Istanbul: The Tasting City — Drinks & Plates

Duration4h - 5h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 12 travelers

Overview

Kadıköy doesn’t perform Istanbul — it lives it.

On this evening walk through the Asian side’s most spirited neighbourhood, you’ll taste your way through centuries of drinking culture: from an Ottoman confectioner founded in 1777 to a wine bar pouring Anatolia’s oldest grape varieties, from a century-old pastry house to a meyhane where the rakı flows as the evening settles over the city.

Seven stops. Seven stories: Turkish coffee, şerbet, çay, craft beer, native wine, limonata, rakı — each one rooted in a place, a tradition, a moment in this city’s long and layered history.

One neighbourhood that quietly holds more of Istanbul’s soul than any postcard ever could.

Maximum 12 guests. No tourist trail. Just the Asian shore, as locals know it.

What's included

A curated walk through Kadıköy's historic market district, Moda, and the Fenerbahçe waterfront
Licensed guide specializing in Istanbul's drinking culture & history
Seven drink tastings across seven historic Kadıköy venues
All tastings included: Turkish coffee, şerbet, çay, craft beer, Anatolian wine, limonata & rakı

Gratuities (optional but appreciated)
Additional food or drinks outside the tasting selections
Transportation to the meeting point or from the end point

What to expect

Kadikoy Iskelesi
30m

We meet at the ferry terminal, where the Asian shore begins. From here, we walk into the heart of Kadıköy — a neighbourhood that has been feeding and watering Istanbul for centuries.
20m

Since 1923, this narrow Kadıköy institution has been roasting and serving Turkish coffee the old way — thick, unfiltered, unhurried. We begin here with a cup and lokum, and the first story: how coffee arrived in Istanbul and changed the way the city thought.
20m

Founded in 1923 by a Greek confectioner, It is one of Istanbul’s most quietly remarkable survivors. Over çay and chocolate, we trace the layered history of Kadıköy’s non-Muslim communities — and why this pastry house is still here when so many others are not.
KadIkoy CarsIsI
20m

Istanbul’s oldest confectionery — supplier to the Ottoman Imperial Palace since 1777. We pause here for şerbet, one of the city’s oldest drinks, and the story of a family business that outlasted empires.
20m

From the Ottoman palace to the 21st century: Kadıköy’s craft beer movement arrived quietly and is now one of the most vibrant in the city. We try a glass and talk about how drinking culture shifts — and what it says about a neighbourhood in transition.
20m

Every bottle on their list is Turkish — sourced from over 70 Anatolian producers. We sit, we pour, and we talk about what it means that Turkey has been making wine for 7,000 years and most of the world doesn’t know it.
20m

Between the wine bar and the meyhane, we slow down. Sofa’s garden is one of Kadıköy’s most quietly beautiful spots — a courtyard hidden from the street, where we pause for a limonata and let the afternoon settle before the final act.
Fenerbahce
30m

We end at a meyhane with history in its walls — rakı, meze, and the particular kind of conversation that only happens when the day has been long and the table is good. No sunset over the sea, but something better: the feeling of a neighbourhood that has fed people well for a very long time.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Easily reached by ferry from Eminönü (20 min), Beşiktaş (25 min), or Üsküdar (10 min). Your guide will be waiting at the Kadıköy ferry terminal entrance at 17:00. We recommend taking the ferry — it's the most scenic way to arrive on the Asian shore.

End point

The tour ends in Fenerbahçe. To return to central Istanbul: take a taxi or ride-share to Kadıköy terminal (10-12 min), then ferry to Eminönü-Karaköy or Beşiktaş. Alternatively, buses 4, FB1, FB2 and 16D connect Fenerbahçe directly to Kadıköy terminal.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not suitable for those with severe food allergies (nuts, dairy, gluten, seafood)
Gluten intolerance / celiac disease — bread, beer and meze may contain gluten
Lactose intolerance — some tastings include milk-based items
Vegan or strict vegetarian diets — most tastings are traditional and not substitutable
Is this tour suitable for non-drinkers? This tour is designed around Istanbul's drinking culture and all seven tastings involve alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. We do not offer alcohol-free or caffeine-free alternatives. If you prefer not to consume alcohol or caffeine, this tour may not be the right fit — we'd hate for you to miss out on the full experience.
How much walking is involved? Approximately 4-5 km at a relaxed pace through Kadıköy’s market district, Moda, and the waterfront. No rushing — we move at the rhythm of the neighbourhood.
What drinks are included? Turkish coffee, Ottoman şerbet, Turkish tea, craft beer, Anatolian wine, fıstıklı limonata, and rakı — seven stops, seven stories. All tastings are included in the price.
What is the group size? Maximum 6 guests. Small enough for real conversation, large enough for good energy.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Istanbul? Yes — but it’s designed for those who want to experience the city like a local, not a tourist. Kadıköy is where Istanbul actually lives.
What time does the tour end approximately? Approximately 4-5 hours. We finish at a traditional meyhane as the evening settles over Kadıköy.
Should I eat before the tour? A light meal beforehand is recommended — the tastings are generous but this is a drinks tour, not a food tour. Arrive with an appetite but not on an empty stomach.
Is rakı an acquired taste? What if I’ve never tried it? Absolutely no experience needed. Your guide will walk you through the ritual of drinking rakı the traditional way — with water, with meze, with stories. It’s one of the most memorable moments of the tour.
How do I get to the Kadıköy ferry terminal? Kadıköy is easily reached by ferry from several European-side docks: From Eminönü: 20-25 minutes, From Beşiktaş: 15-20 minutes, From Üsküdar: 10 minutes. Ferries run frequently throughout the day. We recommend arriving by ferry — crossing the Bosphorus is the perfect way to begin the experience. Your guide will be waiting at the terminal entrance at 17:00.
This tour includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic tastings. However, the experience is designed around Istanbul's drinking culture and several stops involve alcohol. We recommend this tour for guests aged 18 and over.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.