6 Best Istanbul Food Tours (From Someone Who Lives Here)

My favorite Istanbul Food Tour

#1 Top Pick

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Taste of Two Continents

✅ Explore both the European & Asian sides of Istanbul

✅ Great intro to Turkish food culture

✅ Ferry ride across the Bosphorus

✅ Small group size keeps it personal

✅ Perfect for first-time visitors

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Foods You’ll Probably Try on an Istanbul Food Tour

Menemen

Menemen is one of my favorite Turkish breakfasts and is something I still crave regularly. It is made with eggs, tomatoes, peppers, and spices, then served with lots of fresh bread for dipping.

Simit

You will see people selling simit all over Istanbul from little red carts. It is a sesame-covered bread ring that pairs perfectly with Turkish tea, especially on the ferry in the morning.

Personally, though, I think simit tastes much better fresh from a bakery because the cart ones were often stale in my experience.

Şalgam

Şalgam is a fermented purple carrot drink that is especially popular with kebabs. Honestly, I hated it when I first moved to Istanbul, but somehow over time I became obsessed with it, especially the spicy one.

Lahmacun

Lahmacun is a thin, crispy flatbread topped with minced meat and spices. Apparently, I was eating it wrong for years because locals taught me you are supposed to add parsley, onion, lemon juice, and then roll it up before eating it.

Now it is one of my favorite snacks when I am out and about in the city.

Midye Dolma

These stuffed mussels are sold all over the city from giant silver trays piled high with lemons. Friends swear they are delicious, but I recommend only eating them from trusted vendors because seafood safety can sometimes be questionable.

Kunefe & Katmer

Kunefe is a hot cheese-filled dessert soaked in syrup, though I actually prefer katmer, which is flaky, buttery, and filled with pistachios.

Good versions of either are incredible, but bad ones can be disappointing, which is why having a local guide can really help.

Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is much thicker and stronger than many visitors expect. The first time I tried it, I did not realize you were not supposed to drink the grounds at the bottom. I prefer it “orta şekerli”.

Meze

Meze might honestly be one of my favorite parts of Turkish food culture. Instead of one big dish, you get lots of small plates to share, which makes meals feel slower, more social, and much more fun.

1. Best Istanbul Food Tour for First-Time Visitors

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  5.5 hours | 📍 LOCATION: Europe & Asia

If you want a little bit of everything Istanbul is known for, the Taste of Two Continents food tour is probably the one I would recommend first.

One of the things I like most about this tour is that you get to experience both the European and Asian sides of the city in a single day, which really helps you understand how different each side of Istanbul feels.

You also get to take the ferry across the Bosphorus, which is still one of my favorite ways to get around the city.

The tour includes classic Turkish foods like menemen, simit, Turkish coffee, kebabs, and baklava while also taking you through local neighborhoods and markets.

Once you arrive in Kadıköy, my part of the city, the atmosphere becomes noticeably more local and relaxed compared to the tourist-heavy areas on the European side.

I also appreciate that the group size is capped at only 8 people because food tours in Istanbul can easily start feeling rushed or overcrowded otherwise.

One important thing to note is that this tour is not ideal for vegans or vegetarians since many of the featured dishes include meat and dairy.

Best for:

First-time visitors, seeing both continents, and trying classic Turkish dishes

What I like:

• Ferry ride across the Bosphorus
• Small group size
• Great introduction to Turkish food culture

Keep in mind:

• Not vegetarian or vegan friendly
• Full-day tour with lots of walking

Sinan was the perfect foodie tour guide! From first breakfast, second breakfast, first kebab, second kebab, baklava and everything in between….

-Rebecca_G (read more Yummy Istanbul reviews on Viator)

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2. Best Vegetarian Food Tour in Istanbul

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  2.5 hours | 📍 LOCATION: Kadıköy

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A lot of people are surprised to learn just how vegetarian-friendly Turkish food can actually be, and this Vegetarian Food Tour does a great job of showcasing that side of Turkish cuisine.

