Kurtuluş is one of Istanbul’s most diverse neighborhoods, shaped by generations of Greek, Armenian and Sephardic Jewish communities alongside newer arrivals from eastern Turkey. Its multicultural history lives on in its bakeries, meze counters, dairy shops and grill houses.
We’ll begin with a visit celebrating the neighborhood’s Greek heritage before tasting specialties from Erzincan, including rich kaymak with raw honey and aged tulum cheese. As we explore the backstreets, we’ll meet local artisans and sample Sephardic borekitas, Armenian topik, stuffed vine leaves and other classic meze.
We’ll also stop for sizzling kebabs straight from the grill and, depending on the season, traditional boza or Turkish-style ice cream from a beloved family-run dairy. By the end of the day, Kurtuluş reveals itself as one of Istanbul’s richest and most welcoming culinary neighborhoods.
Tour Options
Cosmopolitan Kurtuluş: Istanbul’s Neighborhood of Taste
Itinerary
120 min
Far from the tourist trail, get a taste of one of the last bastions of classic Istanbul flavors, including bread fresh from the tandir oven, a mind-boggling assortment of meze, sizzling kebab, old school ice cream and much more. On this full-day food tour, we will dig deep into the culinary traditions of one of Istanbul’s most culturally diverse and food-centric neighborhoods.
60 min
During the day in this unassuming historic residential neighborhood, a hive of small artisanal shops – charcuteries, meze counters, ice cream parlors, bakers, butchers, dairy specialists – uphold city traditions otherwise lost. After dark, a hopping scene of craft beer bars and kebab houses hold it down until the morning, when the weekly organic market attracts those serious about what they eat and cook with. To top it off, there’s a whole street lined with shops and restaurants devoted to the fabled breakfast spread of eastern Turkey’s Erzincan region. Not surprisingly, a visit to Kurtuluş can be an eye-popping and gut-busting experience. But step back from the table and you’ll notice a rich cultural diversity no longer present in most parts of the city, an open-minded attitude, a cosmopolitan air and laid back sophistication, particularly when it comes to food. That’s the Kurtuluş state of mind.
120 min
When our movable feast in Kurtuluş has come to an end, you’ll see what we mean about what makes this neighborhood so unique, and, like many people, you may not want to leave. Not to worry: here in Istanbul’s most diverse streets, you are always welcome back.
Highlights
Lunch
Snacks
Breakfast
What's included
Included
Lunch
Snacks
Breakfast
Not included
Private transportation
Traveller Ratings
5.0
61 reviews
5
61
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cosmopolitan Kurtuluş: Istanbul’s Neighborhood of Taste take?
Cosmopolitan Kurtuluş: Istanbul’s Neighborhood of Taste lasts about 5 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Cosmopolitan Kurtuluş: Istanbul’s Neighborhood of Taste cost?
Prices start at $150 per person for this Istanbul experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Cosmopolitan Kurtuluş: Istanbul’s Neighborhood of Taste for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is The meeting point is in front of the Carrefour Supermarket, Feriköy, Açık Yol Sk. 2-6, 34377 Şişli.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Cosmopolitan Kurtuluş: Istanbul’s Neighborhood of Taste offered in?
The experience is available in EN, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 7 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(61)
R
R5802NXmohamedo
September 6, 2026
A tour to remember
I’ve been a fan of Culinary Backstreets for about 12 years now. I wanted to start by saying how much I’ve loved following their work. Their reviews helped me discover cities across 4 continents, they’ve never really been just about food. They’ve opened up histories, cultures, neighbourhoods, and sometimes even politics in ways that have made me see and experience cities differently.
I finally decided to join them in person for a walking tour, and it was up to my expectations, if not more!
Benoit, our tour guide, is a wealth of information about food, its history, evolution, the communities that shared it and evolved it, and where to eat the best version of it. He is an expert in weaving layers of history, politics and personal stories into an engagin, delicious and easy to digest meal. The places he took us to were all top quality and the items he selected were very interesting and delicious.
Thanks benoit and the Culinary Backstreets team. I really value your passion for your city and for the work you make. I will definetly be back :)
Operator response
Thank you for the wonderful review and for following our journey across the globe for so many years! We are thrilled that your first walking tour lived up to your expectations and that you enjoyed exploring the city's complex history and flavors with us. Your continued support means the world to our team and to the local culinary heroes who work hard to preserve these precious neighborhood traditions.
I
isaacgY4591MZ
September 5, 2026
Kurtulus food tour
Duygu was very knowledgeable and helpful. Cannot recommend enough!
Operator response
Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so glad that Duygu was able to guide you through the beautiful complexity of the city's food culture. Thank you for supporting Istanbul's unsung heroes and helping us preserve these cherished culinary traditions.
A
abechen2026
September 5, 2026
Duygu knows her stuff
She was great. Was also a good history lesson of the neighborhood and country. Would recommend for those who want to know the why behind the food.
Operator response
Thank you for the wonderful review and for exploring the rich history of the neighborhood with us. We are thrilled that you enjoyed learning the deeper stories behind the food. Your support helps us continue our mission of Honest Tourism, uplifting the unsung heroes of the kitchen and preserving these cherished culinary traditions.
