The Best Istanbul Food Tours (2024)
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Whether you’re in Istanbul for a day, a week or a month, one thing is abundantly clear as soon as you step foot in this vibrant, lively, behemoth of a city: Istanbulites think with their stomachs.
Venture anywhere in Istanbul and you’re sure to be surrounded by the intoxicating sights and smells of traditional Turkish food.
From pyramids of baklava filled with pistachios and drenched with honey; moreish sesame-coated simit bagels that make the perfect on-the-go breakfast; sizzling grilled fish coated with spices and tangy pomegranate molasses; to thinly shaved slices of juicy döner kebabs, stuffed into half baguettes with a mixture of pickles, salad and onions, in Istanbul food is literally everywhere.
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🍛 Best Istanbul Food Tours
Istanbul: Taste of Two Continents Food Tour (⭐ 4.9/5)
Istanbul Food & Culture Tour: Taste of 2 Continents (⭐ 4.9/5)
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If you’re visiting the city for the first time, the diverse nature of Istanbul’s Turkish cuisine can be a little bit intimidating. What should you eat? And where should you eat it?
Luckily that’s where we come in! As dedicated foodies, we think the best way to understand and immerse yourself in Turkish food culture is on a guided tour with an expert.
In this article, we’ll talk about why you should consider doing a food tour in Istanbul; the history and culture behind the city’s incredible food scene and most importantly, give you the insider lowdown on the best guided Istanbul tours which focus solely on food.
Why Should You Listen to Us?
If you’ve been reading our blogs for a while you’ll know that we have lived in Istanbul for four years and are serious foodies - which is why you’ll find tons of articles about food on this blog including how to find the best breakfasts in Istanbul, top cafes, amazing vegan and vegetarian restaurants in a city (and a country) that loves meat and even a guide to all the Turkish street food you should try.
Importantly, we’ve actually been on several of of the food tours we recommend in this article, so we can give you an excellent idea of what to expect, the foods you’ll get to try plus the best tours to suit the amount of time you have in the city and any particular dietary requirements you have.
🥘 Why Go on a Food Tour in Istanbul?
If you love food, Istanbul Turkey is the place to be! Here’s why we think you should go on an Istanbul food tour:
Discover Authentic Turkish Food From All Over the Country
An Istanbul food tour actually gives you an opportunity to try some of the best traditional food Turkey has to offer, without ever travelling outside of the city!
On your tour you’ll get the chance to try all kinds of regional cuisine: whether that’s tulum cheese from Erzincan, katmer (a flaky pastry packed with cream, sugar and pistachios - yums!) from Gaziantep, pine honey from Fethiye, tangy black olives from Hatay, or cağ kebabı, a succulent lamb kebab, from Erzurum, to name just a few!
Explore Istanbul’s History and Food Culture
Istanbul today is a melting pot of many different cultures and that has had a huge impact on its food.
The best Istanbul food tours will explore the culture and history behind Turkish cuisine plus give you an insight into unique Turkish food traditions.
Not only will you get the chance to try some of the best food in Istanbul, but you’ll learn about Turkish cooking techniques, the key ingredients in traditional dishes and how in Istanbul, culture and cuisine are inextricably linked.
Meet Local Foodies and Discover Hidden Gems
Istanbul tours by locals always take you off the beaten path.
You’ll explore food markets you didn’t know existed, sample all sorts of Istanbul street food dishes that you haven’t been brave enough to try and explore famous backstreet restaurants, cafes and shops that you would struggle to find on your own.
Plus, after a food tour, you’ll never wonder what to eat in Turkey again - you’ll be an expert!
Touring Istanbul via its food culture also gives you the chance to meet local food fanatics who are just as passionate about food as you are.
You Can Try Cooking Your Own Turkish Food
Some of the coolest food tours Istanbul has to offer aren’t just about buying the food but cooking it as well!
You’ll have the opportunity to make a range of traditional Turkish recipes plus plenty of time to sample some of the most famous Turkish foods along the way.
It’s the Perfect Way to Explore the City Especially if You’re Short on Time
If you’re on an airport layover in Istanbul or only have a few days in the city, a food tour is a perfect way to experience the highlights of the local food scene.
Under the expertise of an experienced guide, you’ll visit a variety of places and try a vast number of dishes in a matter of a few hours - more than enough to tantalise your taste buds!
If You Love to Eat, A Food Tour is For You
Let us level with you - all the food tours we recommend leave you stuffed. What we love most about food tours in Istanbul is that you don’t have to pick and choose dishes or just settle for one thing on a menu: you can try a little bit of everything!
🙋 What is Turkish Food? A (Very) Brief History of Turkish Food
The rich and diverse nature of the food culture in Turkey is reflective of the country’s long history, magnificent cultural heritage and environment.
The Ottoman Empire, which for centuries controlled most of the Middle East, Southeast Europe, and Northern Africa, heavily influenced traditional Turkish foods and also blended together various culinary traditions from the wider region.
Ottoman cuisine combined ingredients, dishes and cooking techniques from Greek, Balkan, Levantine, Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Central Asian cuisines.
The Ottoman palace kitchens, which in their heyday employed 1500 kitchen staff specialising in soups, kebabs, vegetables and desserts, are particularly credited for inventing some of the most creative and exquisite dishes seen in Turkish cooking today.
A shop window filled with different dairy products in Kars.
In Turkey traditional food varies widely across different regions, making the country’s cuisine even more complex.
Eastern Turkey has abundant livestock and is famous for its rich dairy products - we saw entire shops dedicated to selling butter or cheese in Kars and Erzurum!
The Black Sea region is renowned for its anchovies, tea and heavy dishes such as kuymak, which is similar to Swiss fondue.
Meanwhile, in the southeastern provinces of Gaziantep, Sanlıurfa and Adana, you’ll be treated to spicy kebabs and honey-soaked pastries.
Travel along Turkey’s turquoise coast, bordered by the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, and the cuisine changes to include fresh fish, and various vegetable dishes cooked in olive oil and fresh herbs.
A box of the most incredible baklava from Gaziantep.
Eating in Turkey can sometimes feel like you’re experiencing the cuisine of several different countries!
Multicultural Istanbul is the culinary heart of Turkey: over the centuries, people from all across Turkey and beyond have migrated here, bringing their own cuisines, flavours and spices with them. Istanbul Turkish cuisine is therefore unique because you can find all sorts of regional dishes here.
In Turkey food is often enjoyed in a communal setting over many hours with family and friends.
Turkish breakfast (my favourite) is a great example of this - tons of dishes that are designed to be savoured slowly.
Read all about the dizzying array of dishes you can find at a Turkish breakfast here plus discover the best breakfast places in Istanbul here.
Turkish breakfast is the breakfast of kings!
