Cosmopolitan Kurtuluş: Istanbul’s Neighborhood of Taste

Kurtuluş is one of Istanbul’s most diverse neighborhoods, shaped by generations of Greek, Armenian and Sephardic Jewish communities alongside newer arrivals from eastern Turkey. Its multicultural history lives on in its bakeries, meze counters, dairy shops and grill houses. We’ll begin with a visit celebrating the neighborhood’s Greek heritage before tasting specialties from Erzincan, including rich kaymak with raw honey and aged tulum cheese. As we explore the backstreets, we’ll meet local artisans and sample Sephardic borekitas, Armenian topik, stuffed vine leaves and other classic meze. We’ll also stop for sizzling kebabs straight from the grill and, depending on the season, traditional boza or Turkish-style ice cream from a beloved family-run dairy. By the end of the day, Kurtuluş reveals itself as one of Istanbul’s richest and most welcoming culinary neighborhoods.

1. 1

   Kurtulus

   2 hours

   Far from the tourist trail, get a taste of one of the last bastions of classic Istanbul flavors, including bread fresh from the tandir oven, a mind-boggling assortment of meze, sizzling kebab, old school ice cream and much more. On this full-day food tour, we will dig deep into the culinary traditions of one of Istanbul’s most culturally diverse and food-centric neighborhoods.

2. 2

   Aya Dimitri Kilisesi

   1 hour

   During the day in this unassuming historic residential neighborhood, a hive of small artisanal shops – charcuteries, meze counters, ice cream parlors, bakers, butchers, dairy specialists – uphold city traditions otherwise lost. After dark, a hopping scene of craft beer bars and kebab houses hold it down until the morning, when the weekly organic market attracts those serious about what they eat and cook with. To top it off, there’s a whole street lined with shops and restaurants devoted to the fabled breakfast spread of eastern Turkey’s Erzincan region. Not surprisingly, a visit to Kurtuluş can be an eye-popping and gut-busting experience. But step back from the table and you’ll notice a rich cultural diversity no longer present in most parts of the city, an open-minded attitude, a cosmopolitan air and laid back sophistication, particularly when it comes to food. That’s the Kurtuluş state of mind.

3. 3

   Aya Nikola Kilisesi

   2 hours

   When our movable feast in Kurtuluş has come to an end, you’ll see what we mean about what makes this neighborhood so unique, and, like many people, you may not want to leave. Not to worry: here in Istanbul’s most diverse streets, you are always welcome back.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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