Hidden Beyoğlu Tour
Description
Beginning with a selection of specialties in a timeless neighborhood Lokanta, we’ll visit a pickle-maker and other artisans. Winding our way through the district’s atmospheric side streets, there will be specialties from across the country, ranging from the far Northeast to the Black Sea to the distinct cuisine of Hatay in the Southeast. We’ll visit a hidden Armenian church inside a bustling fish market between samplings at street vendors fishmongers and grill joints and, finally, we’ll treat ourselves to the best Turkish coffee in the city. Depending on the day and what the walk comes across, there will be several other culinary surprises along the way of this food tour in Istanbul, all of them telling the fascinating tale of what is perhaps the city’s most iconic neighborhood.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visit the vibrant Beyoğlu Fish Market and explore one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric culinary hubs. Begin with a selection of traditional specialties in a timeless neighborhood lokanta, followed by stops at a beloved pickle-maker and other local artisans. As we wind through the district’s historic side streets, you’ll taste specialties from across Turkey — from the flavors of the Black Sea in the far Northeast to the distinctive cuisine of Hatay in the Southeast — offering a delicious journey through the country’s rich regional food culture.
We’ll visit a hidden Armenian church inside a bustling fish market between samplings at street vendors fishmongers and grill joints and, finally, we’ll treat ourselves to the best Turkish coffee in the city. Depending on the day and what the tour comes across, there will be several other culinary surprises along the way of this food tour in Istanbul, all of them telling the fascinating tale of what is perhaps the city’s most iconic neighborhood.
With Beyoğlu’s cosmopolitan history as a backdrop, on this food tour in Istanbul, we will eat our way through the classic and unknown eateries of the neighborhood, the old and the new, tasting specialties from all over Turkey.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(139)
The Hidden Beygolu tour with Defne was a fantastic experience and one of the highlights of my time in Istanbul. It was the perfect way to learn about the city's food culture, history, and everyday life through a local perspective. Defne is a wonderful guide—warm, friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable with great rapport with the local community. She shared fascinating stories about Istanbul's culinary traditions and the neighborhood we explored, making every stop meaningful and engaging. The food was excellent, but what really made the tour special was the insight into local life and culture that Defne provided. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Istanbul who wants to experience authentic food, discover hidden gems, and gain a deeper understanding of the city.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience. We are thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed connecting with the neighborhood's culinary traditions and everyday life. Your participation helps us continue to support the local heroes who preserve these beautiful crafts for generations to come.
We really enjoyed this tour. The neighborhood was very cool with lots of shops and cafes. The stops we made were spectacular -- appetizers, beers, drinks, bakery, kebabs, pickles, manti -- we tried it all and it was all great. Our guide, Esin, was excellent. Highly recommend!
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience! We are so glad you enjoyed discovering the spectacular family-run spots and traditional flavors of the neighborhood. Your support means the world to us and to the unsung culinary heroes working hard to preserve their craft.
I had the best time on this food tour. We visited spots I'd never have known about or think to go to. We tried a range of local dishes and got great history and context from our fantastic guide. Keeping to a small group meant a relaxed vibe and more chance to ask questions. It also meant our guide could flex when we passed a place serving sheeps head (!) that wasn't part of the tour and asked if we wanted to try it (two of us did - reader it was delicious!). We went to 8 stops - arrive hungry - there's plenty to try!
Thank you for joining us and for your wonderful review. We are so glad you enjoyed stepping off the beaten path to taste the complexity of the city and discover these hidden spots. Your visit helps us support the unsung heroes of Istanbul's kitchens and preserve their beautiful culinary traditions.
Katarina was a wonderful culinary tour guide for our evening in Beyoglu. She encouraged us to explore all types of food and drink and provided us with exceptional experiences that only a local would uncover. Her appreciation for her home city and its history and food culture was exceptional.
Thank you so much for this wonderful review and for taking the time to walk with us. We deeply appreciate your support for the local heroes and traditional family-run spots that keep our city's culinary heritage alive. It is a joy to share the complex, beautiful daily life of our neighborhoods with travelers who value genuine human connection over simply finding the best spots.
Food tour was great - D was very knowledgeable and showed us a lot of hidden spots. Was a great way to spend the evening exploring Istanbul. Tour was ~ 5 hours. Would highly recommend!
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are so glad you enjoyed spending the evening exploring the daily life and complexity of Istanbul. By visiting these hidden spots, you are directly supporting the unsung heroes of the kitchen and helping to preserve vital culinary traditions. We truly appreciate your support of these family-run eateries.
Amazing tour and amazing guide! Highly recommended!
Thank you for the wonderful review and your kind words. We are so glad you enjoyed exploring the neighborhood's daily life with us. Your visit helps support the unsung culinary heroes of the city and preserves these traditional family-run spots for generations to come.
My wife Emma and I had an incredible time on our Culinary Backstreets tour and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Istanbul. A special mention goes to our guide, Duygu, who was excellent throughout. She was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and approachable, and made the experience x10 more enjoyable. Her passion for the city, its food and its culture was clear. The tour offered a great variety of food, with each stop accompanied by interesting explanations about the dishes and their cultural significance. It was much more than a food tour, it was a great way to explore the city, learn about its history, and experience neighbourhoods we might not otherwise have discovered. Overall, a brilliant experience and one of the highlights of our trip. Thank you, Duygu, and the Culinary Backstreets team!
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed exploring the neighborhoods with us and diving deep into the daily life of the city. Thank you for supporting the local heroes of the kitchen and helping us preserve these invaluable culinary traditions.
Lovely tour with D. She was a great guide. Very friendly and knowledgeable of Turkish cuisine and customs. Food stops were varied and interesting. A glass of wine with the last main meal would have been nice ( just saying!). Enjoyable tour. Genevieve
Thank you for the wonderful review and for exploring the vibrant daily life of Istanbul with us. We deeply appreciate your support of our city's unsung culinary heroes, as it helps preserve these cherished traditions for generations to come. We are thrilled you enjoyed the varied stops and learning about the local customs, and we hope to welcome you back to our table soon.
Wow what can I say what a great way to get to know Beyoğlu! Duygu was a fantastic guide- very informative, knowledgeable and friendly. The tour was perfectly paced, lots of delicious treats and stories and sites to see. Would do this again!
Hello, and thank you for joining us to experience the daily life and stories of Beyoğlu. We are thrilled that you enjoyed the delicious treats and learning about the masters who pass down their craft. Thank you for supporting these unsung local heroes and helping us preserve these vital culinary traditions.
Our tour with Esen was super fun, informative and such a great introduction to the local food scene! We went with our three adult children, and the tour exceeded all of our expectations. Great food, at several different kinds of restaurants, but also good background information on the culture & history of the area.
Hello, and thank you for sharing your experience exploring the rich culture and history of the neighborhood with us. We deeply appreciate your support of the traditional, family-run spots that are the true unsung heroes of the kitchen. By joining our walks, you are helping to support local communities and preserve the culinary traditions of masters passing down their craft.