Street food is also everywhere - from kestane (roasted chestnuts - available all year and not just at Christmas!), to simits (Turkish sesame bagels) and balık ekmek (grilled fish sandwiches) there are lots of options for a quick bite.
Lokantas (also known as tradesmen restaurants) offer cheap and tasty traditional home-style Turkish food.
Popular Turkish food usually includes meat: there are various kebabs made with beef, lamb, chicken, köfte (meatballs), meat stews and soups, and sauteed meat dishes such as kavurma.
However, there are plenty of vegetarian Turkish dishes too! Turkish cookery uses seasonal vegetables and different types of pulses.
You can expect to see dishes made from aubergine (there are over 200 aubergine dishes in Turkish cuisine!), peppers, artichokes, tomatoes, white beans, lentils, chickpeas and more.
I like to joke that bread is the national dish of Turkey because there is a mind-boggling number of varieties, from paper-thin lavash bread that is wrapped around döner kebabs, to thick, fluffy bazlama bread and pillowy pide, commonly used to soak up soups and stews.
Add in a myriad of desserts such as sweet, syrupy pastries (e.g. baklava, revani and kadayıf), profiteroles, milky puddings (such as Turkish rice pudding, or sutlaç) flavoured with vanilla and rosewater and fruit desserts, and you can see why if you love food Turkey is the place to visit!
📝 Food Tours in Istanbul: A Typical Itinerary
All the food tours we have recommended in this article are slightly different from one another but here’s what you can expect on a culinary tour of Istanbul.
Visiting an Istanbul food market
This city has an abundance of fresh food markets and most tours will visit at least one Istanbul food bazaar.
You’ll spend your time tasting lots of the produce on offer from market stalls and shops and gain an in-depth understanding of the ingredients and cooking techniques that go into making Turkish traditional food.
🥙 Top tip:
Eat your way through Istanbul with this guided tour of the best food markets
Exploring hole-in-the-wall eateries and lesser-known restaurants and cafes
As all the tours we recommend are run by local gourmet experts, you can expect to feast on the best Turkish food and try famous Turkish dishes at places that are well off the tourist trail.
Whether it's pide, lahmacun, kebab, rich clotted cream with honey or a platter of vegetarian meze, you’ll be eating the most famous foods in Turkey with the locals.
Discover the history of Istanbul through its food
As we said above, in Istanbul Turkey food, culture and history are inseparable.
The food tours here aren’t only about the eating - you can expect to leave with a better understanding of Turkish culture and the history of the city as well!
We’d recommend going on a food tour as early into your Istanbul holiday as possible. This way you’ll get familiar with the city and have time to return to food spots you fall in love with on your tour!
🍲 The Best Istanbul Food Tours
🍛 The Best Full Day Food Tours of Istanbul (5+ hours)
All of these daily Istanbul tours have a maximum group size of 7-8 people.
Istanbul: Taste of Two Continents Food Tour by Yummy Istanbul
⭐ 4.9/5, 6 - 7 hours
This incredible Istanbul tour, exploring famous Turkish food on both the European and Asian sides of the city, visits no fewer than 10 different eateries, with a variety of food tastings at each place.
By the end of the tour we had eaten more than 25 different dishes - so make sure you start the day on an empty stomach!
The Taste of Two Continents Food Tour began with my favourite way to start the day: with a traditional Turkish breakfast at a local tea house in Eminönü, on Istanbul’s European side.
We tried some of the best Turkish dishes such as bal kaymak (buffalo clotted cream with honey - seriously addictive!), several types of cheese from various regions in Turkey, menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs with peppers and tomatoes), beef pastrami, simits and homemade jams and spreads, including one that was a moreish combination of hazelnut and pistachio.
All of this was washed down with copious amounts of Turkish tea!
Heavenly bal kaymak
When breakfast was over, we hopped on a ferry for a picturesque ride across the waters of the Bosphorus to Kadıköy, on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Our first stop in Kadıköy was the fresh food market - an area teeming with locals doing their food shopping.
Our guide introduced us to some of the most popular street foods in Turkey including midye dolma (mussels stuffed with spiced rice and topped with a squeeze of lemon), dolma (vine leaves filled with rice mixed with parsley, mint, onions and spices) and tantuni, a dish made from spicy julienne cut lamb or beef wrapped in a thin lavaş bread, that originates from Mersin.
We also sampled different varieties of olives (who knew there were so many types?!).
The authentic Turkish food that we got to sample on this tour also included plenty of sweets and desserts!
Olives at Kadıköy market
We stopped at a confectioner and tried various types of Turkish delight - not only were they beautiful to look at (especially the fancy ones covered in rose petals, pistachios or dried pomegranate seeds) but they also tasted divine.
There were other unusual sweets such as aubergine and olives in sugar syrup, different types of marzipan, pistachio butter and boiled sweets.
This is one of the most adventurous food tours of Istanbul, so you can expect to try some unusual foods!
On our tour we tried kokoreç, a Turkish dish made from lamb intestines served in a sandwich, accompanied by ayran, a frothy salted yogurt drink.
We also visited a pickle store to try pickle juice (tursu suyu) and şalgam suyu (turnip juice). The shop was fascinating - shelf after shelf of pickled fruits and vegetables, a number of which we got to try! We’ve now developed a taste for şalgam - especially the spicy version!
In Turkey, everything can be pickled!
Vincent’s favourite stop on the tour was at a restaurant famous for creating the original iskender kebab - a traditional food in Turkey from the region of Bursa.
Thinly sliced lamb döner is drizzled with butter and a rich tomato sauce and served on top of a pide bread with yogurt. Simply delicious!
As we meandered through the winding streets of Kadıköy, we kept stopping to sample more delights of Istanbul cuisine such as pide, a flatbread topped with meat/cheese, tomatoes and other vegetables and lahmacun, a very thin flatbread covered with mincemeat, tomato, onion and parsley that is rolled up and eaten with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Our tour included a visit to a famous restaurant in Kadıköy, Ciya Sofrası. Here we gorged on a meze plate that featured hummus, köfte (Turkish meatballs) and mücver, a tasty fritter made from grated courgettes.
Iskender kebab - Vincent’s idea of heaven!
Feeling totally stuffed we had only a tiny bit of room for our final stop: strong, thick Turkish coffee cooked over sand, with dondurma, Turkish ice cream made with goat's milk and treacly, flaky pistachio and walnut baklavas.
Our experience on this tour was absolutely fantastic. Not only can we safely say we tried some of the best food in Turkey, but our guide was knowledgeable and expertly wove interesting facts about Turkish culture and Istanbul’s history into every stop on the tour. It’s one of the reasons we also recommend this tour as part of our 10 Day Turkey Itinerary.
