Istanbul Street Food Picnic

We start our Istanbul food tour in front of the impressive Spice Bazaar. We’ll wander the perimeter of the bazaar and taste pastirma (Turkish dried beef), local cheeses and perhaps sweets and Turkish delight from the shops of the long-established sweet makers.

As we wander, our local guide will be purchasing food for the picnic from the shopkeepers. Depending on the season, you may be sampling several different local foods, including fresh nuts, pastirma,halva, olives, traditional Turkish cheeses and simit. You’ll also have the choice of Ayran (yoghurt drink) or a local soft drink.

After collecting the food for our picnic, we’ll continue on past Galata Bridge, which bustles with commuters and is a real street-food haven. Roasted chestnuts, spicy pickled vegetables and sweet lokma(doughnut soaked in syrup) are very popular here and are available from the busy stands. We’ll continue our walk then settle down on a grassy area with views over Galata, where we’ll get stuck in to our goodies while our guide talks about the picnic traditions and popular foods of Turkey.

After a delicious picnic, our Istanbul food tour comes to an end back at the Eminonu ferry port, where our guide will offer recommendations for the evening or assist you with getting back to your hotel.