I’d been wanting to go to Istanbul for such a long time, not only because of the unique geography and history of the city, but also because of the amazing food scene!

I’d heard about it from so many people, and I’m happy to report that I was not only not disappointed, but pleasantly surprised! If you’re looking to dive into the broad spectrum of flavors like a local, I highly recommend checking out a proper food tour.

I’ve gone ahead and reviewed the 7 top Istanbul food tours that will take you from hidden neighborhood gems to trendy eateries, with an expert guide to lead the way. Let’s get started!

Be sure to see our reviews of Istanbul Boat Tours, Bosphorus Dinner Cruises and Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Rides.

Best Food Tours in Istanbul

	Istanbul: Guided Food Tour of Street Food and Markets	Private and guided Istanbul food tour - Taste of Istanbul	Istanbul Taste of Two Worlds Food Tour - Spice Market and Ferry
Departure:	Rüstem Paşa, Avrupa Yakası, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul	Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, 34440 Beyoglu/Beyoğlu/Beyoğlu/İstanbul	Hobyar, Hamidiye Cd. 16H, 34112 Fatih/İstanbul
Start:	10:00 AM, 10:30 AM	Between 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM	Between 8:30 AM & 11:30 AM
Duration:	6 hours	5 to 6 hours	5.5 hours
Includes:	Licensed foodie guide, Round-trip ferry tickets, Food tasting at 8 spots, 20 food samples, 5 local drinks	Private tour, breakfast, beverages, variety of food with both the European and Asian foods, multilingual local tour guide	8-9 different eateries, multiple tastings at each, guide, cultural, historic and personal anecdotes, with a local insider’s view
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Istanbul Food Tours For 2025

1. Istanbul: Guided Food Tour of Street Food and Markets
2. Private and guided Istanbul food tour – Taste of Istanbul
3. Istanbul Taste of Two Worlds Food Tour – Spice Market and Ferry
4. Istanbul: Guided Food and Culture Tour
5. Istanbul Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
6. Istanbul Guided Street Food Tour Around European and Asian Sides
7. Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets

Istanbul Food Tour Reviews

1. Istanbul: Guided Food Tour of Street Food and Markets

Whether it’s your first or fiftieth time in Istanbul, I guarantee you’re going to try something new and exciting on this first tour. The Istanbul: Guided Food Tour of Street Food and Markets lets you savor the city’s rich background while diving deep into both its European and Asian sides!

With a masterful local guide there to show you the ropes, you can count on an unforgettable, authentic experience. Start out by meeting your guide at the Itimat Fabrika Satis Magazasi dairy shop, where you’ll go through a briefing, then take your time going through the market.

It was my first time going to any kind of market in Istanbul, so I was not only completely out of my element, but was even a bit intimidated to go it alone. I was so relieved knowing I had a local there who knew all the ins and outs and could lead us around, sharing tips and tricks along the way.

With a small group setting, you’ll benefit from personalized attention and a more relaxed vibe, rather than a mob of people swarming everywhere you go. My group was fantastic, largely made up of travelers who were interested in the history and different dishes like we were.

After the dairy market, we took a little break at a cafe with this sesame-crusted bread ring with Turkish tea, a delicious creamy dairy product of kaymak with honey, and so much more! Take some time to digest not only the amazing food but also the breathtaking views of the city as you take a ferry to the Kadikoy side of the city.

Here, you’ll try plenty of other dishes, like the tasty kebabs and mussels stuffed with rice and butter sauce, before going to a fish market to try even more! Follow it up with the only decent way possible – a traditional Turkish coffee.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. Private and guided Istanbul food tour – Taste of Istanbul

If you’re looking for a truly exclusive look into the magical city of Istanbul, look no further than this next tour! Private and guided Istanbul food tour – Taste of Istanbul, is a comprehensive look perfect for those craving an authentic, flexible culinary experience.

