Istanbul Food Tour on Two Continents: From the Spice Market to Kadıköy by Ferry

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One of the best ways to understand Istanbul is to eat your way across it. This small-group food walk starts in the old city near the Spice Market, crosses the Bosphorus on a public ferry and finishes in Kadıköy and Moda on the Asian side.

What you’ll eat

The exact route changes, but the tour is built around family-run places and food that locals actually eat:

• Old city: a few classic bites in the streets around the Spice Market, then a full Turkish breakfast with cheeses, olives, honey with kaymak, sucuklu yumurta, warm simit and tea.
• On the water: a ferry across the Bosphorus from Europe to Asia, which takes about 20 minutes.
• Kadıköy market: tastings that may include lahmacun, midye dolma (stuffed mussels), beyran soup and seasonal market snacks.
• Lunch: İskender kebab at a family-run kitchen with a recipe dating back to 1867.
• Dessert in Moda: often stretchy Turkish dondurma and pistachio baklava.

How to get to the meeting point

Sirkeci is easy to reach by public transport, and the Istanbulkart works on all of these routes:

• From Sultanahmet: take the T1 tram towards Kabataş and get off at Sirkeci.
• From Taksim: ride the F1 funicular to Kabataş, then the T1 tram to Sirkeci.
• From the Asian side: take the Marmaray to Sirkeci station, or a ferry to Eminönü and walk a few minutes.

At the end, your guide will help you pick the right ferry back to Eminönü, Karaköy, Kabataş or Beşiktaş.

Prefer to explore on your own?

You can do the ferry crossing and Kadıköy market streets yourself with an Istanbulkart. See the Kadıköy and Moda trip in our self-guided tours, and our Kadıköy neighbourhood guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is this tour suitable for vegetarians or people with allergies?

Check the “Not suitable for” and “Important information” sections on the booking page, and contact the provider before booking if you have dietary needs.

Is the ferry ticket included?

Yes. The ferry crossing and your return ferry ticket from Kadıköy are included.

How much walking is there?

It’s a walking tour over 5.5 hours, with sit-down stops for breakfast and lunch. Wear comfortable shoes, as Moda and Kadıköy have some hills.