
Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings worth booking?
Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings is a 4-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $99 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $99 per person
Head for the culinary underbelly of Istanbul through the Beyoğlu district. Join our lunchtime food tour of 12+ tastings, spanning the heights of Taksim Square to the Karaköy docks. This is a food journey with edible history - from five-generation rice houses and Bourdain-approved kebab joints, to the ancient art of fortune telling over sand-brewed coffee. We'll find the "ustas" (masters) who have been perfecting signature dishes for generations. An original food marathon through the city’s backstreets - because you didn't come this far to eat like a tourist.
What you get
About this experience
Head for the culinary underbelly of Istanbul through the Beyoğlu district. Join our lunchtime food tour of 12+ tastings, spanning the heights of Taksim Square to the Karaköy docks. This is a food journey with edible history - from five-generation rice houses and Bourdain-approved kebab joints, to the ancient art of fortune telling over sand-brewed coffee. We'll find the "ustas" (masters) who have been perfecting signature dishes for generations. An original food marathon through the city’s backstreets - because you didn't come this far to eat like a tourist.
What's included
Included
- 12+ food tastings included
- Bottled water included
- Led by professional foodie guides
- Movable feast with 8-9 stops around the streets of Taksim, Beyoglu and Karakoy
- Max 8 exclusive guests, smallest group size in Istanbul (private tour or 9+ guests - contact us)
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks excluded
- Pick up and drop off from hotel excluded. Easy-to-find meeting point for all guests.
- Vegetarians have 3-4 less tastings due to limited alternatives
- Unsuitable for severe allergies & celiac disease, due to risk of traces & cross-contamination
What you'll see and do
Taksim Square
Go straight for Istanbul’s culinary jugular on our tour through the Beyoğlu district, from Taksim to Karaköy. We don't just follow the herd down İstiklal Avenue, we take the backstreets to find local eateries at decades-old bakeries, historic pilavcı and kebap houses, and pistachio-coated baklavacı.
15 minutes here
Beyoglu
Start at the landmark Taksim Square, for a nearby slice of Kurdish börek - paper-thin, golden layers, accompanied by a glass of mahogany-dark çay. Next, dip soft lavaş flatbread into hand-chopped acılı ezme salsa, and earn your foodie stripes by tucking into şirdan - sheep’s stomach that’s slow-simmered until deliciously tender. Between bites, we pause for a Turkish coffee workshop where copper cezve cups are brewing in hot sand, followed by the ancient art of kahve falı (fortune telling) from your guide, to find out what the beans have to say about your future.
60 minutes here
Beyoglu
We pay our respects to the Kalkanoğlu family, whose five-generation legacy is built on a single dish at their traditional pilavcı rice-house - a plate of buttery rice topped with creamy white beans and melt-in-the-mouth braised beef. With 14+ tastings, we’ve only scratched the surface of the surprises in store. Slip into the Çiçek Pasajı arcade alongside rows of meyhane taverns, emerging onto İstiklal Caddesi’s Independence Avenue with late-Ottoman architecture and the iconic red tram clanging its bell through the crowd. Stop for midye dolma plump mussels stuffed with herbed rice, with a sharp squeeze of lemon.
90 minutes here
Karakoy
Follow in the footsteps of the late Anthony Bourdain at a hole-in-the-wall kebab joint. Expect hand-minced adana lamb, hit with sumac and spice, wrapped in a bread charred over open coals. Board the Tünel funicular to discover the ‘Golden Horn’ specialities of balık dürüm grilled fish wrap, and Mersin-style tantuni drizzled with garlic yogurt. The tour ends at the baklava-birthplace of Gaziantep, who have been perfecting the recipe for nearly 200 years - where forty layers of filo meet pleasantly chewy dondurma ice cream. We'll end at Karaköy Pier, watching the ferries over to Sultanahmet. Whilst it’s possible to attempt this culinary marathon alone, why leave the fate of your taste buds to chance? Spaces for this moveable feast are strictly limited, grab yours before the word is out.
75 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Meet at the front of Taksim Square hotel. If you need the bathroom before you start the tour, you can use the facilities at the dessert shop next door to the hotel called Hafız Mustafa Sweet Shop. Please avoid using the restroom inside the hotel as it is not allowed unless you are a guest.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
At the end point of the tour located at the pier, your guide can assist you to take a tram, taxi or boat back to your accommodation.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- A Chef's Tour
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- See 'What to Expect' section and 'What's Included' for info on dietary restrictions
- We recommend comfortable walking shoes. Bring rain gear/umbrella, if rain looks likely. There's lot of tastings to try, come hungry!
Photos






Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Another great Chefs Tour experience
A really great experience with a mix of easy and challenging foods to keep it interesting! Everything from savoury to sweet. Our guide Gokhan went above and beyond for us. Would definitely recommend the experience.
via Tripadvisor
Every bite is Delicious!!!!
This is the best food tour you’ll ever go on!!! do yourself a favor and book this tour, you will not regret it. Oika took us to so many fantastic places. Every stop was memorable and she is so knowledgeable about all things Istanbul. We loved every single place we went to the food was insanely good. We highly recommend this tour.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by A Chef's Tour, who run 84 experiences we rank across 49 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.6 and 10 in the 90+ Club.
See everything A Chef's Tour runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings cost?
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Prices start at $99 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Istanbul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Istanbul is not rushed.
Is Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Istanbul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Istanbul and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Istanbul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Istanbul?
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On Outty we rank every Istanbul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Princes Islands Blue Journey from Old City Istanbul, Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience, Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings?
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Included: 12+ food tastings included; Bottled water included; Led by professional foodie guides; Movable feast with 8-9 stops around the streets of Taksim, Beyoglu and Karakoy; and Max 8 exclusive guests, smallest group size in Istanbul (private tour or 9+ guests - conta. Not included: Alcoholic drinks excluded; Pick up and drop off from hotel excluded. Easy-to-find meeting point for all guests; Vegetarians have 3-4 less tastings due to limited alternatives; and Unsuitable for severe allergies & celiac disease, due to risk of traces & cross-contaminat. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings?
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Meet at the front of Taksim Square hotel. If you need the bathroom before you start the tour, you can use the facilities at the dessert shop next door to the hotel called Hafız Mustafa Sweet Shop. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Baklava Backstreets Istanbul Food Tour with 12+ Tastings if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Istanbul. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
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