Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Istanbul, Turkey
- 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
This intimate and in-depth Istanbul food tour focuses on lesser-known culinary hotspots and locally renowned backstreet locations. Eat your way around both European and Asian sides of the city, with stops in Karakoy, Kadikoy, and the up-and-coming Moda neighborhood. The full-day experience includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, tea and coffee, and bottled water.
- Full-day, small-group Istanbul food tour to Karakoy and Kadikoy
- Discover the city’s tastiest food joints—spanning two continents
- Enjoy an intimate experience in a group capped at only 7 people
- Two meals, snacks, and hot drinks are all included
What's Included
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- Breakfast
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Karakoy Fish HouseArap Cami, Fermeneciler Cd. No:35, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
The meeting point is the kiosk shop adjacent to the Galata Bridge in Karakoy, around 50 meters from this point.
End point
- Kadikoy Ferry StationCaferağa, Rıhtım Cd., 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye
Itinerary
1
Karakoy
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Bosphorus Strait
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
KadIkoy CarsIsI
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
4
Karakoy
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Moda Park
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum of 18 years old for Alcoholic Beverages
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 7 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
mary_P
There was a lot of walking involved but that was a plus because we saw so much of Istanbul away from the touristy areas and experienced foods that were local. It was an amazing experience and our guide Esin was the best. I can highly recommend the experience
Reviews
5.0
based on 511 reviews
Deborah_L, Apr 2026
This was an amazing tour, not just of Turkish cuisine, but THE BEST Turkish food! I learned many things about Turkish culture along the way as Esin was a wonderful guide and went above and beyond to teach us as well as delight our taste buds. I’m happy I did this at the beginning of my Turkey travels so I know a bit about what I like and will be more open to just trying something!
JeanneMarie_K, Nov 2025
This was a food tour on the European side at night. Backstreet. So much fun fabulous guide. The real part of Istanbul. No tourists. It was just a great experience.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed exploring Istanbul’s European side and discovering a less-touristy part of the city.
Your guide will be delighted to know that their warmth, knowledge, and enthusiasm made the evening so memorable. We’re proud to work with guides who can connect food to culture, history, and everyday life — and it’s wonderful that you appreciated that authentic perspective.
When you have a moment, check your Culinary Backstreets Passport online — your Istanbul stamp should be waiting to mark this fantastic adventure!
Maggie_B, Oct 2025
Our day with our wonderful guide was very, very nice! Highly recommend him and the his delicious introduction to food and history. A perfect way discovery of Istanbul!! Don’t miss it!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that your day in Istanbul was so enjoyable and that your guide made the experience both delicious and informative. We’re fortunate to work with guides who know the city so well and love sharing its food, history, and culture with guests.
It’s great to hear that you appreciated the mix of flavors and context — that’s exactly the kind of experience we hope every visitor takes away.
When you have a moment, take a look at your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website — your Istanbul stamp is ready to mark this memorable day!
Marion_B, Oct 2025
Our tour with Ugur was fantastic - he is warm and friendly, knowledgeable and informative, patient and helpful. He showed us places we never could have found ourselves. We loved the insights into the culinary history and traditions of Istanbul, and the everyday lives of those who live there. A great selection and variety of experiences.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic time with Ugur. He truly embodies the warm, knowledgeable spirit we strive for in our guides, and it’s great that he could share those hidden gems and rich culinary traditions of Istanbul with you.
We love hearing when guests appreciate the connection between food, history, and daily life — that’s exactly what we aim for.
Don’t forget to check your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see all the stamps you’ve collected. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure soon!
Megan_R, Jul 2025
Delicious! The tour was as advertised, with plenty of food (all included), a knowledgeable guide and lots of learning about local culture.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for your lovely review of Two Markets, Two Continents! We're so glad you enjoyed the delicious food and the cultural insight along the way — that’s exactly the kind of experience we aim to offer.
We take pride in working with guides who know their cities deeply and love sharing their stories.
And don’t forget to check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see all the stamps you’ve collected!
AnaLuisa_W, Jul 2025
This tour was amazing! Our tour guide was so knowledgeable, on task and fun. She kept us eating, engaged in the history of the place and took us to eating hidden gems! Highlight of our trip to Istanbul. This experience is a must do!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your amazing review!
We’re thrilled to hear that the Two Markets, Two Continents tour was a highlight of your time in Istanbul. Our guides are passionate about connecting food with the deeper stories of the city, and it's wonderful to know you felt both well-fed and fully engaged throughout the experience!
