Taste of Istanbul - Food & Culture
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Welcome to Istanbul’s first food & community tour — Taste Istanbul, learn its story, meet the locals.
Hosted by passionate locals, you’ll explore Istanbul’s most colorful neighborhood through must-try foods, hidden flavors, and meet the people of our neighbourhood — all in one unforgettable experience.
Our promise is simple: no matter where you’re from, we’ll fill your tummy with endless local food, make you feel at home, and give you a heartfelt introduction to Turkish culture.
You’ll also receive our Istanbul Guidebook, filled with everything you need to know. Plus, we’ll assist you with every aspect of your trip to make it truly unforgettable.
This experience is vegetarian-friendly and perfect for all kinds of travelers.
If your preferred dates or times are not available, please let us know.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Balat
We’ll welcome you with a short tour introduction and treat you to some authentic local snacks
We'll start exploring the Fener neighborhood, beginning with the Greek Orthodox School and its surroundings.
What‘s Included
Four Surprise Local Snacks
Local Guide (English-Speaking, Hospitality Expert)
Food & Drinks
Personal Expenses
Options
Taste of Istanbul - Food & Culture
Reviews
44 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Knowledgeable and friendly guide to Turkish food and culture
joannal549,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great tour if you want to experience authentic Turkish food and hospitality. We were lucky enough to have Kerem as the leader of our group of tourists and he led us through old neighborhoods, recommending really great dishes and telling us the history of the area and foods. He was personable, took our dietary needs into account and was a great host. The time flew by and at the end we had a better understanding and appreciation for Turkish food and culture. Thank you for being such a friendly ambassador, Kerem!
Great Local Street Food Tour.
527clintr,,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Emir was one of the friendliest young men you'll ever meet. We went to several local restaurants and tried all of his recommendations. All the foods were unique and enjoyable. I liked that the area wasn't quite as heavy of a tourist location, so it had more of a local and genuine feel to it.
great way to explore and get a taste of Turkey
Olivia J,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We did this at the start of our trip which was a great way to explore and get a taste of Turkey. We knew what we wanted to try more of throughout the rest of our trip.
Wonderful
Dan C,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and we had an amazing time. You get to pick the food you want to eat, but there are a lot of options and you will get full. I like that you can buy what you want and pass on things you don’t great time.
Great value food tour in a great area
Dan 0xford,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kerem was a great guide, and this tour was much more affordable than anything else in Istanbul, but still covering all the most important Turkish foods! Plus Balat & Fener are much cuter, less touristy neighbourhoods than the city centre, so it was great to get out there and away from the hustle.
Great introduction to Turkish food!
Becky D,,Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great service from start to finish! Communication via WhatsApp to confirm there being location, and a list of the food was provided after. Mustafa knew a lot about Turkish history and the local area and was able to tell us what made dinner if the foods special in his they are made. He was even able to highlight some vegetarian options! 100% would recommend.
Great tour and experience with Dilara!
Julie B,,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a super great tour with Dilara as our guide. She was very knowledgeable and we went into a neighborhood that felt less touristy. Highly recommend this tour and her, Thank you!
5-Star Experience!
Sundar S,,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a very well organised Tour - covering Balat and eateries & sites of culture around the street. Although I was not able to take the ferry, Hassan, our guide, was more than capable and knowledgeable to make up for this with his knowledge of Istanbul - its history & culture. It was a nice tour and I carry its memories with me back to India.
Book this tour of Balat
LGggg2,,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour. Excellent guide. Hasan was so friendly. Small group of 5. So many yummy tastings. Good paced and very informative.
The perfect local food experience - felt like a night out in town with knowlegeable student friends. Highly recommended.
Connector59570589348,,Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour takes you through Balat and Fener, two Istanbul neighborhoods that are not overcrowded with tourists. After a short walk through the backstreets you will sample regional cuisine from small local restaurants and street vendors. We had Menti, Cigköfte, Gözleme, Kokorec, Lahmacun, Midye Dolma and Baklava. The selection felt very original and it was great to have a local with us to communicate with the restaurants owners, show us around, answer questions about the foods, language and local traditions. Our guide Kerem is a very knowledgeable, pleasant and gracious person. He studies Linguistics at the University, his English is very good and you will learn more about the Turkish language from him if you are interested. Most of the food is not included in the price, which is a good thing, since it lets you choose the dishes you prefer and the amount of food you want to order. Also this way it feels more like an original restaurant experience: You get everything freshly made, not preprepared for tourists. Some of the restaurants you visit do not take cards but cash only, so bring some. Overall I would highly recommended this trip to anyone who wants to get an new perspective on local food and customs.
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Operated by Unique Istanbul Experiences