The meticulously curated excursion is entirely tailored to you and your group’s interests and preferences, so no need to worry about allergies or dishes you aren’t curious about. If you aren’t really into the idea of going on a tour with strangers, this is a great alternative!

It’s literally just your guide, you, and any others you’re traveling with, venturing around Istanbul with an itinerary adapted to your tastes. For example, we had a vegetarian in our group, so our guide made sure to include plenty of options for them, as well, leaving no one out of the fun.

We had so many things, my mind and palate were instantly expanded to the possibilities that Istanbul’s culinary scene had to offer, from street favs like dürüm wraps, Turkish delight (perfect for those with a sweet tooth!), and many other options.

Nothing was redundant, and each tasting showed off unique flavors, crossing the broad spectrum of traditional flavors and profiles found here. You could tell that the guide really knew what he was talking about based on how well-curated each offering was.

Cultural context is included, which goes hand-in-hand with food – you’ll walk through historic landmarks like Çiçek Pasaji, Avrupa Pasaji, and the wonderfully narrow paths off Ístiklal Avenue. As the tour clocks in at around 3 hours, it’s an easy way to fit it into a busy schedule and is the perfect alternative to going out to a restaurant for lunch.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Istanbul Taste of Two Worlds Food Tour – Spice Market and Ferry

Next up, is the Istanbul Taste of Two Worlds Food Tour – Spice Market and Ferry. It perfectly exemplifies the dual worlds that make up the city, which serves as the “gateway” to Asia, from Europe (and vice versa). If you’re looking to do more than just taste food, but rather learn about the culture and history behind each dish, this should be one of your top choices!

Start things off by meeting your guide in the morning in Istanbul’s Old City, avoiding the majority of the crowds so you can take advantage of the day. I personally would recommend not eating breakfast before coming, as you’re going to be taking in a LOT of food on this tour!

Capped at just 8 participants, maximum, this is a small-group experience that focuses on the intimate vibes and attention this kind of cuisine demands. Our first stop is at a little coffee shop near the famed Spice Bazaar on the European side (make sure to head to the right one), then have a Turkish breakfast of cheeses, meats, honey, bread, clotted cream, and more!

I loved our little break on our ferry ride over the gorgeous Bosphorus from Europe to Asia, landing in the trendy Kadikoy neighborhood for some good eats through the local market. Here, you’ll try baklava, Turkish coffee, wraps, grills, and much more, before heading back to the ferry terminal.

The guide is there to help ensure you get on the right ferry, so you can go right back to your hotel and take a food coma nap after that!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Istanbul: Guided Food and Culture Tour

Istanbul is such a mixed bag of flavors, with so many different parts of the city to uncover! The Istanbul: Guided Food and Culture Tour does a great job of unveiling it all, taking you on both sides of the Bosphorus with an expert guide to lead the way.

If you’re someone who’s not only interested in trying a wide array of Turkish food, but drinks, as well, hop on for this ride! There’s a bit of variability when it comes to start times, but typically, your tour will start in the morning at Karakoy Pier.

This is one of those experiences that will make you realize just how underrated Istanbul is when it comes to food, architecture, AND culture! Combine this with an amazing guide who knows the city like the back of their hand, and they’ll bring its rich history to life through flavors and storytelling!

Something else I loved about this tour was that it actually felt like I was seeing what it was like to eat what locals eat, which isn’t always an easy task when in a new place. We stopped at a whopping 9 different locations to try an entree, main course, dessert, and 4 drinks!

We focused largely on markets, trying amazing stuffed mussels, produce, stuffed grape leaves, and other interesting delights. The Kurdish restaurant truly had ME stuffed after enjoying probably too much home-cooked meals, with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

Afterward, we chatted with our group a bit more as everyone was lovely, heading back to the European side of the city by ferry while soaking in the views of Istanbul. We followed it up with some yummy desserts, which I went back to a few days later because it was that good!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Istanbul Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

If you have a busy schedule but still want to fit in a proper food tour, look no further than this next culinary adventure! The Istanbul Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tours is the perfect intro to local flavors, bustling markets, and plenty of hidden gems from an authentic perspective.

