Istanbul Evening Food Tour in Taksim and Beyoğlu
Sample tantuni, kebabs, baklava, and 6 more dishes across 7 stops with a local foodie guide
Experience Istanbul's evening food scene exactly as locals do on this three-hour walking tour through Taksim and Beyoğlu. Your guide takes you to 7 neighborhood favorites for 10 mouthwatering tastings, including tantuni wraps, Ottoman-recipe pilav and beans, stuffed mussels, charred kebabs, and legendary pistachio baklava. Along the way, learn stories behind each dish, enjoy the camaraderie of the small group capped at 10 people, and really understand what makes Turkish food culture special.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert, English-speaking guide
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10 traditional food tastings
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Non-alcoholic local drinks
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7 neighborhood food stops
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Walking tour of Taksim and Beyoğlu
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Guide tips
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Hotel pickup and drop-off
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meet your guide at Hafiz Mustafa Cafe in Taksim Square
Your evening begins at Hafiz Mustafa Cafe, located across from the iconic Taksim Square in the heart of Istanbul. -
2
Taste tantuni and Turkish street food
Within minutes, you're weaving through narrow lanes to sample tantuni, a savory wrap bursting with thinly sliced meat sizzled in spices and folded into warm flatbread. This is the kind of street food locals crave after a long day, with bold flavors that hit all the right notes. -
3
Savor pilav and kuru fasulye from a 300-year-old recipe
Next, step into a modest eatery where fluffy pilav (Turkish rice) and hearty kuru fasulye (white bean stew) are made from a recipe passed down through generations of Ottoman palace cooks. Each spoonful carries the soul of centuries-old Turkish cooking, prepared exactly as it was for sultans. -
4
Explore İstiklâl Street and historic architecture
As you zigzag across the famous İstiklâl Street, pause to admire grand 19th-century façades and historic churches lining this bustling pedestrian avenue. Your guide shares stories of the street's past while you soak in the mix of old-world elegance and modern Istanbul energy. -
5
Walk through lively Nevizade Street
Then you'll stroll down Nevizade, a narrow alley alive with the chatter and laughter of locals enjoying their evening. Tables spill onto cobblestones, glasses clink with Turkish tea and ayran, and the air smells of grilled meats and fresh herbs from the meyhanes (traditional taverns) packed with friends. -
6
Sample stuffed mussels and grilled kebabs
Your next tastings showcase Turkey's coastal and inland flavors. Plump midye dolma (stuffed mussels) come packed with spiced rice, lemon, and a perfect briny sweetness, while smoky, tender kebabs offer that irresistible char only a master grill can achieve. Each bite tells the story of a different Turkish region. -
7
Finish with baklava from Istanbul's most famous creators
Your tour ends on a gloriously sweet note with flaky, golden baklava from one of Istanbul's oldest and most beloved producers. Buttery phyllo layers shatter under your fork, revealing pistachios soaked in honey syrup. This is the baklava locals have been lining up for across generations. -
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Your tour finishes near Şişhane metro station
The evening wraps up near Şişhane metro station and the historic Tünel funicular, just a short walk from Galata Tower.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Accessibility: This tour involves uneven ground and narrow alleys in Taksim and Beyoğlu. It is unfortunately not wheelchair or stroller accessible. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us before booking.
Dietary Restrictions: Please contact us after booking with any special dietary restrictions or allergies, so we can do our best to accommodate you.
Weather Advisory: This tour runs rain or shine. Bring an umbrella or light jacket during cooler months or if rain is forecast.
Please Note: Exact food stops and menu items may vary based on availability and season.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can depart on time.
Your 3-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking food guide
10 traditional Turkish food tastings across 7 stops
Non-alcoholic local drinks
Walking tour through Taksim and Beyoğlu districts
Maximum group size of 10
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Light jacket for cooler evenings
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour family-friendly?
Yes, this tour is family-friendly. Children of all ages are welcome, though the tour involves about three hours of walking through backstreets and stopping at local restaurants. Kids who are adventurous eaters will enjoy trying new flavors alongside adults.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This tour involves walking through Taksim and Beyoğlu's narrow backstreets with uneven cobblestones and some stairs. It's unfortunately not wheelchair or stroller accessible. If you have specific mobility concerns, please contact us at support@thetourguy.com before booking so we can help determine if this tour is right for you.
Does this tour run in the rain?
Yes, this tour runs rain or shine. Istanbul's evening weather can be unpredictable, so we recommend bringing a light jacket or umbrella during cooler or rainy months.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
We'll do our best to accommodate dietary needs with advance notice. Please contact us at support@thetourguy.com to let us know about allergies or restrictions. Keep in mind that some stops may have limited substitution options, so strict dietary requirements may not be fully accommodated at every location.
