Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Istanbul, Turkey

High interest

Booked 5+ times today.

5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· John_R ·

May 2026

The best foodie tour we have ever had. Ali did a phenomenal job as a guide through it all. He had a fantastic relationship with the vendors and pull all the folks on the tour together to make us all feel like a family. The food was great and the walking was perfect. This is a must do when coming to Istanbul! Thanks Ali!

· Dana_R ·

Jun 2026

It was fabulous! Food tours are the way to go. You sample foods from the area, meet new people and also get a glimpse of history. Beyza, our guide, was very well versed in all things Turkish food. She has a passion for it. Thank you for a great tour!

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Overview

Discover Istanbul’s European and Asian sides—and taste a range of delectable Turkish delicacies—on this full-day, small-group tour. Meet your guide in the morning in Istanbul’s Old City, and be sure to come hungry: you have a day of feasting ahead of you. Explore a spice market, and enjoy a traditional Turkish breakfast, before crossing the Bosphorus to trendy Kadikoy. Sip Turkish coffee, visit multiple restaurants, and discover Istanbul’s must-try dishes.

This intimate, small-group tour is capped at just eight participants
Tour Istanbul’s European and Asian sides (ferry tickets included)
Sample a wide range of dishes, enjoy Turkish coffee and breakfast, and more
Visit spice markets, different neighborhoods, restaurants, and cafes

What's Included

8 uniquely different eateries and restaurants, multiple tastings at each
Friendly, knowledgeable and passionate tour guide
A day filled with culinary, cultural, historic and personal anecdotes, with a local insider’s view
Lunch
Snacks
Coffee and/or Tea

4-5 exciting local drinks.

Gratuities / Tips for guide
No vegetarian food options at 2-3 of the food stops
No vegan food options at 4-5 of the food stops
Private transportation

This is a walking tour. Max walking distance is 10 minutes between many stops. Total 2.5-3.5kms (1.5-2miles) walk.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Viyana Kahvesi Sirkeci
Hobyar, Hamidiye Cd. 16H, 34112 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
IMPORTANT: Our meeting point is "Viyana Kahvesi Sirkeci." There are multiple branches of this cafe in Istanbul. TAKING TAXI: Ask the driver to take you to the Legacy Ottoman Hotel. Viyana Kahvesi Sirkeci is on the left hand side of the hotel.

End point

Caferağa, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye
The Taste of Two Continents tour finishes in Kadıköy Ferry Terminal. Your return ferry tickets are provided. Your guide will help you to catch the Eminönü ferry (back to the Spice Market) or Karaköy ferry.

Itinerary

Meet your guide and small group—there’s a maximum of 10 travelers on this tour, including you—at a coffee shop near the Spice Bazaar on the European side of Istanbul.

Shop for a Turkish breakfast, including cheeses, cured meat, honey, olives, bread, hazelnut paste, and Turkish clotted cream. Eat it at a local tea house with Turkish scrambled eggs as your guide explains how culture and food intersect.

Next, capture photos as you ride the ferry across the Bosphorus from Europe to Asia and the chic Kadikoy neighborhood. Sip, snack, slurp, and snap your way through Kadikoy Market. Sample fresh-brewed Turkish coffee and crispy baklava, alongside popular street foods including wraps, grills, stuffed vine leaves, and much, much more.

Your tour finishes at Kadikoy Ferry Terminal. Your guide will give you tickets and help you catch the right ferry, either back to the Spice Bazaar or over to Karakoy.

Historic Areas of Istanbul

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Misir Carsisi

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bosphorus Strait

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

KadIkoy CarsIsI

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Sureyya Opera House (Pass By)

Kadikoy Iskelesi

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
Maximum group size is 10
Comfortable walking shoes recommended

Children aged 5 years and younger are welcome at no charge
Tour runs rain or shine
This is a walking tour. Max walking distance is 10 minutes between many stops. Total 2.5kms (1.5miles) walk.
Not recommended for vegan, gluten free, lactose free travelers
Not recommended for travelers with serious allergies or food restrictions
Please advise any specific dietary/allergy requirements at time of booking
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 3,484 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

I loved this tour!