This tour (with over 1000 reviews!) is available on Viator and also through Get Your Guide.
Know before you go:
⏰ Daytime tour: starting at 09.00 am or 09.30 am and lasting 6-7 hours.
💬 Language: English
🙋 Small group tour: maximum 8 people
🥑 Vegetarians: This tour can be adapted for vegetarians, just inform them when you book. I (Sasha) was expertly catered for as a vegetarian and had something to eat at most stops on the tour. So don’t worry about missing out on kokoreç!
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is a lot of walking on this tour.
☂ Dress appropriately for the weather: This tour runs rain or shine.
⛔ Restrictions: This tour is not suitable for vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free travellers or those with serious food allergies. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with mobility issues.
READ NEXT: In Istanbul vegetarian food isn’t actually that difficult to find - you just need to know where to look. Check out this guide to some of the best under-the-radar vegan and vegetarian foods and restaurants here. We’ve also written about Istanbul vegan food here and vegan Turkish breakfast.
Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets
⭐ 5/5, 6 hours and 30 minutes
Culinary Backstreets Istanbul are renowned for their award-winning tours which take food lovers off-the-beaten-path.
Specialising in shining a light on local heroes of the Istanbul food scene, their tours take you to family-run restaurants and cafes and stalls run by local artisans that most tourists will miss.
The Two Markets, Two Continents tour begins in the historic Thursday market (Perşembe Pazari) in Karaköy.
You might be mistaken in thinking that this is where locals go for their hardhats, fishing rods, tools and paint supplies but the Istanbul food lovers from Culinary Backstreets know better.
In fact, this is where you will enjoy a seasonal Turkish breakfast featuring flaky börek (a layered pie with fillings of meat, spinach or cheese), various cheeses and olives, acuka (a spicy dip made from red peppers, walnuts, garlic and herbs), honey and poğaca, a bread similar to focaccia.
You’ll walk off your breakfast with a stroll through the fascinating market streets and stop for tea at Kurşunlu Han, a hidden Ottoman-era Caravanserai.
Then it’s time to jump on a ferry over to Kadıköy on the Asian side and explore the sprawling food market there.
You’ll sample more authentic Turkish food from delicious baklava, olives and pickles to katmer, a special breakfast dish from Gaziantep that consists of a crunchy layered pancake made with paper-thin filo pastry filled with sugar, kaymak (clotted cream) and pistachios. One might not be enough, but there’s more food to eat on this tour!
Crunchy, flaky, sweet, nutty…katmer is simply delicious!
A strong cup of Turk kahvesi at one of Istanbul’s best coffee houses will give you an energy boost before trying some of Turkey’s regional specialities. (The best thing about Turkish food in Istanbul is that you actually get to eat food from across the whole country!)
You’ll try tantuni, from Mersin and lahmacun, stuffed vine leaves and various mezes from Turkey’s coastal provinces.
As you wander, you will sample dried fruit, nuts and sweets from the various kuruyemiş (dried fruit and nuts) shops.
And there’s still more Istanbul famous food to try: manti (Turkish ravioli) in a buttery, garlic yogurt sauce, bean stews with rice, casseroles, seafood dishes, the unusual kokoreç and even a little tipple of Turkish rakı before you reach Moda, Kadıköy’s coolest neighbourhood. Enjoy a sweet treat here before you say goodbye.
Know before you go:
⏰ Daytime tour: Starting at 09.30 am and lasting 6-7 hours.
💬 Language: English
🙋 Small group tour: Maximum 7 people
📍 9-12 eating stops
🥑 Vegetarians: This tour can be adapted for vegetarians, just inform them when you book. Vegetarians will be able to eat at many (but not all) stops on the tour. Those following a gluten-free can also be accommodated if the tour operators are informed in advance.
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is a lot of walking on this tour.
👪 Suitable for children: The walk is fairly flat so it’s also suitable for prams/strollers and most travellers. There are lots of breaks along the route.
⛔ Restrictions: This tour is not suitable for vegan travellers.
Culinary Backstreets of the Bazaar Quarter
⭐ 5/5, 5 hours and 30 minutes
This unique tour takes you through the best food to try in Turkey via the often overlooked backstreets of the Grand Bazaar area.
People often think of the Grand Bazaar as a tourist trap or a large open-air shopping mall - but the team at Culinary Backstreets Istanbul food blog, who are specialists in real Istanbul tours, know there is more to this gigantic place than meets the eye.
Hidden down historic narrow alleyways are Ottoman caravanserais, perfect for enjoying a steaming hot cup of çay or Türk kahvesi, and concealed local eateries that only the craftsmen and vendors of the bazaar know about.
The Culinary Backstreets of the Bazaar Quarter tour begins with a famous Turkish breakfast featuring dairy products such as kaymak (buffalo clotted cream) and cheeses sourced from the highlands in Eastern Anatolia.
Explore the hidden Ottoman hans in the Grand Bazaar that most tourists miss.
After this, you’ll try an unusual and traditional wedding soup from Konya, the spiritual capital of Turkey and famous for Sufism.
The tour will take you through the vibrant textile district and you’ll venture into historic hans (Ottoman trader’s inns) packed full of artisan merchants operating out of tiny workshops.
Here you’ll indulge in fluffy, straight-out-the-oven pide from a cosy local eatery before wandering the streets around the Grand Bazaar and sampling different Turkish meats such as perfectly cooked Edirne-style liver and mouthwatering Adana kebabs from local ustas (masters) operating out of hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
You can watch the pides being meticulously made at this restaurant.
Stop at a restaurant famous for its seasonal vegetarian mezes before satiating your sweet tooth with some delicious desserts - from trileche, a Spanish-inspired, Albanian-Turkish milk sponge cake, to kazandibi, a unique pudding made from chicken breast.
We love this tour because the guides perfectly combine the history of the Grand Bazaar area, including details about Ottoman architecture, trade and culture, with a fascinating walking route and lots of delicious food tastings.
You’ll also learn about local food culture in the present day and have the chance to interact with local tradesmen, artisans and restaurant owners in the bazaar.
Know before you go:
⏰ Daytime tour: Starting at 09.30 am and lasting 6-7 hours.
💬 Language: English
🙋 Small group tour: Maximum 7 people
📍 9-12 eating stops
🥩 Meat heavy tour: This is a good tour for travellers who don’t like fish.
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is a lot of walking on this tour.
👪 Children are welcome on this tour: However, narrow, uneven pavements make it difficult for prams/strollers.
⛔ Restrictions: This tour is not suitable for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free travellers. Check with the operator before booking if you have food allergies.
Born on the Bosphorus: Exploring Three Distinct Waterside Neighborhoods by Culinary Backstreets
⭐ 5/5, 6 hours and 30 minutes
Our final recommendation for Istanbul one day tours for foodies is another unique offering by Culinary Backstreets.
