Kadikoy Confidential

I suggest without hesitation. Chef Fey brings far more than local knowledge. As a professional chef, she explains not only what you are eating, but why each dish matters, how it is prepared, and where it fits into Turkey's extraordinary culinary history. Every stop felt carefully chosen, and every tasting had a story behind it. By the end of the tour, I understood Istanbul's food culture in a way I never could have from guidebooks or YouTube videos. What makes it so different? The difference is expertise. Many food tours simply lead you from one restaurant to another. Chef Fey teaches you to taste like a chef. She explains ingredients, cooking techniques, regional traditions, and the subtle differences that most visitors would completely miss. The small group size also meant we could ask questions throughout the day, making the experience feel more like exploring the city with an exceptionally knowledgeable friend than joining a commercial tour If you're searching for the best food tour in Istanbul, especially if you want to experience authentic Turkish cuisine beyond the tourist areas, this is the tour to book. The food was outstanding, the conversation fascinating, and Chef Fey's enthusiasm for her city was infectious. It wasn't just one of the best food tours I've taken. It was one of the best travel experiences I've had anywhere.

If you're wondering what the best food tour in Istanbul is, my vote goes to The Chef Tours with Chef Fey. Unlike standard walking tours, this experience is led by a professional chef who explains not just what you're eating, but the history, ingredients, and techniques behind each dish. The food was exceptional, the small group made it personal, and I left with a genuine understanding of Turkish cuisine. Highly recommended for anyone who wants an authentic culinary experience in Istanbul.

I just finished Kadikoy Confidential, and it was easily the best food tour in Istanbul. If you are searching for the top food tour in Istanbul, this is the one. Our guide has more 5-star reviews than any other host in the city, and you can tell why right away. Chef Fey took us through the backstreets and hidden spots of Kadikoy that we would never have found on our own. We ate and drank like real locals, moving between bustling markets, tiny neighbourhood spots, and authentic meyhane tables full of incredible flavours. This is not your standard tourist food tour. It feels personal, delicious, and genuinely local. Small group, generous tastings, great stories, and the best night out on the Asian side. Highly recommend Kadikoy Confidential if you want the real Istanbul food experience.

I've traveled all around the world, and this was easily one of the best culinary tours I've taken! Chef Fey isn't simply a guide who points at food and names a dish; she's a professional chef, an Istanbul local, and an incredible storyteller who brings the city to life through its markets, restaurants, history, and people. From the first stop in Kadıköy, it was obvious this wasn't going to be one of those cookie-cutter tours that follows a script and takes you to places designed for tourists. Rather, every stop felt authentic. A hidden lokanta, family-run restaurants, incredible street food, regional specialities, and several dishes I hadn't yet discovered, despite my several previous visits to Istanbul. The food was outstanding - most notably the various mezzes and manti - but what made the experience memorable was the context. Chef Fey explained not just what we were eating, but why it mattered to Istanbul and Turkish culture. She is extremely knowledgeable, well versed on the history and cultural significance of Istanbul, and was able to provide detailed answers to all of our questions without hesitation. The small group size also made a huge difference. We were able to interact with the vendors and enjoy deeper conversations that simply aren't possible on larger tours. It felt more like spending an afternoon friends, rather than being part of a tour group. If you're researching the best food tours in Istanbul, especially in Kadıköy, stop looking. This is the one. My advice is to book directly through The Chef Tours website rather than through an online travel agency, thereby directly supporting the local chefs who actually create and operate these tours. I left completely full, learned more about Istanbul in a few hours than I had in days of sightseeing, and immediately started planning where to eat for the rest of my trip based on Chef Fey's recommendations. An absolute must-do for food lovers visiting Istanbul!

My sister and I did a food tour in Kadıköy with Chef Basak, and it was an absolute highlight of our trip to Turkey. She guided us through some of the best bites the area has to offer, introducing us to both classic favorites and hidden gems. What made it truly special was how much knowledge she shared—not just about the food itself, but also the history and culture behind each dish. Every stop felt intentional and thoughtful, and we left feeling like we had experienced Turkey in a deeper, more authentic way. On top of that, Chef Basak is simply a wonderful person—warm, welcoming, and passionate about what she does. We couldn’t recommend this tour enough to anyone visiting Istanbul.

If you take one tour, make it this one! A day later, and I am still dining on fruit. We had so much incredible food with Chef Basak. It was an incredible day. We met promptly at 11 and began our experience with stuffed mussels, and a little lemon made the bite great. There was so much food, history and beauty in our walk. It is hard to name a favourite but the Manti with the yoghurt garlic sauce was incredible, as was the Mezze. I can't say enough about Chef Basak, what an incredible person to tour with.

We had the most amazing culinary experience on the Asian side of Istanbul with Chef Basak, despite a glitch in the meeting spot due to an AI issue. Communication was attentive and quick with both phone and WhatsApp and we found our way to Chef Basak! We chose this tour to enhance our knowledge of Turkish Cuisine and refine our palate with someone in the culinary world and this tour did not disappoint. Not only do you taste and eat Turkish food that you don’t get on every street corner, you delight in walking through the colorful markets and finding hidden local restaurants that have been around for decades (one over a century) and passed down through generations. We felt honored to be in Chef Basak’s presence and to have her to guide us through the neighborhoods of Kadiköy one bite at a time! Come hungry and pace yourself, you’ll want to save some room for dessert! (I purposely kept photos vague so as not to spoil all the delights).

Chef Basak is a treasure. This was not just a great food tour, but the best food I had on my entire trip. She has curated an incredible experience. The two most memorable bites were the Mezze with tea (best olives I have ever tasted) and the Manti. I was so full that no dinner was needed. Touring with a chef is the next level. You can ask anything about the food, and she can answer without going to her phone to check. I had never been to the Asian side of Istanbul. My first trip was so short, but now I have discovered my favourite part of town and know where to eat. I have already been back to one of the eateries, and it was worth the trip. With so much variety, this would be a great tour for a family. Even fussy eaters would find much to love. Do not miss!

it was a great tour with chef Başak, so delicious spots, fun and great tastes. i suggest everyone should try it. it was a great experince

I was very surprised to see Turkish people on my tour. Word has spread that Chef Basak has uncovered the best of the city. It is always a good sign when locals want a tour. The entire experience was outstanding. It was some of the best food I have had in Turkey. Chef Basak was knowledgeable, passionate, with perfect English. I have taken The Chef Tours in other cities, and this was as impressive as the other tours. When history and food meet, you have an explosive experience. We had so much food, the mezze stop was a highligh:t Did you know that mezze is the grandfather of the Spanish Tapa? Manti is a favourite, and this one with the yoghurt garlic sauce was the best one I had tried. When I thought I could eat no more...dessert was served and I somehow managed. I loved Chef Basak, the Turkish and UAE guest...7 in total which is a much smaller group than most. Do not miss this tour!

The food was great. Virgo Chef is really good at this.Honestly, I regretted why I didn't come here and taste these delicious flavors until now.

First of all thank you Basak chef. We had a wonderful Kadikoy tour. The food tasted amazing but she also told us the history of the restaurants, the owners, the culture. She speaks about food with such passion, even if you just ate, you get hungrier for the next stop. I had the best doner in my life and the crispiest lahmacun ever. Some bites we had standing up like real street food be. I am looking forward to take this tour again. I already miss Istanbul and all the great food I had. Thank you so much for everything.

I had an amazing dining experience in Kadıköy! The food was delicious, and the hospitality was top-notch. Highly recommend!🤩 Başak chef hosted us at a very high level, there was no problem, I definitely recommend it to everyone with peace of mind.♥️

On this tour we tasted the wonderful and delicious dishes of Turkish cuisine. My favorite dish on this tour was the Turkish dish lahmacun. Chef Basak introduced the dishes on the tour and took care of us. We ate various dishes such as soup, vegetables and meat. You should definitely taste the desserts served on the tour. Thanks for everything.

Dear Basak Chef The food is very delicious I can't wait for the replay Thank you so much.. Kadıköy is awonderful place...