Istanbul Evening Food Tour in Beyoğlu: 10+ Tastings

Ten tastings across Istanbul's most atmospheric food streets

An evening food tour through Istanbul's Beyoğlu district starting at Taksim Square and ending in Karaköy, with more than 10 tastings of local favourites and a maximum group of 10 guests. You walk the backstreets of İstiklal Avenue, stop at historic Hacı Bekir for Turkish delight, explore Çiçek Pasajı and the Fish Market, taste stuffed mussels and kokoreç in Nevizade, and finish with freshly made baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu. The tastings add up to a full dinner.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Taksim Square10m
2. Istiklal Street20m
3. Flower Passage20m
4. Viaport Marina30m

Evening food tour in Beyoğlu

• Meet guide at Taksim Square
• Walk to İstiklal Avenue and Beyoğlu
• Try tantuni wrap on İstiklal Avenue
• Visit historic Hacı Bekir for Turkish delight
• Explore Çiçek Pasajı and Fish Market
• Taste midye dolma and kokoreç in Nevizade
• Stop for kebap dürüm in Asmalımescit
• Taste fish dürüm in Karaköy
• Finish with baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu

The experience

What does an evening food tour in Istanbul actually look like? You meet your guide at Taksim Square as the neighbourhood starts to come alive, then head into Beyoğlu's backstreets where the real eating happens. The route takes you past İstiklal Avenue's crowds and into the narrow lanes where locals eat: Çiçek Pasajı with its market stalls, Nevizade where restaurant tables spill into the street, and Asmalımescit's old meyhane quarter. The walk itself is the frame. The food is what fills it.

The tastings start with tantuni, a hot wrap of finely chopped meat and herbs, then move through Turkish delight at Hacı Bekir (making lokum since 1777), fried mussels and kokoreç in Nevizade, kebap dürüm in Asmalımescit, and fish dürüm as you head downhill toward Karaköy. Each stop is a different vendor, a different street, a different moment in the evening. Your guide handles the stories (the history of the neighbourhoods, why these dishes matter, how Istanbul eats when the sun goes down), while you taste and ask questions. Non-alcoholic drinks and water come with the tour. The tastings themselves add up to a full dinner, so come hungry.

The tour ends near Şişhane Metro Station in Karaköy with baklava from Güllüoğlu, leaving you a short walk from Galata Tower and the Tünel funicular if you want to keep exploring. Groups stay under 10, which means you're not herded through the backstreets. There's room to linger, to ask, to actually talk to your guide about what you're eating and why.

What’s included

• More than 10 tastings of Istanbul favourites including tantuni, Turkish delight, stuffed mussels, kokoreç, kebap dürüm, fish dürüm and freshly made baklava.
• local non-alcoholic drinks and water.
• an experienced English-speaking Istanbul food guide.
• food stories, local history and insider insight into Beyoğlu's neighbourhoods.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs Tuesday to Saturday at 18:00, from US$ 89 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 10 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDeparts at 18:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 102 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.1 with pickup ›

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Youth (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Yummy Istanbul

Is this one for you?Three hours is long enough to eat your way through four neighbourhoods and short enough to leave the rest of your evening free. The group stays under 10, so you're not rushed through the backstreets and there's time to ask your guide about what you're tasting and why.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How much walking is involved in this food tour?

The tour is three hours of walking through Beyoğlu's backstreets, from Taksim down to Karaköy. The route is downhill overall, and you stop frequently to eat and explore each neighbourhood, so the pace is steady but not rushed. Suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What is Hacı Bekir and why is it on the tour?

Hacı Bekir is a historic shop that has been making Turkish delight (lokum) since 1777. You stop there to taste freshly cut pieces in flavours like rose and pistachio, and your guide explains the story behind one of Istanbul's best-known traditional sweets.

Can I do this tour if I'm vegetarian or vegan?

This tour is not suitable for vegetarian or vegan travellers, as most of the tastings centre on meat dishes like tantuni, kokoreç, kebap dürüm and stuffed mussels. If you have specific dietary requirements or food allergies, you should advise the operator at the time of booking.

What happens if it rains?

The tour runs rain or shine, so bring an umbrella or rain jacket if the forecast looks uncertain. The backstreets of Beyoğlu are covered in places, and the eating continues regardless of weather.

Where does the tour start and end?

You meet your guide at Taksim Square to begin the evening. The tour ends near Şişhane Metro Station in Karaköy, close to Galata Tower and the historic Tünel funicular, so you can easily continue exploring or head back to your hotel from there.