Two Markets, Two Continents with Culinary Backstreets

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. The route for this Istanbul market tour draws from the Culinary Backstreets best-of lists in the European side’s Karaköy neighborhood and the Asian side’s Kadıköy, tied together by a Bosphorus crossing.

   30 min

2. We’ll hop the boat to Kadıköy on the Asian side and eat our way through that neighborhood’s market, which holds the highest concentration of traditional food shops and eateries in the city.

   45 minAdmission included

3. Full market tour with lots of eating and drinking along the way.

   2 hAdmission included

4. Here we will visit some hidden stops and have some awesome bites

   45 min

5. We’ll continue on toward the lesser-explored culinary hotspots around the Moda area at the market’s edge, where an infectious neighborhood vibe and a sweet finish await us to conclude our Istanbul market tour.

   45 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 623 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5A terrific experience with Ibrahim in Istanbul

  SUPER —Not to be missed!!! My husband and I have taken other food tours, however, this food tour led by our terrific guide Ibrahim was by far the best! First, the number and variety of different foods, eating places and market stalls far exceeded our past experiences and current expectations. Second, Ibrahim is so personable and generous, a warm personality intent upon providing a hospitable welcome and the very best experience of Istanbul. Third, compared to the much pricier walking tour with another company, we learned SO MUCH more about Turkish food(s), culture(s) and history. I must add that the tour was an hour longer than scheduled, but every minute was worth it. I will finish by quoting Ibrahim when he told us that he considered us not as customers, but as appreciated guests, as friends — and this is the feeling we take home with us!

  zorepmSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 55 stars

  Ibrahim gave us an excellent blend of outstanding cuisine and deep historical knowledge.

  tysheppardSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Two markets, two continents with one brilliant guide!

  Wandered the backstreets of Karakoy and Kadikoy with a guide who clearly knew the streets, the people, the food and the history of this beautiful city. Gonca Karakoc is not just a knowledgeable guide, she has the energy and the charisma to make the whole tour experience both enjoyable and educational. Exceptional!

  TonyMcEnroeSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Must-do in Istanbul - ask for Ibrahim!

  I try to do a food tour in every city I visit, no matter how many times I've been. This was not my first time in Istanbul but it was my first tour with Culinary Backstreets and it did not disappoint! First, I must say that Ibrahim was awesome - great personality, stories, and made sure we got history lessons in addition to food lessons (he's an architectural history buff which was a bonus since Istanbul is an example of the mingling of multiple cultures). The walk-eat-walk format really works.., but as other reviewers have advised, do not eat breakfast that morning or you might be too full to thoroughly enjoy it. The meetup point isn't as complicated as Google may make it out to be; Ibrahim was very helpful even before the tour began with directions. Culinary Backstreets provided all the info necessary (including Ibrahim's #) before the tour. We were 5 total on our tour, small enough to traipse through the streets, on the ferry and in the sometimes small eatery areas. We took some pix that Ibrahim sent later via WhatsApp. We were having such a good time together that our time went beyond what was scheduled... and no one seemed to mind. Ibrahim was even kind enough to ensure I got back on the right ferry to return to Eminonu - something he didn't have to do but seemed more than happy to. Needless to say, this experience is must-do. Can't say enough about this tour and Ibrahim. Thank you for a delightful day!

  TXDelta3September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Awesome

  Ibrahim was an exceptional guide, ever so helpful and so much knowledge explained with simplicity thoroughly enjoyed myself

  44raziakSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Delicious food and historical insights

  Our tour guide Ibrahim was phenomenal. We got an opportunity to taste a vast array of local food. He was informative and provided us with tidbits of information, stories that helped bring history of food alive for us. I would highly recommend the tour. Take it. It won't disappoint!!!

  quarterboxSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Istanbul

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 126 food tours we list in Istanbul.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 4 of 126.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Istanbul

Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, busy bazaars and ferries crossing between continents.

The historic peninsula holds the greatest landmarks. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome face each other in Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern lies beneath the streets, and Topkapı Palace spreads across the hill above the Golden Horn. A short walk away, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar have traded for centuries, and Süleymaniye Mosque, built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, crowns one of the city's seven hills.

Top-ranked sights in Istanbul: Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Sarayi), Bosphorus, Bosphorus Bridge (Bogazici Koprusu).

See all 3649 experiences in Istanbul