4 Cooking Classes in Istanbul, Weighed Up

1.Private Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class with Local Moms

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $90Our pick

Meet a local host in Beşiktaş for a three-hour Turkish cooking class in a real home. With hosts such as Nuran, Özge, Kevser, or Rojda, you may prepare dolma, börek, meze, salads, soup, or breakfast dishes, then eat together. Menus can be adjusted for dietary needs, and groups are limited to eight people.

“Two grandparents and a 13 year old grandson had a wonderful time learning to cook a Turkish breakfast in Nuran‘s home. She was so friendly and made sure our grandson was engaged in all the activities! He LOVED it….as did his grandparents! A great way to ‘see into’ traditional Turkish life after 2 day of visiting Grand Mosques and Palaces!”

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2.Traditional Home Cooking with a Local in İstanbul City Center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $80Best value

Join Gülşah for a four-hour Istanbul food experience that starts in Kurtuluş markets and continues in her home kitchen. Shop for local ingredients, prepare dishes such as dolma, börek, pilaf, or meze, then share a Turkish meal with tea, coffee, and dessert. Groups are limited to five people and the activity is offered in English.

“This is a great beginner friendly cooking class for those who are not only interested about cooking Turkish food, but also an insight into the ingredients and Turkish culture. The cooking class is very organized and informative and we made more than enough food to share for a group of 7. Would definitely recommend and would come back again in the future!”

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3.Istanbul Home Cooking Course – Cook and Eat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 52 reviews · from $102

Meet Gülşah near Osmanbey, browse Kurtuluş food shops, and learn to make Turkish home dishes such as börek, lentil soup, mezes, and dessert. Then sit down in her home for dinner, tea, and Turkish coffee. Groups are limited to five, and her friendly little dog is part of the experience.

“We had an excellent time meeting Gulsah, her adorable dog and exploring her neighbourhood. We learnt recipes that were so tasty yet will be simple to recreate! It was so great to experience a true Turkish evening in a locals house. It was also great getting to meet some lovely fellow travellers. We left very full and very happy. A highlight of this trip!”

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4.Cooking Class in Turkey From Istanbul

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $300

Meet a professional Turkish chef at Deraliye Restaurant in Sultanahmet for a small, English-language class focused on Ottoman-inspired dishes. You’ll prepare stuffed vine leaves, pastries, and Kirde Kebab, then eat a three-course lunch with wine. Central hotel pickup is included, but drop-off is not.

“My wife and I had a great time during the cooking class and have taken back some inspiration to cook a similar style of food at home. The chef and restaurant manger, who we primarily interacted with, were superb. Their instruction and patience was much appreciated and the food at the end was delicious. Additionally, the restaurant was in a great part of town, ideally located to make a day of seeing Istanbul’s key landmarks such as the Hagia Sofia. The only disappointment was that it is advertised as a 4 hour experience where in reality it is only half that. If it has not been for this it definitely…”

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