Traditional Home Cooking with a Local in İstanbul City Center
50 reviews
Experience hosted at home by
Gülşah
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. 🧡
What do our guests say?
This was a wonderful experience. After meeting the group Gulsah walked the neighborhood stopping at various shops to explain about Turkish fruits, vegetables, meats, dried fruits, grains, and breads. We cooked some wonderful dishes and had lovely conversations over dinner. Gulsah was a wonderful host and her English was impeccable. I would highly recommend this experience and be sure to go hungry.
12.04.25
88LindaS88
My sister and I (both 65+ seniors) had an awesome time with our host Gulsah (and fellow guests Sheri and Michael). It was a wonderful introduction to Turkish food and culture, as we did this on our very first day in Istanbul. In addition to prepping, cooking and eating the delicious meal, we also explored the neighbourhood shops and learned about life in the area. Gulsah was so generous with her warmth, knowledge and charm. The five of us spent nearly as much time laughing and enjoying each other's company as we did cooking. I can'think of a single thing that could improve upon the experience!
18.04.25
debradmck