Taste of Two Continents: Istanbul Food Tour with Bosphorus Ferry
Description
*Two Continents in One Day: Experience the culinary secrets of both Europe and Asia, connected by a scenic Bosphorus ferry ride. *10+ Local Tastings: Feast on an ultimate menu including Traditional Breakfast (Kaymak & Honey, Menemen, crispy Simit), Lahmacun, Pickle Juice, local mezes and Baklava. *True Local Perspective: Skip the tourist traps and eat where the locals eat, guided by an expert foodie storyteller. * Spice Bazaar, the best Turkish Delight that you never have eaten. *Dietary Friendly: Full vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives are happily provided at every single stop.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Spice Market (Mısır Çarşısı), Istanbul The Spice Market in Istanbul, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), is one of the city’s most vibrant and aromatic landmarks. Located in the historic Eminönü district, this bustling marketplace has been a hub of trade and culture since the 17th century. It is a sensory paradise, where the air is filled with the enticing aromas of spices, dried herbs, and sweet treats. The Spice Market offers an unforgettable culinary and shopping experience: 1. Spices & Herbs Sumac: Adds a tangy, lemony flavor to dishes. Cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves Chili flakes: Popular in Turkish kebabs and meze. 2. Dried Fruits & Nuts Dried apricots and figs,Pistachios, almonds, and hazelnuts: Fresh and flavorful snacks. 3. Turkish Delights (Lokum) Flavors like rose, pomegranate, pistachio, and lemon. 4. Herbal Teas Herbal tea blends, such as apple tea, rose tea, and mint tea 5. Specialty Ingredients Caviar and fish roe Olive oil and soaps
The ferry ride from Eminönü to Kadıköy is a quintessential Istanbul experience, connecting the city's European and Asian sides. This 20-minute journey offers breathtaking views of the Bosphorus, historic landmarks, and the city's dynamic skyline. What You Can Experience: Scenic views: Admire the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Maiden’s Tower from the water. Seagulls & Simit: Toss a piece of simit (Turkish bagel) to seagulls flying alongside the ferry. Local vibe: Witness the daily life of Istanbulites commuting across continents. Tea & snacks: Enjoy freshly brewed Turkish tea or coffee from the onboard café. This ferry ride is more than transportation; it’s a serene escape on the Bosphorus.
Kadıköy Çarşı, located on the Asian side of Istanbul, is a vibrant market that captures the city’s lively spirit and rich culinary heritage. This bustling hub is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, offering a mix of fresh produce, specialty shops, and authentic eateries. What You Can Find and Taste: Fresh produce: Seasonal fruits, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Seafood: A wide selection of fresh fish and shellfish from the Bosphorus. Cheese & Olives: Traditional Turkish varieties like beyaz peynir and tangy green olives. Turkish pastries: Börek, simit, and poğaça, perfect for a quick snack. Meze: Small plates like hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and haydari. Spices & teas: Local blends for cooking and brewing. Sweet treats: Turkish delights, baklava, and jams. With its lively atmosphere, friendly vendors, and countless flavors to explore, Kadıköy Çarşı offers a true taste of Istanbul’s local life.
Serasker Street in Kadıköy is a charming spot to savor authentic Turkish coffee, a timeless tradition that blends rich flavors with cultural heritage. Lined with cozy cafes and artisan shops, it offers a perfect setting to enjoy this iconic drink. What You Can Experience: Traditional brewing: Watch as Turkish coffee is prepared in a cezve (small pot) over low heat for a rich, frothy finish. Cultural charm: Soak in the lively atmosphere of Serasker Street, surrounded by boutique shops and street performers. Tips for the Visit: Sip slowly to savor the deep flavors and thick texture. Don’t stir—let the grounds settle at the bottom of the cup. Try a coffee fortune reading (fal) for a fun, local experience. Serasker Street is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the warmth of Turkish hospitality while enjoying this beloved beverage.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- ***Dietary restrictions (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free) can be accommodated if advised at the time of booking"
Reviews(36)
So much fun … very good food experience
Enjoyed a fantastic 4.5 hour walking food tour of Istanbul! Our guide, Serkan Elbasan, was wonderful. He provided an overview of the city and its history while we enjoyed amazing local foods (and generous portions!). Starting with a delicious breakfast, the stops just kept getting better. A nice bonus was the ferry ride to & from the Asian continent. Beautiful day to be on the water and exploring. The restaurants were varied and gave us an opportunity to try foods we likely would have never tried on our own. Serkan helped us select appropriate food items for my son (who has a peanut allergy); we are grateful for his oversight to ensure my son had a great time. We definitely left our tour much more knowledge about Istanbul and also quite full!! Tip: come hungry!!
Suleyman was the best guide!! He gave us so much history, fun facts, great eats, and laughs on this 5 hour food tour. He began our tour with a great breakfast spread! He knew we wanted to try some baklava so he added in a special stop - we really appreciated him modifying the tour to make this even more special for us. We then went to 4 additional places, then the spice bazaar, and finally a soup spot that came to be our top dish of the day! Every single place was different, tasty, and accompanied with some Turkish tea of course. Thank you to Suleyman for a wonderful day in Istanbul, you made this tour so amazing. Highly highly recommend.
How often can you say “ I dined in Europe and Asia today”? This was truly an epic gastronomic experience you can’t miss if you are visiting Istanbul. Our guide Ervil the Great did an amazing job showcasing Turkish cuisine in 8 stops from traditional Turkish breakfast to Kunefe and Turkish coffeee. The boat ride was a plus too. Wish we brought simit to feed the seagulls!
We had a very enjoyable time with our guide Ismain. He introduced us to many of the local treats of Istanbul. Before each stop, he asked about our preferences to insure we were happy with the choices. We had some delicious foods that we would have never had on our own. He gave us a lot of information about the city and took us in one beautiful mosque. All of our questions were answered clearly. Our group consisted of just two which added to our excellent experience. We both highly recommend this tour.
good experience with suleymam, we only had half day and.he did it unforgettable and the foods perfect, the ferry ride.was also verny nice ,try try try
The organising and the food was more than i expected, that day only 4 of us on the tour and big chance to listen nice stories about food and holistory of istanbul
Great way for two female friends to experience the Turkish culture with a local guide that describes the food, history, and flavors. Our guide Suleyman was very professional yet kind, authentic, knowledgeable, and personable.
Great way for two female friends to experience the Turkish culture and see both Europe side and Asian side of Istanbul. Our guide Suleyman was very professional, authentic, knowledgeable, and personable. The best way to see Istanbul is with a local guide!
Fantastic experience! Sam is incredibly kind, thorough, thoughtful and very knowledgeable! It was a long tour for our first day, but it helped us acclimate to the time change and a variety of food! We were so full we couldn’t even do dessert or the Turkish coffee.