The Born on the Bosphorus tour explores the food scene on both sides of the Bosphorus, beginning in the lively, youthful neighbourhood of Beşiktaş, an area famous for its football team.
Packed with coffee houses, cheap clothing stores, late-night pubs, and taverns and with a street dedicated to just serving breakfast, we know Beşiktaş as a place to party, shop and eat but on this food tour, you’ll discover hidden traditional restaurants that have been there for years.
As with all our recommended Istanbul daily tours, your day will start with a hearty breakfast of heavenly bal kaymak (buffalo clotted cream with honey) and menemen (Turkish-style scrambled eggs) at traditional eateries around Beşiktaş market.
Menemen: perfectly designed for dipping crusty bread into.
Leave room to try a Black Sea style döner kebab, from a lovely vendor who has been running his restaurant since 1973!
Your guide will then take you to an Ottoman-era bakery, where you can stock up on a range of baked goodies such as orange biscuits and coconut macaroons, for your ferry trip across the water to a market in Üsküdar, a sprawling residential area on the Asian side that is rarely visited by tourists.
Here you’ll begin an unusual Istanbul street food tour: slowly exploring the market stalls and surrounding shops, visiting a honey merchant from Bingöl in Eastern Turkey, tasting various pickled vegetables from a specialist pickle store, sampling all kinds of olives and exploring a traditional Turkish sweet shop.
The lovely neighbourhood of Kuzguncuk in Üsküdar
Then it's off to the gorgeous, nostalgic neighbourhood of Kuzguncuk, formerly a multicultural area populated by Jews, Muslims and Greek and Armenian Christians.
Your guide will take you to small local restaurants and artisanal food stores where you can try even more traditional Istanbul food: you’ll gorge on garlicky, yogurt-covered manti (Turkish ravioli), grilled sardines, various types of kebab, seafood casseroles, and fresh seasonal mezes.
Depending on when you book, this tour can sometimes even include a visit to a local’s home, where you can experience true home-style cooking!
This is definitely one of the most authentic and unusual Istanbul day tours.
Know before you go:
⏰ Daytime tour: Starting at 09.30 am and lasting 6-7 hours.
💬 Language: English
🙋 Small group tour: Maximum 7 people.
📍 9-12 eating stops
🐟 Fish: This tour is suitable for pescatarians.
🍷 Alcohol: Wine is sometimes served on this tour.
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is a lot of walking on this tour including climbing hills and stairs.
👪 Children are welcome on this tour: However, narrow, uneven pavements will make it difficult for prams.
⛔ Restrictions: This tour is not suitable for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free travellers. Check with the operator before booking if you have food allergies.
🍱 The Best Istanbul Half Day Tours for Foodies (4-5 hours)
Istanbul Food on Foot Tour by Guided Istanbul Tours
⭐ 4.9/5, 4 - 5 hours and 30 minutes
Kicking off our list of half-day food tours in Istanbul is this wonderful experience with Guided Istanbul Tours where you’ll get to sample a lot of the famous food of Turkey.
Beginning in the lively district of Eminönü, your guide will lead you down small side streets to explore lesser-known Istanbul food spots - from local cafes and bakeries to artisan food stores.
You’ll try some of the best Turkish food such as çorba or soup - a common breakfast in Turkey, various freshly baked pastries and bagels and share a traditional breakfast with plenty of tea.
Your tour will also take you around popular food markets in the backstreets where you can see locals doing their daily grocery shopping and learn about the common vegetables, fruits and spices that go into Turkish cuisine.
Delicious freshly baked pastries are a common breakfast in Turkey.
A visit to a local restaurant offering freshly baked pide, a traditional food of Turkey, is the perfect lunch stop before you head to the Spice Bazaar to sample your body weight in Turkish delight, candied sweets, baklava, nuts, flavoured teas and spices.
Finally, you will jump on a ferry and continue your gourmet tour on the Asian side, tasting a variety of kebabs (arguably the most famous food in Turkey), profiteroles and of course Turkish coffee. Sounds like the perfect Istanbul trip!
In total, this food tour includes 14 different food tastings.
Know before you go:
⏰ Daytime tour: Various start times from 08.00 am to 3.30 pm
💬 English
🙋 Small group tour: maximum 7 people
📍 14 food tastings
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is a lot of walking on this tour.
⛔ Restrictions: Check with the operator before booking if you have dietary restrictions
Istanbul Walking Tasting Tour by Secret Food Tours Istanbul
⭐ 5/5, 4 hours
If you’ve been looking for Istanbul walking tours that focus on the food scene on the Asian side of the city, then the Istanbul Walking Tasting Tour by Secret Food Tours is for you!
After meeting your guide in Kadıköy, you’ll gather the energy needed for the walking on this tour by having a stellar traditional breakfast featuring many of the best foods in Turkey.
Savour piping hot menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs with peppers and tomatoes), muhlama (a fondue-like dish made with melted cheese, butter and cornmeal), regional cheeses, olives and vegetables.
Muhalama tastes just as rich and heavy as it looks.
Your guide will then take you on a tour around Kadıköy and along the way, you’ll sample more Turkish famous food, from crispy lahmacun (a super thin flatbread, topped with mincemeat, parsley and spices) and the best döner kebab Istanbul has to offer to a variety of Turkish pickles, followed by a lovely cup of Turkish coffee.
You’ll also get the chance to try manti, Turkish ravioli filled with mincemeat and topped with garlic yogurt and buttery tomato sauce, and pide (Turkish-style pizza) and learn exactly how these are made.
A relaxing stop at a historic wine house to try a delicious cherry wine is exactly what you need before heading out for more food!
The best Istanbul tours will also include regional specialities, something that Secret Food Tours does by including a visit to an authentic Turkish restaurant specialising in Gaziantep cuisine.
Fried manti.
Here you will try beyran çorbası, a rich, spicy soup made from shredded lamb meat, melted lamb fat, rice and garlic.
Your guide will also order my favourite dessert, katmer, a crispy layered pancake packed with pistachios, clotted cream and sugar. (My mouth is watering as I type this - food in Istanbul Turkey does not get better than katmer, I swear.)
There is also an amazing secret dish that is only revealed on the day of the tour, so look out for that!
We really think this excursion explores many of the best Turkish foods Istanbul has to offer.
On this tour, you’ll get to try 16 types of food and 5-6 types of drinks.
If you prefer private Istanbul walking tours, good news - there is also a private version of this tour! Click here to book a private Secret Food Tour.
Know before you go:
⏰ Daytime tour: Starting at 10.30 am
💬 Language: English
🙋 Small group tour: Maximum 10 people
📍 16 food tastings across 6 stops
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is around 45 minutes to 1 hour of walking, broken up with rest stops for food!
