Top Istanbul Food & Drink Classes

A true in-home Turkish experience—you’re welcomed not just as a guest, but as part of the family. The focus is as much on conversation and connection as on cooking. You’ll meet my adorable cat and dog, who are always excited to make new friends. We’ll end the meal the authentic Turkish way—with fresh coffee, dessert, and maybe even a fortune reading. You’ll walk away not only with new recipes, but with new memories, friendships, and stories.

You’ve explored Istanbul, tasted its flavors, and now you can return home not just with souvenirs, but with a story. In the enchanting setting of Little Hagia Sophia, you can learn how to make authentic Turkish delight—a centuries-old delicacy—with your own unique touch. Ideal for families, couples, and curious travelers, this experience allows you to create lasting memories while discovering a tradition that can be passed down through generations. Set in a historic garden within one of Istanbul’s oldest monasteries, you can experience the art of making Turkish delight. Rather than store-bought sweets, you can prepare your own Turkish delight by hand and take it home as a keepsake in an elegant bowl adorned with traditional İznik tile patterns. Accompanied by a local storyteller, you can listen to the stories behind this tradition and deepen your experience. You can also enjoy the opportunity to meet other artists at the Little Hagia Sophia Culture Center.

Coffee lovers won’t want to miss this uniquely Istanbul experience, which dives deep into the art of Turkish coffee. Learn how brewing with sand lets you control temperatures; master the art of the long-handled copper “cezve” pot; choose between eight different coffee types; and snack on traditional sweet treats. You’ll also discover how to tell fortunes using coffee grounds and take home your own bean blend, cezve, and cup set.

Sightseeing in Istanbul’s Old Town can be magical but sometimes you need to take a break. Build your barista skills and cultural understanding on this fascinating small-group workshop, just a 5-minute walk from the Blue Mosque. From grinding the coffee beans to brewing the “cezve” pot over hot sand, learn the art of creating Turkish coffee, Istanbul-style.

During this tour, you can join your host in their home for an authentic Turkish cooking experience. Discover how locals prepare their meals and get immersed in the tapestry of Turkish culture, gaining insights you won't find online or on Istanbul's bustling streets. Explore a local charcuterie, green grocery, spice store, pickle store, and meze shop. After shopping, cook together and share stories about cultures, religions, literature, and even politics.

Discover Istanbul’s European and Asian sides—and taste a range of delectable Turkish delicacies—on this full-day, small-group tour. Meet your guide in the morning in Istanbul’s Old City, and be sure to come hungry: you have a day of feasting ahead of you. Explore a spice market, and enjoy a traditional Turkish breakfast, before crossing the Bosphorus to trendy Kadikoy. Sip Turkish coffee, visit multiple restaurants, and discover Istanbul’s must-try dishes.

Hands-on fun: you actually weave, not just watch Our motto: Quality > Quantity → small groups, patient guidance, cozy atmosphere Cultural depth: stories, history, and meaning woven in Totally beginner-friendly (kids too — and yes, even “naughty ones” ) Flexible timing to fit your trip schedule Tea, coffee, snacks, and laughs included You take home your own handmade piece — 100% more unique than a fridge magnet

Baklava is one of Turkey's most iconic desserts, but most people only ever eat it from a shop window. Here you make it; layer by layer, in a real home kitchen, with someone who learned it the way it was meant to be learned: from family. Rojda's approach is unhurried and personal. Small group, real kitchen, and a recipe that carries 40 layers of history.

Experience Turkish Delight in the most authentic way: learn its 250-year-old story, taste three unique varieties, and watch each step of the traditional lokum-making process in a hands-on cultural workshop. Guided by a local expert and completed with a special gift from Istanbul’s oldest confectioner, Hacı Bekir (est. 1777).

This isn’t a polished studio or a touristy demo, it’s a real IstThis isn't a studio or a demonstration kitchen. It's a home in Tesvikiye, with a real stove, real family recipes, and a host who used to cook professionally but now cooks for the love of it. Esra's background means you get both the technique and the warmth; someone who knows exactly why a dish works, and also why it matters. Small groups only, so every guest gets real attention and the table never feels crowded.

Join an interactive workshop where you'll master the art of Turkish coffee making with a local expert. Begin by grinding premium coffee beans and brewing authentic Turkish coffee using a traditional cezve pot—easy to recreate at home. Discover the cultural significance of Turkish coffee in daily life. Engage in traditional coffee conversations and learn the art of coffee fortune-telling, offering unique insights into Turkish customs. Taste three varieties of Turkish coffee, paired with sweet delights like Turkish Delight. The workshop accommodates all dietary preferences; just inform us in advance of any restrictions.

Join Leyla in her Cihangir home kitchen for a cook together and eat together experience focused on traditional Turkish home food. After meeting Leyla's home, you’ll settle in and start preparing a multi dish menu side by side, with Leyla guiding each step in Turkish or English. Depending on the timing, the session can be a long Turkish breakfast or a lunch or dinner spread. You’ll cook dishes like soup and a main such as karnıyarık, sarma, dolma, or an oven baked meal, plus pilav, salad, and a few meze style sides. Taste as you go, learn practical tips, then sit down to share the meal you made in a relaxed, friendly home atmosphere. If it fits the day, you can also begin with a short walk in Cihangir before cooking.

