Half-Day Istanbul Private Food Tour: Culinary Exploration in Eminonu

Embark on a half-day private food tour in Istanbul’s Eminonu district. Explore hidden corners, taste delicious food, and learn about local products from business owners. Breakfast and lunch included!

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Karakoy - Wander through the vibrant streets of Karakoy, where historic charm meets modern flair, creating a food lover’s paradise.
  • Bosphorus Strait - Take the ferry to the Asian Side with your guide.
  • Kadikoy Carsisi - Kadikoy Market, nestled on Istanbul’s Asian side, is a bustling hub renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and rich cultural tapestry. As you enter the market, the lively ambiance immediately captivates you. The narrow lanes are brimming with colorful stalls adorned with fresh fruits, vegetables, and aromatic spices. Vendors greet you warmly, eager to showcase their seasonal produce and local specialties.
  • Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) - Misir Çarşısı, commonly known as the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, stands as a historic gem nestled within Istanbul’s bustling Eminönü district. Dating back to the 17th century, this vibrant marketplace is steeped in rich cultural significance and architectural splendor. As you step into its intricate halls, you’re greeted by a kaleidoscope of sights, scents, and sounds that evoke centuries of trade and tradition.
What's Included
  • Water
  • Samples to taste and drink
  • Private guide
  • Transportation (public transportation)
What's Not Included
  • Personal expenses
Additional Information

Embark on a culinary adventure through Istanbul’s vibrant districts of Kadikoy. This guided tour explores intricate alleyways and hidden corners, offering an authentic taste of the city. Start with the aroma of freshly baked simit from a local bakery, a beloved Turkish staple. Venture into hidden pastry shops to indulge in börek and baklava, showcasing Istanbul’s rich pastry traditions.

Sample lahmacun, known as Turkish pizza, and enjoy a bowl of traditional Turkish soup, whether rich lentil or tangy yogurt-based. Delight in mussel dolma, stuffed mussels filled with spiced rice, a street food favorite. Explore bustling markets where locals pick up daily produce and spices, immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere.
Conclude at a traditional Turkish coffeehouse, savoring the rich, intense flavors of Turkish coffee. This tour is about more than just eating; it’s about experiencing Istanbul like a local, gaining a deeper understanding of its culture and vibrant food scene.

  • At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Location
Karakoy
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(15 Ratings)
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Fritz
Jul 15, 2024
Delicious and Perfect afternoon with Private Guide - The food tour in Istanbul was a terrific way to experience local culture. Our guide, Pinar, is a Turkish native and lived in the city. She guided us to neighborhoods we wouldn’t have seen, all while tasting local foods from savory to sweet! The private one-on-one time allowed us to have great conversations about Turkish life, history, and, obviously, food. We had a blast and highly recommend—especially if you get a guide as caring and thoughtful as Pinar. Best of all, I can know boastfully tell people I ate in Europe and in Asia all within the same afternoon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W8426msrebeccaw
Jun 22, 2024
Exceptional Walking Food Tour - What an amazing opportunity we had spending the day with Burak touring Istanbul and tasting some delicious new food and drink! We chose this food tour with the desire to dive deep into the culture and to be able to experience Istanbul through the eyes of a local, and Burak exceeded our expectations! We were expertly guided through the city using public transportation and then the ferry and then walking from place to place as we sampled some of the best food and drink! Burak is so knowledgeable about the history of this ancient city and he knew the best places to get the best food. The pizza was my favorite! The Turkish coffee was very good too. Burak speaks very good English and was so engaging and kind and truly made this the best day! We did a lot of walking but it was not overwhelming at all. We ended the tour with some cold, Turkish beer and great conversation. Burak was so warm and welcoming and he made us feel like family that day. We are eager to revisit Istanbul to explore some more and to see our new friend Burak.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lee
Feb 29, 2024
Interesting food and history tour - Was a really good tour Emre was a great host who had a lot of knowledge we all learned loads of interesting facts . I would highly recommend using them
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lee_j
Feb 20, 2024
Interesting and tasty tour - Great tour and was a brilliant tour guide in Emre , we learned so much from him . Very honest company also we over booked and they brought it to our attention and gave us a refund highly recommended
Review provided by Viator
Manlalakbayako
Sep 8, 2023
Istanbul x [food+culture+history] = AMAZING! - My guide Kerim was fantastic! He knew real Istanbul food, culture and history. We ended up with a couple extra hours just walking around, simply because there was so much more to see, and taste, and experience! Not your usual touristy gig. Highly recommended!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X6303bpjb
Sep 6, 2023
Turkish Delight :-) - Gamze’s energy and knowledge will hold a special place in my heart and mind (and tummy). I learnt so much about the food and culture across Istanbul. Loved how Gamze adapted the day to suit me and my tastes and interests. 10/10.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marla_t
Aug 20, 2023
So much food in an amazing city! - Do not eat anything before this tour! There is so much food, you'll want room to enjoy it all! Ugur was an excellent tour guide who shared the vast history and culture of Istanbul along with its culinary treasures. We only had one day in this interesting city, and he helped us feel like we spent our time well. Be brave and try everything, even the unfamiliar. Our time in the spice market allowed us to bring some treats back with us. Thank you for giving us an unforgettable day in your city!
Review provided by Viator
S6432ovamandat
May 15, 2023
Fabulous food in Istanbul - Emre was our guide. Very enthusiastic and passionate about his city. Flexible and adapted the tour to us and what we had already done in Istanbul. Took us to some fabulous eateries, and gave us the opportunity to try some more unusual food offerings. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Junph
Nov 8, 2022
Gastronomic Adventure in Istanbul - Gamze our tour guide is the perfect companion for this experience. A foodie herself, she brought us to the tastiest food restaurants around Istanbul. We had so much food we almost couldn't walk back going home. Gamze was very knowlegdeable not only about the food but everything about Istanbul as well. She's always smiling & has a wonderful personality. If you would like to experience the gastronomic delights of Istanbul book this tour & make sure you specify Gamze
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Josephdv5995yr
Oct 29, 2022
A Food Tour to Remember - Kemal exceeded our expectations and deserves special thanks. He immediately put us at ease with his friendly, welcoming personality. He provided a wealth of information on local customs and traditions associated with the food we enjoyed from why Turkish tea is served in a tulip-shaped glass to the history behind a famous baklava bakery. This was a private tour and we enjoyed soup, excellent bread & kebabs, Turkish pizza and more, served in small cafes and shops frequented by locals. A great storyteller, Kemal never hesitated to patiently answer our questions with a smile and an occasional brief history lesson. And we were particularly impressed with his genuine pride in his country. Bottom line, Kemal's knowledge of the history of Turkish food and related historical events made this a tour to remember.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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