🥑 Vegans & vegetarians: This tour can be adapted to suit travellers on a plant-based diet - just inform the operator when booking.
👪 Children are welcome on this tour
☂ Dress appropriately for the weather: This tour runs rain or shine.
⛔ Restrictions: This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or travellers on a gluten-free diet.
Local Food, History and Hidden Places Walking Tour in Istanbul - Taste of Istanbul Food Tours
⭐ 5/5, (4 hours and 30 minutes)
It’s no surprise that Istanbul city tours usually focus on the historical areas of Sultanhamet, Eminönu, and Beyazit, as most of the tourist attractions are located here.
But did you know that some of the best Turkish cuisine Istanbul has to offer can also be found in the old city?
This experience by Taste of Istanbul Food Tours guides you around the city’s historical peninsula by your tastebuds.
You’ll start your day near the aromatic Spice Bazaar, sampling a traditional breakfast of crispy böreks (flaky layered pastry usually stuffed with cheese or meat) from a family-run restaurant that has been running for over 50 years.
Spinach börek.
Wander through the bazaar with your guide talking to local vendors and trying various spices, nuts and snacks.
In Turkey popular food places can often be found in the backstreets, away from where tourists usually roam.
With your guide you’ll explore the places where locals shop and eat, from artisan stores that specialise in making pickles to a local restaurant famous for making Turkish pide (pizza) from scratch in a traditional oven.
Afterwards, your Istanbul food guide will take you to a 245-year-old sweetshop to try Turkish delight - you’ll be shocked at how many varieties there are!
Make sure to leave room for more food because you’ll be heading to the backstreets of the Grand Bazaar to a famous döner kebab shop that has been operating since 1969!
You’ll get to enjoy many kebabs on this tour, including the famous spicy Adana kebab.
Follow your guide on a local tour around the bazaar well away from the tourist trail.
You will visit Ottoman caravanserais that you didn’t know existed, and discover small kebab restaurants that will rustle up a tasty treat just for you.
Your experience will end as all Istanbul guided tours should: with a cup of Turkish coffee and some gloriously sweet baklava!
This tour by Taste of Istanbul is the best half-day walking food tour Istanbul has to offer around the old city.
Know before you go:
⏰ Daytime tour: Starting at 10.00 am
💬 Language: English
🙋 Small group tour: Maximum 8 people
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is a bit of walking on this tour, but there are rest breaks for food.
☂ Dress appropriately for the weather: This tour runs rain or shine.
⛔ Restrictions: This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you have any dietary restrictions check with the operator before booking.
🥙 Istanbul Best Food Tours: Evening and Nighttime Tours
Exploring traditional Turkish cuisine isn’t just a day time activity - this city becomes even more lively in the evening and as the sun sets, you’ll find that there is plenty of good Turkish food around to try!
Here are our favourite Istanbul local tours that take place in the evening.
Istanbul Food and Culture Tour: Taste of 2 Continents by My Local Guide Istanbul
⭐ 5/5, 5 hours
Exploring authentic Turkish food on both sides of the Bosphorus strait, this comprehensive Istanbul Food and Culture evening tour begins with a ferry ride to Kadıköy on the Asian side.
Your guide will help you to eat your way through Kadıköy’s sprawling market where you will try a range of Istanbul Turkish food.
You’ll sample some of the best food and drink in Turkey, tasting regional cheeses, varieties of olives, dolma (vine leaves stuffed with spiced rice) and pastirma (cured beef).
As you wander, you’ll visit artisan shops specialising in Istanbul traditional food, such as turşu or pickles.
Fish at Kadıköy market.
Stop at a turşucu (pickle maker) that has been operating since the 1930s and try pickle juice and a variety of pickled vegetables (you’ll soon see that in Turkey, every vegetable can be pickled!).
You’ll also get to try Istanbul’s famous street food, including midye dolma, stuffed mussels served with a squeeze of lemon; an unusual version of tantuni, where the spicy stir-fried chopped meat is wrapped in a flatbread and topped with yogurt and butter sauce; and lahmacun, an addictive thin flatbread topped with mincemeat.
Then it’s time for a traditional Turkish dinner at a Kurdish restaurant serving homecooked dishes from Eastern Turkey. You’ll savour a range of seasonal mezes, kebabs, and traditional soups all accompanied by freshly baked authentic Turkish bread.
Traditional Kurdish soups and mezes in Kadıköy.
Hop on the ferry back to Europe, where you’ll indulge in heavenly authentic baklava and dondurma, (goat’s milk ice cream) before jumping on the tram to visit a historical cafe that is 300 years old and was formerly a religious school.
Relax with a cup of Turkish kahve, çay or sahlep (the latter is a milky drink made from orchid roots) as your guide explains how to make nargile, a type of fruity tobacco, smoked through a water pipe. You are welcome to try smoking nargile if you like!
This is easily the most comprehensive food tour Istanbul has to offer in the evening and another experience we recommend on our 10 day Turkey itinerary.
Know before you go:
⏰ Evening tour: Starting at 6.00 pm
💬 Language: English
🙋 Small group tour
📍 8 food stops with 14 different kinds of food
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is a bit of walking on this tour with regular rest breaks.
☂ Dress appropriately for the weather: This tour runs rain or shine.
🥑 Vegetarians: This tour can be adapted to suit vegetarians. It can also accommodate those on a gluten-free diet and some food allergies.
⛔ Restrictions: Vegan travellers and those with other dietary restrictions should check with the operator before booking.
Istanbul Foodie Tour by Night: Traditional Meyhane & Street Foods by Local Tour Guide Istanbul
⭐ 5/5, 3 hours 30 minutes
If you’re looking for Istanbul airport layover tours in the evening, this Istanbul Foodie Tour by Night with Local Tour Guide Istanbul should fit the bill.
Focusing on the best Istanbul street food in the Beyoğlu district, you’ll discover the popular snacks, meals and drinks that locals enjoy during the evening plus gain a much better understanding of Turkish nightlife culture at meyhanes (taverns/wine houses).
You’ll start off by sampling plenty of Istanbul local food from popular street stalls in the backstreets of Beyoğlu.
Tuck into kestane kebap (roasted chestnuts), midye dolma and sizzling tantuni before settling down at a restaurant famous for its döner kebab.
Roasted chestnuts are a popular Istanbul street food - you’ll see them everywhere!
Here you’ll also get to try some other unusual drinks such as şalgam (turnip juice) and ayran, a salted yogurt drink.
The next stop on this Istanbul food walking tour takes you to one of Istiklal Caddesi’s hidden passageways in search of another unusual beverage: menengiç coffee.
