Food Tours in Istanbul: Culinary Backstreets
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When I first came to Turkiye as a visitor in 2015, I went looking for a new cookbook for my collection, since I usually buy a small one in each country I visit. Instead, I found Istanbul Eats: Exploring the Culinary Backstreets and I read it cover to cover in one sitting!
Many of my favorite spots have come from places within the pages of the guide or on their website – their emphasis on journalism means that the stories they tell are always well-researched and meaningful. I love that they champion the “local heroes” of each destination’s food scene.
I never got around to taking a food tour with them until recently, despite hearing such great things! When I showed up for my first tour, half of the participants were repeat guests – one had even come straight from the airport and had another Culinary Backstreets tour booked the following day!
This just goes to show how they’ve earned their 5-star ratings – if you click through to any of the tours listed below, you can view the ratings and comments! Culinary Backstreets is really a go-to option for discerning foodies both in Istanbul (where it all began) and the dozen or so other countries where they’ve now created tours.
My first Culinary Backstreets food tour in Istanbul
Culinary Secrets of the Old City
From the very first spot where we had “breakfast” in a tucked away corner of Eminonu among the shopkeepers to the sit down “lunch” nearly six hours later (!!) everything was so well planned to give guests a taste of all the classic dishes, the multi-generational family businesses serving them, and all the back streets that casual visitors would not easily find on their own.
This tour would be a great introduction to the historic peninsula and is very close to other sightseeing if you are trying to make the most of a single day.
What are guests saying about Culinary Backstreets tours?
They’re not the cheapest option, in fact they’re usually some of the more expensive (at around $135 per person) but I speak from experience when I say you won’t need to eat for the rest of the day!
Besides picking “local heroes” to highlight on each tour, each guide has a deep knowledge of their neighborhood and there are never more than 7 participants in each group. This ensures that you can visit smaller, independent shops without disrupting their regular daily business. (As a former tour guide myself, I know what a difference it makes to have a small, intimate group vs a big crowd piling into a small shop!)
✨ PRO TIP: I recommend booking at the beginning of your trip to also take advantage of the professional local guide’s knowledge and recommendations for the rest of your trip. (You may even find yourself booking another the next day!)
✨ Eat your way through 10 Iconic Istanbul Street Foods.
Download your free Istanbul Street Food Scavenger Hunt. 😋🔎
Who is a Culinary Backstreets Tour for?
I think the ideal guest for a food tour experience with Culinary Backstreets is one who understands the benefit of having small group sizes and thoughtfully planned itineraries that tell an over-arching story.
The tours mostly begin quite early, so you’ll have time to do independent sightseeing later, using your experience as a starting point to engage and continue to explore the destination.
>> Get my tips on How to Choose the Best Culinary Experience on your next trip
Price & Locations
At the time of writing (December 2024) most Culinary Backstreets tours are priced at $135.
In Istanbul, there are tours in several locations which are near main ferry ports (making them easy to reach without fighting traffic) – including the Old City (Sultanahmet, Eminonu, Vefa), Kadikoy, Karakoy, Uskudar, Besiktas, Kuzguncuk.
There are also tours that cover neighborhoods further inland with their own charms and history, like Beyoglu or Kurtulus. See below for a few of your options.
Other Culinary Backstreets Tours in Istanbul
I’ll add to these when I find others to recommend. Personally, I loved the Culinary Secrets of the Old City Tour, but these are other options to consider. Many of the guests are repeat visitors!
1. Culinary Backstreets of the Bazaar Quarter
⭐️ RATING: 5.0 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5.5 hours
📍 LOCATION: Old City (Grand Bazaar) | ✅ Book it!
This tour includes the Sirkeci area – including the train station where the Orient Expres used to depart!
👉 Includes visits to some of the craftsmen of the Grand Bazaar area and my favorite kebap spot in the whole city!
2. Two Markets, Two Continents
⭐️ RATING: 5.0 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6.5 hours
📍 LOCATION: Karakoy & Kadikoy | ✅ Book it!
Visit Karakoy (European Side) & Kadikoy (Asian Side) and ride the ferry between them.
👉 If you’ve already done the historic sites, this is a great way to get over to the Asian Side. (I’m biased because I live there, but the Asian side is the best!)
3. Born on the Bosphorus: Exploring Three Distinct Waterside Neighborhoods
⭐️ RATING: 5.0 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6.5 hours
📍 LOCATION: Besiktas, Uskudar, Kuzguncuk | ✅ Book it!
Ferry crossings between these three neighborhoods are beautiful (look for dolphins!)
👉 Great if you’ve been to Istanbul and have already done some sightseeing. Also, you get to eat fish!
✨ Eat your way through 10 Iconic Istanbul Street Foods.
Download your free Istanbul Street Food Scavenger Hunt. 😋🔎
FAQs About Culinary Experiences in Istanbul
How early should we book?
Because of the small group size of Culinary Backstreets tours (7 people maximum), I’d recommend booking as far in advance as you can, especially during the spring or summer. In winter, we were able to book the evening before.
You should also book as close to the beginning of your trip as possible to take advantage of your local guide’s expertise and to get other recommendations for your stay.
What about cooking classes in Istanbul?
I’d highly recommend Cookistan for your Istanbul cooking class experience! I’ve joined twice with different groups of friends who were visiting and both times it was one of the highlights of their trips. It also helps to introduce you to the cooking techniques and spices common in Turkish cuisine.
I love the neighborhood tour of Kurtulus prior to the class and the hands on preparation of dishes representing zeytinyagli (olive oil dishes), contemporary meze, Anatolian home cooking, and Ottoman Palace cuisine. You will also take home leftovers for the next day!
