Tasty Secrets of Istiklal Avenue

What to Expect

All Istanbul visitors inevitably find themselves on Istiklal Avenue. But not everyone manages to see its true face behind the crowds and hustle. Secret tea houses, churches hidden from view, ancient cafes and shops, panoramas of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn - with me you will explore the wonderful Istanbul of the past. You will visit places rarely visited by tourists and try Turkish cuisine in places that have stood the test of time.

What you will see, hear and taste

• We will start with breakfast at a place where delicacies made from buffalo milk and meat have been served for over a hundred years.
• Then we will visit an old shop where the President of Turkey buys gifts for foreign leaders.
• We will try lokum - Turkish sweets made from starch, as well as pickled vegetables in spicy brine.
• Next, we will indulge ourselves with juicy and appetizing kebabs. For vegetarians, we have selected a meat-free alternative.
• We will find places selling various seafood, fruits, vegetables, and freshly squeezed juices.
• Next, we will enjoy amazing Ottoman desserts, such as milk puddings with pistachios and mastic, saffron pastry, as well as quince desserts with clotted cream.
• If you are ready for experiments, we recommend trying a dessert with chicken and other unusual treats.
• Along the way, we will talk about the history of traditional Turkish drinks, such as tea and coffee, and learn to identify their quality.

And the tour will include?
You will learn stories about Italians, French, Greeks, Jews, Armenians, and Englishmen who shaped the neighborhood. You will see luxurious buildings in the Art Nouveau style and other examples of eclectic Istanbul architecture. You will catch a glimpse of the real slums. In addition, I will teach you a few Turkish words so you can feel like a local.