Mark_S, Jul 2026

The best food tour I’ve ever taken! “Tooch” was a phenomenal tour guide! He is very knowledgeable and very passionate about Turkish cuisine!

Great Way to Experience Both Sides of Istanbul

Marina_H, Jul 2026

Although we took this tour at the end of our 3-weeks in Turkey, we tasted and learned about foods that we hadn’t known about previously. We also discovered some of the best traditional spots for some of the most popular foods found throughout the city and country. While I expected the kebabs to be voted as the favorite stop, our group’s favorite dish turned out to be the very comforting flavorful soup! We loved finding and sampling from places frequented mostly by locals and learning about the history and current food scene of both Istanbul, Turkey. The ferry ride was a fun treat, and this tour allowed us to explore the Asian side of the city that we hadn’t seen. Our guide, Selen, was excellent. Besides being an Istanbul local, she is so knowledgeable about the history of Turkey, and how things have evolved and changed. It was also interesting that she is vegan, herself, and she said that many Istanbul establishments are vegan friendly. The information she shared was very balanced between historical facts and current eating and drinking habits of locals. So we learned a lot about history as well as food. We appreciated how honestly she answered questions; and her easy going, pleasant personality made it seem like a new friend was showing us around and telling us about her favorite parts of the city. Some of the food we tried was unique and we would probably never have tasted them, if we did not take this the tour. It was also great to discover small local establishments making excellent renditions of popular Turkish foods. Loved it! This is a great tour if you have just arrived or even at the end of your trip. Don’t hesitate to book this tour!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Marina! We're so glad you had a great day with Selen and discovered so many local spots you'd never have found on your own, even after three weeks in Turkey. That's exactly what we love doing. And it's wonderful that the soup stole the show, those unexpected favourites are half the fun! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Outstanding. A variety of...

Umesh_P, Jul 2026

Outstanding. A variety of food with great explanations on what we ate as well as connecting the food to Turkiye’s history. I learned a lot about food and Turkiye.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Umesh! We're so glad you had a great day with us and got to taste such a variety along the way. It's great to hear the stories connecting the food to Türkiye's history added so much to the day! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Tasting Istanbul

Maurice_H, Jul 2026

This was a very nice experience. Our Uber got us to the pickup point (in old town) and our guide took over. First we walked trough the area as our guide (Bahri) shopped for breakfast, and allowed us to taste what he purchased. Afterward, he took us to nearby coffee bar, where we had breakfast (bread, dried pastrami, olives, and various sauces) along with coffee and tea. During breakfast we did introductions; the tourguide knew the value of shared experiences. After that we went tobthe spice market, where Bahri explained a few and allowed for tasting samples. From there we walked to the pier and were off to the Asian side (Karikoy). There we walked and tasted a plethora of foods; the soup, kebabs, oysters, and ice cream with baklava stand out. Along the way our group talked with each other,and a few exchanged phone numbers. After that Bahri took us back to our respective ports and said goodbye. This was a very good experience from beginning to end. I highly recommend it. If you decide to book it, request Bahri from Izmir, bring an appetite, and where comfortable shoes.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Maurice! We're so glad you had a great day with Bahri and got to taste your way across to the Asian side with him. The soup, kebabs and dessert are such favourites, so we love that they stood out for you. And great advice for future guests, bringing an appetite and comfortable shoes really is the way to do it! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Excellent tour

Michelle_E, Jul 2026

We learned so much about the cuisine and how it fits into Turkish history and culture. I loved the structure of visiting a variety of food shops, some for bites and some for meals. Bahri was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide and I’m grateful for the opportunity he provided to experience Turkish cuisine in a way I never would have been able to in my own.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Michelle! We're so glad you had a great day with Bahri and got to experience our Turkish cuisine in a way that's hard to find on your own. That mix of bites and full meals across a variety of spots is exactly how we love to show off the city's food and its place in our history and culture! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

We are huge foodies and...

