
Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized worth booking?
Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized is a 3-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $121 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (9)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $121 per person
Turkish food is bursting with exotic flavours but it all comes together in the beautiful city of Istanbul, where the cuisine is tied to its rich history and cultural diversity. Discover this bustling city's vibrant food culture with a Host, who will take you through the neighbourhoods and culinary backstreets of a city lined with an eclectic mix of mosques, temples and churches. Wander through the city streets and feast upon authentic dishes from the street cafes, food stands and ‘meyhane’ taverns of Istanbul. Within 24 hours of your booking, we will contact you to find out about your interests so we can assign a like-minded local who will create a bespoke experience for you. Your Host will suggest an itinerary and agree a meeting time and place, but you can always change your mind about what you want to do.
What you get
About this experience
Turkish food is bursting with exotic flavours but it all comes together in the beautiful city of Istanbul, where the cuisine is tied to its rich history and cultural diversity. Discover this bustling city's vibrant food culture with a Host, who will take you through the neighbourhoods and culinary backstreets of a city lined with an eclectic mix of mosques, temples and churches. Wander through the city streets and feast upon authentic dishes from the street cafes, food stands and ‘meyhane’ taverns of Istanbul. Within 24 hours of your booking, we will contact you to find out about your interests so we can assign a like-minded local who will create a bespoke experience for you. Your Host will suggest an itinerary and agree a meeting time and place, but you can always change your mind about what you want to do.
What's included
Included
- 3 hours in the city with a local host for a private and personalised walking experience
- The entire experience is tailored according to your interests (meeting /attractions visited)
- 6-8 tastings of various Turkish specialties from 2-3 local eateries
- Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
- Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or taxi options)
Not included
- Additional food and drinks
- Tickets to any attractions
- Transportation costs (public transportation and taxis can be used on the day at an extra cost)
- Gratuities (optional)
What you'll see and do
Beyazit
Beyazit station. Wander through the city and dip into the cafes, markets and bazaars where you can experience life from a local perspective. IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences
Pass by without stopping
Kumkapi district. Explore a local neighbourhood and visit one of the streets vendors and patisseries and sample an authentic dish IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences
Pass by without stopping
Eminonu Square
Eminönü district. For something a little different, visit a traditional tea house and sip on a cup of Turkish tea IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, tr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Unscripted
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Our tour was with Burak...
Our tour was with Burak Gulcan. What a fabulous time we had with him! We travel frequently and I can say he was one of the best tours guides we ever had. We went to the Asia side of Istanbul where he explained the different foods and spices in the local markets. He was able to have the local merchants give a sample of their various foods. We were never rushed and he took his time to explain origin of the food and how its relevant to the Turkish culture today. At dinner we sampled a variety of different types of food, all of which was delicious. Burak was so accommodating to make sure we understood the Turkish experience our tour ran over the scheduled end time. I high recommend this tour and Burak.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It’s meaningful to know that, as frequent travelers, you consider him one of the best tour guides you’ve had. Exploring the Asian side of Istanbul through its food, markets, and local culture is such a special experience, and we’re delighted that Burak helped make it both authentic and memorable. We’re glad you enjoyed the food tastings, cultural insights, and relaxed pace of the tour, as well as the delicious dinner selections along the way. Thank you as well for your recommendation — it truly means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you again on another experience in the future!
via Viator
Fantastic Foodie Tour
We had a fantastic food tour with our guide Ipek. Ipek gave us many options that would meet our needs and expectations. We sampled many local Turkish foods that we may not have normally found. A fantastic private food tour
Response from the operator: We’re so glad you enjoyed discovering so many local Turkish flavors in a way that felt tailored to you! It’s wonderful to hear the experience introduced you to dishes you might not have found otherwise — thank you for sharing this.
via Viator
Taste of Istanbul
One gets a sample tasting of Turkish street food in a neighborhood where locals too eat. I didn’t feel like a tourist. It was fun.
Response from the operator: We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the authentic taste of Turkish street food! It’s wonderful that the experience felt local and fun rather than touristy. Thank you for sharing your kind feedback!
via Viator
Delish with an insiders twist!
Ipek provided an insider’s expertise on the secrets of finding the best culinary tidbits-in Itanbul..
Response from the operator: We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed discovering Istanbul’s culinary secrets with Ipek! It’s wonderful that her insider expertise made the experience so special. Thank you for your kind words!
via Viator
Fabulous evening food tour
We did a fabulous evening food tour with Burak. We went to places we would not have found on our own and tried food we wouldn't have known to try. He was very knowledgeable and had lots of fascinating information that made the tour amusing and interesting. It was just what we wanted
Response from the operator: So glad to hear you had such a fabulous evening with Burak — it’s wonderful that he introduced you to hidden spots, unique dishes, and fascinating stories that made the tour both fun and memorable!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by City Unscripted, who run 344 experiences we rank across 83 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 59.2 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything City Unscripted runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized cost?
+
Prices start at $121 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 Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized take?
+
Plan for about 3 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 Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 9 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 Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized?
+
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 Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized?
+
Around 3 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?
+
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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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 Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized?
+
Included: 3 hours in the city with a local host for a private and personalised walking experience; The entire experience is tailored according to your interests (meeting /attractions visite; 6-8 tastings of various Turkish specialties from 2-3 local eateries; Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location); and Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or taxi options). Not included: Additional food and drinks; Tickets to any attractions; Transportation costs (public transportation and taxis can be used on the day at an extra c; and Gratuities (optional). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized?
+
After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized offered in?
+
It is offered in English and Turkish. 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 Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized?
+
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 Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized if the weather is bad?
+
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.
What do travelers say about Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized?
+
Across 9 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, small groups. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Istanbul Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized.
Pick your date




