14 Unmissable Food Tours in Istanbul: Local Faves, Hidden Gems & Michelin Picks

Dreamy Turkish breakfast spreads, juicy köfte meatballs, sizzling street snacks… Ah, there are so many delicious Turkish foods! And the best way to try them all is with a food tour in Istanbul. 😉 

Ever wondered what the best food in Istanbul really tastes like — and by that, we mean beyond the tourist traps and cloying Instagram advertisements? 

A food tour in Istanbul isn’t just about stuffing your face (though that’s definitely part of it 😉). It’s also an exploration of the city’s culture, history, and, of course, cuisine.

Maybe you’ve seen a mouth-watering dish from your favorite drama (like the mantı in Aşk-ı Memnu), or perhaps you’ve dreamed about trying the famous Turkish breakfast after watching Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations (*ahem* season 6, episode 2).

Either way, there’s only one real way to try everything: join a gastronomic tour in Istanbul!

So if you’re searching for the best food tours in Istanbul, this guide has you covered. From secret Istanbul foodie hotspots on the Asian side to guided street food walks through Sultanahmet, here are the tastiest ways to explore the city, one bite at a time. 

Why trust us? We live here, we love food (some of us, like Mr. Kedi, a little *too* much 😁), and we’ve personally explored these tours (and plenty of backstreet bites) ourselves, so this guide is packed with tours that we’d actually recommend to friends visiting Istanbul (yes, that also means *you*, our dear reader! 🫶)

To make your planning easier, we’ve also included each tour’s rating, duration, number of tastings, and other helpful details. 🙂 

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Best Food Tour in Istanbul: Taste of Two Continents Food Tour

Best for: First-time visitors who want a full intro to Istanbul’s food (across both continents!)
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 ⭐️ 
Tour Duration: 5.5 hours
Number of tastings: 25 tastings at 8~9 locations
Locations: European (Sultanahmet) and Asian (Kadıköy) sides

If you only book one food tour in Istanbul, make it this one! The Taste of Two Continents Food Tour isn’t just highly rated — it’s practically legendary among travelers. 

Sure, we could tell you why this is the best Istanbul food tour, but we’ll let the facts speak for themselves: it has more than 800+ glowing reviews and a near-perfect rating of 4.9 out of 5. 

Led by local guides who know every backstreet and baklava stall, this full-day adventure takes you on a delicious journey across both the European and Asian sides of the city. 

Along the way, there’s history, storytelling, and plenty of bites (20+ tastings!) that’ll have you unbuttoning your jeans by the end. 😁

You’ll start with a quick tour of the famous Spice Bazaar before enjoying a delicious (and locally-sourced!) breakfast on the European side and another tasting. 

From there, your small group will take the ferry over to the Asian side, where you’ll take a tour of the bustling local market, sample Istanbul’s best dishes, and sit down for a proper kebab lunch at a local family restaurant. You’ll also visit one of Istanbul’s most famous food streets! 

Like any good food tour, you’ll finish off with a refreshing Turkish ice cream in the Moda district (famous for ice cream, as we’ve mentioned in our Things to do on the Asian Side post!). After all, it’s not every day you get to eat your way across two continents in one afternoon!

🌟 Pro tip: This is one of the most popular food tours in Istanbul (as you can probably tell from the sheer number of reviews), so it’s smart to book ahead — especially during peak tourist season.

📍 Book it on GetYourGuide | Viator

“This walking food tour was a true highlight of our trip! Our guide, Oyku, was exciting, incredibly knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about Istanbul’s rich culinary scene… Portions were generous, but spaced out so we were never uncomfortably full. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to truly taste Istanbul!”
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🥯 Fun Fact: CNN ranked Turkey 6th on its list of the “World’s 23 Best Cities for Street Food” — that simit you’ve been snacking on is award winning! 😉 

Best Street Food Tour in Istanbul: Local Tavern & Street Foods

Best for: Anyone who wants to try Istanbul’s best street food 
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 ⭐️ 
Tour Duration: 3.5 hours
Number of tastings: 10+ tastings at 6+ locations
Locations: Beyoğlu & Galata (European side)
🇪🇸 Tours in Spanish are also available! 

If you think the best way to know a city is through its street food, then this top-rated Istanbul street food tour will be love at first bite. 🙂 

If the Taste of Two Continents tour (above) is the grand introduction to Turkish food, then this tour is the cool, street-smart older brother. Led by a local guide who knows Beyoğlu like the back of their hand, this evening adventure blends Istanbul’s best street food with the city’s lively nightlife culture. 

