Istanbul Cooking Course: Authentic Local Cuisine Experience

Experience authentic Turkish home cooking in Istanbul. Join a local for a cooking course, visit local stores, cook together, and learn about Turkish culture.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Dericiler Sokak - Step into my Turkish kitchen for an authentic cooking experience that’s more than just recipes—it’s a cultural journey. Join me for a genuine Turkish Cooking Course where we’ll shop, cook, chat, and savor together.

Starting near Taksim at Osmanbey metro station, we’ll explore local markets to find the freshest ingredients for our traditional dishes. Then, it’s off to my cozy home kitchen where we’ll cook and share stories about Turkish life, culture, and more.

Together, we’ll prepare:

  • A delicious main dish (like kuru fasülye, karnıyarık, or dolma)
  • Tasty bulgur or rice
  • A flavorful meze or salad
  • Turkish Coffee and Dessert

Not only will you taste these classics, but I’ll also teach you how to cook them from scratch. I’ll share recipes and secrets about Turkish ingredients, showing you their versatility in different dishes.

Got dietary preferences or allergies? Just let me know, and I’ll organize our experience to accomodate your needs, whether vegetarian, vegan, or any special requirements.

Join me for a 4-hour+ immersion into Turkish culture through its cuisine. It’s more than a cooking class—it’s an authentic taste of Turkish home life.

What's Included
  • Authentic Turkish Dessert
  • Local Market Tour to experience local life
  • Authentic home cooking
  • Dinner
  • Cooking Materials and Ingredients
  • Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
  • Tips and Gratitudes
  • Things you buy for you from Market Tour
  • Private Transfer, arranged on request
  • Alcoholic beverages
Meal Options
  • Kuru Fasülye - White Beans Cooked in a traditional Turkish way
  • Pilaf (Rice or Bulgur) - Pilaf cooked in Turkish way
  • Turkish Pumpkin Dessert with Tahini - Traditional Turkish Dessert
Additional Information

Come join me at my home, to learn how we, Turkish people, cook at home. While you will experience what daily life of a Turkish person is, you will learn things about the culture where you will not find online or on Istanbul streets.

Firstly, we will walk to my favorite local stores that I shop in my daily life. We will visit the Charcuterie, green grocery, spice store, pickle store and meze store that I go almost daily.

After we do the shopping, we will cook, and set the table together as two friends. While we exchange information about our cultures, religions, literature, and politics, we will enjoy the dishes we cooked together.

When you leave, you will have two questions in your mind: how did I eat so much, and how come did I get this close with someone in this short time. You will also keep this cooking knowledge as a souvenier that you will bring back to your friends and family at your hometown.

So, come as a guest, leave as a friend!

