Traditional Home Cooking with a Local in İstanbul City Center

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

This is not just a cooking class—it’s a journey into the flavors, history, and daily life of Istanbul.

Our experience begins in the colorful markets of Kurtuluş, a lively district with century-old specialty shops. We’ll visit spice store, charcuterie, and bakery, tasting and learning about the ingredients that give Turkish cuisine its rich and diverse flavors.

Then at home, we’ll cook together just like family, using the fresh ingredients we’ve gathered. But this is more than following a recipe—it’s about sharing stories, learning traditions, and experiencing true Turkish home hospitality. We’ll talk about the origins of each dish, how cooking changes across different regions of Turkey, and the special meaning food holds in our culture.

By the time we sit at the table, it won’t feel like a class at all—it will feel like a meal shared with old friends. And when you leave, you won’t just take recipes with you—you’ll take memories, friendships, and a piece of Istanbul in your heart.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

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.

Cancellation Policy

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

What To Expect

Come spend a day in my kitchen, just like an old friend visiting for a home-cooked meal. We’ll begin in the colorful markets of Kurtuluş, a central, historic neighborhood filled with vibrant spice shops, fresh produce stalls, family-run charcuteries, and local bakeries. As we stroll through the lively streets, I’ll introduce you to the flavors and ingredients that make Turkish food so special. Back at my home, we’ll roll up our sleeves and start cooking together, just as we do with family. Whether we’re making kuru fasülye, dolma, börek, or mezes, I’ll show you the little tricks and stories behind each dish—things you won’t find in a cookbook. We’ll talk, chop, stir, and laugh as the kitchen fills with delicious aromas. Once the food is ready, we’ll gather around the table to enjoy everything we’ve made, sharing stories and conversation over a home-cooked feast. When it’s time to say goodbye, I hope you’ll leave not just with new recipes but with a full heart, wonderful memories, and maybe even the feeling that you’ve found a home away from home in Istanbul.

Sample Menu

starter

Soup (Lentil Soup or Yogurt Soup)

starter

Salad or Meze

A fresh, cold appetizer bursting with Turkish flavors

main

Pilaf or Börek

Fragrant rice, bulgur, or flaky pastry filled with cheese, spinach, or minced meat

main

Vegetable Dish

Seasonal vegetables cooked in a traditional Turkish way

dessert

Turkish Pumpkin Dessert with Tahini

A sweet and nutty traditional dessert

What‘s Included

Authentic Turkish Desert

Local Market Tour to experience local life

Authentic home cooking

Dinner

Cooking Materials and Ingredients

Tea, Turkish Coffee

Tips and Gratitudes

Things you buy for you from Market Tour

Private Transfer, arranged on request

Alcoholic beverages

Options

Traditional Home Cooking with a Local in İstanbul City Center

Reviews

5.00

74 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Gulsah the Great!!
alphagam18,,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Gulsah was such a lovely hostess. She took her time walking us through her neighborhood markets. Her home was very clean and cute. The food we prepared was traditional, yummy, and was easy to prepare. This was probably our favorite experience from our time in Istanbul. Highly recommend.
A must for foodies and amateur chefs (like me ;)
Todd S,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was a highlight of my travels. I usually try to take a cooking class everywhere I travel in the world. This was one of the best because it is in her home and not a commercial kitchen or big tour group. I highly recommend and she was super fun!
Gülşah was a great host!!...
Govert N,,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Gülşah was a great host!! We went to some local shops for some ingredients and got a taste of the local community. Cooking itself was a lot of fun and Gülşah explained all the recipes very well. Having dinner together and exchanging culture and language was a lot of fun. Overall a very nice experience that I would definitely recommend to anyone that is looking for a more local experience of Istanbul!
A must!!
Y7455FPdeniseb,,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A delightful introduction to the food culture of Türkiye starting with the neighbourhood specialty shops to the preparation of some dishes through to the customs and traditions that relate to family and food. Do not miss this experience when in Istanbul! Our hostess Gulsah was generous with her knowledge and patient with us novices! Just superb! Note that you must walk for a kilometre or so, and climb 5 flights of stairs. Well worth it! Highly recommend!!
Turkish neighbourhood meandering and dinner preparations!!
lorrainedJ9361OW,,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Don’t this walking tour that leads you to a cooking class that has all involved in the preparation. Chopping, pouring, stirring and rolling all part of the Turkish culinary experience. Our hostess Gulsha was wonderful and welcomed us into her home to share a night together. Sign up today to make sure you can experience this fun cooking class. Highlight was walking through the neighbourhood and tasting when you could or buying new flavours for your enjoyment after class. Al also sharing the meal with other travellers was wonderful.
Great experience!
Annika J,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great cooking class. Gülşah was totally nice I ne the walk across the market was super interesting. The only suggestion for improvement would be to get the recipes afterwards.
MUST DO AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE IN ISTANBUL!!!
tom hU8987GN,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Ok guys this is MUST DO while you’re in Istanbul. You’ll get an amazing experience starting with super friendly meeting with Gülşah - your cooking mentor. But not only cooking mentor, also she takes you to local little stores to show you how locals live and shop for food. Honestly, after few days spent in the city centre, thanks to Gülşah, we found out the real Istanbul, not the tourist one. Breathtaking stores, lot of informations about local life and unforgettable taste of everything we tried. Once you get to Gülşah’s apartment, you start cooking and that’s the highlight of this class because then you figure out why is their food soooo good. And Gülşah knows very well how to cook. DO IT GUYS because you won’t get better authentic experience than this. Well done Gülşah!! You deserve 100 🌟. Thank you ❤️
A top experience in Istanbul
ktneft,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A very worthwhile experience. She did a great job showing us the local area and markets, then was very welcoming and informative while we cooked. An experience I definitely recommend for Istanbul.
Happy Husband and Wife Review!
Benjamen O,,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Gülşah was a fantastic host and instructor. My wife and I enjoy cooking classes when we travel, so we have several points of comparison. I really liked Gülşah your of the neighborhood and visit to local shops (tip: get little gifts there —> transparent and fair pricing). Dinner itself was a multi-course meal of lentil soup, salad, a northern Turkish fish recipe, and a dessert. We appreciate the hospitality, instruction, and ultimately the food!
Great cooking class with a local in Istanbul.
RSanf,,Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The cooking class with a local in Istanbul was a lot of fun and we met some other people from different places around the world! Gulsah, the host of the tour, was very informative as we walked around her neighborhood and visiting all the shops she uses to get her ingredients for whatever she is cooking that day. We went back to her flat where we all assisted in making the meal and then all sat around her table and enjoyed the food. Great experience!