Istanbul, the capital of past major empires and the city which straddles both Europe and Asia, is bursting with history and culture on every street corner. However, maybe its best kept “secret” from prospective travelers is the spectacular food experiences it has to offer! So today, I will unveil the unique, unforgettable and delicious highlights of the culinary trips to Istanbul that we have curated, combining the best of the best of Istanbul’s food scene.

The Best Istanbul Foodie Tour

The first place we go to is the famous bazaar. It’s easy to get mesmerized by the incredible handmade carpets and glassware, or get roped into one of the many leather shops, but our specialist food guide will lead the way to the corners of the markets where you will eat the most incredible food that all other tourists miss. Kebabs, spices, donairs, fresh grilled fish sandwiches and Turkish Delight are all made by absolute masters whose recipes have been handed down from one generation to the next. These family-run institutions of local cuisine will not be found in guidebooks, and even the locals will be impressed by your presence.

Quivertree’s Turkish Cuisine Experience

So street food is handled fantastically, but what about trying true authentic home cooking? If you’re like me, you always wonder when traveling what the locals are actually eating. Well, on our tour we wonder no more! Our specialist guide will bring you to one of the greatest home cooks of Istanbul, where you will have a cooking class and then dine in her personal kitchen. Eating the true local cuisine and being free to ask questions, you will get an inside look into the lives of locals in this special foodie experience.

For a sweet treat, our guide will take you to the legendary Baklava institution, Gulluoglu. But with us, you won’t just try some of the mouthwatering, dream-worthy baklava, but will go behind the scenes to meet the bakers and see how the baklava is actually made! This exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience will be one you never forget, and you’ll find yourself planning your next trip to Istanbul just to get another bite of this sweet decadent dessert!

These experiences are just a taste of what our culinary trips to Istanbul have to offer. Our foodie guide will accompany you to all the incredible foodie spots, and of course, you’ll be learning all about the history and culture as you go along.