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?
A highlight of our time in Turkiye. This experience lived up to and surpassed the description and is a highlight for our travels in Turkiye so far! Sercan and his lovely family were so welcoming, we learnt so much including how to make the delicious food, and enjoyed warm conversation in an intimate party of six that we will not forget. It was with genuine sadness that we parted ways - the invitation into someone’s home to share their world for an evening was a privilege and a delight.
07.10.25
Inspire619837
Really loved everything about the experience! Gulsah was a wonderful guide, teacher and interpreter of the Turkish experience. we had a delightful stroll through some great local shops. The meal we prepared was authentic and yet very manageable by first timers. and the conversation was exceptional. This was a highlight of my Istanbul visit!
05.10.25
betsy
As a chef, I can confidently say this was one of my favorite cooking classes I’ve taken anywhere in the world. Gulsah was an incredible host—warm, knowledgeable, and deeply passionate about her food and culture. She welcomed us into her neighborhood, guided us through local markets, and encouraged us to taste, talk, and truly connect along the way.
We then cooked together in her beautiful home, preparing cherished family recipes passed down from her mother. Every dish was thoughtful, soulful, and absolutely delicious. I’m already excited to recreate them back home.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone looking for an authentic, memorable, and truly special culinary experience
04.01.26
Rebecca_P