Istanbul Street Food Tour with a Local Guide, 6 Hours

Istanbul street food tour: what you need to know

This small-group food walk with a local guide takes you through authentic Istanbul neighbourhoods, markets and hidden food spots, from $90 per person. Along the way you taste Turkish street food, kebabs and regional specialities, a traditional Turkish breakfast, baklava, Turkish delight and other desserts, and finish with Turkish tea and coffee. All the food samples in the programme are included; you choose between a daytime and a sunset walk.

Is a food tour in Istanbul worth it?

If you enjoy food, it is one of the best ways to understand the city. Istanbul's cooking draws on the whole of the former Ottoman world, and its best food is often found in small family places that have no English menu and no sign you would notice. A local guide takes you straight to them, tells you what to order and explains the stories behind the dishes, so you taste more in one walk than you would find on your own in several days.

What food do you taste on the tour?

The exact stops change with the route, the season and what is freshest that day. Come hungry: these are tastings, but together they add up to more than a full meal.

Daytime or sunset: which food tour should you choose?

The daytime walk, from about 10:00 to 15:00, is longer and suits people who want to see markets at their busiest. The sunset walk, from about 16:00 to 20:30, is shorter and ends in the evening glow, which many people prefer in summer when the middle of the day is hot. Both are small-group walks through local neighbourhoods.

How does it compare with other food experiences in Istanbul?

Is it suitable for vegetarians or people with allergies?

Tell us about any dietary needs when you book. Turkish cuisine has many vegetarian dishes, desserts and breakfast items, and the guide can suggest alternatives at many stops. For serious allergies, especially to nuts, which are common in Turkish desserts, please let us know in advance so we can tell you honestly what is possible.

When is the best time for a food tour?

Any time of year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for walking; in summer the sunset walk is the cooler choice. In winter, hot tea, soups and pastries make the walk especially cosy. During Ramadan some small places change their hours, and the evenings around the fast-breaking meal are especially lively.

What should you bring?

An appetite, comfortable walking shoes, a bottle of water and some cash for extra drinks or snacks you want to buy along the way. Wear layers in spring and autumn, as the walk moves between sunny streets and shaded markets.

Where do you meet?

The tour starts at a meeting point in Istanbul that we send you on confirmation; hotel pick-up is not included, so allow time to get there by public transport or taxi.

How do you book?

Choose your date and the daytime or sunset walk on this page and send the form, or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm your place and the meeting point in writing, and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Istanbul tours and our Turkey tour packages.