Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions
Izmir, Turkey

Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions

Outty Ranking 74 4.7 · 23 traveler reviews6 hoursFrom $135
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Outty Ranking

74/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 23 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions worth booking?

Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions is a 6-hour experience in Izmir, Turkey, from $135 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 23 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
74 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (23)
Duration
6 hours
From
$135 per person

Izmir’s cuisine is unmistakably local, shaped by centuries of Mediterranean influences from Greek, Sephardic Jewish, Armenian, Levantine, Kurdish and Cretan communities. We’ll begin in an Ottoman-era tea garden with boyoz, slow-cooked eggs and local tulum cheese, followed by a taste from a third-generation helva maker. From there, we’ll sample traditional soups, freshly made lokma and spices while exploring streets layered with Roman and Ottoman history. Later, we’ll eat our way through a neighborhood market, stopping for seafood, Bosnian-Turkish specialties, pide and homestyle dishes at one of the city’s classic lokantas. We’ll also try Izmir’s famous söğüş, made with poached sheep’s head, before finishing with şambali, a traditional semolina dessert, and Turkish coffee prepared from freshly ground beans.

What you get

    About this experience

    Izmir’s cuisine is unmistakably local, shaped by centuries of Mediterranean influences from Greek, Sephardic Jewish, Armenian, Levantine, Kurdish and Cretan communities. We’ll begin in an Ottoman-era tea garden with boyoz, slow-cooked eggs and local tulum cheese, followed by a taste from a third-generation helva maker. From there, we’ll sample traditional soups, freshly made lokma and spices while exploring streets layered with Roman and Ottoman history. Later, we’ll eat our way through a neighborhood market, stopping for seafood, Bosnian-Turkish specialties, pide and homestyle dishes at one of the city’s classic lokantas. We’ll also try Izmir’s famous söğüş, made with poached sheep’s head, before finishing with şambali, a traditional semolina dessert, and Turkish coffee prepared from freshly ground beans.

    What's included

    Included

    • Carbonated beverages
    • Snacks
    • Lunch
    • Breakfast

    Not included

    • Private transportation

    What you'll see and do

    1. The day will begin with a breakfast of boyoz, a Sephardic savory pastry found only here, slow-cooked eggs and local tulum cheese followed by a slice of history from a 3rd generation helva maker. We’ll visit a workshop where lokma, a donut-like sweet traditionally served to lighten the mood at funerals, is made and explore the crumbling architectural beauty of old Izmir

      120 minutes here

    2. Izmir

      We’ll explore a residential neighborhood inhabited by migrant families from the East of Turkey before eating our way through another market filled with local culinary institutions including a fine fish restaurant, a Bosnian-Turkish gastro-café, a pide bakery and one of the best lokantas in the country.

      120 minutes here

    3. Hisaronu

      Izmir takes its offal seriously, so we’ll give its famous sögüs, poached sheep’s head, a try before finishing the day with a local traditional semolina dessert call sambali and a cup of Turkish coffee made from beans freshly ground the old-fashioned way, in a stone mortar.

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Izmir

    Main entrance gate of the Hisar Mosque

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Sedir Tea Room

    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
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Group size
    Up to 7 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Culinary Backstreets Walks

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions, photo 2

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 23 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    7 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    23 verified traveler reviews for Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    21
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    catherinebP304QH · October 2026

    Excellent food tour

    Asli was a delightful guide who showed my husband and I a delightful tour filled with wonderful food through the old markets in Izmir. The day was every bit as good as the day spent visiting Ephesus

    via Tripadvisor

    Q643FVchrisl · October 2026

    Don't eat anything before your tour!!!

    We had wonderful time with our tour guide and the amount of food exceeded our expectations. Definitely worth out time!!!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the wonderful review and for spending your time with us in Izmir! We are so glad that you enjoyed the journey and the generous offerings from the city's traditional kitchens. By walking with us, you are directly supporting these unsung heroes and helping to preserve their beautiful culinary traditions.

    via Tripadvisor

    703gwynw · October 2026

    Fabulous experience in Izmir!

    Our guide, Nukhet, was fabulous! She is friendly, knowledgeable and thoughtful. Everyone in the market seemed to know and adore her. The food was delicious and a great sampling of what Izmir has to offer. We never would have found the places without her. It was an easy trip from our cruise ship in Kusadasi.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the review and for taking the time to support the unsung heroes of Izmir's local kitchens. We are thrilled that Nukhet could help you experience the daily life and warm human connections found in our local markets. By walking with us, you are helping these family-run spots preserve their beautiful culinary traditions for years to come.

    via Tripadvisor

    dale_s · October 2026

    Eating your way through old Izmir

    Nuket guided us through several neighborhoods in old town Izmir. We tasted a large variety of great food while also learning about their cultural origins. Nuket also could answer all of our questions about the ingredients and preparation of the foods we tasted or saw. If you enjoy food specific to the region this comprehensive tour is a must!

    via Viator

    413brentonw · September 2026

    The best introduction to Izmir!

    This tour is without a doubt the best introduction to Izmir, and a must-do for anyone who loves food - it really showcased the best food in a city full of culinary delights. Friends recommended we do this tour, and we’re so glad we followed their advice. Our guide, Asli, was so friendly and knowledgeable - she took us to the spots even the locals wish they knew about - the kinds of places any tourist would walk past a hundred times without knowing how amazing their food was. Every dish was accompanied by an explanation of its significance, or the history of the business serving it. The tour even included a Michelin Star establishment. Finally, Asli also provided excellent advice and recommendations for our time in Izmir, and did we mention she was friendly and made great conversation too? 100% worth it.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this wonderful review and for supporting Izmir's unsung culinary heroes. We are thrilled that Asli could share the deep history and daily life of the city with you, introducing you to the generations-old spots that preserve our unique culinary traditions. It is always an honor to connect curious travelers with the dedicated artisans who make our city so special.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    6 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
    8
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Culinary Backstreets Walks, who run 16 experiences we rank across 11 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 74.7.

    See everything Culinary Backstreets Walks runs

    Why this scores 74

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)84
    Review evidence (18% weight)59
    Booking momentum (14% weight)50
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)84
    Local standing (8% weight)40
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Izmir.

    How much does Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions cost?

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    Prices start at $135 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Izmir usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions take?

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    Plan for about 6 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 Izmir is not rushed.

    Is Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 23 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Izmir, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions?

    +

    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 Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions?

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    Around 8 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 Izmir 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 Izmir and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions 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 Izmir 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 Izmir?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Izmir experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Pamukkale Tour from Izmir, Ephesus Tour with Virgin Mary From Izmir All Inclusive, Ephesus Tour From Izmir. 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 Izmir?

    +

    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 Izmir?

    +

    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 Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions?

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    Included: Carbonated beverages; Snacks; Lunch; and Breakfast. Not included: Private transportation. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions?

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    Main entrance gate of the Hisar Mosque Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions 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 Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions?

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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 Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions?

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    Across 23 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Only in Izmir: Exploring the Seaside City’s Culinary Traditions.

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