USD 135 per person. The price includes the guided small-group experience, all scheduled food tastings and public ferry transportation during the tour. Any additional orders or personal expenses are paid separately.
Highlights
- Explore the historic Spice Bazaar before crossing the Bosphorus by ferry to Kadıköy on Istanbul’s Asian side.
- Taste simit, Turkish tea, lahmacun, regional meze, tantuni, baklava, and Turkish coffee at carefully selected local establishments.
- Discover how migration, regional traditions, and everyday neighborhood life have shaped Istanbul’s diverse food culture.
Itinerary
1. Begin at the Spice Bazaar
Meet your guide near Istanbul’s historic Spice Bazaar, where spices, dried fruits, nuts, sweets, and traditional ingredients reflect the city’s centuries-old trading culture. Explore the surrounding market streets while learning how commerce, migration, and regional cuisines have shaped the way Istanbul eats today.
2. Cross the Bosphorus with Simit and Turkish Tea
Board a local ferry for the journey from Europe to Kadıköy on Istanbul’s Asian side. Enjoy simit and Turkish tea as you take in views of the Bosphorus and learn about the place these everyday staples hold in Istanbul life.
3. Taste Lahmacun with Ayran
Stop at a local establishment to try lahmacun, a thin and crisp flatbread topped with seasoned minced meat, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. It is traditionally served with fresh greens and paired with ayran, Turkey’s refreshing yogurt drink.
4. Share Regional Meze
Discover the diversity of Turkey’s regional cuisines through a selection of meze. Depending on the day and season, the table may include eggplant dishes, yogurt-based preparations, vegetables cooked in olive oil, salads, and other local specialties designed to be shared.
5. Try Tantuni
Taste tantuni, a specialty associated with the southern city of Mersin. Finely chopped meat is cooked on a hot metal plate and served in bread or a thin wrap with tomatoes, herbs, and seasoning. Its journey to Istanbul is also part of the wider story of migration and regional food traditions within the city.
6. Finish with Baklava and Turkish Coffee
Conclude the tour at a historic confectionery with baklava and Turkish coffee. Learn about the craftsmanship behind layered pastry, the traditions surrounding coffee, and the role both continue to play in Turkish hospitality.
Tastings and establishments may vary according to the day, season, and availability, allowing us to offer the best possible local experience.
Included
Meeting with your guide at the designated point near the Spice Bazaar
Licensed professional English-speaking guide
All food tastings and non-alcoholic drinks mentioned in the itinerary
Ferry ticket between the European and Asian sides
Excluded
Personal expenses
Gratuities for the guide, at your discretion
Alcoholic beverages
Any additional food or drinks not specified in the itinerary
Notes
This is a small-group walking tour using public ferries and local transport where required. The tour operates with a minimum of two guests and a maximum of eight. Solo travelers are welcome to join an existing departure. If the minimum number is not reached, we will offer an alternative date, another available food tour, or a full refund.
Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Tastings and stops may vary according to season, availability and opening hours while maintaining the overall quality of the experience. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or allergies before booking; not every dietary requirement can be fully accommodated, and cross-contamination may be possible. The route and finishing time may be adjusted slightly due to ferry schedules, local conditions or group pace.
Cancellation Policy
Once payment has been processed and an invoice has been issued, 20% of the total booking amount is non-refundable. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the scheduled starting time are eligible for a refund of the remaining 80%. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled starting time, as well as no-shows, are non-refundable. If you need to change your tour date, please contact us as early as possible; rescheduling is subject to availability. If Food Trail Istanbul cancels the tour, the amount paid will be fully refunded.
This policy applies only to new bookings made after publication of these terms. Earlier bookings remain subject to the terms provided at the time of booking. Please see our Terms & Conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts near the main entrance of the Spice Bazaar facing the New Mosque in Eminönü and finishes in Kadıköy on Istanbul’s Asian side.
Is the ferry ticket included?
Yes. The public ferry ticket used to cross from the European side to the Asian side during the tour is included.
What food and drinks are included?
All scheduled tastings and non-alcoholic drinks mentioned in the itinerary are included. The exact selection may change according to freshness, season and availability.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
Some dietary adaptations may be possible with advance notice, but not every requirement can be fully accommodated. Please tell us about allergies or restrictions before booking.
Can solo travelers join the tour?
Yes. Solo travelers may join an existing departure. The tour operates with a minimum of two guests; if the minimum is not reached, we will offer an alternative date, another available food tour or a full refund.
Can I book this experience as a private tour?
Yes. Private departures may be arranged upon request, subject to availability.
What is the cancellation policy?
Once payment has been processed and an invoice has been issued, 20% of the total booking amount is non-refundable. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the scheduled starting time are eligible for a refund of the remaining 80%. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled starting time, as well as no-shows, are non-refundable. If you need to change your tour date, please contact us as early as possible; rescheduling is subject to availability. If Food Trail Istanbul cancels the tour, the amount paid will be fully refunded.
