Discover the culinary tapestry of Istanbul on a delightful food tour that spans both the European and Asian sides of the city. This 4-5 hour walking tour invites food enthusiasts to indulge in a variety of authentic Turkish street foods, including Kokoreç, lahmacun, and çiğ köfte, guided by an expert local who shares insights into Istanbul’s rich culinary culture. With up to 10 different tastings included, this tour is ideal for families and small groups looking to explore the local flavors and vibrant neighborhoods of Karaköy and Kadıköy.
- Tour duration: 4-5 hours of walking and tasting
- Sample over 8 authentic Turkish dishes, including unique local specialties
- Expert guide offers insider knowledge and cultural insights
- Family friendly; children under 6 join for free without a ticket
Tour Options
Flavors of Istanbul A Two Continent Private Food Tour
Itinerary
120 min
Our journey begins in Karaköy, one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric neighborhoods.
We’ll dive deep into the narrow, winding backstreets that most travelers miss. You’ll feel the neighborhood’s energy as we visit local artisans and multi-generational shopkeepers who have been perfecting their craft for decades. Forget "tourist menus"—we are going where the locals stand in line.
Once we’ve explored the European side’s hidden nooks, we head to the Karaköy Pier. Here, we’ll do what millions of Istanbulites do every day: hop on a public ferry to the Asian side. As we sail across the Bosphorus, you won't just be "transported", you’ll witness the most stunning skyline in the world. With the sea breeze in your hair and a view of the Maiden’s Tower, you’ll see exactly why this city has enchanted travelers for millennia.
120 min
Step off the ferry and leave the tourist crowds behind. Welcome to Kadıköy, the vibrant, bohemian heart of Istanbul’s Asian side. This is where the locals live, shop, andmost importantly gather to eat the best food in the city.
While exploring the streets of Kadıköy, we will also continue tasting local foods.
Highlights
Ferry ride
Food tastings
Professional english speaking tour guiding
What's included
Included
Ferry ride
Food tastings
Professional english speaking tour guiding
Not included
Drinks
Traveller Ratings
5.0
34 reviews
5
34
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
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Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How long does Flavors of Istanbul A Two Continent Private Food Tour take?
Flavors of Istanbul A Two Continent Private Food Tour lasts about 4–5 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does Flavors of Istanbul A Two Continent Private Food Tour cost?
Prices start at $160 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 Flavors of Istanbul A Two Continent Private Food Tour 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 To reach the pier, simply take the T1 tram line and get off at the Karaköy station.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Flavors of Istanbul A Two Continent Private Food Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 8 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(34)
S
Sightseer217459
August 28, 2026
Culinary tour with excellent experience
What an insightful and colourful tour of Turkey’s culinary scene in Istanbul. Berry and Kaan met us right at our hotel and guided us through the northern old town as well as the Asian side of Istanbul. They not only explained the ingredients of the dishes, but also gave us a historical insight into their origins.
Thank you very much for this sch
J
joseuC5755SX
August 17, 2026
Excellent experience!!!!
“We traveled from Miami and hired their services in Spanish. Excellent service from the first contact, always quick and willing to help. The airport pickup was punctual and just as we agreed. Our guide Umit was exceptional: very prepared, kind, and attentive. We finished with a beautiful boat ride. A serious, responsible, and 100% recommendable company. Thank you for making our visit to Istanbul an unforgettable experience. We will definitely be back!”
9
98cristall
August 17, 2026
Amazing
This is the most amazing trip we have ever experienced. The culture, the food, the people and the experiences we had are out of this world. All this thanks to our very good and knowledgeable guide Zeynel who is so kind, enthousiastic and helpful. He made us feel so welcoming. Thank you so much Zeynel for helping us and for taking care of us so well. We will definitely come back!
5
540jink
August 6, 2026
great guides
The pacing was perfect—never rushed, never slow—and each tasting felt thoughtfully chosen. I especially appreciated how the guide connected each dish to local traditions and neighborhood history, making the experience feel personal and immersive.
N
NoorHayatiM1
June 25, 2026
An experience to remember
Zeyn my guide is very resourceful and good at explaining all tge histotical sites, its histories. You are being transported back to when it took place. He is friendly and an easy going guy. Booking with Reminder Tour was easy and efficient. Their customer engagement is wonderful. Looking forward to more Turkiye trip in tge future with Reminder and Zeyn.
E
Eric S
May 7, 2026
Wonderful Tour in Istanbul
We had a three night stopover in Istanbul and just completed a food tour as well as a two day tour of the wonderful city. Kaan was very professional through the process. From the time we reached out he listened to our desires and put together a package that was exactly what we were looking for.
He even was our guide during the food tour. He made sure we tried many traditional local dishes and provided a historical perspective behind the food and many of the restaurants we visited. Highly recommend the food tour and come hungry!
On day two and three our guide was Zeynel. Another true professional that takes pride in his job and knows Istanbul history quite well. He is very down to earth and easy to converse with. He is quite flexible and able to make adjustments as necessary to accommodate his clients. He was a joy to work with.
We are extremely happy with Reminder Tour Istanbul and would book through them again if we were ever in Turkey in the future. They even set up an airport transfer that takes all the stress out of arriving in a new country for the first time. If you are thinking of book through them just do it!
L
LQLuu
April 30, 2026
Insightful Knowledge and Honesty
They were honest and efficient with every interactions with me from beginning to end. Their tour guide, Zeynel was insightful and had touches of humor during our 2 day private tour of historical sites and a delicious food tour. He was even kind enough to help me with guidance and recommendations after our tour ended. Don't waste your time with others, Reminder will give you the best quality with the best prices in Istanbul.
A
anah_p2014
March 12, 2026
AMAZING...
It was amazing the service they gave us, they didn’t neglect a single detail and even as they went along they fulfilled every request I made. Come to Turkey is wonderful, the war is not affecting her, the people are friendly and attentive. Language is not a barrier almost everyone speaks English and many Spanish. Don’t believe YouTubers, I came with my mother who is older, and even though we were two women alone NO ONE scammed us, or harassed us....people were super respectful and gentle especially with my mother.....I LOVED TURKEY.....THANK YOU TOTALLY TO REMINDER AND HIS TEAM (Umit, Sofia, Talha,etc,etc,etc)
J
J2880QPstevena
February 8, 2026
Food + people + Istanbul = Spectacular Day
We had a group of friends go with Kaan and Bery on an adventure that featured many foods and both sides of the Bosphorus! They met us at the hotel and we started with soup for breakfast, getting a history lesson of the neighborhood and an understanding of the varieties and importance of soup to the locals. Fresh simit (with cheese baked in) was next with tea and the morning continues with culture, food, and history intertwined as we walked the streets. We hopped the ferry to head to the eastern side of Istanbul, getting additional views and stories from our guides. The food on the Asian continent continued to excite, as we tried tripe (yes, it’s worth trying), flatbreads, and interacted with the locals. We ended the day back on the western side of the city and an amazing dish made of only beans and then desert.
It was an amazing tour and one that gave a real sense of the people, the food, and the history of Istanbul.
R
Richard L
December 25, 2025
Excellent Experience!!
Zeynal was everything one could hope for in a tour guide. Interesting and interested. Knowledgeable. Thoughtful. Kind and considerate. Patient. We saw Istanbul through his eyes and reached into neighborhoods and experiences that we would never have had on our own. We were very happy to have met Zeynal and very much appreciate the time that we spent with him.
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Flavors of Istanbul A Two Continent Private Food Tour