Also known as pistachio coffee, this rich drink actually contains no caffeine and is made from roasted terebinth berries (a relative of the pistachio). It’s commonly found in Gaziantep and other southeastern provinces of Turkey.
Suitably rested, it’s time to guzzle on another stalwart of Istanbul’s street food scene: içli köfte.
Mincemeat, parsley, ground walnuts or pinenuts, and onion are mixed together and then wrapped in a dough made of bulgur, semolina, red pepper and chilli, before being fried golden brown. One of these is never enough, but there’s still plenty of eating to do!
İçli köfte - can you resist just having one?
Your guide will then lead you to another hidden passageway where you’ll have dinner at a unique meyhane far away from the tourist crowds. Here you’ll try some of the top Turkish foods, including a varied platter of mezes, bread and pickles.
You’ll also enjoy Turkey’s national drink, rakı, a strong, aniseed-flavour alcoholic drink made from grapes, that is the perfect accompaniment to a meze meal.
Our friend recently introduced us to drinking rakı paired with şalgam and now we don’t drink it any other way!
Your tour will finish on a sweet note with authentic Turkish baklava filled with walnuts or pistachios, paired with Turkish ice cream (dondurma).
We think this is the best nightlife and evening street food tour Istanbul has to offer.
Know before you go:
⏰ Evening tour: Starting at 6.30 pm
💬 Language: English
🕑 Short tour: 3.5 hours, perfect for visitors looking for Istanbul layover tours.
🙋 Small group tour: Maximum 8 people
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is a bit of walking on this tour with regular rest breaks.
🍷 Alcohol: Alcohol is served on this tour. Non-alcoholic drinks are available.
⛔ Restrictions: Vegetarian and vegan travellers and those with other dietary restrictions should check with the operator before booking.
Istanbul Evening Sightseeing and Food Tasting Tour
⭐ 5/5, 4 hours
We love Istanbul culinary tours that are led by professional and knowledgeable local guides, and that’s exactly what the leader of this tour is.
On this experience, you’ll get to enjoy the world-famous Turkish cuisine with a fantastic Istanbul street food guide.
The Istanbul Evening Sightseeing and Food Tasting Tour begins with learning how to make ciğ köfte - a meatball made from raw beef, bulgur, mint, parsley, and tomato paste. Of course, you’ll get to eat it too!
Very few places serve this original version - you can see ciğ köfte shops everywhere but it’s now actually a vegan dish. (That’s another reason why we recommend this experience: the best food tours in Istanbul always offer something unique!)
Çağ kebabı.
After an adventurous start, you’ll savour more delicious street food dishes including lahmacun, içli köfte, balık dürüm (a grilled fish wrap) and kokoreç (a dish made from lamb intestines, herbs and spices and served in a baguette).
You’ll stop at a restaurant specialising in cağ kebabı, a rich, fatty lamb kebab originating from Erzurum in Eastern Turkey.
Enjoy this meaty treat with a spicy dip known as acılı ezme and thin lavaş flatbread.
The tour will end with gorgeously flaky baklava and authentic Turkish coffee at a famous dessert shop.
Know before you go:
⏰ Evening tour: Starting at 5.30 pm
💬 Language: English
📍 8 food stops with 14 different kinds of food
🥩 Meat heavy tour: Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
🙋 Small group tour: Maximum 8 people
👟 Wear comfortable shoes: There is a bit of walking on this tour with regular rest breaks.
⛔ Restrictions: Not suitable for wheelchair users, travellers with mobility problems or pregnant travellers.
🍳 The Best Food Tours in Istanbul Turkey with a Cooking Class
Some of the most unique tours Istanbul has to offer include a cooking class that takes place in a local’s home.
We’ve enjoyed a few experiences like this all over the world. It’s a fabulous way of getting to know a culture and its cuisine.
Istanbul Market, Foodie Tour, Cooking Class and Late Lunch with Esra on Eat With
⭐ 4.9/5, 5 hours
Eat With is a platform that connects local hosts and chefs with travellers to create unique and authentic culinary experiences.
Esra is a passionate home cook who loves to share her authentic Turkish recipes with visitors.
You’ll begin this Istanbul Market and Cooking Class Tour by meeting Esra at Beşiktaş market for a light breakfast where you will share some classic Turkish dishes such as gözleme, a large pancake that is stuffed with various fillings and cooked on an iron stove and served with pickles, olives and tea.
Then it’s time to taste your way around the market as Esra shows you the common ingredients, from vegetables and pickles to condiments, that are used in traditional food from Turkey.
Gözleme cooking on a stove - you can try it with lots of different fillings.
Sample nuts, dried fruits, various kinds of olives, spices and more as you buy the ingredients you’ll need to make your lunch in the afternoon!
After exploring the market it is time to head back to Esra’s home where she will show you how to make some of the most popular dishes in Turkey.
On the menu are some staples of authentic Turkish cuisine including yaprak sarma, stuffed vine leaves with rice and meat; börek, a flaky layered pastry filled with cheese and meat; various salads made with charred aubergine and kısır, a bulgur-based salad made with pomegranate molasses, tomato paste, parsley, garlic and more!
Under Esra’s expert guidance you’ll have fun making these dishes from Turkey and then of course comes the best bit - you’ll get to eat it all!
We love this tour because you get to explore different types of food eaten in Turkey, in the most authentic setting - a local’s home! This is definitely the best food tour Istanbul has to offer with a cooking class.
Know before you go:
⏰ Daytime tour: Starting at 10.00 pm
💬 Languages: English, Turkish
📍 Market tour and cooking class
🙋 Small group tour: Maximum 8 people
🥑 Vegetarians and vegans: Inform Esra in advance and she can customise the menu for you.
If you would prefer to simply eat at a local’s home, Esra offers another experience of a Seasonal Meze and Raki Traditional Dinner at her home.
She will cook a diverse range of cold mezes, hot appetisers like börek, plus an Ottoman stew and a delicious dessert.
Esra can accommodate vegetarian/vegan diets if you inform her when you book.
🍢 The Best Private Istanbul Tours For Foodies
If the idea of being social and meeting other foodies on a tour makes you want to break out in hives, then don’t worry, we’ve got you.
We’ve selected some of the best Istanbul private tours for foodies, where you can enjoy all the deliciousness by yourself (or in a group of your choice!).
Private and Guided Istanbul Food Tour - Taste of Istanbul run by Private Istanbul Walking Tours
⭐ 5/5, 6-7 hours
Offering a similar itinerary to the full-day food tours at the beginning of this article, this private and guided Istanbul food tour explores the best Turkish cuisine on both the European and Asian sides of the city and will tell you everything you need to know about Turkish food.