While kebabs usually get most of the attention, Turkish cuisine also includes a huge variety of vegetable dishes, beans, lentils, bulgur, meze, stuffed vegetables, soups, and olive oil-based recipes. There are even fully vegetarian restaurants throughout Kadıköy and the European side of Istanbul.

One thing I especially like about this tour is that it helps travelers experience Turkish food beyond the meat-heavy dishes many tourists default to ordering.

You will get to try regional vegetarian specialties while learning more about the cultural influences behind Turkish cuisine.

I also appreciate that this is a private tour because vegetarian travelers often have more questions about ingredients and preparation methods. Having a local guide makes navigating menus and food culture much easier.

Even as someone who is not a vegetarian, some of my favorite Turkish foods are actually meat-free. A really good spread of meze with fresh bread and tea is honestly one of my favorite meals in Istanbul.

Best for:

Vegetarian travelers, meze lovers, and travelers wanting a different perspective on Turkish cuisine

What I like:

• Focus on vegetarian Turkish dishes
• Private guide experience
• Great introduction to lesser-known foods

Keep in mind:

• Turkish cuisine still uses dairy heavily
• Some traditional dishes may vary seasonally

We could not have asked for a better host, and would have liked to have Asli with us for our entire stay in Istanbul!

– Paul (read more Yummy Istanbul reviews on Viator)

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3. Best Istanbul Street Food Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.9/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  6 hours | 📍 LOCATION: Europe & Asia

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If your goal is to try as many different Turkish foods as possible in one day, the best street food tour in Istanbul is the Istanbul Street Food & Market tour.

If your goal is to try as many different Turkish foods as possible in one day, this is probably the best street food tour in Istanbul for you.

With 20 tastings across local markets, bakeries, street vendors, and restaurants, this tour gives you the opportunity to experience a huge variety of Turkish cuisine beyond just kebabs and baklava.

You will try everything from simit and kaymak to menemen, Iskender kebap, kunefe, and regional specialties while exploring both the European and Asian sides of the city.

One thing I especially like about this tour is that it focuses heavily on markets and casual local foods, because honestly, some of the best things to eat in Istanbul are not fancy meals at all.

Even something as simple as fresh simit with kaymak and honey can be unforgettable when done well.

You will also get to take a ferry across the Bosphorus, which is still one of my favorite ways to experience the city.

During the pandemic, dolphins became much more common around the ferries, but I actually spotted some again recently, and it completely made my day.

Best for:

Travelers who want to try as many Turkish foods as possible in one day, want to visit markets, and want the widest variety of Turkish dishes

What I like:

• 20 different tastings
• Ferry ride across the Bosphorus
• Great mix of markets, street food, and local specialties

Keep in mind:

• Long day with lots of walking
• Very filling tour

This was the best day trip I booked in Istanbul and I made lovely friends with my group. Our tour guide Ondan or Onder (not sure on the correct spelling of his name-sorry!) was amazing. He not only…

– GetYourGuide traveler (read more on GetYourGuide)

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Since Kadıköy is the part of Istanbul where I live, I am probably a little biased, but I genuinely think it is one of the best neighborhoods in the city for food, and the Kadıköy Food Tour by Secret Food Tour will show you around.

One thing I especially like about this tour is that it focuses on foods and neighborhoods that many tourists completely miss when they stay only on the European side.

You will get to explore local markets, casual eateries, and hidden spots throughout Kadıköy while trying dishes like lahmacun, muhlama, Turkish wine, and katmer.

I also appreciate that the guides teach you little cultural details along the way, like the proper way to eat lahmacun. Apparently, I had been eating it wrong for years before locals finally corrected me.

Muhlama was another dish that surprised me when I first moved to Turkey. It is an incredibly rich Black Sea dish made with cheese, butter, and cornmeal that somehow tastes even better than it sounds.

With group sizes capped at only 10 people, this tour feels much more personal and relaxed than some larger food tours in Istanbul.