Tyler_D, Jul 2026

We are huge foodies and this definitely hit the spot. Make sure to come hungry because it’s more food than you expect, but I mean that in the best way possible. Our tour guide Tuç (apologies on forgetting the spelling) was very kind and created a wonderful time for everyone.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Tyler! We're so glad you had a great day with Tunç and came away pleasantly surprised by just how much food there is. Coming from self-described huge foodies, that means a lot! And great advice for future guests, arriving hungry really is the way to do it. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

An amazing trip into Istanbul food and history

Douglas_H, Jul 2026

Bahri was a fabulous, engaging tour guide. He knew so much about the culture and food we enjoyed, the area and history of Istanbul we really enjoyed this experience. You will be very full when you leave and know a lot more about Turkish history. I love these food tours and this one was likely the most exceptional of all we've taken. 1000 percent recommend.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Douglas! We're so glad you had a great day with Bahri and left full and knowing so much more about Istanbul. Being the most exceptional food tour you've taken, especially as someone who loves them, means a great deal to hear! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

A Fantastic Tour

Brenna_F, Jul 2026

We booked this tour on our previous trip to Istanbul in 2022 and loved it so much that we booked it again. The food is high quality, varied, and plentiful. It is really nice to visit restaurants on the Asian side. Our guide Bahri was great and provided us recommendations for restaurants to try close to our accommodation. I would highly recommend this tour. One of the best food tours I’ve ever experienced.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Brenna! We're so glad you came back to us after 2022 and found the tour just as good as you remembered, that means the world to hear! Bahri sending you off with recommendations near your own accommodation is exactly the kind of local know-how we love to share. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Happy tummy!

Katie_J, Jul 2026

Highly recommend this tour! Outstanding mix of culture and, so, so much amazing food. Our guide was outstanding!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Katie! We're so glad you had a great day with us and came away with a happy tummy and so much amazing food. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

A Must! My first (but not last) food tour!

Allison_B, Jul 2026

We had a fantastic and authentic experience. Learned a lot and felt integrated into the culture, people and delicious FOOD!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Allison! We're so glad you had a great day with us and came away feeling so connected to our culture, people and delicious food. And being your first food tour but not your last is exactly what we love to hear! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Start in Europe and end in Asia

Adrienne_K, Jul 2026

Epic food tour spanning almost 6 hours and two continents. Selen was a great guide. I tried a lot of things I’d never have tried on my own. Recommend this one!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Adrienne! We're so glad you had a great day with Selen and got to taste your way from Europe to Asia with her. Trying so many things you'd never have ordered on your own is exactly what we love about the day! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Many types of Turkish foods that were delicious!

Pam_L, Jul 2026

We had an extra day in Istanbul and we took a food tour. Ali was our guide and we tasted all kinds of Turkish foods. Starting at the Spice Market and ending in Asia. We really had a great time’

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Pam! We're so glad you had a great day with Ali and got to taste your way from the Spice Market across to Asia with him. What a lovely way to spend an extra day in Istanbul! We hope to welcome you back someday. :)

Outstanding tour with a...

Robert_C, Jul 2026

Outstanding tour with a lot of information and an incredible array of delicious local/regional food. (Thank you Beyza; you are an extraordinary guide who made this tour such a memorable experience!) Be prepared for a lot of walking and a lot of eating! Well worth your time when visiting Istanbul.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Robert! We're so glad you had a great day with Beyza and got to taste your way through such an array of local dishes with her. And great advice for future guests, plenty of walking and plenty of eating really is what the day is all about! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Great tour, great guide

Shona_D, Jul 2026

Fantastic food tour with a wonderful guide Ali. Many different and very tasty foods to try. Great to be able to travel by ferry to the Asian side. Would highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Shona! We're so glad you had a great day with Ali and got to taste so many different dishes along the way. The ferry across to the Asian side really is one of our favorite parts too! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Food Tour in Istanbul

Clifford_H, Jun 2026

Selen was a great tour guide. She offered valuable insight on the local food and neighborhood restaurants. Food was delicious and exploring the Asia side of Istanbul was great. Highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Clifford! We're so glad you had a great day with Selen and got to explore the Asian side with us. Her insight into the local spots and neighborhood restaurants is exactly what makes the day, and we're so glad the food delivered! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

