We start with an authentic Turkish kahvaltı (breakfast) at a local restaurant: simit (sesame bread ring), white cheeses, olives, honey in the comb, kaymak (clotted cream), menemen (eggs scrambled with tomato) and çay (tea). Your guide explains the rituals of the Turkish breakfast, the most important meal of the day.
60 minWe step into the fragrant Egyptian Bazaar (1664). We taste handmade lokum (Turkish delight), roasted nuts, preserves and flower teas. Your guide shows you how to tell the quality of saffron, Aleppo pepper and authentic Turkish spices.
Read more about Spice Bazaar and tastings 50 minWe try the iconic balık ekmek (grilled fresh fish sandwich) by the Galata Bridge, midye dolma (mussels stuffed with spiced rice) and kokoreç (grilled lamb intestines, for the brave only). All to the rhythm of the street vendors and the seagulls of the Golden Horn.
50 minWe visit a traditional bakery where master pastry chefs stretch yufka dough by hand until it is translucent. A tasting of freshly baked pistachio baklava, kadayıf and şöbiyet. You will learn why Turkish pistachio baklava is unlike any other in the world.
40 minWe cross the Galata Bridge to Karaköy, the trendy foodie neighbourhood. We try çiğ köfte (vegan bulgur patties) and lahmacun (ultra-thin Turkish pizza), then sit down in a craft coffee shop for Turkish coffee brewed in a copper cezve — part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Read more about Karaköy and speciality Turkish coffee 50 minWe take the ferry to the Asian side to explore Kadıköy market, where Istanbulites do their daily shopping. We taste olives, aged cheeses, grilled sucuk (spicy sausage), turşu suyu (pickle juice) and traditional Turkish ice cream.
Read more about Kadıköy Market (Asian side) 50 minWe finish with Türkiye's most indulgent dessert: warm künefe (stretchy cheese with crispy kadayıf soaked in syrup) with Turkish tea. We say goodbye by the ferry, with your guide's tips for eating well in Istanbul.
15 minIt includes: Licensed English-speaking guide specialising in Turkish cuisine; More than 12 tastings included (the equivalent of a full lunch); Drinks: Turkish tea, Turkish coffee and ayran; Visit to traditional baklava and lokum workshops; Istanbulkart travel card for public transport. Not included: Alcoholic drinks; Tips; Transport to the meeting point.
The tour starts at 10:00 and lasts about 6 hours. Meeting point: Sultanahmet Square (next to the German Fountain).
This is a private tour: just you and your group with the guide (maximum 8 people), never shared with other tourists. That means the pace can be adapted and we can go deeper into the topics that interest you most.
Yes, subject to availability. We recommend booking at least 24–48 hours in advance to secure your date, but we can often arrange last-minute tours.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. The price is confirmed in a free, no-obligation quote before you book.
Of course. The guide adapts the pace and explanations for families. Young children get free or reduced entry at many sites in Türkiye; the age limit varies from one site to another.
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