On this food tour of Istanbul, we'll sample delicious traditional Turkish dishes as we explore this breathtaking city. You'll adore this Turkish cuisine. Perfect for even the most discerning palates!
Tour Details
At the scheduled time, we’ll meet at Kadidoy Square to begin this food tour of Istanbul’s Asian side. Leaving the hustle and bustle of Sultanahmet behind, we’ll venture into the lively streets of one of the Turkish capital’s neighborhoods with the richest culinary traditions.
At our first stop, we’ll step into a traditional shop to sip a glass of artisanal pickle juice, a fermented drink with an intense flavor that’s very popular throughout the country. Next, we’ll walk toward the harbor area to sample the famous balık ekmek, a mouthwatering grilled fish sandwich served fresh off the grill.
The tour will continue with a taste of çiğ köfte dürüm, a spiced bulgur wheat wrap served with fresh herbs and pomegranate sauce. An explosion of flavors! Afterward, we’ll visit another local stall to savor two must-try items from the city’s street food scene: midye dolma (stuffed mussels) and kokoreç, a seasoned lamb sandwich. To accompany these delicacies, we’ll try an ice-cold ayran, the classic Turkish yogurt drink.
No culinary tour of Istanbul would be complete without trying the world-famous islak burger, a juicy burger drenched in tomato and garlic sauce that has become an icon of the city’s nightlife.
To put the finishing touch on the experience, we’ll visit a legendary pastry shop with over two centuries of history. There, we’ll treat ourselves to a slice of şambali, a traditional semolina cake soaked in sweet syrup.
After a 2.5-hour tour exploring the local culture and cuisine, we’ll wrap up the activity with full and satisfied stomachs.
Vegetarian Menu
If you choose the vegetarian option when making your reservation, you’ll enjoy a tailored tasting menu featuring meat-free dishes. Among the specialties you’ll try are simit with local cheese and olives, pickle juice, barbunya pilaki (cold bean stew), a vegetarian version of çiğ köfte, lentil meatballs (mercimek köftesi), and a crispy, freshly baked spinach börek.
Vegans
This activity is not recommended for vegans.