Bosphorus Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings
Eminönü, Istanbul
Embark on a cross-continental journey across the Bosporus Strait, from the Sultan’s spice markets of Europe, to the Anatolian ustas and street food of Asia.
Overview
This 4-hour food tour in Istanbul explores Eminönü (Europe) and Kadıköy (Asia), offering 14+ tastings and a Bosporus boat ride, ideal for food enthusiasts.
Highlights
- Savour the flavours of 14+ tastings from Turkish cuisine
- Explore the streets of Eminönü (Europe) and Kadıköy (Asia) with a local guide
- Take a boat across the Bosporus to experience two continents in one day
- Visit beloved street food vendors and local eateries
- Learn about Turkey’s diverse food cultures
Description
Begin your Ottoman food journey at the historic Egyptian Bazaar in Eminönü, where the scents of Isot pepper and wild oregano fill the air. Watch chefs prepare traditional kebabs over charcoal and enjoy accompaniments like fresh lavaş bread and purple turnip juice (şalgam). Sample garlic-spiked beyran lamb soup at a family-owned Gaziantep eatery.
Board a vapur ferry to cross the Bosporus from Europe to Asia. Arriving in Kadıköy, visit a fresh deli run by its octogenarian owner serving Levantine mezze—zucchini flowers, sarma grape leaves stuffed with herbed rice, Cretan-style cheese, and smoky eggplant mash.
Continue tasting sumac-dusted balık dürüm (fish wrap) and midye dolma (mussels stuffed with aromatic rice and lemon). Meet locals who prepare çiğ köfte—raw bulgur patties mixed with pomegranate molasses and wrapped in lettuce—along with crispy lahmacun and ayran drink.
End with künefe, a dessert of shredded Kadaif pastry soaked in syrup and molten cheese. This tour covers 400 years of culinary history across two continents in a single evening.
Includes
- 14+ food tastings—more than any other Istanbul food tour
- 8-9 stops around Eminönü (Europe) and Kadıköy (Asia)
- Maximum 8 guests for an exclusive experience
- Return Bosporus boat ride ticket (cross back anytime)
- Bottled water
- Duration approximately 4 hours, depending on group pace
Excludes
- Alcoholic drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meeting point is easy to find)
- Vegetarian diets have 3-4 fewer tastings due to vendor limitations
- Not suitable for severe allergies or celiac disease due to cross-contamination risk
Important Information
- The tour reflects local street food offerings and cannot accommodate all dietary restrictions
- Vegetarians receive fewer tastings because some vendors have limited alternatives
- Unsuitable for severe allergies and celiac disease due to trace risks
- Wear comfortable shoes as the tour involves easy-paced walking
- The tour operates rain or shine; bring rain gear if needed
- Come hungry to enjoy all the tastings
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
