Taksim to Galata: Tastes, Tales & the Spirit of Istanbul

The tastiest way to know a city is to eat your way through its streets. Our tour starts in the early evening at Taksim Square, in front of the Republic Monument, with Istanbul’s legendary wet burger, and the story of how the square took its name from an old water-distribution point.

On İstiklal Avenue, once the cosmopolitan Grande Rue de Péra, we taste roasted chestnuts, İnci’s profiterole and a compote at Abdullah Lokantası. At Çiçek Pasajı and the Fish Market we try fried mussels and lakerda, then stop for Turkish tea in Hazzopulo Passage and mantı at Fıccın on Kallavi Street.

After the stories of the Pera Palace Hotel we walk from Tünel Square down to Galata and finish at the foot of Galata Tower. Want to linger somewhere? The tour can flex. Your guide is Osman Altay or one of our experienced guides; tours run in English or Turkish for groups of up to 10. Vegetarian and allergy-friendly alternatives are available. Tastings are included, €100 per person, minimum 2 travellers per booking. Private tours for your own group are available on request.