ISTANBUL
Worth your time in Istanbul.
The 15 cooking classes travellers book most in Istanbul, from the headline sights to the quieter finds. What each one costs, how long it runs, and whether it earns a slot on a short trip.
Learn Turkish home cooking in a Beşiktaş apartment with local moms. Make dolma, börek, meze, and eat together for $90.
Most Popular“We purchased two tickets for the cooking class and had a great time. The food was good and the host was awesome!”
Istanbul city-center home cooking with a local: shop for spices at neighborhood stores, cook a multi-course meal, then share dessert and Turkish coffee.
“The whole experience was great we went shopping in the neighborhood then went back to her home and prepared an excellent meal with her help and another couple. It was great food and company thank you again for your hospitality!!”
Cook and eat in a local Istanbul home with a Kurtuluş market tour, hands-on Turkish dishes, and a shared dinner with tea and coffee.
“It was a wonderful and cozy afternoon/evening! We met Bawer and his girlfriend in the neighborhood. There he showed us a few stores and explained how Turkish culture works. With his favorite pastries and the pickled vegetable drink, it was a nice walk. We met the rest of his family at his family home and…”
Ottoman-style Turkish cooking class in Istanbul with hotel pickup, small-group chef instruction, and a 3-course lunch with wine tasting.
“My wife and I had a great time during the cooking class and have taken back some inspiration to cook a similar style of food at home. The chef and restaurant manger, who we primarily interacted with, were superb. Their instruction and patience was much appreciated and the food at the end was delicious. Additionally,…”
Hand-knead Çiğ Köfte at a Kadıköy home with traditional music, spices, and English guidance. Small group, 2.5 hours.
“One of the best, if not the best, experiences I’ve ever had. Bushra, Burak and Bawer were the sweetest people I’ve ever met before. There was never a dull moment, so many conversations you’d feel you’re sitting with friends you’ve known for a long time. Cooking class with traditional music is definitely something to have…”
Cook classic Istanbul meze in a home kitchen with Ezgi. Beginner-friendly, small group, tea included, then a shared feast.
“very authentic cooking class, easy recipes perfect for beginners but also fun for advanced chefs ;) you get the recipes afterwards, nice insight in the life of locals. can definetly recommend”
A private Istanbul home cooking class with Nuray, making Turkish specialties like börek, soup, and baklava, plus wine dinner.
“We love to do cooking classes in other countries, you get to know people and eat amazing food, this was no exception. We arrived at Nuray's home, we cooked, ate delicious food and had some amazing conversations. She is an incredible person, and we loved our time with her.”
Cook four Turkish mezes in a Kadıköy home kitchen, then eat what you make. Small-group, English-led, about 2 hours.
“We had a good time learning to cook some turkish mezze for our last night in Türkiye! Our host was of great company and very welcoming. I would recommend this activity to anyone and would be happy to try other Lokal Bond classes anytime!”
Learn classic Turkish flavors with a vegan twist in a small-group Istanbul home cooking class, ending with tea and a full family meal.
“We booked a cooking class with Rojda and it was probably the highlight of our trip. She was incredibly friendly, welcoming and prepared a lot of food to cook with us. We made seven different meals and all of them tasted incredible. She also gave the leftovers to us so we didnt have to buy…”
Home cooking in Istanbul: Turkish tea, dolma, börek and irmik tatlısı in a small group at a real home. 3 hours, from $62.
“Learning to Cook Sarma with Aysu was super fun! It was like cooking with a friend. We cooked about 200 Sarmas so I took quite a few home, and made it try to 3 Turkish friends and they all agreed it was one of the best Sarmas they have ever tried! So you will be…”
A small-group vegan/vegetarian Turkish cooking class in a local home near Taksim, learning plant-based manti, dolma, and more in 2.5 hours.
“Rojda was a kind-hearted guide. She not only showed us the best vegan/vegetarian recipes, but also told us about the city of Istanbul. Everything was delicious. We would recommend the cooking class to anyone interested.”
Cook golden künefe and brew frothy Turkish coffee in a small Istanbul home setting. Warm dessert, tea/coffee, and real conversation.
“What a special opportunity to be invited into another’s home and share time together. Away from the hotels and tourist areas, a glimpse of how another culture lives. This is a hands on course. After a brief discussion we chose to make flour halva and semolina cookies. By hands on, the mixer was our fingers.…”
Hands-on Turkish Anatolian cooking class in Istanbul with knife skills, food styling, and a shared chef’s table meal. English. $99.
“An excellent cooking workshop with many menu items, cooking tips and great recipes. The chef was a wonderful teacher and I enjoyed the opportunity to learn to prepare new dishes. Highly recommend this experience!”
Cook Turkish breakfast at an Istanbul home with locals, learn menemen, eat together, and get a real feel for daily life in Marmara.
“Aysu is a great host. She is a very talented cook and a great instructor. I was so happy to join her and witness the local life at her home with a closer look. The community Aysu is in, LokalBond offers authentic home-hosted experiences. I suggest anyone who travels to Istanbul to join Aysu or…”
Cook and eat Turkish dishes in a Beşiktaş home with a local host. Small group, tea to start, and flexible menus for diets.
“The cooking class was a wonderful experience of not only learning some simple yet wonderful home cooked meals that are made regularly in Istanbul, but also getting to spend time talking with our hostess, Nuran and share and learn about eRead more”
From the domes of the old city to the Bosphorus, the bazaars and the table, every way to spend a day across two continents.