So good, highly recommended

Jason_W, Jun 2026

A great way to see some sights, learn some history and enjoy the local food and where it comes from.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Jason! We're so glad you had a great day with us and got to enjoy our local food and the stories behind where it all comes from. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Must-do while in Istanbul

Lauren_G, Jun 2026

This tour was an incredible way to learn about Turkish food, traditions and history while exploring both sides of Istanbul. I’m gluten intolerant and our amazing tour guide went out of her way to make sure I was enjoying myself and getting to eat yummy foods…including ordering a delicious rice pudding for me while others enjoyed the Turkish “pizza” and “dumplings”…which also looked amazing and my husband inhaled! Our guide was incredibly generous with interesting personal stories about growing up in Turkey, her experiences on her families property picking olives and figs…and how Turkish people show they care and love through hospitality and food. It was a wonderful tour! It was also nice to take the ferry together to the Asia side and then we stayed there for shopping and felt comfortable coming back to the Europe side via ferry on our own. The other cool thing was that she took us to the oldest family run places for all of the foods…I won’t spoil it here by naming them all, just book the tour!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Lauren! We're so glad you and your husband had a great day eating your way across both sides of Istanbul with us, and that your guide made sure you were so well looked after with gluten-free options throughout. Her stories about growing up in Turkey, the olives and figs on the family property, are exactly what brings the food to life. And taking guests to the oldest family-run spots is what we love doing, so we love that you're keeping them a secret for future guests! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Amazing food experience!!

Angela_R, Jun 2026

Amazing tour with so many wonderful food experiences along the way. Truly was a highlight of my visit to Turkey. 5 stars!!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Angela! We're so glad you had a great day eating your way across the city with us. So many guests tell us the tour ends up being a highlight of their trip, and we're really happy it was the same for you! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Amazing Food tour with Selen

BELLA_P, Jun 2026

This was a great food tour lasted 51/2 hours with Selen. Selen was an incredible guide, she was warm kind and very humurous.. She lead us experteky through side streets , spice stalls at the spice markets, and tucked away amazing eateries which we would have never found,. We ate such a variety of food it was a rich cultural experience on food culture and history of Istanbul. Mussels, pickle juice, baklave, kebaps to mention such a dew delights. Very nice group aswell. Great tour out of the ordinary a must do in Istanbul

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Bella! We're so glad you had a great day with Selen and got to discover all those tucked-away eateries and spice stalls you'd never have found on your own. That's exactly what we love doing. From mussels to baklava, tasting your way through such a variety is what makes it a real window into Istanbul's food culture and history! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Tasty food and excellent guide. I enjoyed others on the tour

Gay_A, Jun 2026

WOW I was thrilled by the great tour guide, transportation and selection of shops visited and foods tasted. High quality tasting and beverages while meeting local vendors was exciting. Yummy vegetarian options too!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Gay! We're so glad you had a great day with us and enjoyed tasting your way through so many local shops. Meeting the vendors who feed us is one of the best parts, and it's great to hear the vegetarian options hit the mark too! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

A must while in Istanbul!

patty_h, Jun 2026

What a fun day! The variety of foods, knowledge of Istanbul are just two of the great qualities of this tour and guide. Bar re’s love of Istanbul is so clear and his desire to share that love with his guests. Wonderful experience!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Patty! We're so glad you had a great day with Bahri, his love for Istanbul really is something he loves sharing with guests. Tasting your way through the city with someone who knows it that well is what makes the day! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Would recommend to everyone!

Matt_S, Jun 2026

Guide was very knowledgeable and the food was yummy!!! My friend and I were staying on the European side so we were glad to be able to visit and spend some time on the Asian side. My favorite parts were the pickles and mussel stops.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Matt! We're so glad you had a great day with us and got to spend some time on the Asian side. The pickles and stuffed mussels are such favorites; we love that they stood out for you! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Food and Spice tour.

annettehastie, Jun 2026

We visited many interesting places and there was so much food that I had to pace myself. It truly was a taste experience with some familiar tastes and many new ones. Our guide was good, answering any questions and describing each food we were served. If you want to taste a large variety of Turkish food this was the tour to take. The Spice Market was very informative and interesting. Good value.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Annette! We're so glad you had a great day with us and got to taste such a huge variety of Turkish food, familiar favourites and new discoveries alike. Pacing yourself really is the way to do it! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Excellent tour!

