Istanbul food tour
Go straight for Istanbul’s culinary jugular on our tour through the Beyoğlu district. We don't just follow the herd down İstiklal Avenue, we take the backstreets to find local eateries at decades-old bakeries, historic pilavcı and kebap houses, and pistachio-coated baklavacı.
Start at the landmark Taksim Square, for a nearby slice of Kurdish börek - paper-thin, golden layers, accompanied by a glass of mahogany-dark çay.
Next, dip soft lavaş flatbread into hand-chopped acılı ezme salsa, and earn your foodie stripes by tucking into şirdan - sheep’s stomach that’s slow-simmered until deliciously tender. Between bites, we pause for a Turkish coffee workshop where copper cezve cups are brewing in hot sand, followed by the ancient art of kahve falı (fortune telling) from your guide, to find out what the beans have to say about your future.
We pay our respects to the Kalkanoğlu family, whose five-generation legacy is built on a single dish at their traditional pilavcı rice-house - a plate of buttery rice topped with creamy white beans and melt-in-the-mouth braised beef. With 12+ tastings, we’ve only scratched the surface of the surprises in store.
Slip into the Çiçek Pasajı arcade alongside rows of meyhane taverns, emerging onto İstiklal Caddesi’s Independence Avenue with late-Ottoman architecture and the iconic red tram clanging its bell through the crowd. Stop for midye dolma plump mussels stuffed with herbed rice, with a sharp squeeze of lemon.
Follow in the footsteps of the late Anthony Bourdain at a hole-in-the-wall kebab joint. Expect hand-minced adana lamb, hit with sumac and spice, wrapped in a bread charred over open coals.
Board the Tünel funicular to discover the ‘Golden Horn’ specialities of balık dürüm grilled fish wrap, and Mersin-style tantuni drizzled with garlic yogurt. The tour ends at the baklava-birthplace of Gaziantep, who have been perfecting the recipe for nearly 200 years - where forty layers of filo meet pleasantly chewy dondurma ice cream.
End at Karaköy Pier, watching the ferries over to Sultanahmet. Whilst it’s possible to attempt this culinary marathon alone, why leave the fate of your taste buds to chance? Spaces for this moveable feast are strictly limited, grab yours before the word is out.
Why this tour is awesome
Head for the culinary underbelly of Istanbul through the Beyoğlu district. Join our lunchtime food tour of 12+ tastings, spanning the heights of Taksim Square to the Karaköy docks. This is a food journey with edible history - from five-generation rice houses and Bourdain-approved kebab joints, to the ancient art of fortune telling over sand-brewed coffee. We'll find the "ustas" (masters) who have been perfecting signature dishes for generations. An original food marathon through the city’s backstreets - because you didn't come this far to eat like a tourist.
Begin at bustling Taksim Square
Flaky Kurdish borek and steaming hot Turkish tea
Interesting dishes for bold palates: sirdan with acılı ezme dip and Turkish flatbread
Turkish coffee brewing in hot sand
Traditional fortune telling from your local guide
Visit a traditional pilav house
Stroll through the beautiful passage of Çiçek Pasajı
A squeeze of lemon over midye dolma stuffed mussels
Backstreets of Istanbul city
Bourdain-approved adana dürüm kebab
Food heroes prepare balik durum fish wrap
Board the tunel funicular (tickets included)
Generational chefs at decades-old eateries
Beef tantuni with yoghurt drizzled over
Baklava with Turkish dondurma ice cream
Includes
- Price US $99 per person
- Tastings 12+ food tastings included. No hidden charges.
- Drinks Bottled water included
- Transport / Walking Walking tour with 8-9 stops
- Small group tour Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
- Start Time 10:30AM
- Duration 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group
- Days Open Open Every Day
- Guide Led by one of our superb Istanbul food hosts
- Child Policy Children aged 3-12 years: 50% discount. Infants 0-2 years: free
- Instant Confirmation Book instantly on our live calendar. If your date is unavailable, please contact us
- Cancellation policy Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Language English
- Pick up / Drop off Not included. Easy to find meeting point for all guests
Dietary information
- General Advice Many streetside vendors specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
- Vegetarian Possible, though meat is used in 3-4 tastings with no alternatives available
- Vegan Unsuitable as meat, seafood and eggs are used in over half the tastings
- Pescatarian Possible, though meat is used in 3-4 tastings with no alternatives available
- Pork / Halal There is no pork on the tour, and it is suitable for halal diets
- Gluten Intolerance / Celiac Disease Possible, though gluten is used in 3-4 tastings, with no alternatives available. Unsuitable for celiac disease.
- Lactose Intolerance Possible, though lactose is in 1-2 tastings with no alternatives available. Butter is used in 5-6 tastings where there are trace amounts of lactose.
- Tree Nut / Peanut Allergy Nuts are not typically used in any of the tastings,. Possible for mild allergies only, due to the risk of traces.
- Seafood / Shellfish Allergy Seafood is not typically used in any of the tastings,. Possible for mild allergies only, due to the risk of traces.
- Severe Allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
How to book
To join our Istanbul lunchtime food tour, use the live booking calendar to select your date and secure your tour. If the date is unavailable, or for special requests and private bookings, please contact us. Safety and comfort of guests is our first priority, so if you have any questions on dietary information or food allergies, please contact us before booking.
What to expect
This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. It’s a walking tour, but the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. Join us on the best lunchtime Istanbul food tour in the city, you won't regret it.
Meeting point
This Istanbul lunchtime tour food tour starts from the Taksim Square Hotel. It is centrally located in the commercial district of the city. It's easily reachable by tram, taxi, or walking. At the end of the experience, your guide can help you with walking directions, a tram or taxi back if you wish. More details will be sent upon booking confirmation.
Cancellation Policy
Why you should book with us
-
99% 5 star reviews across our tours -
Secure payments through provider Peek
-
No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
-
Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps