Istanbul Discovery: A Guided Food and Culture Tour of Asia and Europe

This experience was the absolute standout of our honeymoon last year. Our guide, Gamze, led the tour, and it turned out to be just the two of us with her, which made it even more special. She was warm, well-informed, and truly enjoyable to spend time with. It was clear how well respected she is everyone at the restaurants and shops greeted her with such warmth, which added to the fun. The food was absolutely phenomenal, and we gained a deep appreciation for authentic Turkish cuisine, along with a wealth of cultural insights. Gamze’s knowledge of both culinary traditions and Turkish history really came through.We would absolutely recommend this tour it’s hands down the best food tour we’ve ever done. Can't speak highly enough of it.

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This was definitely the best part of our Istanbul visit. Our guide, Erol, was exceptional friendly, well informed, and he introduced us to some incredible dishes we wouldn’t have found on our own. I would rate this experience a perfect 10 out of 10.

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An amazing and genuine experience with a wonderful guide. We truly enjoyed our food tour led by the excellent Erol. Every dish was delicious, and we were captivated by the chance to learn about Istanbul’s food culture while tasting local specialties. A big thank you to Erol for making it so memorable.

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Amazing local food tour with Erol This was a great experience. Erol was waiting for us at the meeting point and took us on a wonderful food tour. Not only did Erol show us a wine variety of local foods, but explained the cultural context and gave us a lot of historical background. Everything was at a great pace. The portions were perfect. Errol was a great guide and an interesting eating companion.

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Thorough, insightful and delicious introduction to Turkish cuisine through the lens and humor of a friendly guide. We booked a small tour, and were lucky enough to get a private one with Kim. She met us in Karakoy, and we worked our way through Pera to Taksim. On the way, we had many mezes, mussels with rice, fish wrap, raki and many more.

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We’ve participated in numerous food tours across various cities, and unfortunately, this one was the most disappointing. The quality and quantity of the food didn’t seem to match the price paid. One stop at a simple roadside coffee stall was counted as an entire course, and many of the dishes felt inexpensive and lacked flavor. That said, the hostess was very pleasant and friendly.

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We’ve participated in numerous food tours across various cities. The quality and quantity of the food didn’t seem to match the price paid. One stop at a simple roadside coffee stall was counted as an entire course, and many of the dishes felt inexpensive and lacked flavor. That said, the hostess was very pleasant and friendly.

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This was a unique, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable experience. Our guide, Gamze, was incredibly friendly and shared plenty of interesting and helpful information throughout the tour. I strongly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Istanbul.

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This tour is a wonderful complement to any Istanbul travel plans and the perfect way to explore Pera. Although I’ve visited Istanbul multiple times before, Gamze introduced me to areas I hadn’t discovered yet and took us to some excellent restaurants. The amount of food paired well with the amount of walking, and they were accommodating with allergies. Gamze also shared fantastic suggestions for other things to see and eat in Istanbul. Definitely worth the investment.

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We took a tour on a Friday evening in October. Our guide, Gamze, was warm and friendly as she led us through Istanbul’s evening streets, introducing us to small, authentic spots and sharing the stories and details behind Turkish cuisine. It was a truly delightful experience! Although this was our third visit to Istanbul, we still gained many fresh insights and created special memories. Thank you, Gamze.

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We truly enjoyed ourselves with our lively and delightful hostess. Throughout the tour, we sampled a wide range of dishes, from mezze to Turkish coffee, all while having an ongoing, insightful discussion about Turkish culture. We highly recommend this tour to others.

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This tour was fantastic, and I only wish we had done it earlier during our time in Istanbul. Our guide was captivating, knowledgeable, and enjoyable to be with. The food was delicious, served at restaurants located in areas of the city we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. We truly loved the experience.

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Gamze was engaging, knowledgeable, and fun, with a contagious laugh that made the tour even more enjoyable. We visited six different stops, savoring authentic Turkish food and drinks in places we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. We would definitely recommend this tour. Looking back, it might have been better to take it on our first day rather than the last, as it encouraged us to return to the neighborhoods we explored.

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Our guide was very kind. Walking and eating with Gamze was a highly informative experience. The food we tried was something we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. It turned out to be a truly wonderful evening.

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We really enjoyed our guide, Gamze. She took us to fantastic local dining spots that we absolutely loved. The range of foods and flavors was just right. It was so much fun and felt like we were simply hanging out with friends.

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Very good tour, Gamze the Guide explained us super well every meal and took us to iconic places in Istanbul. We loved it. Highly recommended

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We arrived in Istanbul, checked in, and immediately joined this tour—it was the perfect introduction to the city and its amazing food. Our guide, Erol Ütgün, was friendly and knowledgeable, clearly proud of Turkey’s history and cuisine. The tour combined delicious dishes, from mezze and raki at Kalinka Meyhane to sweet baklava, with fascinating insights. It was so good that we canceled our dinner plans the next night to try recreating the experience. This tour truly made our short stay unforgettable and convinced us to come back for longer next time.

