Istanbul Cooking Course - Authentic Home Cooking with a Local
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.
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Istanbul Cooking Course - Authentic Home Cooking with a Local
What's included in Istanbul Cooking Course - Authentic Home Cooking with a Local
(Subject to Option Inclusions)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.
Food 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
Inclusions
- 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
- 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.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- 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
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
1- Please notify any dietary restrictions after booking. 2- Istanbul has traffic issue. Usually, there are decent public transportation to travel. Instructions to arrive at the address by public transportation: From Old Town (Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia etc.); Take tram T1 to Laleli-İstanbul Ü. Then, walk to the Veznecıler - İstanbul Ünıversıtesi M2 line. Take the metro to Osmanbey. From Taksim; Take M2 to Osmanbey. There is Ramada Plaza Otel at the meeting point. We will meet in front of the hotel. If you will take the metro, get off at Osmanbey station and please use Dolapdere / Pangalti exit. And if you will take taxi or bus please add +20 mins to Google Maps estimated arrival time.