Private Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class with Local Moms
50 reviews
Experience hosted at home by
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3.5 Hours
English, Turkish
If you're searching for things to do in Istanbul that truly connect you with local culture, nothing compares to a cooking class in Istanbul inside a real home. Step into a warm and welcoming Turkish household, where a local mom will invite you into her kitchen to share the secrets of authentic home-cooked recipes passed down through generations. Whether it's rolling dolma, kneading dough for börek, or preparing a table full of mezes, every dish has a story—one that speaks of tradition, family, and the little details that make Turkish cuisine so special.
Before your visit, we’ll chat about your dietary preferences so we can tailor the menu just for you. When you arrive, you won’t just be learning how to cook—you’ll be immersed in Turkish home hospitality, where cooking is an experience shared with laughter, storytelling, and warmth. You'll discover how food differs across regions, the meaning behind traditional dishes, and the love that goes into every meal.
More than just a class, this is a chance to experience Turkish home life firsthand. As you cook together, you’ll feel like part of the family—learning, chatting, and soaking in the warmth of a real home. And when everything is ready, we’ll gather around the table to enjoy the homemade feast, sharing stories, flavors, and unforgettable moments.
You may arrive as a guest, but by the time we share a meal, you’ll be part of the family. In our home, food is more than just nourishment—it’s a way to connect, build friendships, and create memories that will stay with you long after you leave. 🧡
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What do our guests say?
Excellent look into multigenerational living with a warm and lovely family. They open their home and hearts to you. We cooked a spicy lentil soup, moussaka, bulgur and carrot with yogurt dish. We discussed Türkiye history, politics and life. Wonderful to have such a unique experience.
22.11.23
Claudia G
Visiting Istanbul means seeing the Blue Mosque, Hagya Sophia, the Bosphorus. Eat their famous breakfasts and kebabs. Visiting Istanbul means admiring the sunset with the seagulls flying fiercely in the air. Visiting Istanbul means wandering through the bazaar, surrounded by the noises of merchants and the smells of spices.That said, this tour is missing one thing that other travel agencies will never be able to give you: meeting the people who live in this city.With the Bayer family (the organizer of this activity), you will understand what it means to be invited and welcomed. Beyond the culinary experience, it was above all a unique pleasure to meet Bawer's family. Rarely have we felt so much at home.Thank you for this beautiful Sunday afternoon!
23.11.23
Vaudois29
We had a lovely afternoon with Nuran and her family. We went to the local market and butcher to get ingredients and to explore and then we went back to her home to cook. The food was delicious Home style Kurdish cuisine. Like eating in your mom’s kitchen! We had the chance to also spend the afternoon with her husband, nephew, son and daughter-in-law. All were lovely and welcoming and made Istanbul feel more friendly and familiar. I highly recommend the experience to anyone traveling and wanting to connect with local people and eat delicious food.
26.11.23
l0p0rreca
This was a delightful experience both culturally and gastronomically. One does not usually think of joining a cooking class when visiting a new place, but I'd wholeheartedly recommned this experience to everyone. You will thank yourself after eating all the delicious food, meeting such warm people and taking a very special piece of Turkey back home with you!
26.11.23
tratu18