Istanbul: Evening Food Tour with Ferry & Asian Side Dinner

Summary

Evening Istanbul food walk across Europe & Asia with markets, ferry rides, and dinner in Kadikoy

You’ll wander Istanbul’s lively streets and markets with a local guide, crossing from Europe to Asia by ferry as you taste stuffed mussels, pickles, kebaps, and more at nine stops. Share stories over dinner in Kadikoy and finish with kunefe dessert back in Europe—the city feels closer after this evening together.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I remember is the clang of the tram outside as I met our group near the ferry docks—everyone a bit shy, but our guide Cem just grinned and handed out simit pieces like we were old friends. The Bosphorus was already glowing under that weird blue dusk light, you know? On the ferry to Kadikoy, he pointed out palaces and mosques I’d only seen in photos. There was this salty wind off the water, and for a second I forgot we were crossing from Europe to Asia. It’s honestly wild how casual that feels here.

In Kadikoy’s market streets, it was all noise—vendors shouting, clatter of tea glasses, something spicy drifting from a soup stall. We tried stuffed mussels (midye dolma) right off a tray, still warm; Cem showed me how to squeeze lemon over them. I probably got more on my shirt than in my mouth. There was pickled everything—crunchy green beans, pink cabbage—plus olives slick with oil and this cheese that tasted almost grassy. He told us about his grandmother making dolmas by hand every weekend. I guess food tours are always about eating but here it felt like being let into someone’s kitchen for a while.

After way too many bites (I lost count at the pastrami), we ferried back to Karaköy. The city looked different at night—lights flickering on the water, some kid selling roasted chestnuts by the dock. We ducked into a lokanta where plates just kept arriving: kebaps with smoky edges, meze dips so tangy they made me laugh out loud (Cem said that’s normal). Dessert was kunefe—gooey cheese under crisp pastry—and ice cream that stretched like taffy when they scooped it. Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so full or so… at home? Even if my Turkish is hopeless (Li laughed when I tried to say “teşekkürler”).

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Istanbul food tour across two continents

• Meet to catch ferry to Asian side
• Enjoy Bosphorus ferry ride with views
• Visit food market and sample dishes
• Take ferry back to European side
• Taste kebaps, meze, and Kunefe dessert

Top questions

How long does the Istanbul food tour last?

The tour takes place over one evening and includes multiple stops for tastings on both sides of Istanbul.

Is hotel pickup included for this Istanbul food tour?

No hotel pickup is included, but your guide can help organize a taxi or walk you back if your hotel is nearby.

What foods are sampled during the Istanbul food tour?

You’ll try stuffed mussels, pastrami, pickled vegetables, cheeses, olives, halva, soups, stuffed wine leaves, kokoreç, tantuni, lahmacun, kebaps, kunefe dessert and goat milk ice cream.

Does the tour include a ferry ride across the Bosphorus?

Yes—the public ferry ride between Europe and Asia is part of the experience.

Are drinks included on this Istanbul evening food tour?

The tour includes four non-alcoholic drinks plus tea and coffee during tastings.

Is this food tour suitable for vegetarians?

The tour offers some vegetarian options like pickles and cheeses but also features meat dishes such as kebaps and kokoreç.

How many stops are there on this guided Istanbul food tour?

You’ll visit nine different places for tastings during the evening.

Will there be an English-speaking guide on this Istanbul food walk?

Yes—a professional English-speaking licensed local guide leads the tour.

What’s included

Your evening includes all tastings at nine different stops—stuffed mussels right from street vendors in Kadikoy’s market lanes; samples of pastrami, olives and cheeses; four non-alcoholic drinks along with Turkish tea or coffee; two scenic public ferry rides across the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia; dinner featuring kebaps and meze dips at a traditional lokanta; kunefe dessert paired with goat milk ice cream; plus tipping at restaurants—all led by a knowledgeable local guide who shares stories along the way. Return to your hotel isn’t included but your guide can help arrange it if needed.