You’ll wander along grand cobblestone streets (a Beyoğlu speciality), explore bustling food markets, and duck into historic covered passages like Flower Passage (photo above) before stopping at a traditional meyhane (taverna) for meze and rakı. Along the way, you’ll snack your way through Galata’s hidden foodie spots.

Some of the street foods you’ll try on this tour include freshly-baked börek, stuffed mussels, crispy meatballs, yogurt-topped tantuni wraps, and a colorful spread of meze (Turkish appetizers). Over 16? You’ll also get to try rakı, a popular alcoholic drink served at meyhanes! 

You’ll finish on a sweet note with baklava served alongside ice cream and Turkish pistachio coffee made over hot sand — a local specialty.

Beyond the food, your guide will also tell stories about the neighborhood’s past, point out architectural gems (Beyoglu has some real beauties, trust us! 🙂), and give you tips for exploring Istanbul long after the tour ends.

🌟 Travel Tip: This street food tour starts in the evening (6:00 PM/18:00), so you can enjoy a full day of sightseeing before your feast!

📍 Book it on GetYourGuide | Viator

“Not only were we introduced to the food, but were also told where they were produced, in which area of the country, how and when to eat it…The attention to detail was amazing. The tour itself was super varied and the time passed very very quickly. Exactly the right amount of food was offered.”
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Looking for a quick, fun, and local food experience? This Turkish coffee brewing class is only 1.5 hours and shows you how to brew the perfect cup of coffee the traditional way.

You’ll also get to sample unique Turkish coffee blends, learn how to tell your fortune, and even take home your own copper pot as a cute souvenir!

Starting at only $20/person – book here! →

Best Turkish Breakfast Tour in Istanbul: Bosphorus Breakfast Cruise

Best for: Breakfast lovers, couples, and anyone who wants a scenic start to their day
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐️ 
Tour Duration: 3 hours
Number of tastings: Dozens of breakfast dishes! 🙂 
Locations: Bosphorus (you’ll be on a ship the entire time!) | Boat docks at Karaköy

Imagine dishes of Turkish breakfast classics arriving one after another, steaming hot tea being poured into tulip-shaped glasses, and the sparkling Bosphorus on one side and Istanbul’s skyline on the other… No, you’re not dreaming, that’s exactly what this Bosphorus breakfast cruise delivers! 

For three blissful hours, you’ll sail between Europe and Asia while enjoying a full Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı) feast. 

You can expect freshly-baked simit, warm börek (a type of flaky pastry), an assortment of olives, cheeses, jams, delicious honey and cream (our favorite breakfast dish!! 🤤), and menemen (Turkish-style scrambled eggs). All topped with endless cups of çay (tea), of course.

The breakfast is unlimited, so you can eat at your own pace while taking in the palaces, mosques, and waterfront mansions drifting past your table. 

Speaking of which… Between bites, you can step out onto the deck for panoramic views of landmarks like Dolmabahçe Palace, Maiden’s Tower, Beylerberi Palace, and the Bosphorus Bridge. The cruise ship also slows down near popular tourist sights (like those mentioned) so that you can snap photos without rushing. 

Pro tip: Come hungry! This is a real, traditional, unlimited (!!) breakfast where the portions are generous. It’s perfect for a casual morning or a romantic start to your day.

📍 Book it on Viator

Best Private Food Tour in Istanbul: Hidden Pearls of the Old City 

Best for: Curious travelers who crave history, authenticity, and local flavors
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 ⭐️ 
Tour Duration: 2 hours (alcohol-free) or 4 hours (with alcohol)
Number of tastings: 10+ tastings 
Locations: Historic Old City (Sultanahmet/Galata pickups available)

If you’re looking for a private food tour in Istanbul that skips the tourist traps and gets straight to the good stuff, this experience is it. Led by a professional, brilliant guide who knows Istanbul’s food scene inside and out, it’s designed for curious travelers who want more than just a typical food crawl.

You’ll stroll through the real backstreets of the Old City (Sultanahmet), eating where the locals eat — like generations-old vendors and tucked-away restaurants you’d never find on your own. Expect authentic local restaurants, tea gardens, plus stops at artisan sweets and hidden corners of the Grand Bazaar. 

There are two versions of the tour:

🧿 A 2-hour alcohol-free experience for those who want a quick deep dive
🧿Or a 4-hour extended tour that wraps up with a glass of local Turkish wine on a rooftop overlooking Istanbul’s skyline 

🌿 P.S. Tastings are vegetarian-friendly, and the route can be customized to your group!

