Private and guided Istanbul food tour - Taste of Istanbul

We always try to book a food tour when visiting a new destination, and the guided private food tour “Taste of Istanbul” was by far the best one we’ve ever done. Our guide, Furkan, was exceptional. The tour covered both the European and Asian sides of the city, including a ferry ride between the two, and lasted over five hours. At every stop we were greeted with a warm, friendly smile, and we spent the day visiting places Furkan genuinely loves and enjoys himself with friends, far from the usual tourist spots. The food was absolutely unreal, and despite our limited time in Istanbul, we truly felt that we experienced the city in a deep and meaningful way. The people, culture, food, and of course Furkan, made Istanbul one of our favorite cities. A special note for travelers with mobility issues, as we have: Istanbul is not perfectly designed for accessibility, but Furkan’s local knowledge, flexibility, and thoughtful personal touches made the experience smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable for us.

Derya was absolutely fantastic and the two tours we did with her (the food tour and Hagia Sophia/Blue Mosque/Grand Bazaar tour) were the highlights of our trip to Istanbul. She is a brilliant, informative and hilarious guide.

We had an unforgettable culinary journey through Istanbul's lively food scene, guided by Furkan. From the secret local spots to legendary dishes each stop was bursting with flavor, culture and fun. A huge thank you to Furkan for sharing your passion and stories, you truly made this food tour extraordinary.

A really great food tour. Experienced it all on both the European and Asian side of Istanbul. A wonderful cultural experience. Durban was a great guide

Had an amazing day exploring both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, and tasting lots of local and truly authentic Turkish food. From simit (bagel) dipped in honey and clotted cream to Turkish tea (cay) and coffee, from lahmacun (pizza) topped with fresh herbs and lemon juice to stuffed mussels and fried pork intestine sandwiches (described as “hangover food”), and from golden baklava and dondurma ice cream to delicious Kurdish doner kebabs. Everything was truly delicious and fresh. And our guide, Derya, was a true delight - kind, knowledgeable, and funny. We loved seeing Istanbul through her eyes and she took us to a lot of great local places. One of our best days in Istanbul. Highly recommend!!!

The best thing to do at the start of your visit to Istanbul to take a private and guided Istanbul food tour - Taste of Istanbul. Our guide, Furkan, was fantastic. He thoughtfully planned the experience, providing us with a full and flavorful taste of the city. I did this tour with my two teenagers and they absolutely loved it. I highly recommend Furkan and his company.

We had an incredible food tour that included a visit to the Grand Bazaar , guided by Furkan. His politeness and knowledge were impressive, making our experience unforgettable. The food was absolutely amazing, and the itinerary was perfectly tailored to our preferences. Furkan provided valuable insights into the culture, history, and culinary offerings of Istanbul, and he was instrumental in assisting us with our purchases at the Grand Bazaar. This day was perfect, and it was worth every penny we spent.

We went on several food tour during our recent trip to Europe and this one was by far the best experience we had. Furkan was an amazing guide showcasing his extensive knowledge and flexibility. We felt as though we were exploring Istanbul with an old friend. The eateries we visited were favorites among the locals and every dish was delicious.

Wonderful morning with Furkan, our friendly and knowledgeable guide. Delicious food and so lovely to visit places locals love rather than touristy ones. Furkan was great with our teenage kids involving them in the experience and sharing more than food but also insights into Turkish culture. Thankyou so much

We booked a food tour with Private Istanbul Walking Tours for our first full day in Istanbul and enjoyed it so much that we ended up booking another tour two days later! Our guide, Furkan, was fantastic. We learned so much about the food and history of Istanbul and got to visit some fantastic neighborhoods that we wouldn’t have otherwise visited. The food on our tour was fantastic and very plentiful. I highly recommend this company and will book with them again the next time I visit Istanbul.