Istanbul Food Tour
On the Istanbul Food Tour, you can try traditional, delicious, and well-known all over the world Turkish food. Try the street food while discovering Istanbul’s cuisine and flavors.
Service Provider: Romos Travel
Service Details
There are many different flavors and cuisines in Turkish cuisine. That is the outcome of Anatolia having a diverse range of civilizations, tribes, and ethnicities. At the continents’ crossroads, Turkey has many prospects for gastronomic and East-West fusion.
You are welcome to join the culinary tour on an empty stomach and rely entirely on our guides. You will start out by trying the Turkish Breakfast, which includes pastrami, eggs, honey, tahini molasses, olives, black tea, and many kinds of Turkish cheese simit (bagels), among other things. Your guide will take you off the main road to discover the local eateries serving the tastiest regional specialties.
You will travel to Istanbul’s Asian and European sides. The Asian side of Istanbul remained local because it was founded on the European side and had historical structures. It still holds true for the populace because Asian culture still maintains its unique way of life and traditions. We would like to transport you to the Asian side so that you can sample the regional cuisines and take a taste memory home with you.
You will observe how local life functions on the streets while you are sampling the foods. Turkish food is more diverse than just kebabs. We will therefore provide you with an overview of the many types of seafood, pickles, appetizers, sweets, desserts, beverages, and pastries.
Tour Highlights
Bosphorus, Moda, Kadikoy, Spice Bazaar
Why Book This Service
· Indulge in a rich culinary journey on the Istanbul Food Tour, sampling a variety of traditional Turkish dishes and street foods that reflect the country’s diverse cultural heritage.
· Start your day with a classic Turkish Breakfast, featuring an array of flavors such as pastrami, olives, eggs, tahini molasses, honey, simit (bagels), black tea, and regional cheeses.
· Explore Istanbul’s Asian and European sides, discovering hidden local eateries and tasting authentic regional specialties, from seafood and pickles to desserts and beverages.
· Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of Istanbul’s Asian side, experiencing its distinct culture, traditional lifestyle, and vibrant culinary scene.
· Enjoy insights from a knowledgeable guide who takes you off the beaten path to discover the best-kept secrets of Istanbul’s food culture, ensuring an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
· Engage in a walking tour, exploring the city’s streets while savoring its flavors, with the convenience of public transport included to navigate between culinary hotspots.
What's Included
- Local Tour Guide
- 10 notably different eateries and cuisines, with extensive tastes in each.
- Public transport
- A day full of culinary, cultural, historical, and personal experiences, as well as an insider’s perspective on Istanbul from a resident.
Please Note
- Walking is involved in the Istanbul Local Food and Culinary Tour. We advise you to dress comfortably and to wear casual shoes.
- The tour is available every day and operated for 6 hours.
- The tour price does not cover a private van but public transport.
Meeting Point
At your Hotel
Cancellation Details
Booking can be cancelled up to 1 day(s) before the tour start.
15 reviews for Istanbul Food Tour
Tour Pictures from Travelers
What an unforgettable day!
This tour was truly something special. We spent nearly 8 hours exploring Istanbul in the most delicious and immersive way. It all began with a full, proper Turkish breakfast in the Old City—warm bread, olives, cheeses, and more. A real sit-down meal that set the tone for the day.
Our guide, Gurhan, was a gem from start to finish. He welcomed us with such warmth and took us through the Shozy Spice Bazaar, where we lingered in a cozy spice shop while he explained Turkish flavors and how they fit into everyday cooking. That alone gave us such an appreciation for the cuisine.
Then came the ferry ride to the Asian side (Gurhan took care of the tickets, thankfully!), and off we went to explore more neighborhoods, taste authentic dishes, and soak in the stories and history that make Istanbul so layered and rich.
Gurhan’s way of guiding felt like walking through the city with a knowledgeable friend. He pointed out quirky signs and local customs, explained food origins, and introduced us to little treats at just the right moments. His pacing was perfect—not too fast, not too slow—and we always felt taken care of.
One of the highlights? The buffalo milk ice cream with orchid powder. We’d never tasted anything like it before—smooth, stretchy, floral, and incredibly tasty. We were hooked!
Ali even gave us ferry instructions for the way back and handled the return tickets too—so thoughtful. Throughout the day, he shared not just history, but cultural tidbits, recommendations for shops and restaurants, and even where to buy the original Turkish delight.
We couldn’t stop smiling. Everyone in our group felt like we got far more than expected. From exploring both continents to bringing home breakfast goodies he recommended, it was a day filled with flavor, fun, and fantastic memories.
We felt full (literally and figuratively) well into the evening. Gurhan made it easy to enjoy every moment, and we’d follow him again in a heartbeat. One of the best tours we’ve ever taken. Highly, highly recommended!
Great balance of market exploration, sit-down tastings, and casual street food. Very enjoyable!
The culinary diversity on this tour blew us away. From seafood by the Bosphorus to local street sweets, each bite told a story. Stopped at a family-run lokanta for homemade meze—one of our favorite meals in Turkey!
Delicious taste of Istanbul—highly recommend.
Lovely guide, tasty street food, and charming markets!
Incredible food experience! We hopped between markets, trying fresh olives, artisan cheeses, and street kebabs. Learned about Turkish tea rituals and ended with baklava in a centuries-old patisserie. Insightful guide, excellent pacing, and full of local charm.
Our Istanbul food tour was a delicious journey! We savored simit by the Golden Horn, tasted iconic street foods in Kadıköy like midye and kokoreç, sampled Ottoman-era sweets in a historic konak, and finished with a homemade gözleme by local artisans. The guide shared culinary traditions and hidden gems—an unforgettable blend of flavor and culture!
Wonderful mix of savory and sweet street snacks. Loved the friendly guide and smooth logistics.
Informative and tasty. We tried so many foods and learned about spices and history!
What a feast! Sampling authentic Turkish dishes—çay, börek, köfte, lahmacun—while strolling through vibrant markets was amazing. The guide explained spice blends and recipes, pointing out hidden cafés. A true taste of Istanbul.