruise terminal and even dropped us off at our hotel after the tour. We got to keep our suitcases in the van during the tour, so we didn’t have to worry about checking out from the cruise. The tour lasted almost six hours and took us to both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, with stops at hidden gem locations where we got to try so many delicious Turkish foods. The baklava and kebab were out of this world! Furkan was super cool, fun and really engaged with our group. He’s definitely the best tour guide we’ve ever had, and the service they provided was top notch.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aubrey
Aug 24, 2024
Eat and learn at the same time. - I visited Istanbul multiple times for work, but it was my first time joining a guided food tour. I had heard great things about Furkan from my colleagues, so my expectations were high, and he exceeded them all. His knowledge, energy, and passion for food were incredible. It’s clear that he loves Istanbul and definitely knows his food. I highly recommend Private Istanbul Walking Tours, especially with our wonderful guide Furkan. One quick tip for travelers: be prepared for a good amount of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Also, it’s better not to plan a big dinner as you’ll be eating a lot of food. Lastly, it can get hot in Istanbul in July and August.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daisy
Aug 17, 2024
The best food tasting tour ever. - My family and I had a fantastic food tour with Furkan. He is exceptionally knowledgeable about Turkish cuisine and took great care of us. We had a fantastic time and are already excited for our next tour with him in Istanbul after we return from our African safari on our way home. Tesekkur ederim.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandym521
Jul 26, 2024
Great Morning Excursion - This food tour was so much fun (and delicious). Our guide, Furkan, was the best...knowledgeable, funny and kept the pace easy for our group of 10. We saw so much of the local neighborhoods (and sampled so many Turkish foods) that we would not have seen if not on this tour (with an added stop to sample raki(?)). This experience is well worth the time, whether visiting Istanbul for a day or several days. Furkan was conscious of the time we needed to be on board our cruise ship and had us at the port in plenty of time. This tour is not to be missed!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hadly
Jul 21, 2024
The best private tour ever. - Our food tour with Furkan was an absolute feast for the senses, featuring a delightful array of traditional Turkish delicacies like breakfast, baklava, ice cream, fish sandwiches, stuffed mussels, fizzy shots, and delectable kebabs. Furkan was not just incredibly knowledgeable and punctual, but also so warm and entertaining. He truly made the whole experience unforgettable. It set the perfect tone for our incredible 10 day trip to Turkey.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sachin
Jul 19, 2024
A memorable trip to Istanbul - Furkan was amazing and always so nice and information. He planned the most amazing trip in our four days in Istanbul. He was with us the entire way showing us pearls and introducing us to some amazing cultural experiences that you would never get on your own. We did several tours with his company, and some of the highlights were the food tour and going to the different mosques
We went to Taxim Square as well as some of the neighborhoods on the Asia side. He is super educational, enthusiastic, and got along well with the whole family. I can’t say enough about how amazing our experience was because of him I would highly recommend his company anywhere in Turkey.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
