Traditional Home Cooking with a Local in İstanbul City Center

4.9

122

Reviews

Recommended by 100% travellers

100% of guests rated this experience 4 stars or higher

4.9 (122)

Recommended by 100% travellers

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4.9

122

Reviews

Recommended by 100% travellers

100% of guests rated this experience 4 stars or higher

4.9 (122)

Recommended by 100% travellers

Earliest Date Available: November 15, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

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Trusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT

Location

Istanbul

Duration

3 hours

Group size

Max 5 guests

Language

English

Location

Istanbul

Duration

3 hours

Group size

Max 5 guests

Language

English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

•122 reviews

US$75.86 per guest

Instant Confirmation

Guest

Adult x1

Date

Add dates

Select Options

Earliest Date Available: November 15, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

Why book with byFood?

Japan's #1 food travel platform

Trusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT

Description

Good to Know

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

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.

Authentic Turkish Desert

Authentic home cooking

Dinner

Cooking Materials and Ingredients

Tea and coffee

Tea, Turkish Coffee

Tips and Gratitudes

Private Transfer, arranged on request

Alcoholic beverages

Join me for a full-hearted day of cooking, tasting, and discovering the everyday flavors of Istanbul. We’ll cook together in my cozy kitchen; maybe börek, maybe dolma, maybe a full table of colorful mezes. It depends on the season and what inspires us most. Don’t worry if you’re not an experienced cook. I’ll guide you through every step, and we’ll take it slow and enjoy the process. Once everything is ready, we’ll sit down and eat together, just like friends do. We’ll share the dishes we’ve made, sip tea, and hopefully have one of those conversations that stays with you even after you’ve left. Come as a guest, leave as a friend. If you have any dietary restrictions, just let me know ahead of time; I’m happy to adapt. And if you need help finding me at the start, I’m always just a message away. Also please note: I have a very friendly dog who will be with us throughout the experience. He is gentle and used to being around guests. If you have any concerns or allergies, feel free to reach out in advance — I’m happy to accommodate however I can.

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

Meeting Point

Dericiler Sokak, Şişli İstanbul, Türkiye, TR

Open in Google Maps

Istanbul has traffic issue. I suggest you use metro, ferry as much as you can.

End Point

This experience ends at the meeting point.

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 1 day before for a full refund.

No refund within 1 day of the experience or no-shows.

4.9

122 reviews

5 Stars

121

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Stars

+109 photos

122 reviews

SrCHRMNovember 2026 • TripAdvisor

Entras como invitado y sales como amigo

Nuestra experiencia en casa de Gülsah ha sido definitivamente increíble. Es la primera vez que hacemos un taller de cocina presencial y ha sido fantástica. Gülsah nos ha tratado super bien, es muy buena cocinera y conversadora, además de una persona interesante. Su perrito es muy bueno y cariñoso. La preparación de la cena fue fácil y todo estaba riquísimo. Nos facilitó en todo momento la información necesaria para llegar correctamente y luego volver a nuestro hotel. Sin ninguna duda lo recomend...read more

G6931IUdavemNovember 2026 • TripAdvisor

Warm experience with a talented local!

Gulsah was such a wonderful host! We felt so comfortable in her home. She involved us in preparing every dish and was full of warm conversation. This experience allows a tourist to have a genuine connection with a local resident. By the end of the evening we were having dinner with a friend and would highly recommend an evening with Gulsah.

lauramO2191LGOctober 2026 • TripAdvisor

Best cooking class

This was the best experience! The food was amazing and Gulsah was delightful company. I highly recommend this cooking class.

wendyj893September 2026 • TripAdvisor

Fun and informative home cooking experience

Our group of four really enjoyed learning to cook a traditional (and healthy) Turkish meal, and especially enjoyed eating the delicious food! Our hostess is a lively conversationalist and we appreciated her local perspectives and recommendations. She is a wonderful cook who is great at making her guests feel welcome and relaxed.

paulaJ7979IISeptember 2026 • TripAdvisor

A very pleasant evening of cooking and chatting

We had a wonderful experience with Gulsah. She welcomed us into her home and treated us like family. She showed us the typical simple meals that are common in Turkish households, and she shared stories about history and culture. It was a very relaxed time - no rush for us to leave.