Istanbul Food Tours
Istanbul eats across two continents: Bosphorus fish sandwiches at Eminönü, the Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar, the food stalls of Kadıköy on the Asian side, meze and rakı in Beyoğlu, and simit and çay on every corner. This is our Istanbul food hub. Below are the top-rated food tours, then our cooking-class and street-food pages.
Top-rated food tours in Istanbul
The best food tours to book in Istanbul
The most booked food tours in Istanbul, compared. The best cross the Bosphorus by ferry from the old city to Kadıköy on the Asian side, tasting simit, meze, kebab, baklava, Turkish coffee and tea on both continents.
| Experience | Length | Rating (reviews) | Best for | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European and Asian Side Foodie Walking Tour | 5.5 hours | 4.9 (1,422) | The most booked | Check availability |
| Guided Food Tour with Ferry Ride and Tastings | 6 hours | 4.9 (886) | Two continents, lower price | Check availability |
| Turkish Food Night and Rooftop Experience | 3 hours | 5.0 (857) | An evening | Check availability |
| Taste of Turkey on Two Continents Food Tour | 4 hours | 4.9 (578) | A classic | Check availability |
| Bosphorus Bites Food Tour with 14 Tastings | 4 hours | 4.9 (229) | The most tastings | Check availability |
| Culinary Tour: Local Tavern and Street Food | 3.5 hours | 4.9 (128) | Tavern dinner | Check availability |
Our pick: the European and Asian Side Foodie Walking Tour, rated 4.9 from 1,422 reviews on GetYourGuide.
Ratings and review counts as shown on GetYourGuide in October 2026. Check the listing for live prices and availability.
How to choose
The European and Asian side foodie walking tour is the most booked and the most complete. The guided food tour with ferry ride is the same idea at a lower price, and taste of Turkey on two continents is a long-running favourite. For an evening, the Turkish food night on a rooftop; for dinner on the water, see our Bosphorus dinner cruises.
Formats: market-and-tasting walks of the Spice Bazaar and Eminönü; two-continent tours that ferry you to Kadıköy on the Asian side; evening meze-and-rakı crawls in Beyoğlu; Bosphorus dinner cruises; plus cooking classes and street-food tours (own pages).
What to eat: balık ekmek, simit, döner and İskender kebab, lahmacun, midye dolma, a full Turkish breakfast, künefe and baklava, Turkish coffee and çay.
An evening on the Bosphorus? Compare Bosphorus dinner cruises, plus dinner shows and cruises across Europe.
The markets and the two sides
Istanbul is the only city that straddles two continents, and its food does too. On the European side, the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) and the streets of Eminönü are where to start – Turkish delight, dried fruit and, from the boats on the water, balık ekmek, the grilled-fish sandwich. The Grand Bazaar hides tiny lokantas; Beyoğlu and the backstreets off İstiklal are the place for evening meze and rakı. Cross by ferry to Kadıköy on the Asian side for the city’s best produce market and food stalls – which is why the classic Istanbul food tour is a two-continent one.
What to eat
Beyond the kebab you know, seek out İskender (döner over bread with tomato and yoghurt), lahmacun and pide, midye dolma (stuffed mussels sold from trays), kokoreç for the brave, and the long lazy Turkish breakfast. Finish with künefe (cheese-filled, syrup-soaked pastry), baklava, and a thick Turkish coffee or endless glasses of çay.
FAQ about Istanbul Food Tours
Frequently asked questions
Why Istanbul for food?
Because it spans two continents of eating - European-side bazaars and meze, the Kadıköy market on the Asian side - with world-class street food, an epic breakfast culture and excellent value.
What is the best food tour in Istanbul?
The classic is a two-continent tour that combines the Spice Bazaar and Eminönü with a ferry to Kadıköy for the market and stalls. Evening meze-and-rakı crawls in Beyoğlu are the other highlight.
What should I eat in Istanbul?
Balık ekmek by the Galata Bridge, simit from a cart, İskender and Adana kebab, lahmacun, midye dolma, a full Turkish breakfast, and künefe or baklava with Turkish coffee.
What is the best food experience in Istanbul?
It depends on the kind you want. The most booked are the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Show with Private Table (bosphorus dinner cruises) and the Turkish Cooking Class with a Professional Chef (cooking classes). The table above shows the top pick for each type, with ratings.
Which food tour is best in Istanbul?
On GetYourGuide the most booked is the European and Asian Side Foodie Walking Tour, rated 4.9 from 1,422 reviews. Also highly rated: the Guided Food Tour with Ferry Ride and Tastings and the Turkish Food Night and Rooftop Experience. The table above compares them by length, rating and who they suit.
What does a food tour cost in Istanbul?
In October 2026 prices on GetYourGuide started from about €69 per person, and most of the top-rated options cost between €69 and €121. Longer experiences with a meal, private options and day trips cost more. Check the listing for the live price.