Start your culinary journey in Istanbul with a visit to the neighborhood of Karakoy. Head to Balikci Sabahattin, a traditional seafood restaurant serving the freshest fish in town. After a satisfying lunch, walk to Mandabatmaz, a cozy coffeehouse serving the thickest Turkish coffee you will ever taste. Stroll along the winding streets of Karakoy and discover several hidden bars and bakeries. End your day with dinner at Karakoy Lokantasi, where you'll savour traditional mezes and grilled meats.
Head to the lively neighborhood of Beyoglu for a day of foodie delights. Start with breakfast at the legendary Cigkofteci Ali Usta, where you can eat the best cig kofte in Istanbul. Pay a visit to the trendy Karakoy Gulluoglu, and try their world-famous baklava. Sample the delicious Kurdish street food at Gaziantep Burc Ocakbasi, and end the day with dinner at Mikla Restaurant. Enjoy stunning views of the city while indulging in their avant-garde take on traditional Turkish cuisine.
Take a ferry to Uskudar, a picturesque district of Istanbul that offers a glimpse into local life. Begin your day with breakfast at Sirma Cafe, a charming cafe that serves delicious Turkish breakfast. Visit the local market and try out the street food. Try lahmacun, pogaca, and simit from the street vendors. For a unique experience, head to Adana Ocakbasi, where you can try authentic Adana kebab. End your day with a soothing cup of tea at Caferaga Medresesi, a historical tea garden.
Explore the vibrant neighbourhood of Kadikoy, located on the Asian side of Istanbul for your final day. Start your day with breakfast at Baylan Pastanesi. This historic patisserie is famous for its delicious cakes and traditional Turkish desserts. Pay a visit to Cicek Izgara, a small restaurant that serves succulent grilled meat dishes. Stroll along the market street to buy spices from the Bahariye Caddesi (Bagdat street). For dinner, go to Çiya Sofrası, and taste traditional and forgotten Ottoman delicacies, which the owner Chef Musa Dagdeviren personally researched.
If you want to delve deeply into traditional Turkish cuisine, you should extend your stay in Istanbul. Visit the "Spice Bazaar" for some of the best quality spices. To experience the Turkish street food culture and local markets, visit Kadikoy, Karakoy and other local neighbourhoods. Another recommended time for foodies is late October, when the "Istanbul Coffee Festival" is held or April when the "Istanbul Baklava Festival" starts. If you are short on time, it is still possible to take a shorter version of this food tour by choosing just one neighborhood each day. Some of the places mentioned might not be open every day. Call ahead to check opening and closing times and to confirm the menu choices as restaurants often change their menus seasonally.