Traditional Home Cooking with a Local in İstanbul City Center
50 reviews
Experience hosted at home by
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4 Hours
English, Turkish
If you’re looking for things to do in Istanbul that let you experience the city like a local, this home cooking experience is the perfect way to connect with Turkish culture through food. We’ll start by exploring the colorful, historic markets of Kurtuluş, where you’ll see vibrant spice stalls, freshly baked simit at the local bakery, traditional cured meats at the charcuterie, and jars of pickled delicacies. These shops are full of flavors that have shaped Turkish cuisine for centuries, and as we shop together, I’ll share their history and the best ways to use these ingredients in home cooking. 🍲
Once we’ve gathered everything we need, we’ll head to my home kitchen, where we’ll cook side by side just as Turkish families do. We’ll prepare authentic dishes like dolma, börek, mezes, and traditional soups, learning the small details that make them truly special. As we cook, we’ll chat about Turkish food culture, daily life, and the personal stories behind each dish. 🍴
When everything is ready, we’ll sit down for a homemade feast, enjoying the rich flavors, warm hospitality, and good conversation that make meals in Turkey so special. More than just a class, this is an opportunity to connect, share, and create lasting memories. 💬
If you’re wondering what is best to do in Istanbul, this experience will leave you with a full belly, a full heart, and a deeper appreciation for the city’s flavors and traditions. 🧡
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What do our guests say?
Our state was very accommodating, she offered us several dates due to local holidays which could have blocked our access.The tour begins with a short visit to the surrounding shops where you can try many spices without any pressure to buy.Accompanied by his little micro dog Gulsah welcomed us into his very charming apartment in which we cooked for I would say 1.5 to 2 hours before sharing a friendly meal and discussing local cultureThe dishes were entirely to our taste. We found it delicious and the experience was absolutely magnificent! I think it was one of the best activities we were able to do during this stay, and I highly recommend this experience!
04.05.24
Philippe L
Wonderful host who helped us better understand the food and culture of Turkey. She clearly put a lot of time and energy into making sure everything was ready for us when we started. We cooked multiple courses of food together and walked her local shopping markets. She gave us recommendations on local places to try.
21.05.24
scotts446
So great to have a tour which included visits to local food & deli shops to see how a local gets her provisions. Gulsah is friendly and easy going, full of stories and insights. Plus making a selection of dishes together like Borek was a great way to learn local techniques. Food was delicious and the group was really nice also. Would recommend.
29.06.24
NatiaE