Taste of Istanbul - Food & Culture
Welcome to Istanbul’s first food & community tour — Taste Istanbul, learn its story, meet the locals.
We’ll start with a ferry ride along the Golden Horn, offering stunning views of Istanbul — yes, you’ll even get a little Bosphorus cruise too!
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 our city.
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.
Options
Taste of Istanbul - Food & Culture
What's included in Taste of Istanbul - Food & Culture
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Karakoy Rihtim
Our experience begins with a ferry ride offering stunning views from Karaköy to Balat.
We'll start exploring the Fener neighborhood, beginning with the Greek Orthodox School and its surroundings.
Merdivenli Yokus Evleri Balat
We'll explore the colorful streets of the neighborhood, from vibrant houses to lively stairs, while connecting and socializing with the local kids
Inclusions
- Three Surprise Local Snacks
- Local Guide (English-Speaking, Hospitality Expert)
- Food & Personal Expenses
- Ferry fee: $2 per person
- 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
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- We’ll meet in front of a café called Mado, located right near Karaköy Ferry Station—it's easy to find and a central spot. If you'd prefer, we can also arrange a private pickup from your hotel for an additional cost.
End Points
- Our tour will end in the Balat area. From there, we can help you arrange a drop-off or guide you to the best public transportation options to get back to your destination. No worries, that's the easiest part!
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
Hello! First of all, thank you so much for booking the experience! We’re truly excited to host you in our neighborhood. Here are all the details for the experience. ✨ Meeting Point & Location: We will start our experience in Karaköy at Mado Café, which is located right by the seaside. Here’s the address and location link: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Rıhtım Cd. No:3 34425, Beyoğlu/İstanbul https://maps.app.goo.gl/N8BCvoJ7pYLFzEPQ8 ✨ What to Bring? We recommend bringing 600–1000 Turkish Lira in cash per person. Don’t worry—most vendors accept cards as well. Also there are some walking involved so bring comfy shoes anyways. ✨ What’s Included? We’ll provide four types of local snacks and our favourite dessert. The rest of the food will be at your own expense. ✨ Pick-up & Drop-off Service (Optional, Extra Cost) If you need pick-up and drop-off service, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Just let us know. ✨ To download our Istanbul guidebook, which includes everything you need before visiting Istanbul, click the link below: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yzakwjkd3w28hl3fy3gqi/Taste-of-Istanbul.pdf?rlkey=a5f0n3mb2y5xazuw4qoz8vp6f&st=k3lhhyax&dl=0 ✨ Need Travel Assistance? We are a travel agency in Turkey, We can arrange custom trips, any kinds of events & organization, transfers, and help you with itinerary. Feel free to ask us anytihng we are always here for you ️. You can also discover truly authentic local experiences and book attraction & show tickets on our platform: https://earthissimo.com/ I'm always here if you need anything. Looking forward to hosting you in our neighborhood! Best, Hasan
