• Kadikoy Iskelesi - The journey begins at the ferry terminal, leading into the vibrant heart of Kadıköy’s market. The first destination is a historic coffee house, established in 1923, filled with antiques at the entrance of the bazaar. Here, enjoy a cup of freshly ground Turkish coffee and a piece of lokum while discussing the arrival of coffee in Ottoman Istanbul, its temporary ban by three sultans, and the stories told by the grounds at the bottom of the cup.
• Kadikoy Carsisi - Just steps from the coffee house, visit one of Istanbul’s oldest confectionery shops, founded in 1777 and a supplier to the Ottoman Imperial Palace for generations. Taste an Ottoman sherbet, a cold, jewel-colored syrup drink made from fruits, spices, and flowers, predating tea and coffee in Anatolia. Each color and flavor has a story, once prescribed as medicine by palace physicians.
• Kadikoy - A short walk further takes you back in time to a different era. Established in 1923 by a Greek confectioner during the early Turkish Republic, this place is credited with introducing chocolate to Turkey. Enjoy Turkish tea and a piece of its signature dark chocolate while discussing the neighborhood’s rich identity shaped by Greeks, Armenians, and Jews before and after the Republic.
• Kadikoy - From the 19th century to the 21st, Kadıköy’s craft beer movement has quietly become one of the city’s most vibrant. Sample a glass from one of Turkey’s independent craft breweries and explore the complex relationship between beer and Ottoman and Turkish identity, from the 19th-century Pera taverns to today’s microbreweries.
• Moda Park - Nestled in a side street in Moda, this is one of Istanbul’s key wine destinations. Every bottle is Turkish, sourced from over 70 producers across Anatolia. Using a Coravin system, rare bottles are served by the glass. Sample a pour or two and delve into Anatolia’s 8,000-year-old winemaking history, learning why Öküzgözü and Boğazkere are noteworthy.
• Moda Park - Between the wine bar and the meyhane, take a moment to relax. Sofa’s garden is a serene spot in Kadıköy, hidden from the street with the gentle sound of a fountain. Enjoy a glass of pistachio lemonade, inspired by Alanya on Turkey’s southern coast. This is a pause, not a tasting stop, enhancing the experience of the final destination.
• Fenerbahce - Stroll to the waterfront where the meyhane sits on the Kalamış shore, overlooking the Marmara Sea and the Prince’s Islands. Arrive as the light changes, with rakı on the table—cloudy white, anise-scented, with ice on the side—accompanied by cold mezes like white cheese, seasonal melon, and haydari. This is the Turkish ritual known as ‘the longest table,’ focused on staying rather than drinking, lingering until the sun sets behind the minarets of the Asian shore.

• Licensed, English-speaking local guide with deep roots in Istanbul’s food and drink culture
• All drink tastings listed in the itinerary
• A curated walk through Kadıköy’s historic market district, Moda, and the Fenerbahçe waterfront
• Turkish coffee, Ottoman sherbet, Turkish tea, craft beer, Anatolian wine, lemonade, and rakı

• Gratuities (optional but appreciated)
• Additional food or drinks outside the tasting selections
• Transportation to the meeting point or from the end point
• Gluten-free, vegan, and alcohol-free alternatives are not available on this route

Kadıköy doesn’t just showcase Istanbul — it embodies it. During this afternoon stroll through the vibrant neighborhood on the Asian side, experience a journey through centuries of drinking culture: starting with an Ottoman confectioner established in 1777, moving to a wine bar offering Anatolia’s oldest grape varieties, visiting a century-old pastry shop, and ending at a meyhane where rakı is enjoyed as the sun sets over the Marmara Sea.

Seven stops. Seven tales.
One neighborhood that captures more of Istanbul’s essence than any postcard ever could.

• Severe food allergies (nuts, dairy, gluten, seafood, etc.)
• Gluten intolerance / celiac disease (bread, beer, soup, and meze may contain gluten)
• Lactose intolerance (some tastings include milk-based drinks and yogurt-based dishes)
• Vegan or strict vegetarian diets (most tastings are traditional and not easily substitutable)
• Alcohol-free preferences (rakı, wine, and craft beer tastings are integral to the experience)

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