That is exactly what we are going for — uncovering hidden gems while sharing the rich history and flavor of each neighborhood.
Don’t forget to check your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see your Istanbul stamp — and we hope to see you again soon in another delicious corner of the world!
Warmly,
The Culinary Backstreets Team
charmaine_l, May 2025
We had a great experience and were introduced to new areas and new foods that we wouldn’t have been confident of trying ourselves. Ogur was a great guide and we tasted our way around Istanbul with his enthusiastic stories and fun
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for sharing your fabulous experience! We're so glad Ugur’s enthusiasm and knowledge helped you discover new areas and foods in Istanbul with confidence. We take pride in working with guides who truly bring the city’s vibrant culture and flavors to life.
That’s exactly what we aim for — connecting food to the rich history and traditions of the places we explore together.
Don’t forget to check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see all the stamps you’ve collected! We hope to welcome you on many more delicious journeys.
mary_P, Apr 2025
There was a lot of walking involved but that was a plus because we saw so much of Istanbul away from the touristy areas and experienced foods that were local. It was an amazing experience and our guide Esin was the best. I can highly recommend the experience
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so glad you enjoyed exploring Istanbul off the beaten path with Esin. We take pride in working with guides who know how to showcase the authentic side of the city, and it’s great to hear you appreciated both the local foods and the chance to experience Istanbul beyond the tourist areas.
Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Don’t forget to check your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see the stamp you've earned from this amazing experience!
Bill_E, Apr 2025
Great experience. Great guide. Highly recommend. We went as a family of 4 and met with 3 other travelers, the guide was great at getting enough info to get acquainted with one another and get a little conversation going. Very rewarding.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that your Two Markets, Two Continents experience was a great one. It’s wonderful to know that you had a chance to connect with fellow travelers and enjoy a rewarding day together.
We’re also thrilled that the guide helped make the experience feel personal and engaging for everyone. Don’t forget to check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see your stamp — and we hope to welcome you back for another tour soon!
James_L, Nov 2024
We had such a laugh with a small group of 4 other people. It was interesting, amusing and the best part of our trip to Istanbul. Highly recommended and 5 starts to our guide Benoit!!
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear that the food tour was the highlight of your trip to Istanbul. A small group, good laughs, and a great guide like Benoit—what more could you ask for? We’ll be sure to pass along your 5-star praise to him!
It’s wonderful that you found the tour both interesting and fun. We love creating experiences that bring people together and offer a true taste of the city’s vibrant culture.
Don’t forget to check your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see all the stamps you’ve earned—looking forward to welcoming you on your next culinary adventure!
Luise_M, Nov 2024
It's a full day activity...be hungry when you go!
Our guide was professional, friendly and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you enjoyed your food tour in Istanbul. It’s definitely a full day of indulgence, so coming hungry is key! Our guides work hard to make sure you not only enjoy the delicious food but also gain insight into the rich culture and history behind it, and we’re happy to hear that you found your guide to be professional, friendly, and knowledgeable.
We hope you walked away with not just a full belly, but a deeper understanding of Istanbul’s unique culinary scene. Don’t forget to check your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see all the stamps you’ve earned!
Audrey_A, Nov 2024
The tour was so much fun! Kadir was a very well-informed guide. I really enjoyed the different dishes. I also liked that I was able to see the less touristy parts of the city.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your great review! We’re so happy to hear you had a fun time on the tour with Kadir. It’s always a treat to explore the hidden, less touristy parts of the city while enjoying unique dishes, and we're glad you appreciated that experience.
You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport and the stamps you’ve earned by visiting our website. We’d love to see you on another tour soon!
Matthew_K, Oct 2024
Tour with Esin was amazing. Typically a food tour just go around couple restaurants to try different food and end. But walking the street with Esin, people greeted her, she was a part of the community. It was really wonderful to see and understand how community was. Esin was very knowledgeable on food, specially coffee. It was really fun.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your "Two Markets, Two Continents" tour with Esin. It’s fantastic to hear that you not only loved the food but also got to experience the community and Esin’s deep knowledge, especially when it comes to coffee. We’re thrilled that you had fun and hope to welcome you on another Culinary Backstreets adventure soon! You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see the stamps you have collected. All the best!
