Only in Izmir
About this activity
Highlights
- Try Izmir's unique cuisine
- Market visit with tastings
- Explore the architectural beauty of old town Izmir
- Sample artisanal boyoz, helva, lokma, subye, pide and sogus
Full description
The day will begin with a breakfast of boyoz, a Sephardic savory pastry found only here, followed by a slice of history from a 3rd generation helva maker. We’ll visit a workshop where lokma is made and explore the crumbling architectural beauty of old town, to taste another local specialty, subye, a refreshing drink made from ground melon seeds. We’ll explore a residential area before eating our way through another market filled with local culinary institutions including a fine fish restaurant, a Bosnian-Turkish gastro-café, a pide bakery and one of the best lokantas in the country. We’ll also give its famous sögüs, poached sheep’s head, a try before finishing the day with a local traditional semolina dessert call sambali and a cup of Turkish coffee made from beans freshly ground the old-fashioned way, in a stone mortar.
Included / Excluded
- Culinary Backstreets guide
- All food consumed on the walk – almost a dozen different edible specialties
- Guided tour through Izmir
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
Meeting point
Start Location
Etiler, Basmane Garı, Konak/İzmir, Türkiye
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in English; proficiency is recommended.
- Some stops may not be suitable for individuals with mobility impairments due to stairs and uneven terrain.
- The tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone streets.
- Bring a light jacket or sweater as evenings can be cool.
- Ensure you have a valid ID if you plan to participate in wine tasting.
Cancellation policy
More than one week before the beginning of the activity: 90% Refund Less than one week before the beginning of the activity: 50% Refund Less than 72 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: No Refund
Reviews
We really enjoyed our tour with Dennis, great food and conversation! It was a great introduction to Tokyo and we really appreciated all his helpful tips for navigating the city
My husband booked the Monzen-Nakacho tour a couple of months ago. We wanted to do a food tour in Japan, because did a food tour in another country with another company and had a good time. This tour is the next level. Dennis and Kan (invited by Dennis so we had two guides!) are not only personable and knowledgeable, they know how to break down the barriers for us to learn Japanese culture. My husband understands Japanese food while I’m completely ignorant, and both of us had a wonderful time. We were (apparently) there for the food, but we got to learn the history, beliefs, and culture behind and beyond the food and drinks. Getting to meet locals who are masters of their crafts is another highlight. Dennis and Kan were great in getting us to interact with locals and with each other within our small group. Six hours flew by and it felt like we have known these people for much longer because of the meaningful conversations! Will return for their other food tours when we visit Japan again!
I wanted to taste and get a better grasp of Tokyo’s culinary scene, and this tour delivered exactly that. Elly, our wonderful tour guide, shared a wealth of historical knowledge and fascinating insights about the city and its food culture. As a professional chef, I left the tour feeling inspired, satisfied, and genuinely impressed by the variety of foods I was able to experience. My biggest thanks go to Elly for guiding us to some of the best bites in Tokyo and making the experience so memorable.