Best for:

Asian-side neighborhoods, local food culture, and travelers wanting a less touristy experience

What I like:

• Focus on Kadıköy and local neighborhoods
• Includes dishes tourists often miss
• Smaller group size

Keep in mind:

• Mostly walking tour
• Less focused on major tourist attractions

If you want to experience Istanbul’s food scene after dark, the Istanbul Foodie Night Tour is one of the best evening food tours in the city.

One thing I really like about this tour is that it explores Beyoğlu and Pera at night, which gives the experience a completely different atmosphere compared to daytime food tours. The streets feel livelier, the meyhanes begin filling up, and you get a much better sense of Istanbul’s nightlife culture alongside the food.

I also appreciate that this tour introduces travelers to foods and drinks they might not order on their own. One example is şalgam, a fermented purple carrot drink that I honestly disliked when I first moved to Istanbul. Now I drink it regularly, especially with kebab.

Another thing many visitors do not realize is that kebabs vary dramatically depending on the region. My personal favorite is Adana kebab, which is spicy, smoky, and packed with flavor.

With only 8 participants, this tour feels intimate and conversational rather than rushed.

Best for:

Regional Turkish dishes, nightlife atmosphere, and evening food tours

What I like:

• Focus on regional cuisine
• Evening tour through Beyoğlu and Pera with rooftop views
• Smaller group size

Keep in mind:

• It used to include a glass of raki, but I don’t think it does anymore
• More nightlife-oriented than some daytime tours

6. Best Hidden Gems Food Tour in Istanbul

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  4-5 hours | 📍 LOCATION: Europe & Asia

If you want to get away from the more touristy restaurants and experience places locals genuinely love, the Istanbul Food Tour is one of the best food tours in Istanbul.

One of my favorite things about this tour is that it includes a stop at Çiya Sofrası in Kadıköy, which is honestly one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The restaurant specializes in regional Anatolian dishes that many visitors have never heard of before, and the menu changes daily depending on what is in season.

I also appreciate that this tour focuses heavily on hidden gems and local neighborhoods instead of only sticking to the main tourist areas. With group sizes capped at just 6 people, the experience feels much more personal and relaxed than some of the larger food tours in Istanbul.

Çiya was even featured on Chef’s Table, and after eating there myself multiple times, I completely understand why. I have genuinely never had a bad meal there.

This tour is especially good for travelers who want a deeper cultural context alongside the food rather than simply hopping between restaurants quickly.

Best for:

Hidden gems, regional cuisine, and travelers wanting a more local experience

What I like:

• Includes Çiya Sofrası
• Small group size
• Focus on local neighborhoods and lesser-known restaurants

Keep in mind:

• Includes dishes that may feel unfamiliar to some travelers
• Tour length varies

A Few Things to Know About Turkish Food Culture

Turkish food culture is deeply tied to hospitality, tradition, and regional identity. Many locals are incredibly proud of Turkish cuisine and love sharing their favorite dishes, restaurants, and food traditions with visitors.

One thing you will quickly notice is that food conversations can become surprisingly passionate. Turks tend to feel strongly about where dishes originated and how they should properly be prepared.

In my experience, the best way to enjoy Turkish food culture is simply to stay curious and open-minded.

Some dishes may feel unfamiliar at first, but trying new things and letting locals share their traditions is honestly one of the most rewarding parts of visiting Istanbul.

FAQs About Istanbul Food Tours

Eating Your Way Through Istanbul

One of my favorite things about living in Istanbul has been discovering just how regional and diverse Turkish food really is.

Food tours are one of the fastest ways to understand the city beyond just the major tourist attractions because food is such an important part of Turkish culture and hospitality.

Whether you want street food, traditional breakfasts, meze, or hidden neighborhood restaurants, Istanbul is one of the best food cities in the world to explore hungry.

And if you are interested in more guided experiences, you can also check out my favorite Istanbul day tours and Bosphorus cruises for even more ways to experience the city like a local.