The Culinary Scene
5 (41)

Eat like a local in Istanbul

3 hours English
5 (41)
100% Personalized

Baklava dripping in honey, flaky pastries and the best kebab in the city.

Emi̇r
Emi̇r
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Match with one of our local hosts

Be matched with a host based on your interests and preferences, to tailor your perfect day.

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100% Flexible: Adapt in real time

Your host will fine-tune the experience in real time to match your mood.

Experience Overview

Time:

3 hours

What to expect:

Fully tailored to your preferences

Language:

Hosted in English (Other languages may be requested)

Meeting point:

Kadikoy Bull Statue, Altıyol Meydanı, Söğütlü Çeşme Cd, 34714 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring:

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

What’s Included:

A private and personalized experience
3 hours with your host
6-8 tastings of various local food specialities
A glass of wine, beer or soft drink
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s Excluded:

Food and drinks other than the ones included in the experience
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Key Highlights:

  • Discover Istanbul's vibrant food culture over 3-hours with your host
  • Get what you want out of your private and personalised experience - try the cafes, markets, bazaars and authentic local restaurants
  • Your experience, your pace - stroll through the neighbourhoods grabbing snacks on the go opt for a more indulgent approach, trying a few dishes at one or two restaurants
  • Get a unique insider’s point of view of the city's food scene and authentic local places to eat and drink on the rest of your trip

What travelers think of our Istanbul experiences

H
Henry 9 May 2026

Our tour was with Burak Gulcan. What a fabulous time we had with him! We travel frequently and I can say he was one of the best tours guides we ever had. We went to the Asia side of Istanbul where he explained the different foods and spices in the local markets. He was able to have the local merchants give a sample of their various foods. We were never rushed and he took his time to explain origin of the food and how its relevant to the Turkish culture today. At dinner we sampled a variety of different types of food, all of which was delicious. Burak was so accommodating to make sure we understood the Turkish experience our tour ran over the scheduled end time. I high recommend this tour and Burak.

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M
Mark 7 April 2026

We had a fantastic food tour with our guide Ipek. Ipek gave us many options that would meet our needs and expectations. We sampled many local Turkish foods that we may not have normally found. A fantastic private food tour.

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J
Jennifer 17 October 2025

Tugba was a very knowledgeable and engaging guide. Communication leading up to the tour was fantastic. We visited three locations, two for street food, the third for Baklava. More stops with smaller portions would have been preferred, but the overall experience was enjoyable.

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D
Denise 30 September 2025

One gets a sample tasting of Turkish street food in a neighborhood where locals too eat. I didn’t feel like a tourist. It was fun.

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M
Mary Kay 30 September 2025

Ipek provided an insider’s expertise on the secrets of finding the best culinary tidbits-in Itanbul..

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A
Andrea 29 August 2025

We did a fabulous evening food tour with Burak. We went to places we would not have found on our own and tried food we wouldn't have known to try. He was very knowledgeable and had lots of fascinating information that made the tour amusing and interesting. It was just what we wanted

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What you’ll do

You’ll join one of our local Istanbul hosts to weave through this vibrant city together, embarking on a culinary adventure from Europe to Asia and back again - and this time we’re not just talking about your tastebuds flitting between continents.

You’ll feast your way around the city, enjoying dishes like lahmacun, a kind of Turkish pizza at a local cafe, Şiş Kebap, a skewered kebab which believe us, tastes even more incredible once you’ve seen it come out of the hot coals, as well as some street food favorites like crunchy fish sandwiches coated in sesame seeds.

There’s always room for a dessert (or two) like baklava dripping in honey or a more unusual rose-water soaked dough known as Güllaç. Explore markets to discover the kaleidoscope of spices on offer, try street food like flaky borek pastries, stop by traditional cafes in obscure places and the best kebab joints - only a local knows where to try the best version of each dish, and that’s exactly where they’ll take you. Word to the wise: skipping breakfast might not be the worst idea before this one.

Real Stories, Real Connections

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

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Tugba_Kurti_Istanbul_BR-1267458343

Smiling faces amidst the ancient columns of Istanbul's past.

Smiling faces amidst the ancient columns of Istanbul's past.

Sharing smiles on a cool day in vibrant Istanbul.

Sharing smiles on a cool day in vibrant Istanbul.

Smiles all around at an iconic mosque in Istanbul.

Smiles all around at an iconic mosque in Istanbul.

Evening lights softly illuminate a bustling Istanbul riverside walkway.

Evening lights softly illuminate a bustling Istanbul riverside walkway.

Admiring vibrant modern art along Istanbul's scenic waterfront.

Admiring vibrant modern art along Istanbul's scenic waterfront.

Chandeliers illuminate the intricate details of Istanbul's stunning architecture.

Chandeliers illuminate the intricate details of Istanbul's stunning architecture.

Amidst white tulips, a lone pink flower catches the eye.

Amidst white tulips, a lone pink flower catches the eye.