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An outstanding experience! Beyond the food, we encountered rich culture and traditions. Our guide was flawless attentive and highly knowledgeable. We would definitely do this tour again.

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Erol was an excellent guide who showed us spots we wouldn’t have dared to visit or even known about otherwise. The food was delicious and quite different from the usual dishes found in typical restaurants. We explored backstreets where locals really eat. Along with the food, we gained a lot of insight into the culture, language, and both historical and modern life. We highly recommend this tour

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We booked this tour last minute after missing our original reservation and ended up having a private tour with Gamze since we were the only ones. It turned out to be an unforgettable evening. There was plenty of delicious food to enjoy, and Gamze shared a wealth of knowledge about the city, its food scene, and, most importantly, the culture of the Turkish people. She also shared personal stories and unique insights. Even though the tour was at the end of our trip, it gave us a fresh perspective and a deeper understanding of Turkish culture and its people.

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This tour is incredible. The variety of food and neighborhoods explored is something you simply can’t experience on your own. Our guide, Erol, was well versed not only in Turkish cuisine but also in the history of Turkey and the local area. I highly recommend this tour truly outstanding.

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A fantastic tour and well worth the money. Superb way of sampling the food of Turkey. A journey of taste and delicious food. I would recommend doing this during the first two days of your holiday. We had a fantastic and knowledgable guide in Erol Utgun. Awesome guide, relaxed friendly and accommodating. Highly recommend Erol.

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We had a great tour with Erol, who was both fascinating and knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend him as a guide. It was an exciting adventure and a fantastic chance to taste Istanbul’s vibrant and delicious food.

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Our guide was very knowledgeable and showed us some great local spots we would have never found on our own. It was wonderful to learn more of the history and to get a taste of lesser known Turkish bites while venturing off the beaten path.

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Our guide for the evening was Gamze. She was wonderful—friendly, energetic, and full of interesting stories. She introduced us to traditional foods, sweets, and drinks while explaining the social customs tied to them. Walking with her through Istanbul’s European side was a lot of fun. The tour was definitely worth the cost, and her french made everything even better.

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We had an amazing evening tasting Turkish food with Tolga as our guide. He couldn’t have been better introducing us to delicious dishes and drinks while showing us parts of the city we probably wouldn’t have discovered on our own. Tolga also shared the history behind the neighborhoods we visited. The food was incredible, and we lost count of how many different places we stopped at. Definitely don’t eat beforehand you’ll get more than enough to satisfy you twice over. We highly recommend this tour as both a fantastic introduction to Turkish cuisine and a great way to explore the city. If you’re undecided, just book it you won’t regret it. Thanks so much, Tolga.

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An excellent tour the food was delicious, and our guide was very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about meeting new people and sharing her city. We regret not doing this tour at the start of our trip. Highly recommended.

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Erol provided us with an excellent food tour. He explained the culture behind the different items we tried. I really enjoyed the varieties of food. I appreciate that that even though there were only two of us they still did the tour. Erol also answered the many questions we had about the culture of Turkey. We tried foods we would not normally have tried. Highly recommend Erol and the food tour.

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Erol gave us an outstanding food tour. He explained the cultural background of each item we tasted, and I really enjoyed the wide variety of dishes. I also appreciated that the tour went ahead even though there were only two of us. Erol answered all our questions about Turkish culture and introduced us to foods we wouldn’t have tried on our own. I highly recommend both Erol and this food tour.

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Fantastic tour very informative with a great selection of foods we probably wouldn’t have tried on our own. Our guide was excellent and made the whole experience a lot of fun.

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We had a very enjoyable stay. The Turkish people were welcoming and friendly. Istanbul is a beautiful city and surprisingly easy to navigate. The food was excellent, and the mosques were stunning to see.

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We had a fantastic evening sampling delicious food and spending time with our wonderful guide, Gamze. We highly recommend this tour—it was not only enjoyable but also a great way to learn about Turkish history and culture.

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A truly excellent experience. This tour offered a fantastic insight into the city, its culture, and the central role food plays in daily life. We’ve had plenty of “Turkish” food in restaurants back in the UK, but what we tasted on this tour was completely different authentic, full of surprises, and absolutely delicious.

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It ended up being just my father and me on the tour, and we had an amazing time. Our guide, Erol, was incredibly knowledgeable, and we had some great conversations about Turkish food, culture, and history. The food was delicious, and we loved visiting hidden spots that we never would have found as tourists. The stuffed mussels were a personal highlight! I would absolutely recommend this tour. Thanks again, Erol.

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Erol was an excellent guide. He communicated clearly before the tour began, was very knowledgeable, and brought us to places we never would have discovered on our own. A great experience overall.

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The guide tended to repeat the same points and spoke to us in a way that felt a bit patronizing. Unfortunately, the tour didn’t capture the real spirit of Istanbul and didn’t offer the immersive experience we were hoping for in such an incredible city.