  • We’re happy that you’re considering joining us for a LokalBond experience! Our goal is to create unforgettable memories by connecting you with the real locals of the city to introduce the culture and vibrant local life of Istanbul. To ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience, we ask that all guests review our participation waiver. By completing your booking, you acknowledge that you’ve read and accepted the terms of the waiver below. We’ve kept it straightforward and easy to understand, so you can focus on what really matters—getting ready for a special time with us! LokalBond Experiences Waiver and Release of Liability 1. Acknowledgment of Risks: I, acknowledge that participating in this experience offered by LokalBond involves certain inherent risks, including but not limited to physical activity, travel, potential hazards, and interaction with individuals and environments that may carry unknown risks. I understand that these risks may result in personal injury, illness, or damage to personal property. 2. Voluntary Participation: I affirm that my participation in this experience is entirely voluntary and that I have been informed about the nature of the experience. I understand that I am under no obligation to participate and that I may withdraw from the experience at any time without penalty. 3. Health and Fitness: I certify that I am in good health and physical condition to participate in this experience. I do not have any medical conditions, disabilities, or other concerns that would limit my ability to safely participate. I agree to inform LokalBond of any changes in my health status prior to the experience. 4. Assumption of Risk: I hereby assume all risks associated with my participation in the experience, including but not limited to those mentioned above. I acknowledge that LokalBond and its representatives have made no warranties regarding the safety of the experience or the environments involved. 5. Release of Liability: In consideration of being allowed to participate in the experience, I hereby release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless LokalBond, its owners, employees, agents, hosts, and other participants from any and all claims, actions, damages, or liabilities arising out of or related to my participation in the experience, including, but not limited to, any claims of negligence on the part of LokalBond or its representatives. 6. Indemnification: I agree to indemnify and hold harmless LokalBond from any and all claims, actions, or damages, including attorney fees, arising out of or related to my participation in the experience, whether caused by the negligence of LokalBond or otherwise. 7. Governing Law: This waiver and release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Turkish law, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. 8. Acknowledgment of Understanding: I have read this waiver and release of liability, fully understand its terms, and approve it freely and voluntarily without any inducement. I understand that by confirming this document, I am giving up certain legal rights, including the right to sue LokalBond or its representatives.
Location
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Istanbul City Center
Halaskargazi Caddesi
1- Our community has a driver. If you wish a private transfer to the experience location, we will be happy to check the driver's availability. 2- Istanbul has traffic issue. I suggest you use metro, ferry as much as you can. Instructions to the address via public transportation is written on tickets
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(28 Ratings)
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Amandaci8352yw
Sep 12, 2024
Great way to experience local cuisine and culture - Had a wonderful time with this experience. Gulsah is an absolute gem. She led our small group around her neighborhood markets, and we used the supplies to cook several traditional dishes in her lovely home. Gulsah is knowledgeable, patient, and very easy to connect with. I definitely recommend this course!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ed_s
Aug 25, 2024
A culinary insight into locals - Thanks Gulsah for having us in your home and an jnsight into your life. An informative and yummy experience Memories and recipes to take away and remember Gulsah and this wonderful time in Turkey, each time when back in Oz we cook your recipes. Recommended and thanks Ed and Pam West Australia
Review provided by Viator
Ted_t
Aug 10, 2024
Learn and cook Turkish food - We loved Learning about Turkish food and cooking with Gulsah. We asked for a challenging meal and she delivered. We got to do a lot of The preparation with very helpful guidance. She chose a great menu and it was delicious. We really enjoyed the tour of the produce cheese and dry goods shops ahead of the meal. Gulsah is very knowledgeable and well liked in the neighborhood. It will be a great experience.
Review provided by Viator
Grizel
Jul 31, 2024
Enjoyable Cooking Event - There were several features that I really enjoyed about this cooking class. First of all Gulsah was lots of fun to work with. I appreciate it very much that she took the time to walk us through the neighborhood for us to get a better understanding of how this Turkish neighborhood works. We got to interact with the store owners that she uses for her cooking classes. Once we arrived at her home, we immediately got to cooking several appetizers or tapas along with dessert. I got to ask many questions about Turkish cuisine as well as Turkish life, and I found Gulsah very open about sharing her life story as well. she also was very helpful identifying and recommending other activities that I was interested in. I fully enjoy this home away from home cooking event and highly recommended it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Natiae
Jun 29, 2024
Great for foodies who like to explore - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tina_m
Jun 28, 2024
Gracious Hostess - What a great experience! Gülsah was easy to work with, great at communicating and answering questions, and a lovely host. She was knowledgeable, took us to great shops for fresh, local ingredients. The meal we cooked together was fun, delicious, and perfect for a summer evening. She was a gracious hostess; we couldn't have asked for more.
Review provided by Viator
Sam_c
Jun 24, 2024
Excellent Cooking Class with a Very Knowledgeable Local - Gülşah was an amazing host and we are very grateful she welcomed us into her home. Gülşah took us on a tour of her neighbourhood and explained all the different types of food and ingredients we could by. This was followed by an excellent cooking class where she taught us recipes that were not too complicated and dishes that could be made in our home countries. Dinner was followed by some coffee and a delicious dessert. There were wonderful conversations all night and all around it was a very wholesome and extremely fun experience!
Review provided by Viator
Valdo_r
Jun 19, 2024
Highly recommended cooking course! - This course was truly a highlight of our trip and we had a wonderful time hanging out with Gulsah. She took us around the neighbourhood and introduced us to local shops as she gathered different ingredients for dinner. We all took part in making dinner under her excellent guidance and supervision. She is an awesome cook and a very experienced guide. We highly recommend this course to any food lovers looking to learn about local cuisine!
Review provided by Viator
Climber23004957860
Jun 13, 2024
Highly recommend! - Worth every dollar ! The food was so amazingly delicious: and Gulsah is not just someone whom I learnt a lot from , but also she is such a sweet , caring and loving person and full of life I really came as a guest and left feeling she is my friend ❤️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ryan_c
Jun 11, 2024
Gulsah was the most... - Gulsah was the most wonderful host and cook! She made me feel like family going around her neighborhood, and the little tips she shared for the dishes we made are ones I can't wait to try at home. Eggplant will never be the same again! Highly recommend, one of my highlights of my time in Istanbul.
Review provided by Viator
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