Istanbul food tour: Spice Market, Kadıköy & ferry crossing

Eight stops, one ferry crossing, two sides of Istanbul's food scene

The Taste of Two Continents is a 5.5-hour walking food tour of Istanbul led by a local guide, starting with a traditional Turkish breakfast at the Spice Market in the Old City, then crossing the Bosphorus by ferry to explore Kadıköy's markets and restaurants on the Asian side. The tour includes 8 food stops with multiple tastings at each, 4–5 local drinks, and lunch. Maximum group size is 10, and the walking distance between stops is short (2.5 km total). Not suitable for travelers with serious food allergies or restrictions, or those requiring vegan or gluten-free options at most stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Spice Bazaar30m
2. Bosphorus Strait30m · entry included

Explore Istanbul's food and culture

• Meet in Eminönü near Spice Market
• Enjoy traditional Turkish breakfast
• Take ferry across Bosphorus to Kadıköy
• Walk and sample foods in Kadıköy market
• Drink Turkish coffee and taste baklava
• Try street foods like dolma, tantuni, kokoreç
• Finish tour at Kadıköy Ferry Terminal
• Return ferry to Eminönü or Karaköy

The experience

The tour starts in Eminönü near the Spice Market, where you'll begin with a market-sourced Turkish breakfast. You gather items from local stalls (cheeses, buffalo cream, hazelnut paste, honey, olives, dried beef pastrami, simit), then sit at a local tea house with traditional Turkish tea and menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs). Your guide shares stories about Turkish culture and daily life while you eat, setting the tone for what comes next.

After breakfast, you cross the Bosphorus by ferry to Kadıköy on the Asian side. This neighborhood is where a new generation of Istanbul residents eats out while keeping the flavors of their childhood alive. You walk through the local market, stopping at 8 different eateries and restaurants along the way. At each stop you nibble, sip and taste: dolma, tantuni, kokoreç and other street foods, crispy golden baklava with freshly brewed Turkish coffee, and a rotation of local drinks. The guide explains what you're looking at in the colorful stalls and why these dishes matter to Turkish food culture. The walking between stops is short, never more than 10 minutes.

The tour ends at Kadıköy Ferry Terminal, where your return ferry tickets are provided. Your guide helps you catch the Eminönü ferry (back to the Spice Market) or the Karaköy ferry, depending on where you're headed next. The whole day runs rain or shine, and comfortable walking shoes are the only real requirement: the tour suits all fitness levels, and children aged 5 and under ride free.

What’s included

• English-speaking local guide.
• traditional Turkish breakfast with tea and menemen at the Spice Market.
• ferry crossing to Kadıköy.
• 8 food stops with multiple tastings at each.
• lunch.
• 4–5 local drinks including Turkish coffee.
• return ferry tickets to the European side.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to2h before

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

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Yummy Istanbul

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided food walk across both continents of Istanbul with eight tasting stops: your guide leads the route and handles the ferry crossing, so you just follow and eat.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

3,759 verified traveler reviews

5 ★3,648

4 ★81

3 ★19

2 ★5

1 ★6

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

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

What exactly do I eat on this Istanbul food tour?

The Taste of Two Continents includes a traditional Turkish breakfast with cheeses, olives, pastrami and menemen at the Spice Market, then 8 food stops in Kadıköy serving street foods like dolma, tantuni and kokoreç, baklava, kebabs, and Turkish coffee and other local drinks: enough to fill your belly across both sides of the city.

Do I need to arrange my own ferry ticket to cross to Kadıköy?

No. Your return ferry tickets from Kadıköy back to the European side are included. Your guide helps you board the Eminönü or Karaköy ferry at the end of the tour.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The Taste of Two Continents covers about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) total, with a maximum of 10 minutes' walking between food stops, so the pace is leisurely and suited to all fitness levels.

Is this tour suitable if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with serious food allergies or restrictions, or those requiring vegan or gluten-free options, since most stops feature traditional Turkish meat and dairy dishes. You should advise any specific dietary needs at the time of booking.

What's included in the price of this tour?

The Taste of Two Continents includes your English-speaking guide, all food tastings at 8 eateries, lunch, 4–5 local drinks, return ferry tickets, and cultural stories about Turkish daily life and cuisine.

How many people will be on this tour?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers, keeping the experience intimate and allowing your guide to share personal anecdotes and insider knowledge as you move through the markets.