Istanbul Street Food Crawl: Taksim–Galata–Karaköy

Your guide will meet you in front of the Atatürk Monument in Taksim Square. We’ll start with a quick introduction to the neighborhood and today’s route, then kick off the tasting with a classic Turkish simit from a local street vendor. From here, we begin our walk toward Beyoğlu for the next bites, with short stops along the way for photos, local tips, and food context (what to order, where locals go, and how these flavors fit into Istanbul’s daily life).

We’ll walk along the lively Istiklal Avenue and stop for two classic street-food staples. First, you’ll try a freshly prepared döner wrap from a popular local spot—your guide will explain the different styles of döner and how locals order it. Then we’ll grab roasted street corn from a vendor along the avenue for a quick tasting. Expect a fun, fast-paced atmosphere with plenty of chances for photos, people-watching, and local food tips as we continue toward the next stop.

We’ll walk along the lively Istiklal Avenue and stop for two classic street-food staples. First, you’ll try a freshly prepared döner wrap from a popular local spot—your guide will explain the different styles of döner and how locals order it. Then we’ll grab roasted street corn from a vendor along the avenue for a quick tasting. If they are open at the time of our visit, we’ll also step inside St. Anthony of Padua Church and the Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church for a brief visit, highlighting their architecture and the multicultural history of Beyoğlu.

We’ll take a short break near Galata Tower, one of Istanbul’s most iconic medieval landmarks. Your guide will share a quick, engaging overview of the tower’s history and how this area evolved from a historic trading district into today’s lively neighborhood. Then we’ll enjoy a Turkish coffee or tea stop—perfect for resting your feet, taking photos, and soaking in the Galata atmosphere before continuing the walk toward Karaköy.

In Karaköy, we’ll stop for one of the neighborhood’s most iconic street foods: the famous balık dürüm (fish wrap) from a well-known local spot. Your guide will explain what makes Karaköy’s seafood scene special and how locals like to eat it. After the tasting, we’ll continue to Karaköy Güllüoğlu for a sweet finale—sampling a baklava plate with three varieties, with a quick intro to baklava types, ingredients, and how to spot quality.