Beginning with a classic Turkish breakfast in Karaköy, you’ll explore the backstreet eateries of Beyoğlu with your guide, stopping along the way for cups of tea and Turkish coffee.
You’ll then catch a ferry to Kadıköy, where you’ll sample all kinds of classic Turkish food in the market from kokoreç (lamb intestines) to tantuni (julienned lamb or beef served in a wrap) from Mersin.
Prawns and Black Sea anchovies at Kadıköy fish market.
Continue on to the vibrant fish market to savour fried and stuffed mussels and pickles from an artisan shop.
Having sampled some of the best food to eat in Turkey, you’ll hop on the ferry back to Europe, where you will taste your way through the Spice Bazaar, gorging on Turkish delight, nuts, dried fruit and candies.
This is one of the best Istanbul guided private tours because it can be completely customised to suit you.
So if you’d prefer to spend more time in the backstreets trying traditional Turkish food in Istanbul just arrange this with your guide.
This tour is available on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Know before you go:
⏰ Daytime tour: Starting from 09.00 am or later
💬 Language: English
🙋 Private tour
👪 Children are welcome on this tour. It is also pushchair/stroller accessible.
♿ Wheelchair accessible
🥑 Vegetarians and vegans: vegetarian option available, advise at time of booking. Check before booking whether a vegan diet can be accommodated.
The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals: Private Food Tour
⭐ 5/5, 3 hours
With Locals offers completely customisable experiences for travellers. On this tour, you can choose one of 21 available local foodies to take you on a unique tour of Istanbul.
All of the hosts are passionate foodies who love Istanbul and have a list of their favourite spots and secret eateries.
You can pick your host according to your interests - right now the hosts include a professional pastry chef, a culinary arts student, a musician and a tour guide!
On the The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals Tour, you’ll try 10 food and drink tastings at the best Istanbul food places around the Beyoğlu district, chosen by your local host.
You can try all sorts of Turkish dishes, like this pide topped with mincemeat and egg, at your local guide’s top food spots!
Beginning in the trendy neighbourhood of Cihangir, your tour will explore the unique hidden passages off Istiklal Caddesi: Cicek Pasaji and Avrupa Pasaji, plus food stops around Aga Hamamı, Istanbul’s oldest Turkish bath.
This experience will run the gamut of sweet and savoury food, including classic Turkish dishes like döner dürüm, pide and ciğ köfte, unusual fare like kokoreç, to Turkish delight, baklava and sutlaç (rice pudding).
You’ll also get to try typical Turkish beverages such as ayran, şalgam, Turkish coffee, tea and rakı.
Unlike many Istanbul group tours, this private experience can be fully personalised and adapted to match your diet (vegans and vegetarians are most welcome!) and also any allergies you might have.
Know before you go:
⏰ Start times vary: Tours are offered from 9.00 am until 5.30 pm.
📍 10 food and drink tastings
💬 Available in 9 languages: English, Turkish, German, Arabic, Russian, Latvian, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese.
🙋 Private tour
🥑 Vegetarians and vegans: This is one of the best food tours Istanbul has to offer for vegans and vegetarians as it is fully customisable. Alternatives can also be offered for travellers with allergies.
⛔ Restrictions: Not wheelchair accessible.
The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals: Kadikoy Private Food Tour
⭐ 5/5, 3 hours and 30 minutes
Another experience curated by With Locals, this tour explores the food scene in Kadıköy. Choose from 19 different local hosts who will take you on a food and cultural tour of the lesser visited Asian side of Istanbul.
The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals: Kadikoy Tour will begin at a local deli where you will sample several types of regional cheese, with Turkish tea and simits (sesame-covered bagels) near Kadıköy market. You’ll then visit an artisan pide shop to try freshly baked Turkish-style pizza.
At the next stop you'll explore Asian influences on Turkish cuisine when you try delicious fried and steamed dumplings with different fillings before indulging in a sip of rakı with a variety of mezes.
Simits, a classic Istanbul street food and on-the-go Turkish breakfast.
You’ll obviously get to tuck into classic Turkish kebabs (no Istanbul food tour would be complete without this) but make sure you leave space to savour içli köfte, scrumptious fried-golden meatballs, washed down with ayran, Turkey’s beloved salty yogurt drink.
The tour will end on a sweet note with baklava and a rich cup of Turkish coffee.
This experience also covers some of the points of interest in Kadıköy, including Greek and Armenian churches, a mosque, the Süreyya Opera House, the Moda Stage Theatre and the Fighting Bull statue.
Like the previous tour, the itinerary for this excursion can be completely personalised according to your interests and dietary requirements. So if you want to try kokoreç or other unusual foods, just let your guide know!
Know before you go:
⏰ Start times vary: Tours are offered from 9.00 am until 6.00 pm
📍 10 food and drink tastings
💬 Available in 7 languages: English, Turkish, German, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
🙋 Private tour
🚶 Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
🥑 Vegetarians and vegans: This is one of the best guided Istanbul tours as there are plenty of meatless alternatives available. The itinerary can also be adapted for travellers with allergies.
⛔ Restrictions: Not wheelchair accessible.
🏠 Where to Stay in Istanbul
Istanbul is a megacity and with so many different areas and districts it can be confusing to decide where to stay.
That’s why we’d recommend reading our post on the Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul - it covers 6 districts and over 15 different neighbourhoods, has hotels for all budgets and includes the highlights of staying in each area.
This is the most comprehensive guide on the internet - we actually live here so we know what we’re talking about!
If you’re in a hurry, we’ve also recommended some areas and hotels below - there’s something to suit every budget so pick one that suits yours.
Photo courtesy of NOA Luxury Apartments from Booking.com
OVERALL TOP PICK (GALATA): NOA Luxury Apartments (⭐ 9.5)
Just minutes from Galata Tower, these sunny, super clean and reasonably-priced apartments feature a spacious, private kitchen, free Wi-Fi, tumble dryer, washing machine and a flat-screen TV. Some units have balconies or access to a garden. Staff are kind and friendly and there is a well-equipped gym.
Photo courtesy of Çırağan Palace Kempinski from Booking.com
BEST LUXURY OPTION (BEŞIKTAŞ): Çırağan Palace Kempinski (⭐ 8.9)
Perfect for honeymooning couples, this hotel was formerly an Ottoman palace and features an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Bosphorus, a heated indoor pool, several restaurants, a spa, fitness centre and a bar. Your every need will be catered for!
Photo courtesy of Boutique Saint Sophia from Booking.com
TOP BOUTIQUE CHOICE (SULTANAHMET): Boutique Saint Sophia (⭐ 9.0)
This gorgeous hotel has stunning views of Hagia Sophia and offers stunning rooms featuring flat-screen TVs, free WiFi and luxurious Bulgari toiletries. There is also a delicious a la carte breakfast. It’s the perfect choice for couples looking to stay in the old city.
