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Istanbul Food Tour: Taste Local Flavors
5.0
29 Ratings
Beyoğlu
Join Hasan’s Home Experience for a ferry ride, local foods, and stories in Istanbul. Feel at home with our unique hosts.
Join Hasan’s Home Experience for a ferry ride, local foods, and stories in Istanbul. Feel at home with our unique hosts.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Fener & Balat - Discover all the attractions in the Fener & Balat district while indulging in an endless variety of local cuisine.
- Fener & Balat - Discover all the attractions in the Fener & Balat district while indulging in an endless variety of local cuisine.
What's Included
- Three Surprise Local Snacks
- Local Guide (English-Speaking, Hospitality Expert)
- Three Surprise Local Snacks
- Local Guide (English-Speaking, Hospitality Expert)
What's Not Included
- Food & Personal Expenses
- Ferry fee: $2 per person
- Food & Personal Expenses
- Ferry fee: $2 per person
Additional Information
Welcome to Istanbul’s premier food and community tour — Taste Istanbul, discover its story, and connect with the locals.
The journey begins with a ferry ride along the Golden Horn, providing breathtaking views of Istanbul — including a delightful Bosphorus cruise!
Guided by enthusiastic locals, participants will explore Istanbul’s most vibrant…
Welcome to Istanbul’s premier food and community tour — Taste Istanbul, discover its story, and connect with the locals.
The journey begins with a ferry ride along the Golden Horn, providing breathtaking views of Istanbul — including a delightful Bosphorus cruise!
Guided by enthusiastic locals, participants will explore Istanbul’s most vibrant neighborhood through must-try dishes, hidden flavors, and interactions with the community — all in one memorable experience.
The promise is straightforward: regardless of your origin, your appetite will be satisfied with endless local cuisine, you’ll feel at home, and receive a warm introduction to the city.
Participants will also receive an Istanbul Guidebook, packed with essential information. Additionally, assistance will be provided for every aspect of the trip to ensure it is truly memorable.
This experience is vegetarian-friendly and ideal for all types of travelers.
If preferred dates or times are unavailable, please inform us.
Location
Rıhtım Caddesi
We’ll meet in front of a café called Mado, located right near Karaköy Ferry Station—it's easy to find and a central spot. If you'd prefer, we can also arrange a private pickup from your hotel for an additional cost.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(29 Ratings)
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Jane
May 21, 2025
Fantastic afternoon delights! - wonderful afternoon exploring this vibrant neighborhood. Our guide grew up in here and knows all about the history, the cultures and of course the food. We had a great selection and lots of food. We circled back at the end of the tour so I could purchase some pomegranate molasses which I tasted for the first time and loved!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Onurbm1289rt
May 20, 2025
A Heartfelt Experience That Felt Like Visiting a Friend’s Neighborhood - From the moment we stepped in, Hasan made us feel like we were old friends, not just guests. This wasn’t just a tour—it was a deeply personal and memorable experience that gave us a real taste of Turkish hospitality.
The food was absolutely delicious, homemade with love and shared with stories that brought every bite to life. Hasan’s knowledge of local culture, his passion for bringing people together, and the warm atmosphere he creates make this experience truly one-of-a-kind.
It’s rare to find something that feels both intimate and enriching while traveling. If you’re looking for something authentic, human, and heartfelt in Istanbul, this is it.
Thank you, Hasan, for opening your neighborhood and heart to us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X7085iybrandonl
May 18, 2025
An excellent food & cultural experience! - Hasan and the food tour were awesome! We love learning about the culture of different places through food, and this was no exception. Hasan started out with an excellent historical recount of Istanbul and relevant info about the city today before taking us over to his home area for the tour. It's a lovely spot, very friendly, aesthetic, safe, trendy and welcoming. All of the 6-8 food stops were unique and he was able to describe the ingredients and cooking techniques very well. All in all an excellent tour, well worth it for us! I'd go back to hang out with Hasan in the future anytime! He's also a tour guide in the area and his guidebook is filled with awesome info! Thanks so much for everything!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
437jacquelinew
May 5, 2025
Interesting & fun experience - Pre tour information was spot on with super friendly Hasan, & we soon connected with Hasan en route to this local neighbourhood, where we tasted delicious Turkish food.
There were lots of personal insights into Istanbul life & culture. A super tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nadines3139
Apr 29, 2025
Once in a lifetime experience! - We had an absolutely wonderful experience touring Balat with Hassan and Irem! They were exceptional guides – knowledgeable, passionate about their hometown, and incredibly warm hosts. Thanks to them, we got to experience Balat in a way we never could have on our own. They took us to hidden local spots where we sampled a variety of delicious traditional Turkish foods, each place more charming and authentic than the last. Beyond their expertise, Hassan and Irem were simply fantastic company, making the entire day feel like an outing with old friends. We wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone looking to truly discover the heart of Balat!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L5986ktmehmet_
Apr 29, 2025
Hidden Flavors and Warm Welcomes in Balat - This tour through Balat was one of the most memorable parts of my trip to Istanbul. It felt less like a tour and more like being welcomed into a neighborhood by locals. We met residents, explored the backstreets, and even tried dishes we probably wouldn’t have discovered on our own. The experience was truly authentic—at times it felt like we had moved into the neighborhood, not just visited it. Our guide, Hasan, was incredible: warm, friendly, and full of knowledge. He answered all our questions and shared stories that brought the area to life. If you’re looking for a deeper, more personal experience of Istanbul, I can’t recommend this tour enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
526miriaml
Apr 28, 2025
Savoury & Sweets treats discovered - Mehmet was our guide on our 4 hour local food tour. He was informative, open & very engaged. We saw & experienced parts of the city we would not have found without a guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K714rrhasank
Apr 14, 2025
Highlight of our Istanbul Trip! - We had an amazing experience with Hasan, starting from the very beginning with the transfer on the Bosphorus to the Balat neighborhood, a small, colorful, and charming area off the beaten tourist paths. It is an ancient district, beautiful to explore while wandering around and discovering magical places.
But the real highlight of the experience was meeting Hasan. He guided us through the places of his childhood like an old friend, letting us taste traditional foods in authentic taverns run by his friends. We spent a wonderful day meeting new people, sharing unique experiences, and connecting with fantastic individuals.
I highly recommend this experience, not only for the places and flavors but also for the memories and new friendships it has given me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debanjanar2025
Apr 7, 2025
Beautiful day - I loved the experience, Mehmet took me around the beautiful Balat. We hit off the moment we met. Since Mehmet grew up in that neighbourhood, he had some amazing stories to share, we ate at local shops, enjoyed the day. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mustafakaan_e
Jan 25, 2025
One of the Most Fun Things You Can Do in Istanbul - My wife and I are adventurous travelers who have explored many countries, but Hasan’s home experience was truly a highlight of our time in Istanbul. From the moment we arrived, Hasan made us feel so welcome and cared for—it was clear how much thought and effort he put into every detail.
The food was incredible—so many delicious dishes, each with its own unique story and flavor. We connected not only with Hasan but also with the other guests, creating a warm, communal atmosphere that we’ll never forget.
And the taste of the food? Unforgettable! It’s something we’ll be reminiscing about for a long time. Hasan, thank you for giving us such a special and authentic experience. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Istanbul!
Review provided by Viator
