Istanbul Food Walking Tour of Kadikoy with Breakfast

Meet your guide in the Karaköy neighborhood on Istanbul’s European side. One of the city’s oldest districts, the area bursts with old-school eateries and food outlets.

Pass tempting baklava shops and cafes and head inside a restaurant for a delicious kahvalti (Turkish breakfast). Savor delights such as kaymak (clotted cream made from buffalo milk), menemen (scrambled eggs with tomato and peppers), and sucuk (spicy sausage), as your guide explains how they’re prepared.

Then, catch the ferry across the Bosphorus to Kadıköy. This bustling Asian-side district is an up-and-coming area with cobbled lanes, traditional taverns and lively markets. Walk along streets filled with cafes and tea salons, and listen as your guide tells you about the district's ancient roots as Chalcedon, a Greek colony established in the 7th century BC, and offers interesting snippets about its colorful food scene.

At the fish market (Balik Pazari), browse the stalls selling fresh fish, mezes and deli-style goodies, and perhaps sample some delicacies such as olives and grilled fish. Then, call at different eateries and shops to try some mouth-watering, classic baklava or other desserts — all proof of the Turks’ sweet tooth!

Toward lunchtime, visit one of Kadıköy’s best-loved restaurants, Çiya Sofrası, whose chefs recreate dishes from around Turkey. Dig into delectable specialities such as ezogelin (red lentil soup), güveç (oven-baked meat and vegetable stew), pirzola (lamb chops) and katmer (flaky pastry filled with pistachio nuts), and other foods inspired by traditional regional recipes. Then, finish at an authentic coffee house with a cup of classic, strong Turkish coffee.

Afterward, catch the ferry back to Karaköy, where your tour ends.