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Eat Like a Local: Istanbul Food and Culture Tour with Dinner at Local Family Home

From USD 53.57
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Highlights
  • 4-hour Turkish food and culture tour with an expert local guide
  • Visit a typical Turkish family home in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet neighborhood
  • Feast on a 3-course home-cooked meal while chatting with friendly hosts
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Eat Like a Local: Istanbul Food and Culture Tour with Dinner at Local Family Home
From USD 53.57
Low Price Guarantee
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  • Overview
  • What to Expect
  • Important Information
  • Reviews
Overview
For the true essence of Turkish heritage, eat like a local and explore the streets of Sultanahmet during this guided small-group Istanbul food and culture tour. Step inside a local’s home to meet the family and enjoy an evening experience of Turkish hospitality. The 4-hour night begins with a 3-course dinner of traditional dishes and concludes with an expedition into the backstreets of Istanbul. You’ll witness a backgammon or football game along the way and even have a chance to take a puff from the shisha pipe. People are limited to 12 on this tour, so you can receive more personalized attention from your guide.
What to Expect
After you meet your guide in the Sultanhamet district, head by foot to your local family’s home for your small-group food and culture tour in Istanbul. Savor an evening to learn about the heritage of Turkish cuisine and, of course, fill your belly with plenty of home-style delights.

Arrive and meet your hosts as you absorb the delectable smells emanating from the kitchen. The meal of the night will vary depending on available ingredients, but prepare for a 3-course dinner that will leave you satiated. A typical appetizer is a thin soup called çorba (usually prepared using lentils) and a classic entree is minced meat and eggplant served with a side salad and rice. Since Turks have a soft spot for sweets, save room for dessert which includes tasty pastries served with mint tea.

During dining, enjoy casual conversation about a typical day in the life of an Istanbulite. Then, learn more about the food you’re eating as your bilingual guide helps translate with your friendly hosts. After experiencing warm Turkish hospitality, savor the waning moments as you bid farewell to your hosts.

Next, step outside into the evening air for a walk along the lesser known streets of Istanbul where tourists are few and far between. Cruise through neighborhoods with elegant wooden homes and learn about the diverse cultures that led Istanbul to be named the city of a thousand faces. Hear how Turks, Armenians, and Greeks all converged here making this a true east meets west Cosmopolitan city.

Continue to a local joint to meet some cool locals and gaze out over the Marmara Sea. Here, delve into Turkey’s sporty culture and see televised football games and people playing backgammon. Perhaps challenge a local to a backgammon match. The last highlight of the day is a Turkish staple: sipping strong tea and experiencing a rich puff from the shisha pipe. From here you can request from your guide directions back to your hotel or any other location you wish to go.
Important Information
Departure Point
Central Istanbul, near Sultanahmet tram stop
Departure Time
6pm
Return Details
Concludes in Sultanahmet, central Istanbul
Inclusions
  • Local guide
  • Home-cooked dinner, tea and soft drinks
  • Use of a shisha pipe
Exclusions
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Tea (at the end of the tour)
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Additional Info
  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability

  • A dress code is required as Turkey is a conservative country. Please respect the family's values and traditions by not wearing shorts or sleeveless tops. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee. If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee. If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
Recent Traveller Reviews
Reviews collected by:
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Traveller rating
  • Excellent
     
    40
  • Very Good
     
    9
  • Average
     
    2
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    2
  • Terrible
     
    2
Rachel F
A Viator reviewer
Reviewed Mar 2017

Great tour. It was a nice way to get to experience the city. Our tour guide, Tolga, was very knowledgeable and gave us helpful tips about how to spend our time in Istanbul. definitely recommend!

Saurabh M
A Viator reviewer
Reviewed Jun 2016

The tour was very good. We arrived at our host's home to a very warm welcome. The food especially the lentil soup was amazing. The conversations with our guide about Turkey were very illuminating as well.

Meghan S
A Viator reviewer
Reviewed May 2016

The family was amazing and we loved our guide!

Antonia S
A Viator reviewer
Reviewed Mar 2016

The family was friendly and made me feel welcome and it was nice to sit and talk with them, and the guide was extra special with his friendliness, I was impressed.

Jenna A
A Viator reviewer
Reviewed Oct 2015

EXCELLENT tour. Good food, a wonderful guide who was a great interpreter. I had such a good time! SO WORTH IT!

See more reviews
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