Bosphorus Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings

Highlights

• Savour the flavours of 14+ tastings from Turkish cuisine
• Explore the streets of Eminonu (Europe) & Kadikoy (Asia) with a local guide
• Take a boat across the Bosporus to see 2 continents in one day
• Visit beloved street food vendors and local eateries
• Learn about the food cultures of Turkey

Description

Set sail on our Ottoman food adventure across two continents, at the historic city terminal of the old Silk Road and Spice Route. Beneath the 17th-century domes of the Egyptian Bazaar in Eminönü, the air is filled with the scent of cured Isot pepper and wild oregano, as we explore the vaulted pantry of Turkish ingredients. At a traditional kebap house, pull up a seat and watch the masters thread hand-minced lamb onto iron skewers, searing over charcoal flames. Pair it with hand-chopped tomato and pepper dip, fresh lavaş flatbread and purple turnip juice şalgam. At a family-owned eatery from Gaziantep, dip a spoon into a bowl of garlic-spiked beyran lamb soup. Board a vapur ferry, with the Old City’s minaret skyline receding and seagulls trailing, we cross the border to Kadıköy in Asia Minor. Stop at a fresh deli in the heart of the market, presided over by its octogenarian owner for over three decades. His kitchen serves a mini-feast of Levantine mezze; sun-yellow zucchini flowers and ribbons of sarma grape leaves stuffed with herbed rice, Cretan-style white cheese, and smoky eggplant mash. We keep the momentum going for sumac-dusted fish wrap balık dürüm, and a handful of midye dolma - plump mussels stuffed with aromatic rice and hit with a citric squeeze of lemon. Beyond these hidden gems, there's more surprises within the 14+ tastings waiting to be discovered in our foodie marathon. Meet two brothers who hold the secret to the perfect çiğ köfte - raw bulgur patties are kneaded with pomegranate molasses and tucked into crisp lettuce wraps, followed by crispy lahmacun and a frothy ayran beverage. Visit a legendary institution for the ‘King of Desserts’: künefe - shredded kadaif pastry, soaked in syrup and molten cheese. By the time we hit the pier, you’ll have conquered two continents and 400 years of culinary influence in a single evening. Join our local foodie guide to strip away the tourist veneer and claim your place at the table of the real Istanbul.

Includes

14+ food tastings included, more than any other Istanbul food tour Movable feast with 8-9 stops around the streets of Eminonu (Europe) and Kadikoy (Asia) Max 8 exclusive guests, smallest group size in Istanbul Bosphorus boat ride ticket (return included, can cross back anytime) Bottled water Duration is around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of the group

Excludes

Alcoholic drinks Pick up and drop off from hotel excluded. Easy-to-find meeting point for all guests. Vegetarian diets have 3-4 less tastings due to limited alternatives at some vendors. Unsuitable for severe allergies, and celiac disease, due to risk of traces and cross-contamination.

Important Information

• The tour reflects the local cuisine, and the limitations of street food vendors means we unfortunately cannot cater for every dietary restriction. ✖️ Vegetarian diets have 3-4 less tastings due to limited alternatives at some vendors. ✖️ Unsuitable for severe allergies, and celiac diets, due to risk of traces and cross-contamination. We recommend comfortable shoes as this is an easy-paced walking tour. We operate come rain or shine, so please carry rain gear/umbrella if rain looks likely. There's lot of tastings to try, come hungry!

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund