PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 47 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city worth booking?
PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city is a 2-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $65 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 47 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (47)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $65 per person
Embark on a private food tour in Istanbul to immerse yourself in the local food culture and discover authentic culinary gems! This comprehensive culinary experience showcases the entire spectrum of Turkish culinary herit
What you get
About this experience
Embark on a private food tour in Istanbul to immerse yourself in the local food culture and discover authentic culinary gems! This comprehensive culinary experience showcases the entire spectrum of Turkish culinary heritage, from street vendors to local canteens, tea gardens, and luxury restaurants, complete with wine tasting. Moreover, delve into the city's hidden cultural and historical treasures, including small boutique galleries, a hidden mosque, and a historic cemetery. Uncover beloved local restaurants and street vendors, relishing in the best Turkish foods. To top your culinary experience you will enjoy a glass of local quality wine, as wine-making traditions in Turkey span centuries and should not be missed! This private food tour caters to both meat lovers and vegetarians, ensuring a delightful tasting experience for all. Immerse yourself in local traditions, tantalize your taste buds, and unveil Istanbul's culinary and cultural heritage through this remarkable journey.
What's included
Included
- Vegetarian options available
- Private Tour through hidden cultural gems
- 10 food tastings
- Hotel or port pick-up
- Private experience
- 1 glass of quality Turkish wine from the native grapes
- Private professional guide
What you'll see and do
Grand Bazaar
You will explore the hidden pearls of the world famous Grand Bazar
20 minutes here
Rustem Pasha Mosque
See the cozy and undescovered Rustem Pasha mosque
20 minutes here
Eminonu Square
A historic district where you will explore street food vendors, and local restaurants and discover cultural hidden gems with a help of the professional guide
20 minutes here
Sultanahmet District
You will explore hidden pearls of the historical Sultanahmet district and visit culturally significant spaces such as old cemeteries, small gallery spaces, and corner shops.
60 minutes here
Misir Carsisi
Walk through the spice market and explore eastern spices and learn how they are used in the Turkish cooking traditions.
60 minutes here
Blue Mosque
Depending on the season and your guide's itinerary you will pass by the iconic Blue Mosque
Pass by without stopping
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
On your route you will pass by the iconic Hagia Sophia, the route may vary on the seasonality and the judgment of your guide
Pass by without stopping
TopkapI Palace
While enjoying your glass of wine glimpse at the historic Topkapi palace.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
if your hotel is not in the pickup list please meet your host next to German fountain at the Sultanahmet square.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Close to Egyptian Bazar, a great spot to shop for spices or local teas!
Options you can book
4 hour tour & 10 tastings+wine
Duration: 5 hours: During this tour you will pass the main attractions of the city and indulge into the delicious Turkish tastings and wine! Iconic & Hidden sights : During this private tour you will pass by iconic sights and more importantly discover the hidden pearls of Turkish culture Pickup included
Alcohol Free 2 hour tour
Duration: 2 hours 2 hours tour alcohol free: you will try local delicacies selected by your culinary guide during this 2 hours tour! Hidden gems and local bites: you will start at the Spice market, visit the hidden small mosque, enjoy local tastings along the way!
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
- Vines and Pearls
Know before you go
- 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 47 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
47 verified traveler reviews for PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Incredible Istanbul immersion tour
What an amazing way to see Istanbul! The food was amazing, we experienced an authentic version of Istanbul most tourists probably miss. Highly recommend but bring your appetite!
Response from the operator: thank you so much for traveling together! :)
via Viator
Great experience for first time visitors
We had a fabulous day with Ayse. The food stops were all delicious and it was great to shop for food and spices with a local. Ayse was very knowledgeable about the food and the history of Istanbul. It could not have been a better experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much :) Goda
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful food and wine tour.
Zeynel was exceptional. He took me off the beaten path, introduced me to locals and we and we had a wonderful time tasting pastries, doner kebabs, wine, and more. His English, knowledge, and conversation are excellent. I would highly recommend Zeynel for any tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much! Goda
via Tripadvisor
Couldn't have been happier with the experience
This tour is worth every penny. Our tour guide was Tonc, who is extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to hang out with. We did this tour right off the plane and was a good way to get acclimated to Istanbul and it's many wonders. It really kicked off our vacation in the right way. Not only did Tonc take us to great locations, but he shared all his favorite restaurants around the city on Google Maps. This information was invaluable. He was also available on WhatsApp the remainder of our trip with any questions we had (and there were many). 5 stars all the way!
Response from the operator: thank you very much for your kind words. We hope to see you again on your furure adventures :)
via Tripadvisor
Ahmet was Great!
PIckup was arranged at the hotel, which was very convenient. This also gave us the opportunity to learn the public transit system in IST, which came in handy for the duration of our trip. Ahmet was very friendly, and took us past all of the highlights, let us in on some excellent food spots, amd gave good recommendations for the rest of the trip, too. 10/10, would recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for traveling with us!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $65 to $275
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city cost?
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Prices start at $65 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 PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city take?
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Plan for about 2 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 PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 47 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 PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city?
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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 PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city?
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Around 16 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PRIVATE ISTANBUL FOOD TOUR & Hidden Pearls of the old city 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 Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour, Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Asian Side Stop, ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City 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.
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