L
Lachlan2078
September 1, 2026
A wander off the beaten track
We spent a delightful afternoon roaming the streets and alleyways of Kurtulus with Dee. She introduced us to a world we would never have found by ourselves - the best bakeries, delicatessens, coffee shops, farmers market and more. Highly recommended to those with an adventurous palate and a desire to try a more authentic local experience.
Operator response
Thank you for the wonderful review and for taking the time to explore with us. We are thrilled that you enjoyed roaming the neighborhood and meeting the unsung heroes of the local food scene. Your adventurous palate helps us support these traditional family-run spots and preserve their vital culinary traditions.
K
kyleh469
August 31, 2026
Istanbul - Who Knew the Food was this Good!!!
This tour we excellent and so much fun and good food. Our Tour Guide, Esin, was wonderful and upbeat about the neighborhood and all the delicious food. She knew so many people and with her upbeat attitude was a joy to be around. My wife and I were the only ones on the tour that morning, so we got her undivided attention. Every stop was unique with delicious tastings. I highly recommend this tour.
Operator response
Hello, and thank you so much for this wonderful review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed exploring the neighborhood and tasting the delicious food with us. Your visit helps support these traditional, family-run spots and the local heroes who keep these culinary crafts alive. We hope to walk the backstreets with you again soon!
4
459libbyh
August 27, 2026
Authentic Istanbul
This tour was away from the tourist throng and took us into what felt like authentic Istabnbul. Our Tour Guide Duygu Sınırtaş was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable amd when prompted, shared her deep historical knowldge of Istanbul as well. We went on to book her for a full day historical tour on a separate day she was so good.
Operator response
Thank you for the wonderful review and for supporting Istanbul's local culinary heroes. We are thrilled that you enjoyed stepping away from the crowds to experience the authentic daily life and traditions of the city. Meaningful connections with the people who preserve these crafts are at the heart of honest tourism, and we deeply appreciate your support.
M
monicamarym
August 23, 2026
Gonca, the Guide Extraordinaire
5 hours on the go with Gonca and never a quiet moment. She knows everybody and where the best and most interesting places are.
So many cultures and ethnic cuisines and history !!
An outstanding and unique time, with an equally outstanding guide
Operator response
Thank you for the wonderful review and for joining us to explore the rich history and ethnic cuisines of the neighborhood. We are thrilled you enjoyed connecting with the unsung heroes of the kitchen who keep these incredible traditions alive. Your support means so much to our commitment to honest tourism and preserving local family-run spots.
K
K7692ZFjoanneb
August 12, 2026
An Authentic Taste of Istanbul
Our Culinary Backstreets Tour was simply wonderful. From start to finish, it was such a special experience, and so much of that was thanks to our fabulous host, Duygu (Dee).
We were able to experience incredible local cuisine and discover parts of Istanbul, its food, culture and community that we simply would never have found on our own.
It was fabulous to have a local guide who not only has incredible knowledge, but genuinely loves what she does and is so passionate about her city and community. Duygu shared that passion with us, taking us to places we would never have discovered and introducing us to flavours, people and experiences that made the day truly memorable.
If you want to experience the real Istanbul beyond the usual tourist spots, I couldn’t recommend this tour highly enough. A wonderful day, amazing food and a fantastic guide.
Operator response
Thank you for the wonderful review and for joining us to explore the real life of the city. We are thrilled that you enjoyed discovering the daily lives and crafts of our neighborhood's unsung culinary heroes. Your support helps us continue our mission of honest tourism and preserving these meaningful local traditions.
D
DonaldDurmasi
August 7, 2026
Delicious tour of cool area - felt super authentic
Esin was an incredible guide! We learned so much had a great time and the food was incredible. She also really went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and to tailor the tour to our interests. This tour was easily a major highlight of our trip. It was really cool to see this other side of Istanbul, definitely an experience we would not have gotten without this tour
Operator response
Thank you for the review! We are so glad you joined us to support the unsung heroes of Istanbul's kitchens who work so hard to preserve their culinary traditions. It is wonderful to hear that the experience allowed you to connect with the complex daily life of the city. We deeply appreciate you walking with us and sharing in these everyday stories.
E
erich308
June 30, 2026
A rare opportunity to experience the real Istanbul A wonderful day immersed in a authentic neighborhood. Loved it
An inspired experience. Our guide was wonderful and she showed us a part of Istanbul that tourists don't often visit. We loved it and got to meet people that were proud of their culinary traditions and craft. Highly recommended for visitors that want to see the real neighborhoods of Istanbul far away from the tourist route. Our guide, Tugce was kind, knowledgeable, and passionate about showing us this part of the city. Saw and experienced many things that will stay in my memory for a long time to come. And- ate many wonderful things along the way. Thank you Tugce for an outstanding experience. We loved your spirit and enthusiasm.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience and for walking with us. We are so glad Tugce could show you the daily life of this neighborhood and introduce you to the unsung heroes of the kitchen. By joining us, you are directly supporting these local communities and helping preserve the beautiful culinary traditions they craft every day.
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Cosmopolitan Kurtuluş: Istanbul’s Neighborhood of Taste