📍 Book it on Viator

“Had an amazing tour… We visited the main sites and sampled varied food and drink. [Our guide] was knowledgeable and engaging. Having done many food tours around the world, this was probably the best one. The four hour tour actually lasted five and a half hours.”
Read more reviews here →

Best Vegetarian Food Tour in Istanbul: Private Guided Vegetarian/Vegan Tour of Istanbul

Best for: Vegetarians, vegans, and plant-based foodies who want a fully tailored experience
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐️ 
Tour Duration: 5 hours
Number of tastings: 9+ tastings at 4+ locations
Locations: European and Asian sides

Yes, Istanbul may be known for its kebabs, köfte, and meat-everything, but that doesn’t mean that vegetarians are left out!

In fact, Turkish cuisine has tons of naturally vegetarian dishes — and this private vegetarian/vegan food tour in Istanbul proves it. 

Led by a knowledgeable local, this tour is fully customized around your preferences — whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or somewhere in between. It’s one of the only dedicated vegetarian food tours in Istanbul, and the private format means you can explore at your own pace, ask as many questions as you like, and enjoy stops that reflect your taste and style.

You can expect at least 4 delicious food stops, Turkish tea breaks, and cool locals-only off-the-beaten-path spots — all adjusted to your dietary needs! It’s easily one of the best food tours for vegetarians in Istanbul, especially if you’re looking for something flexible, local, and low-key.

📍 Book it on Viator

“[Our guide] selected just the right selection of foods and spots for casual drinks, tea, local food for us and patiently answered our questions of where to visit, where to buy stuff etc. Time just flew with her. It was as if we were visiting an old friend for the first time in Istanbul. Her hospitality was fantastic.”
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Best Istanbul Night Food Tour: Turkish Food & Rooftop Experience

Best for: Night owls, social travelers, and those looking for a fun time
Rating: 4.9 out of 5 ⭐️
Tour Duration: ~3 hours
Number of tastings: 10+ tastings + drinks
Location: Fatih / Istanbul Old Town (European side)

Looking for local haunts, meze, and a taste of Istanbul after dark? This Istanbul night food tour is the one to book. Actually, it’s more like a food tour / sit-down meal experience!

You’ll start with a quick sample of street food in Sirkeci, then head to a 130-year-old local restaurant for a proper dinner, complete with meze (small appetizer plates), kebabs, and even dessert. Got dietary restrictions? No worries — vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available, just be sure to add a note when booking!

You can expect a lively social atmosphere and welcoming vibe, just like a real Turkish night out. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, you’ll definitely end the night with a few new friends! 

With six different start times between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM, this tour is super easy to slot into your itinerary, especially if you’re doing an afternoon tour like Topkapi Palace and want to do something fun in the evening. It’s even better if you’re staying in Istanbul’s Old Town, as the starting point is nearby.

Bonus: The restaurant on this tour has a rooftop with stunning Bosphorus views — the perfect way to wrap up a night of food, drinks, and good company!

📍 Book it on GetYourGuide | Viator

“This was hands down the best tour we’ve ever done. If you’re considering doing a local experience in Istanbul, do yourself a favour and book this tour right now… [Our guide] was incredible: she was kind, knowledgeable, and full of passion for her city. We tasted dishes and visited places that we never would have found on our own no matter how much research we did. If you are someone who wants to experience the real Istanbul, do this [tour!]”
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Best Gourmet Istanbul Food Tour: Istanbul Fine Dining Afternoon in 3 Historic Venues Private Tour 

Best for: Food lovers who want Michelin-level cuisine, curated wine pairings, and a look into Istanbul’s historic soul
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐️ 
Tour Duration: ~4 hours
Number of tastings: 5+ tastings (plus 3 wine pairings) at 3 fine dining venues
Locations: Historic Old City (Sultanahmet)

If you’re after the ultimate “treat yourself” fine dining Istanbul food tour — the kind with Ottoman architecture, exquisite wine pairings, and dishes worthy of two Michelin nods — this is the one to book!

This Istanbul wine and food pairing tour takes you to three of the city’s most atmospheric venues, including a century-old restaurant inside the Grand Bazaar and an ancient cistern that once served the Sultan’s palace. 

Each stop serves up a new course in your journey: cold meze and wine, hot starters and even more wine, and finally, a main course and dessert prepared by a Michelin Guide-listed chef — served on a historical hamam rooftop, no less!

(Side note: we’ve been to the aforementioned cistern restaurant before and can attest that it’s *chef’s kiss* amazing!) 

