Bosphorus Bites Istanbul Food Tour with 14+ Tastings

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4 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

Our evening Istanbul food tour is a cross-continental movable feast that traces the old Silk Road, moving beyond the tourist curtain. Kicking off in the Old City, we bridge two continents and traverse the Bosphorus Strait, linking the imperial spice markets of Europe with the rebellious street food of Asia. With 14+ tastings - ranging from slow-cooked lamb beyran soup to hand-rolled sarma - this is a unique culinary adventure designed to unlock the flavours of the Ottoman world.

What's Included

Max 8 exclusive guests, smallest group size in Istanbul
14+ food tastings included, more than any other Istanbul food tour
Movable feast with 8-9 stops around the streets of Eminonu (Europe) and Kadikoy (Asia)
Bottled water included
Led by professional foodie guides
Alcoholic drinks excluded
Pick up and drop off from hotel excluded. Easy-to-find meeting point for all guests.
Vegetarians have 3-4 less tastings due to limited alternatives
Unsuitable for severe allergies and celiac disease, due to risk of traces and cross-contamination

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

We meet inside Coffeetopia Eminonu cafe close to Sultanahmet in the Old City. This location is easily reached by walking, public transport, or taxi.

End point
Karaköy - Eminönü vapur iskelesi

The tour ends at Karaköy - Eminönü Vapur Iskelesi pier on the Asian side. Your guide can assist you with directions in case you want to stay longer in Kadıköy, or take a boat and transport back to your accommodation (in Taksim or Eminönü/Sultanahmet).

Itinerary

Duration: 4 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Istanbul

    Embark on a cross-continental journey across the Bosporus, from the Sultan’s spice markets of Europe, to the Anatolian ustas of Asia. This is our 14+ tasting Istanbul food adventure through the heart of the Ottoman world, at the historic city terminal of the Silk Road and Spice Route.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Egyptian Bazaar

    Beneath the 17th-century domes of the Egyptian Bazaar, the air is filled with scent of cured Isot pepper and wild oregano, as we explore the vaulted pantry of Turkish ingredients. At a traditional kebab house, pull up a seat and watch the masters thread hand-minced lamb onto iron skewers, searing over charcoal flames. Pair it with hand-chopped tomato and pepper dip, fresh lavas flatbread and purple turnip juice salgam. At a family-owned eatery from Gaziantep, dip a spoon into a bowl of garlic-spiked beyran lamb soup.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Bosphorus

    Next we board a vapur ferry, with the ‘Old City’ minaret skyline receding and seagulls trailing, we cross the border to Kadikoy in Asia Minor. Stop at a fresh deli in the heart of the market, presided over by its octogenarian owner for over three decades. His kitchen is serving a mini-feast of Levantine mezze; sun-yellow zucchini flowers and ribbons of sarma grape leaves stuffed with herbed rice, Cretan-style white cheese, and smoky eggplant mash.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Kadıköy

    We keep the momentum with sumac-dusted fish wrap balık durum, and a handful of midye dolma - plump mussels stuffed with aromatic rice and hit with a citric squeeze of lemon. Meet two brothers who hold the secret to the perfect cig kofte - raw bulgur patties are kneaded with pomegranate molasses and tucked into crisp lettuce wraps, followed by crispy lahmacun and a frothy, salted ayran beverage.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Kadıköy

    The food marathon concludes at a legendary institution for the ‘King of Desserts: kunefe. Shredded pastry, soaked in syrup and molten cheese, topped it with the pleasantly stretchy dondurma ice cream. By the time we hit the pier, you’ll have conquered two continents and 400 years of culinary influence in a single evening. Join your local foodie guide to strip away the tourist veneer and claim your place at the table of the real Istanbul.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • See 'What to Expect' section and 'What's Included' for info on dietary restrictions
  • We recommend comfortable walking shoes. Bring rain gear/umbrella, if rain looks likely. There's lot of tastings to try, come hungry!
Supplied by A Chef's Tour

Tags

Half-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Walking Tours
Street Food Tours
Small Group
Food & Drink
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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