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Our guide, Erol Utgun, did an excellent job leading us to fantastic local spots to sample Turkish cuisine. He explained the characteristics of the dishes, the style of service, and recommended places to revisit. Food was included in the price, making it a great value. I highly recommend this tour—it was an exceptional evening filled with delicious food, drinks, learning, and comfort while exploring a new city.

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Tolga was a fantastic guide throughout the 3 4 hour tour. Beyond introducing us to a wide variety of delicious foods, he was incredibly friendly and shared his extensive knowledge of Turkey from the language and culture to sports and politics. If you have the chance, definitely request Tolga as your guide.

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This was a fantastic introduction to Turkish cuisine and dining culture. Our guide, Erol, was excellent—he shared a wealth of interesting background about both Istanbul and the food we tried. We wished we had taken this tour earlier in our stay, as it opened our eyes to so many great spots tucked away off Istiklal Street. Make sure to come hungry! We began with meyhane, followed by stuffed mussels, gözleme, Turkish coffee, tantuni, and ended with baklava.

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Fantastic food tour. Book this early in your visit to Istanbul. We were introduced to so many great foods. Tolga was a friendly and knowledgeable guide. We only had 2 other people on our tour, which was great. Come hungry and wear comfy shoes. The stuffed mussels were surprising delicious. I’ll be coming back for more. We also discovered Tantuni, which I’d never heard of before. It was SO tasty. Tolga was so kind to oblige when I asked for a glass of Turkish red wine at the meyhane. The gözleme was another yummy street snack. Overall we had a great time. Highly recommend.

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I had an incredible experience on a Foodie Tour with the amazing guide, Tolga. He showed us hidden gems in the city that most tourists don’t find, making it a unique and tasty adventure I highly recommend. Tolga’s enthusiasm and knowledge were impressive. He shared fascinating stories about the food, culture, and history, turning the tour into more than just a culinary experience it was a cultural journey. His passion and warmth made the tour even more enjoyable, and his insights added real depth. Although the tour wasn’t highly personalized, it was still a wonderful experience that left us with lasting memories.

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This was a fantastic tour with Erol as our guide. He shared loads of local knowledge and made the experience really enjoyable. We sampled plenty of delicious Turkish dishes, and Erol explained everything in detail, including how the flavors vary across different regions of Turkey. I highly recommend both the tour and Erol.

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We thoroughly enjoyed this tour with Erol, who was very professional and knowledgeable. Our journey began at a Meyhane, where we experienced a rich cultural and gastronomic atmosphere. As Erol led us through the hidden backstreets off Istiklal Street, we sampled dishes we never would have discovered or tried on our own. Along the way, we learned the proper way to drink Raki, order Turkish coffee, and enjoy hot stuffed mussels. Erol’s guidance made the experience truly special, and we highly recommend him as a guide.

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We had just one night in Istanbul and are so glad we chose this food tour. Erol was an excellent guide, selecting fantastic spots and sharing deep knowledge about the food, history, and Turkish culture. Highly recommended.

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I definitely recommend this tour. It introduces you to dishes and locations you wouldn’t find on your own as a tourist. Plus, the guide was fantastic.

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Such a fun tour and it helped us find places we wouldn’t have found on our own and try amazing local food. Gamze was an amazing tour guide and made the experience even better giving us a real insight into local life. We would highly recommend this tour.

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The best ever. Tolga was fantastic. Full of information, full of fun trivia to help us understanding her country and took us to the best ever places. Nearly four hours walking thru the various food restaurants or Shoppes was fascinating. Learned so much and ate so much. Wonderful and highly recommend.

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Such a fun evening spent with great people. It was a wonderful way to meet others, and the tour was informative, enjoyable, and filled with delicious food. I got to try dishes I never would have ordered on my own and I’m so glad I did.

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It was a great tour with a small group. We learned so many things about Turkey and its culture. We had so many tastes of food and drinks. By the end I was stuffed but also completely satisfied with the experience.

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I cannot remember our guide's name. We met at the hotel near the bridge on Thursday evening, She was not only knowledgeable about the food but she willingly shared all kinds of information about Turkey, Instanbul, the people and institutions, etc. that had nothing to do with food. Our tour went way past the prescribed time.

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Our guide Tolga took us to a lot of nice places where we've had amazing food. He was very informative and entertaining. The tour is a great way to meet people and explore the city by visiting places where you usually wouldn't come. Definitely recommended.

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Tolga was an amazing guide and we had such a blast eating new unique dishes and learning about the history of Turkish food. He was knowledgeable and answered lots of our questions. He even gave us restaurant recommendations after our tour and they were excellent. The tour was long but worth it.

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Great tour. We even returned to a restaurant the next day. Erol was a perfect, kind, and knowledgeable guide who accommodated everyone's needs.

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This was a great way to explore the city and learn about the amazing foods that Turkey has. Erol, our guide, was amazing at explaining the different foods to us whilst also informing us of Istanbul and Turkey’s history. The food was delicious, erol is the man.

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