Throughout the experience, you’ll be guided by a professional culinary expert who hand-picks each local wine to complement the dish in front of you (all while sharing the stories behind the flavors!) This isn’t just a food tour with wine. It’s more like a slow, delicious waltz through centuries of Turkish cuisine, culture, and history. 

This is definitely one of the best Istanbul fine dining tours for couples and small groups who want something a bit more refined, atmospheric, and unforgettable.

📍 Book it on Viator

“This was one of the highlights of our stay in Istanbul, we got to experience high end Turkish cuisine and more importantly visited very impressive and authentic venues. The menu of the itinerary was well thought out. Our guide was excellent in explaining the wines paired along with the tastings. This was an extraordinary journey through Turkish cuisine hosted by a true culinary professional and wine expert!”
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Best Istanbul Wine Tour: Wine Tour with a Private Sommelier

Best for: Wine lovers, luxury travelers, and curious foodies
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐️ 
Tour Duration: ~3.5 hours
Number of tastings: 6 wine tastings at 3 wine boutiques
Locations: Beyoğlu (European side)
🇫🇷 Tours in French are also available! 

Did you know Turkey has over 1,200 grape varieties — more than Italy, France, and Spain combined? If that little fun fact piqued your curiosity, you’re going to love this private wine tasting tour in Istanbul led by a certified sommelier.

Over the course of 3.5 hours, you’ll visit three unique city wineries (wine bars) around the Beyoğlu area, including Galata and (our favorite!) the cosmopolitan Cihangir. 

You’ll begin your tour at one of the most historic wine cellars in Istanbul followed by a cozy family-run spot that’s been pouring local reds and whites for generations. Finally, the tour ends in a charming wine boutique tucked into a beautiful old building near the Galata Tower.

Your personal sommelier will tailor each wine to your preferences and hand-pick small bites to match. 

Expect to taste wines from different regions across Turkey (some you won’t find anywhere else!) and learn about native Turkish grape varieties and the winemakers preserving them. 

📍 Book your wine tasting in Istanbul on GetYourGuide

“We had a wine tour with our guide, she is very professional and knowledgeable about wine. We went to three wine bars for tasting and all [of the] selected wines were delicious with different characters. We highly recommended this tour to any wine lovers.”
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Why limit yourself to just Istanbul? The same company also offers a private day trip to one of the most famous Turkish wine regions: Tekirdag! Click here to check prices & availability →

Best Local Food Tour: Born on the Bosphorus

Best for: Curious travelers who want a deeper dive into Istanbul’s local food culture
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐️ 
Tour Duration: ~ 6 hours
Number of tastings: 9 to 12 tastings across 3 neighborhoods
Locations: Beşiktaş (European side) + Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk (Asian side)

Forget the usual tourist trail — this off-the-beaten-path Istanbul food tour introduces you to the real flavors of the city through three historic and character-packed neighborhoods along the Bosphorus.

The tour starts in Beşiktaş, a lively and youthful district known for its student life, no-frills eateries, and local breakfast spots (and its football club, but that’s another story). It’s a local favorite for traditional dishes, and you’ll try a popular Turkish breakfast dish here while soaking up the atmosphere of this down-to-earth neighborhood.

From there, you’ll cross the Bosphorus and step into Üsküdar, one of the oldest districts in the city. It’s filled with historic mosques, tea gardens along the waterfront, and small shops that have been family-run for generations. Here, you’ll take a tour of the local market and try honey from Eastern Turkey, an olive shop, and a third-generation candy maker. (Psst — you can learn more about this neighborhood in our Üsküdar travel guide!)

Finally, the tour ends in Kuzguncuk, a peaceful and picturesque neighborhood that’s not far from Üsküdar. With its colorful wooden houses, tree-lined streets, and multicultural roots (once home to Jewish, Greek, and Armenian communities), it’s an excellent representation of the “Old Istanbul” vibe. Here you’ll visit its small restaurants, artisanal shops, and local sweets to finish off your adventure into Istanbul’s food culture. 

Whether it’s your first time in Istanbul or your fifth, this is one of the best food tours with history in Istanbul!

📍 Book on Viator

“This tour is amazing and there is soooo much food to eat (come hungry). I had never been to Üsküdar or Kuzguncuk before, so it was great to get an introduction to those neighborhoods… Our tour guide is an absolute gem, she is so warm and hospitable and knows so many of the workers and cooks and shop owners. Additionally, she has very high standards for food and will only serve what she thinks is great, and you can tell.”
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Photo credits: some photos via respective food tours | main photo via Zeki Okur