Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

fish, meat, vegetables, fruit, spices, sweets and much more. In Beyoğlu the Balık Pazarı (Fish Market) off İstiklal Caddesi is a great, if expensive, little market. As well as its fish stalls, it has greengrocers selling a wide range of fruit and vegetables, shops selling sweets and pickles, and delicatessens (şarküteri) selling cheeses, pastırma, pickled fish, olives, jams and preserves. Larger produce markets are found near the iskele in Kadıköy from Monday to Saturday; in Fatih on Wednesday; in Beşiktaş and Feriköy on Saturday; and in Kasimpaşa (in Piyalepaşa Bulvarı) on Sunday. The best of these are the Kadıköy Produce Market, the Feriköy organic farmers market on Saturday and the Inebolu Produce Market in Kasimpaşa on Sunday. COOKING COURSES & TOURS Ask İstanbullus what makes their city special and the answer usually comes straight from their stomachs. The local cuisine has a fan club as numerous as it is vociferous, and its members enjoy nothing better than introducing visitors to the foods, eateries and provedores of the city. In short, this is a dream destination for everyone who loves to eat, cook and shop for food, particularly as plenty of cooking courses and food-focused walking tours are on offer, including the following: A Cooking Alaturka Runs popular classes suitable for all skill levels. A İstanbul Eats Fantastic food tours and a one-day cooking class in the fascinating Kurtuluş neighbourhood. A İstanbul on Food A newly launched company offering food tours. A Turkish Flavours Walking tours and excellent cooking classes held in a private residence on the Asian side of town. If requested, the course can focus on a Sephardic menu. A Urban Adventures A variety of food tours.