Inviting you to get to know Istanbul through its tables, bazaars, and neighborhoods, this full-day culinary tour offers a gastronomic experience stretching from Karaköy to Kadıköy. Traditional breakfast items, bazaar products, home-cooked meals, street food, and desserts all meet on the same route to explore the city's food culture from different perspectives.
The program begins with a breakfast tasting in Karaköy and, after a baklava break, moves to the Asian Side via a ferry ride. While local products and artisan culture are explored in the Kadıköy Bazaar, the lunch tasting provides an opportunity to experience the Turkish cuisine as it appears on daily tables. The walk extending to Moda is completed with street food, Turkish coffee, and a dessert break.
Professional guide commentary covers the tasted products not only with their ingredients but also with their preparation and presentation traditions. Focusing on variety with small portions, the program is balanced by walks between food stops and the sea voyage between the two continents.
Offered with hotel transfers and pre-planned tasting stops, this tour is prepared for guests who want to experience Istanbul's culinary culture within local life.
- 109:00
Meeting and Departure
Meet your guide. The day's program is shared by evaluating taste preferences and previously notified dietary needs. Then, depart for Karaköy.
- 209:30 · 45 min
Breakfast Tasting in Karaköy
Start the day with a tasting plate consisting of simit, white cheese, olives, and Turkish tea. Information is provided about breakfast habits in Istanbul and the place of tea in daily life.
- 310:15 · 45 min
Karaköy Streets and Baklava Break
After a short walk through the streets of the district, a baklava tasting is held. A guide presentation on traditional dessert culture and baklava varieties is offered.
- 411:00 · 1 hr
Ferry Crossing to Kadıköy
After walking to the pier and boarding, cross to the Asian Side by ferry. In this section, which includes waiting time, Istanbul's coastal silhouette is watched from the sea.
- 512:00 · 1 hr
Kadıköy Bazaar and Local Products
A walk is taken through the bazaar streets. While tasting small portions of products such as cheese, olives, and pickles, artisan culture and local culinary habits are introduced.
- 613:00 · 1 hr
Lunch Tasting of Turkish Cuisine
A small-portioned menu consisting of soup, the dish of the day, and rice or bulgur is offered at an establishment with an artisan restaurant (esnaf lokantası) concept. The menu is determined according to the establishment's daily preparation and pre-confirmed dietary preferences.
- 714:00 · 45 min
Walk from the Bazaar to Moda
After lunch, walk from the streets of Kadıköy towards Moda. Time is allocated to observe neighborhood life, take photos, and take short breaks.
- 814:45 · 30 min
Street Food Tasting
A pre-determined street food such as lahmacun or pide is offered in a tasting portion at the contracted establishment. In this section, fast service culture and daily eating habits are discussed.
- 915:15 · 45 min
Turkish Coffee and Traditional Dessert
The food stops are completed with a small portion of milk-based dessert or a seasonal dessert accompanying Turkish coffee. Information is shared about the preparation and presentation tradition of the coffee.
- 1016:00 · 30 min
Free Time in Moda
Free time is given to explore the surroundings, relax, or do personal shopping.
- 1116:30
Departure for Return
The return journey to your hotel begins by private vehicle from the designated meeting point.
- Pick-up from hotels in the service area specified in the reservation and return to the hotel at the end of the tour
- Private vehicle with driver for hotel transfers
- Professional tourist guidance in the language specified in the reservation
- Ferry ticket for the Karaköy–Kadıköy crossing
- Guided bazaar and neighborhood walks within the scope of the program
- Breakfast tasting plate and a glass of Turkish tea
- Baklava tasting
- Pre-determined cheese, olive, and pickle tastings
- Lunch tasting menu consisting of small portions
- One type of street food tasting
- One cup of Turkish coffee and one portion of tasting dessert
- One bottle of water per person
- Parking and road expenses related to private vehicle transportation in the program
- Food and beverage orders outside the specified tasting menus
- Alcoholic beverages
- Packaged products and personal food shopping
- Personal expenses
- Visits and transportation services requested outside the program
- Additional vehicle and guidance services exceeding the planned duration
- Optional guide and driver tips
- The tour is designed to try different flavors in small portions. Some of the tastings may be offered individually, while others may be shared. The exact menu, number of tastings, and presentation style are specified in the reservation confirmation. It is recommended that guests do not eat a large amount of food before joining the tour.
- Food allergies, intolerances, vegetarian or vegan dietary preferences, and other special dietary needs must be notified before booking. Alternative menus are offered only with the confirmation of the relevant establishments. Cross-contact with allergens cannot be completely guaranteed in establishments using shared kitchens and equipment.
- The tasting menu may vary depending on the season, product availability, and the daily preparations of the establishments. In necessary changes, alternatives are evaluated by taking into account the reported dietary needs. Specially requested products or menus may be subject to an additional fee.
- A significant part of the program is carried out on foot. It is recommended to choose comfortable shoes due to bazaar streets, sidewalk crossings, and boarding/disembarking from the ferry. Guests with limited mobility or those participating with a stroller should provide information in advance to check route and establishment accessibility.
- Children's ages must be reported at the time of booking. Portion and menu options suitable for children are confirmed separately. Parental or guardian supervision is essential while consuming hot drinks and food.
- Times and visit order may vary depending on traffic, operating hours of establishments, density, and ferry schedules. In case sea transportation cannot be carried out, alternative transportation and route arrangements are notified to the guests.
- The areas covered by the hotel pick-up and drop-off service are finalized at the time of booking. 16:30 is the departure time for the return; the arrival time at the hotel depends on the location of the hotel and traffic. Orders and shopping outside the program are paid separately by the guests.