Photo courtesy of Ayramin Hotel Taksim from Booking.com
BEST MID-RANGE PICK (TAKSIM): Ayramin Hotel Taksim (⭐ 9.3)
Offering stylish, clean and comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and an ensuite bathroom, this hotel is superbly located only 1 minute from bustling Istikal street. There is also a daily changing varied breakfast buffet. Some rooms feature a private Turkish bath!
Photo courtesy of Fener Sweet from Booking.com
TOP BUDGET CHOICE (BALAT): Fener Sweet (⭐ 9.5)
This amazingly affordable homestay in the centre of colourful Balat offers cosy rooms with a private bathroom, free WiFi and a tea/coffee maker. Guests are welcome to use the shared lounge, rooftop garden and fully equipped kitchen (including a washing machine). The hosts are very helpful and friendly.
Photo courtesy of Hostel Le Banc from Booking.com
BEST HOSTEL (GALATA): Hostel Le Banc (⭐ 9.5)
A stone’s throw away from Şişhane metro station, this hostel offers mixed and female-only air-conditioned clean and comfortable rooms, a terrace, a shared lounge and kitchen and free Wi-Fi. Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms are also available and there is a daily buffet breakfast.
✋ Food Tours Istanbul Turkey - FAQs
What is Turkish cuisine?
Turkish cuisine is very complex and is heavily influenced by Ottoman cuisine which combined ingredients and cooking techniques from Southern European, Central Asian, Balkan, Middle Eastern and North African cuisines.
Could I combine Istanbul sightseeing tours with a food tour?
Absolutely! Many of the food tours we recommend also cover the major sights in different parts of the city (albeit briefly), so you will get to see them during the tour.
When do you recommend going on a food tour of Istanbul?
As early as possible into your Istanbul trip. It will help you to get to know Istanbul and if you like a certain type of food or a particular restaurant/cafe/street stall, you’ll have time to return to it before you leave!
What are the best Asian side of Istanbul tours for foodies?
If you’re interested in exploring the food scene on Istanbul’s Asian side we’d recommend booking one of the following tours. All of these tours have been included in this article.
Click on the links below to check availability and book the tour of your choice.
Full day:
Istanbul: Taste of Two Continents Food Tour by Yummy Istanbul ⭐ 4.9/5
Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets ⭐ 5/5
Born on the Bosphorus: Exploring Three Distinct Waterside Neighborhoods by Culinary Backstreets ⭐5/5
Private and guided Istanbul food tour - Taste of Istanbul run by Private Istanbul Walking Tours ⭐ 5/5 (Private)
Half day:
Istanbul walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours Istanbul ⭐ 5/5
The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals: Kadikoy Private Food Tour ⭐ 5/5 (Private)
Evening:
Istanbul Food and Culture Tour: Taste of 2 Continents - My Local Guide Istanbul ⭐ 4.9/5
I am a meat lover! Are there any Istanbul kebab tours?
Meat lovers rejoice! There will be plenty of kebabs and more meaty dishes to try on these food tours.
Luckily so are many Turks! Whilst we haven’t recommended any tours completely dedicated to kebabs, all of the tours include plenty of chances to sample different types.
Here are the most meat-heavy tours we've mentioned in this post - click on the links below to check availability and make a booking.
Culinary Backstreets of the Bazaar Quarter ⭐ 5/5
Istanbul Evening Sightseeing and Food Tasting Tour ⭐ 5/5
I am a vegan/vegetarian! Can I participate in a food tour?
Of course! In this article, we’ve indicated which tours are best for vegans and vegetarians. Where not indicated we’d recommend checking with the operator before booking.
Turkish cuisine uses a lot of vegetables, there are definitely options for vegetarians and vegans!
Here is a summary of the best tours for vegans and vegetarians (we've covered them all in this article) - just click on the links to find out more details about the tour or to make a booking.
Vegetarians only:
Istanbul: Taste of Two Continents Food Tour by Yummy Istanbul ⭐ 4.9/5 (Full day)
Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets ⭐ 5/5 (Full day)
Istanbul Food and Culture Tour: Taste of 2 Continents - My Local Guide Istanbul ⭐ 4.9/5 (Evening tour)
Private and guided Istanbul food tour - Taste of Istanbul run by Private Istanbul Walking Tours ⭐ 5/5 (Private)
Vegans & Vegetarians
Istanbul walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours Istanbul ⭐ 5/5 (Private)
Istanbul Market, Foodie Tour, Cooking Class, and Late Lunch with Esra on Eat With ⭐ 4.9/5
The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals: Private Food Tour ⭐ 5/5 (Private)
The 10 Tastings of Istanbul With Locals: Kadikoy Private Food Tour ⭐ 5/5 (Private)
🍸 And that’s a wrap!
Our food tour in Istanbul was fantastic: it was a unique and memorable way to explore and experience this incredible city.
Even after several years of living in Istanbul, we go back to many of the restaurants and cafes we discovered on our tour and we’ve been inspired to go on gastronomic tours in other countries too!
We hope our article helps you to book your own foodie experience and if you go on one of the tours that we recommend (or any other), we’d love to hear all about it. Let us know in the comments!
Before you go, make sure to check out some of our other Istanbul and Turkey/Türkiye guides:
🏠 Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul: Coolest Neighbourhoods & Top Hotels
🏖️ Where to Stay in Izmir: Best Izmir Districts, Top Hotels + Useful Tips
🌟 22 Best Hotels in Istanbul With a View
🗓 The Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days
✈️ How to Get From SAW Airport to Istanbul City Center
🇹🇷 The Best Places to Visit in Turkey
🌷 Visit the Istanbul Tulip Festival
🎪 18 Best Festivals in Istanbul
🛫 How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City Centre
🏔 Cappadocia in Winter: 7 Reasons to Visit + 16 Amazing Things to Do
🎄 Christmas in Istanbul: All You Need to Know for a Magical Stay
⛄ 9 Awesome Reasons to Spend Winter in Istanbul
🍳 Best Breakfast in Istanbul - 16 Incredible Places to Try
✅ 12 Things You Need To Do in Istanbul
🔎 Explore Balat Istanbul: An Insider's Guide to One of Istanbul's Most Unique Neighbourhoods
🍟 Best Vegan Fast Food in Istanbul
🥑 Where to Find the Best Vegan Turkish Breakfast in Istanbul
🖼️ 14 Top Things To Do in Gaziantep
🍔 Off the Eaten Track: The Best Street Food in Istanbul
🥦 Vegan Istanbul: The Best Under-the-Radar Restaurants
Find more travel tips and useful information on Turkey here.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Click here to discover more of our favourite places around the world.
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