Kyle_T, Jun 2026

Ali was an amazing tour guide. The food choices were amazing. My wife had certain food sensitivities and Ali made sure she was always informed and taken care of. One of the best food tours I have ever been on.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Kyle! We're so glad you and your wife had a great day with Ali, and that he made sure she was well looked after throughout. Being one of the best food tours you've been on means a lot to hear! We hope to welcome you both back to Istanbul someday. :)

Aisha was a great tour...

Cindy_L, Jun 2026

Aisha was a great tour guide. We enjoyed learning about Turkey and eating all the yummy food along the way. We got a lot of exercising in as well! We went in mid June and the weather was nice, not too hot. Everywhere we went they were ready for us with food, water and most times tables as well. It was a nice way to experience the culture. Also nice to have restrooms along the way!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Cindy! We're so glad you had a great day with Ayşe and enjoyed eating your way across the city, with a good bit of walking to balance it all out! It's great to hear the timing worked out so well and that every stop was ready and waiting for you. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

A must do!

Diana_F, Jun 2026

It was a fabulous day of eating and information. Ali was fun and knowledgeable about the food and the areas. I would have loved to get a list of the restaurants and food we had after the tour so we could re visit some of the places. But highly recommend the tour and Ali as your guide.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Diana! We're so glad you had a great day with Ali and enjoyed eating your way across the city. That's a lovely idea about a list of the stops, too. Many guests love revisiting their favorites, so do reach out to us and we'll happily point you back to them! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Best tour ever!!

Gracie_M, Jun 2026

First of all we had the best tour guide Ali. He was so friendly and interested in our questions and put in effort to learn more himself. I loved the way we were going through different very local shops and he explained the history and gathered some samples to then stay at a table and taste everything. The food we had was exceptionally good and he didn’t pressure us into buying anything from local vendors. I couldn’t recommend this tour more if you were coming to Istanbul!!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks, Gracie! We're so glad you had a great day with Ali and got to taste your way through so many local shops. Bringing guests into those genuine neighbourhood spots and sharing the history behind each one is exactly what we love doing. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

This is the perfect solo...

Ken_A, Jun 2026

This is the perfect solo activity to do in Istanbul if you are a foodie. Absolutely, under no circumstances eat prior to this tour. There is sooo much food to try and eat, and it’s all so good. This tour was a highlight of my trip. Aside from the delicious food, the guide provided interesting history in the city and development of the food culture. Riding the ferry across the Bosphorous to the Asian side of the city was really cool. I think the mussels were the highlight of the tour for me. I saw them the day before and was nervous to try them. The whole day was 10/10.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thanks, Ken! We're so glad you had a great day eating your way across to the Asian side with us, the ferry over the Bosphorus really is a highlight. And we love that you worked up the courage for the mussels, they win a lot of people over! So many guests tell us the tour ends up being a highlight of their trip, and we're really happy it was the same for you. We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Yummy

Lesley_W, Jun 2026

Fun, friendly, informative with a few fairy short walks and lots of yummy food… We were guided by Selen who was 100% amazing

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thanks! We're so glad you had a great day with Selen, 100% amazing is exactly what we like to hear! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

Such a great day!

Elizabeth_C, Jun 2026

Truly excellent experience. Ayse was incredibly knowledgeable, welcoming, accommodating and hospitable. She took excellent care of us! The food was so good - we really felt like we were experiencing the best of local cuisine, not just where all the tourists go.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thanks, Elizabeth! We're so glad you had a great day with Ayşe and got to taste the best of our local cuisine, far from the usual tourist spots. Taking guests to the places locals actually eat is exactly what we love doing! We hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. :)

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