With the intimacy of a small-group experience (maxing out around 12 people), led by a knowledgeable guide who intertwines food, history, and culture at each stop, it’s no wonder it’s so popular. Starting in the lively Kadiköy district, you’ll meet up with your guide and the rest of your group before learning more about the Asian side of the city, firsthand.

I loved looking at all the different, captivating pieces of street art – I learned that they really value this aspect of human expression, to the point that they even have festivals honoring it! Here, your guide will share all kinds of interesting anecdotes, and you’ll sample a proper Turkish breakfast and tea at an amazing little spot locals frequent.

After, you’ll have a ton of fun watching chefs make pide right in front of you as you enjoy some yourself, along with the secret dish! I’m a huge fan of Turkish coffee, and our guide taught me more about the drink’s origins and the culture surrounding it than any other tour did!

Not only that, but we got to sip on some coffee and wine while listening along to the historical accounts surrounding the beverages. We strolled around the local market here, trying lahmucan, which is a kind of (delicious) Turkish pizza that’s thought to date back to Mesopotamian times!

Digest a bit while walking through some antique streets, all while filling up on knowledge that can’t be found in the average history book.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

6. Istanbul Guided Street Food Tour Around European and Asian Sides

When you’re in a city like Istanbul, you should expect incredible food on just about every street. This can make it hard to venture into the full spectrum of the city’s culinary delights, not only from breakfast to dessert but from European and Asian sides.

The Istanbul Guided Street Food Tour Around European and Asian Sides is the best way to go about it, leaving no stone unturned! Your quite literal cross-continental journey begins in Eminonu Square in the morning, so you can take advantage of the day and avoid some of the crowds.

Just like the others, this is a small-group experience, so you won’t have to worry about feeling overwhelmed or drowned out in a crowd. Our guide was a friendly local who was born and raised in Istanbul, answering all of the questions we had with ease and intrigue.

Our first stop was at the dairy market, where we picked up some items for breakfast, enjoying Kaymak buffalo cream and organic honey, all kinds of meats, cheeses, pastes, breads, and more.

After, take time to relax with a beautiful ferry ride down the Bosphorus as your guide shares interesting info about the different landmarks as you pass by, making for an easy way to see the city without walking.

Get back on land for some lahmacun made fresh in a stone oven, stuffed mussels, kebap, and dessert! The dessert made with angel hair noodles, pistachio, honey, and Turkish ice cream was my favorite, and I’d do this tour again just to have some more!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

7. Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets

If you want to partake in a tour that’s not only filled with gorgeous, Instagrammable spots in Istanbul, but also feel safe while focusing on good food, this is it.

The Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets adventure involves a good amount of walking, but you’ll appreciate it with all the food you’re going to fill up on! Combine that, with a friendly local guide who’ll keep you engaged the entire time with fun stories, and you’re in for a real treat beyond the culinary kind.

With a small group setting, you can count on people who feel more like longtime friends than complete strangers. We started out in Karakoy, where we learned about how the city has an Asian and European side, each with its own unique cuisine.

While just about every tour on this guide is a small-group tour (aside from the completely private ones), this is the smallest, maxing out at just 7 participants.

Try some traditional snacks before hopping on a ferry ride over the Bosphorus Strait while your guide regales you with fascinating stories that bring the past to life. After crossing, you’ll be on the Asian side of Kadiköy, heading straight to a local market and into the heart of local culture.

We did a comprehensive market tour and were eternally grateful to have such a knowledgeable guide who expertly weaved us in and out of the crowds.

Something really special about this tour was the visit to Moda Park, exploring hidden gems and food I didn’t have on any other of its kind! Follow it all up with some delectable desserts, if you still have room!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience