Top Istanbul Food & Drink Classes

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.

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.

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).

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.

Discover one of Türkiye’s most iconic traditions with a hands-on Turkish coffee workshop in Istanbul. In this experience, you will learn how to prepare authentic Turkish coffee using traditional equipment and the unique hot sand brewing method. Your instructor will guide you step by step through the process, from understanding the finely ground coffee to controlling the heat, creating the perfect foam, and serving it in the traditional way.

Master the art of preparing Turkish coffee during a small-group class in Istanbul. Begin at Balkapanı Han with a history lesson on coffee in Turkish culture. Then, follow your instructor's lead to create the perfect cup of this iconic beverage. At the end, enjoy a fortune reading of your coffee grounds and receive a charming coffee set to take home.

Learn the art of making simit, Istanbul's beloved street food, in a hands-on cooking class that transforms baking into a culinary journey. Under the expert guidance of a professional chef, knead and shape your simit dough, master the traditional molasses dip, and coat it with crunchy sesame seeds. While your simit bakes, whip up delicious menemen, acuka, and homemade jam, ensuring a hearty breakfast spread awaits. Gather around a warm table to savor your creations with unlimited Turkish tea, all in a vibrant setting near Galata Tower.

This isn’t just a cocktail class — it’s a chance to hang out with locals in our own home and experience real Turkish hospitality. Emre, your host worked as a bartender at Beach Blanket Babylon, Kemia Bar and Momo, London, so you’ll be learning from someone with great international experience. You’ll make unique cocktails with a Turkish twist, enjoy great conversation, snacks, and rooftop views of Istanbul — all in a relaxed, personal setting.

You won’t be sitting and watching — this is a hands-on experience in a real Istanbul home. From rolling the dough to stirring your own cocktail, you’ll feel like part of the evening, not just a guest. You’ll cook, laugh, share stories, and leave with local tips, new friends, and maybe even a little flour on your shirt.

Discover vegan Turkish cuisine in this hands-on, small-group cooking class in the home of an Istanbul local. Instead of hunting down a vegan-friendly restaurant, enjoy a cozy home atmosphere as you craft traditional Turkish dishes with a vegan twist. At the end, dine on your creations, and leave knowing how to recreate the recipes at home.

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.

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

Discover Anatolia's millennia-old culinary heritage in a personalized hands-on cooking class. Learn traditional techniques, prepare authentic dishes, and enjoy your creations at the chef's table ️ What Makes This Special: ✨ Personalized menu based on your preferences and dietary needs after booking ✨ Learn from professional chef in Turkish or English with full participation ✨ Master knife skills, ingredient prep, and traditional cooking methods ✨ Cultural stories behind every dish from Ottoman palaces to Anatolia ✨ Professional plating techniques to make dishes visually stunning ✨ Enjoy lunch or dinner at chef's table in warm, social atmosphere ✨ Take home recipe booklet to recreate and impress friends Sample dishes: İmam Bayıldı, Mantı, Çerkez Tavuğu, Sütlaç, and more. Between Galataport and Galata Tower

Mantı and dolma are both dishes that take time; the kind of time families used to spend together around a table, folding and rolling and talking. That communal rhythm is exactly what this experience is built around. Rojda's home in Beyoglu is small, personal, and real. No studio setup, no performance; just a kitchen, a tradition, and good company.

Embark on a Cultural and Culinary Journey through Istanbul’s Waters: Step aboard our luxury dinner cruise and experience the fusion of Turkish cuisine and culture. Start with an assortment of 10 traditional snacks, followed by a choice between a succulent mixed grill plate or perfectly grilled fish, all while sailing past Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. As you dine, be transported by live performances, from the mesmerizing whirling dervish to the dramatic sword dance, all set against the backdrop of the sparkling Bosphorus. This is not just a dinner—it's an immersive journey into the heart of Turkish tradition and flavor.

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.

Led by locally recognized culinary masters and an expert kitchen team, this 1.5-hour hands-on cooking class offers an elevated introduction to Turkish and Ottoman cuisine. Discover the rich culinary heritage of Anatolia and the refined traditions of the Ottoman palace kitchen through exclusive chef-created recipes, carefully selected local ingredients, and authentic time-honored techniques. Prepare traditional dishes inspired by the kitchens of Topkapı Palace and recipes once served to Ottoman sultans. Along the way, uncover historic flavors and nearly forgotten recipes that have been passed down through generations—an immersive cultural experience that brings Istanbul’s remarkable culinary legacy to your table.

This experience takes place in one of Kadıköy’s rare garden homes — not a studio, not a restaurant, but a lived-in family space where meals are made with heart. You’ll cook side-by-side with a professional chef and his mother, learning recipes that have been passed down through generations and shaped by the seasons. It’s an invitation into real Turkish life, where food isn’t just eaten — it’s shared, talked over, and remembered. Guests often say they came for the cooking, but stayed for the stories, the laughter, and the feeling of being part of a home.

This cooking experience takes place in a real Istanbul home, hosted a local couple who come from different regions of Türkiye and love bringing those flavors together in their kitchen.

Get an insider’s introduction to Turkish cuisine during this hands-on, private cooking workshop in a local’s home. Learn how to recreate authentic dishes such as stuffed eggplant and crispy borek (filo pastry pie), with each recipe passed down through the family. As you cook, as your host for tips and recommendations, and discover a side to Turkish food that many travelers miss.

Join in a creative blend where graffiti art and cocktails come together. Hosted by us, locals who happen to be graffiti artists and bartenders, our home is more than a venue; it's a space where genuine connections happen. Be an active part of the experience—design your graffiti tag and paint it on our garden wall. Beyond the art, it's about shared moments, making connections, and crafting something special in Istanbul. Experience the heart of Istanbul's culture in the warmth of our home. This isn't the typical tourist scene; it's a chance to live like a local. Leave with more than art—leave with new friends, memories, and a taste of Istanbul's artistic vibe. Choose an authentic adventure where art, cocktails, and Istanbul's essence blend naturally. Book our graffiti and cocktail session for a genuine exploration of the city, beyond just an activity.

Çiğ köfte is among the more popular street food delights in Turkey, but it’s not something that’s easy to find overseas. This small-group cooking class teaches you how to make this delightful vegetarian treat on your own so that you’ll be able to enjoy it after your trip to Turkey, even if you don’t live near a Turkish restaurant.

A playful home cooking experience where you make Soğan Kebap together, share drinks and stories, and enjoy unexpected moments like dancing or boxing, all inside a real local home with a very personal touch.