Mian_U, Sep 2024
More than just a food tour, though the food was delicious! We tried many different Turkish foods in interesting locations and learned about Turkish culture/history along the way. This was my second trip to Istanbul, but I still learned so much from this tour. Our guide Gonca was a skilled storyteller who was full of energy the entire tour, I’d highly recommend them. It was also fun to chat with other English-speaking travelers throughout the tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thanks so much for your thoughtful feedback! Each of our culinary walks is the outcome of considerable research. We work with academics in the field and our own team of experienced professionals – both guides and local journalists. We are proud to know that the money spent during the culinary walk goes to support businesses that we believe in, helping to preserve the social and cultural fabric of the cities we love so dearly. Most importantly, of course, we take pride in working with people who are very knowledgeable about and extremely fond of the cities they live in. You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see the stamps you have collected. We hope to see you again soon in one of our cities.
Kerry_F, Sep 2024
Gour was outstanding- introduced us to all cuisines available in Turkey. Also spice markets and of course what cuisine was available for appropriate times of the day.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thanks! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the walk. We take pride in working with people who are very knowledgeable about and extremely fond of the cities they live in. You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see the stamps you have collected. We hope to see you again soon in one of our cities.
Rachel_H, Sep 2024
Gonca was an outstanding, enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide, sharing so much history as we visited various eating and drinking places and opening our eyes to food culture in Turkey. Best stop was the weekend breakfast mezze!!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thanks! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed the walk. We take pride in working with people who are very knowledgeable about and extremely fond of the cities they live in. You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see the stamps you have collected. We hope to see you again soon in one of our cities.
Geoffrey_G, May 2024
Food was good, but the tour was more than just food. The guide was passionate and knowledgeable and took us to interesting places we would not have ventured on our own.
Response from Host, May 2024
We are glad to hear you enjoyed the walk! Thank you very much for leaving us a 5-star review! We look forward to having you with us again soon.You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see the stamps you have collected.
Mike_L, Apr 2024
It was truly a backstreet experience with authentic flavors and a peek into local culture and daily living. We toured with Esin as our guide, and we absolutely had an amazing experience! She’s genuine, funny, insightful, passionate and full of entertaining stories. We highly recommend touring with her!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much for a wonderful review! We are really happy to hear that you enjoyed the walk. We take pride in working with people like Esin who are very knowledgeable and extremely fond of the cities that they live in. You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see the stamps you have collected. We hope to see you again soon in one of our cities.
GARY_D, Jan 2024
Fabulous trip lots of stops lots of food and a good guide will recommend and visit places that were recommended to us x
Mrid, Jan 2024
We feel lucky to have selected this food tour - it was well curated and the day flowed seamlessly for us. Ugur (our guide) was very knowledgeable, professional and had a good sense of humour which made the day enjoyable. Through the food we tried out, the places Ugur took us to and his expert commentary, we ended the day with a good understanding of Istanbul’s food landscape. Thank you Ugur - it was a day very well spent!
Jenny_P, Aug 2023
Gonca is an excellent guide. We had so many delicious dishes. We also learnt about the food culture, the customs and some history of Istanbul. Gonca was thoughtful, kind and inclusive of our small group of 7. I would thoughly recommend this tour. Take it early in your trip so you can implement all the tips.
Vicky_G, Mar 2023
A must for anyone who wants to experience the food culture on both sides of Istanbul. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thanks! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed the walk. We take pride in
working with people who are very knowledgeable about and extremely fond of
the cities they live in. You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on
our website to see the stamps you have collected. We hope to see you again
soon in one of our cities.
Warren_D, Jan 2023
Thought Esim did outstanding job. Appreciated the opportunity to try the various food and drink options
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you very much for your kind feedback, it was our pleasure to have you with us! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed our walk with the fabulous Esin! We hope to see you again soon in one of our cities. You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see the stamps you have collected. All the best!
Erich_B, Apr 2023
Ein wundervoller Tag, Esin hat es mit ihrer herzlichen und beschützenden Art, zu einem Erlebnis gemacht, an das ich immer wieder gerne erinnern werde!! Die Gruppe hatte eine angenehme Größe, und in meinem Fall sofort wie eine kleine Familie!! Esin wurde überall auf der Tour herzlich begrüßt, dadurch fühlte man sich auch richtig wohl und willkommen!! Kurz gesagt, ihr werdet diese Tour sicher nicht bereuen!!
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Thank you very much for your great feedback and for leaving us a 5-star review, this is exactly what we're going for! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed our tour with the wonderful Esin! We take pride in working with great people like Esin who are very knowledgeable and extremely fond of the cities they live in. We hope to see you again soon in one of our cities. You can check out your Culinary Backstreets Passport on our website to see the stamps you have collected. All the best!
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