Unlike cooking schools or commercial bakeries, this workshop takes place in a real home kitchen where recipes have been passed down through generations. You’ll cook side by side with your host Mehmet, hearing family memories while making the iconic dessert of Hatay. Guests often say the experience feels less like a class and more like being welcomed into a family gathering — where food, stories, and culture are shared together.

Uncover the sacred practice of the mystical Sufis at a Mevlevi Sema ceremony, held at Istanbul’s Hodjapasha Culture Center. Have the special chance to witness the 750-year-old tradition, which has been preserved on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Be mesmerized by the sight of the whirling dervishes as they perform their unique rituals during a show with a live orchestra.

The best way to learn to cook is with hands-on instruction, but most visitors to Istanbul don’t know residents who can help them learn how to prepare everything from dolma to börek. This small-group experience gives you first-hand experience with Turkish cuisine and takes place in a local home for maximum cultural immersion.

There’s no better gift to bring home from Istanbul than the art of Turkish cooking. Discover the rich flavors of authentic Turkish mezes and how to prepare them during this small-group class led by an experienced local cook. Master delicious—and 100-percent vegetarian—treats like “imam bayıldı”, a melt-in-the-mouth eggplant dish, “haydari”, a garlicky yogurt delight, and so much more.

Prepare to be awed by Istanbul’s magnificent architecture, rich history, and eclectic bazaars as you discover the unmissable highlights of the Old City on this 1-, 2-, or 3-day private tour. Marvel over the glorious Hagia Sophia, learn how the Blue Mosque earned its famous nickname. Tour Topkapi Palace to gain an insight into the lavish lifestyles of the Ottoman sultans and their harem, and browse the legendary Grand Bazaar, where you find everything from carpets to Turkish delight. Flexible daily itineraries: Day 1 - Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome Square, German Fountain, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar. Day 2 - Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Galata Tower (from outside), Spice Market. Day 3 - Suleymaniye Mosque, Fener and Balat Districts, St. Stephen Church (Iron Church), Pierre Lotti Panoramic Hill by Cable Car, Kadıkoy Market (or alternative sites).

Istanbul's longest running pub quiz is a unique meeting point of locals, foreigners living in the city, and travelers passing through. Over 150 sessions have taken place, and the bilingual nature of the quiz night ensures that it is an inclusive experience for everyone involved. Come alone or with friends and the organizers make sure everyone has a team. Categories are broad enough that it's accessible to everyone, while also having some niche bonus rounds to keep things exciting.

Experience Istanbul like never before with a modern Bosphorus-side tavern offering breathtaking views, exquisite à la carte dining, and a lively atmosphere. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening featuring live music and a mesmerizing belly dance performance, combining traditional Turkish entertainment with a contemporary twist. With the perfect mix of culture, cuisine, and nightlife, this is a truly unforgettable Istanbul experience.

Experience authentic Turkish hospitality in this hands-on breakfast cooking class. Prepare staple dishes like menemen or muhlama under the guidance of your local host, who shares tips, stories, and traditions that shape Turkey’s rich culinary heritage. Within a small-group setting, enjoy plenty of one-on-one support and leave with recipes to recreate at home.

Take advantage of extended layover time in Istanbul on a round-trip tour of city highlights from the airport, customized to suit your interests and schedule. Zip with ease between iconic sights such as the Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar, and benefit from historic and cultural insights provided by your professional guide.

Journey from teapot to cup in Istanbul's largest creative atelier between Galataport and Galata Tower. Discover teas from around the world while experiencing authentic Turkish tea culture What Makes This Special: ✨ Taste and compare five different tea worlds from China to the Black Sea region ✨ Learn traditional Turkish thin-waisted glass tea culture and double teapot secrets ✨ Master Chinese gaiwan brewing technique alongside Turkish methods ✨ Expert guidance in Turkish, English, or Russian with hands-on experience ✨ Discover how temperature and time transform each tea's unique character ✨ Create your own personalized tea blend suited to your palate ✨ Enjoy unlimited tastings with fresh Turkish delight and traditional treats ✨ Flexible sessions from 08:00 to 23:00 in a warm, aromatic atmosphere ✨ Perfect for tea lovers, couples, families, and groups up to 250 people Experience the calming ritual of tea in a spacious atelier where aromas pamper your senses

MEZZES are a form of presentation on small plates. Knowledge inherited from Anatolian civilizations dating back 12,000 years has turned into a colorful mosaic by blending it with the cuisines of the Greek, Armenian and Jewish people we lived with during the Ottoman Empire, and was also influenced by the cuisines of Central Anatolia. Asia, Middle East and Balkans. Our experience is interactive; You will receive hands-on training and learn about mezzes and cooking techniques that can be easily repeated at home. You will also discover the mosaic of our country, its local culture and how we live in daily life. You will learn about ingredients, spices and where to buy them. Finally, we will set the table and enjoy what we have prepared; we are very happy to see guests have difficulty choosing which plate is more delicious during the enjoyable tasting. Vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians are welcomed. Please note we can be flexible on booking hours. Don't hesitate to ask please.