Istanbul Food Escape : Ferry to the Flavors of the Asian Side

4.9

Reviews

Recommended by 100% travellers

100% of guests rated this experience 4 stars or higher

4.9 (10)

Recommended by 100% travellers

Add to Wishlist

Show all photos

Show all photos

4.9

Reviews

Recommended by 100% travellers

100% of guests rated this experience 4 stars or higher

4.9 (10)

Recommended by 100% travellers

Available TomorrowSpots available tomorrow. Book now to secure your place.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

Why book with byFood?

Japan's #1 food travel platform

Trusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT

Location

Istanbul

Duration

5 hours

Group size

Max 6 guests

Language

English

Location

Istanbul

Duration

5 hours

Group size

Max 6 guests

Language

English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

•10 reviews

US$178.51 per guest

Instant Confirmation

Guest

Adult x1

Date

Add dates

Select Options

Available TomorrowSpots available tomorrow. Book now to secure your place.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

Why book with byFood?

Japan's #1 food travel platform

Trusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT

Description

Good to Know

This is not a tour about rushing from one tasting to the next. It’s a chance to experience Istanbul through the way the city eats, lives and moves. Cross to the Asian side by ferry, step into neighborhood markets and local food spots, and taste the flavors that are part of everyday life in Istanbul. Along the way, your guide will connect what you eat with the people, migrations and traditions that have shaped the city. You’ll leave with more than a list of dishes you tried — you’ll understand a little more about Istanbul and the people who call it home.

Guiding Service by an Expert Local Guide

Turkish Coffee Break

Public Minibus ride (Dolmuş)

Cultural and historical insights throughout the experience

Food Tastings at various local spots (not a full meal)

Ferry Ride Across the Bosphorus

Personal expenses

Gratuities (optional )

Alcoholic beverages

Alcoholic Beverages

Start on Istanbul’s European side, exploring the local streets around Eminönü and the Spice Bazaar while tasting flavors connected to the city’s markets, trade and everyday food culture. Then cross the Bosphorus by ferry — part of daily life in Istanbul and one of the best ways to experience the city between two continents. On the Asian side, continue into Kadıköy, where markets, small food shops and neighborhood favorites introduce another side of Istanbul’s culinary life. Along the way, you’ll taste a variety of regional Turkish specialties and traditional drinks while your guide connects the food with the people, migrations and traditions behind it. Rather than simply moving from one tasting to the next, you’ll discover how different parts of Türkiye have come together to shape the way Istanbul eats today.

45 minutes · Admission Ticket Free

Misir Carsisi

Step into one of Istanbul’s most iconic and aromatic landmarks. Built in the 17th century, the Spice Bazaar has been the heart of the city's spice trade for centuries. Inside its vaulted halls, you'll find stalls bursting with colorful spices, dried fruits, teas, Turkish delights, and local delicacies. It's not only a feast for the senses but also a window into the culinary soul of the Ottoman Empire. Your guide will help you navigate the history, scents, and secrets of this timeless marketplace.

Step into one of Istanbul’s most iconic and aromatic landmarks. Built in the 17th century, the Spice…

20 minutes · Admission Ticket Included

Bosphorus Strait

Sail between continents as you cross the Bosphorus by ferry. This brief but beautiful journey offers a unique perspective of Istanbul, with panoramic views of palaces, mosques, and daily city life unfolding along the shore.

Sail between continents as you cross the Bosphorus by ferry. This brief but beautiful journey offers…

40 minutes · Admission Ticket Free

Uskudar

Discover the rhythm of daily life on the Asian side of Istanbul. At Üsküdar’s covered market, your guide will introduce you to stalls overflowing with local cheeses, olives, pickles, spices, and fresh breads. This market isn’t designed for tourists—it’s where locals shop, chat, and preserve the city’s culinary traditions. It's a flavorful step into real Istanbul.

Discover the rhythm of daily life on the Asian side of Istanbul. At Üsküdar’s covered market, your g…

1 hour · Admission Ticket Free

Kuzguncuk Sahili

Wander through the charming streets of Kuzguncuk, one of Istanbul’s most beloved hidden gems. Known for its colorful houses, old synagogues, churches, and peaceful cafés, this multicultural neighborhood feels like a village within the city. Here, you’ll enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee break while soaking in the slower rhythm of daily life on the Asian side.

Wander through the charming streets of Kuzguncuk, one of Istanbul’s most beloved hidden gems. Known…

1 hour · Admission Ticket Free

Tarihi Çınaraltı

End your journey in the peaceful waterfront district of Çengelköy, famous for its historic wooden houses, Bosphorus views, and beloved street food. Here, you’ll sample local specialties like stuffed mussels or crispy börek, surrounded by locals enjoying their tea by the sea. It’s the perfect finale to a flavorful day across continents.

End your journey in the peaceful waterfront district of Çengelköy, famous for its historic wooden ho…

Meeting Point

Egyptian Bazaar, Fatih İstanbul, Türkiye, TR, 34116

Open in Google Maps

The guide will be waiting at the main entrance gate of the Spice Market holding "Food Trail Istanbul " sign. This gate is near the New Mosque , facing the Golden Horn.

End Point

This experience ends at the meeting point.

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 1 day before for a full refund.

No refund within 1 day of the experience or no-shows.

4.9

10 reviews

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Stars

+5 photos

10 reviews

laurencD5197NDSeptember 2026 • TripAdvisor

Great afternoon with Burak!

I had a great time on my tour! It was a neat way to experience what the area has to offer and was an excellent option for me as my time in Istanbul was (sadly) limited and I wanted to try to have an enriching experience in the time I had. I try to do a food tour in every city I visit for this very reason, either with f&f or alone, as I was on this trip. Kadikoy is such a fun area, and I can't say I would've ended up there without a tour so I'm glad I chose this one! I ended up being the only per...read more

deborahsT2170MQSeptember 2026 • TripAdvisor

Flavours of Istanbul

Borak our guide was knowledgable on so many subjects, on the food tour he was aware of my friends allergy and made sure that all the food we tried was appropriate! We really feel he gave us the best flavours of Istanbul!

Vicki_VJune 2026 • Viator

Very Yummy

A bit off the beaten tourist track but all the better for it. We got to see and taste things we would never have found ourselves. Our guide Suleyman was very knowledgeable. A great day.

stephensW193OUMay 2026 • TripAdvisor

Lovely enjoyable day.

We enjoyed our tour with the friendly and helpful guide and had great chat with him. Lovely day out.

Response from ViatorMay 26, 2026

Dear Stephen, A big thank you from all of us! We love what we do, and it’s so rewarding to hear that our guests have such a memorable and tasty experience. We are so happy you enjoyed the tour! There’s nothing we love more than sharing our favorite hidden gems with fellow food lovers. Thank you for being such a great guest!

suehZ9277MTMarch 2026 • TripAdvisor

Food, Sights, History and more Food!

A thoroughly enjoyable day! There were just 3 of us on the tour and our guide was very knowledgeable about everything in Istanbul, not just the amazing cuisine. We walked down to waterfront, all the time he was pointing out places of interest. We explored the Egyptian Spice Market and sampled many spices, sweet treats and exotic fragrances. We then boarded a ferry to take us across the Bosphorus to Asia after trying some simit bread and taking some with us to feed the seagulls flying alongside t...read more

Response from ViatorMarch 27, 2026

Dear Suzy, A big thank you from all of us! We love what we do, and it’s so rewarding to hear that our guests have such a memorable and tasty experience. We are so happy you enjoyed the tour! There’s nothing we love more than sharing our favorite hidden gems with fellow food lovers. Thank you for being such a great guest!