Istanbul Food Tour: Karakoy to Kadikoy with 10+ Tastings

Ten tastings across two neighborhoods, a ferry ride between them, and the backstreet version of Istanbul's food scene.

A guided walking food tour in Istanbul that starts in Karakoy with local tastings, then crosses the Bosphorus by ferry to Kadikoy on the Asian side for more food and drinks with locals. You sample at least 10 local dishes and beverages throughout the afternoon, guided in English. The ferry ride is included with the tour price, and the route ends with dessert in a cafe before your guide walks you back to the ferry for the return trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Istanbul food tour with ferry rides

• Explore Karakoy neighborhood
• Sample local foods in Karakoy
• Take ferry to Kadikoy
• Sample foods and drinks in Kadikoy
• Enjoy local dessert in Kadikoy
• Return by ferry to starting point

The experience

You start in Karakoy, the neighborhood that once anchored Istanbul's industry and still wears that history in its old warehouses and factory facades. The backstreets here are where the food tour begins, not in a restaurant, but moving through the narrow lanes, stopping at stalls and small vendors to taste what locals eat. Your guide talks through the district as you sample, and the first of your 10 dishes and drinks starts here.

After Karakoy, you walk to the ferry terminal for the 20-minute crossing to Kadikoy on the Asian side. The ferry is included with your tour price. The ride itself is part of the experience: you leave behind the silhouettes of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia across the water and sail toward the minarets and modern buildings rising from Kadikoy's hills. When you arrive, the food markets open up: a dense, vibrant sprawl of stalls and vendors selling everything from savory street food to prepared dishes. This is where the second half of your tastings happens, and your guide takes you through the flavors and introduces you to locals eating there.

The tour wraps with a local dessert in a cafe, then your guide walks you back to the ferry for the return to Karakoy. Soda, bottled water, coffee and tea are included throughout. The whole outing runs about three and a half hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• At least 10 local dishes and beverages sampled across Karakoy and Kadikoy.
• ferry rides to and from the Asian side.
• dessert in a cafe.
• bottled water, soda, and coffee or tea.
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour.

Options for this experience

2 options

Istanbul Food Journey without the Diet ClubGuide in English · 16:00

Private OptionGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 14:00, the last at 18:00Option for a private group

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 14:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Public transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Real Istanbul Tours

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you want the route and timing to yourself. The shared group tour works better if you're looking to meet other food travelers and split the cost. Either way, you're walking and stopping frequently, so comfortable shoes matter more than the group size.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What does the ferry ride across the Bosphorus look like on this tour?

The ferry crossing takes around 20 minutes and is included in your tour price. You sail from the European side toward Kadikoy on the Asian side, watching the historic peninsula's landmarks recede across the water while Kadikoy's minarets and skyline come into view.

How many food tastings do I get on this Istanbul food tour?

You sample at least 10 local dishes and beverages across the two neighborhoods: some in Karakoy's backstreets and the rest in Kadikoy's food markets, ending with dessert in a cafe.

Do I need to arrange my own way back to my hotel after the tour ends?

The tour ends at the ferry terminal in Karakoy after your guide walks you back from the Asian side, so you'll need to arrange your own transport from there. Public transportation options are available nearby.

What's included in the price of this food tour?

The tour includes all 10+ food and beverage tastings, the ferry rides to and from Kadikoy, dessert in a cafe, bottled water, soda, and coffee or tea. Your guide speaks English throughout.

Is this tour private or shared with other travelers?

You can choose between a private option or the No Diet Club Istanbul Food Journey, which is a shared group tour. Both follow the same route and include the same tastings and ferry ride.