Guests preparing sarma (stuffed grape leaves) during a hands-on Turkish cooking class in a local Istanbul home — a staple activity in Lokalbond’s traditional recipe workshops.

Small group sharing a homemade meze spread in an intimate Lokalbond cooking class, led by a warm local host explaining Turkish dishes and culture.

One of Esra's famous family table with our guests

A smiling host welcomes a group of international travelers into her home for a Turkish family-style dinner, part of Lokalbond’s authentic home-cooking classes in Istanbul.

Intimate Turkish dinner experience with travelers raising their glasses in a welcoming home setting, featuring seasonal meze and heartfelt conversation with local hosts.

Guests enjoying a vibrant traditional Turkish dinner in a cozy Istanbul home during a Lokalbond cooking class experience — meze platters, home-cooked dishes, and laughter around the table.

Fresh from the oven, the baklava’s flaky layers begin to crisp and curl — filling the room with the irresistible scent of butter, nuts, and sweetness. 🧈

Our smiling host proudly displays the perfectly stretched dough — a skill that takes practice, love, and a bit of floury fun. 😄

Time to taste! Guests gather around the table to enjoy their handmade baklava — sweetened not just with syrup, but with the joy of sharing something they’ve created together. 🍯

In the shade of ancient olive trees, young participants gather herbs and wild olives — connecting with the land before the workshop begins. 🌿

Freshly poured and shaped, each handmade soap rests on the table — waiting to be cured into nourishing bars of goodness. 🧼

A cozy indoor moment where guests gather around a table of Turkish wines, hosted in a local home.

Guests arrive to a golden sky and warm welcome on a private rooftop in Kadıköy.

A small group experience where strangers become dinner guests — and maybe distant cousins.