Authentic Turkish Cooking Class in a Local Istanbul Home
Description
We, two sisters, want to show the real local life of Istanbul. Just as friends, we will cook and eat Turkish dishes from Antakya region, one of the the culinary capitals of Turkey. So, come cook some nice food with us at a warm home in Istanbul, not as spectators but as participants in a hands-on experience. You'll learn cooking techniques and the stories behind each dishes. You will be able to learn our culture through shared moments, gaining insights into traditions that we learned from our grandmother and mother. Most of Turkish dishes can be cooked in a lot of ways, including vegans; just let us know about dietary preferences in advance. So, come as a guest, leave as a friend!
Tour Options
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Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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.
Reviews(14)
It was a wonderful experience to get to know Turkey from the inside! Turkish food, Turkish people and having so much fun together! Leyla, the host, is filled with so much joy and makes you feel at home! And the food was really good as well! I would always do it again!
This cooking class was so tasty and lots of fun!! Our hosts introduced us to some wonderful Turkish dishes and made sure that we all felt welcomed and comfortable in their home. The instruction was very detailed and went at a pace that all levels could follow.
Great way to learn more about the people, food and culture. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Rodja, our host, and getting to here family. We learned so much about her and her experiences as well as the local area. Loved that it was hands on and there were only 4 of us in the class. The food was delicious and Rodja an exceptional host. Highly recommend!
Sezgi, her mom, and her sister were all REALLY lovely hosts. Very proactive teachers, interested in chatting, super friendly. It really did feel like going over to a friend's house on the holidays and just cooking and hanging out with their family. It was nice to see slice of real Turkish life, since the rest of our vacation is so touristy. Also, we did this cooking class on my friends birthday, and they made a special dessert and put candles in it for her and sang. It was so kind and genuine. Also delicious. The only thing I'd note, if you are staying near all the tourist sites in Old Town, their home is a 30-60 minute Uber ride from Old Town, depending on traffic. I didn't realize that till after we booked! But it was definitely worth the trek.
Our host Ozge was a beautiful soul. Kind and generous with her time and knowledge. This was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon especially with Ozge’s lovely puppy Penny and kitten Theo ❤️
This made our host smile! 🐾 Cooking, chatting, and playing with Penny & Theo — always a recipe for joy.
We had amazing evening cooking with Özge! The food was wonderful and the company even better 🫶❤️ We made delicious eggplants with all the sides we could want. Özge even surprised us with an amazing dessert. We highly recommend this class for actually useful cooking tips, insight about everyday life in Turkey and great food.
Özge is the loveliest host! My family and I spent a great evening with her. She opened her house to us and allowed us to have a great Turkish experience. We had fun cooking together and sharing cultures. She thought us some traditional recipes and gave us suggestions to visit the city. We conclude with coffee and cake. It was great! Highly recommended
So glad Özge’s warmth reached you! Stuffed grape leaves and shared laughter — that’s the LokalBond way. 🍇💫
I didn't noticie how the time passed, I had fun stuffing and rolling things. Those things turned out to be very delicious as well. Overall, it surpassed my expectation by miles. I did this to make wife happy but turns out stuffed dolma is the thing for me and I am the happiest.
Dear Tuan, thank you for your lovely review. I had a great time with you & your wife. I am so happy you decided to come at the last minute :)) You are a natural cook; those böreks you have rolled definitely tasted better than ours :)))
I truly appreciated how well-prepared Özge was during our cooking experience. I learned many different recipes from Turkish cuisine, all enhanced by her unique touch. I felt both guided and free at the same time, so I want to express my gratitude to our host for creating such an open atmosphere. My favorite dishes included biber dolması (stuffed peppers) and kabak tarator (yogurt-zucchini mezze). Although I struggled a bit with rolling the cigarette böreks, the taste was still delicious regardless of their shape. Overall, it was a delightful time spent with my partner. We both enjoyed the cooking and dining experience with someone who was friendly and generous!
Dear Ezgi, Thank you for your kind words. You have just made my day. It was such a pleasure hosting you and don't worry you did great job with the böreks. Send Tuan my love and you are always welcome here!
We (my wife and I) had an amazing time with the host. She was funny and genuine and the food we made was actually some of the best food we ate during our whole week-long trip in Istanbul. The host was responsive, easy to communicate with, and very helpful and friendly. She offered recommendations for other things to do in the city as well! Overall, this was one of the best experiences we had visiting Turkey!
So happy to hear that! Özge puts her whole heart into each plate — and it shows. Thanks for being part of this delicious memory. 🍇✨
