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Cooking Class in Turkey From Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey
  • 4 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Taste the unique flavors of Turkish cuisine as you learn to cook Ottoman-inspired recipes during this small-group cooking class. Get hands-on in the kitchen at a popular Istanbul restaurant in Sultanahmet and go beyond the typical dining experience as you watch—and help—a professional chef at work. Learn to make typical Turkish dishes like stuffed vine leaves or kirde kebab, then tuck into your delicious 3-course lunch or dinner.
  • This Turkish cooking class is fun for foodies, families, and all abilities
  • Learn professional culinary techniques from a skilled Turkish chef
  • Class sizes are kept small for an intimate and personalized experience
  • Hotel pickup is included, so you can leave the navigating to someone else

Sample Menu

Starter

Stuffed Vine Leaves with Sour Cherries

Starter

Stuffed Vine Leaves with Sour Cherries

Main

Kirde Kebab Diced beef and vegetables on flat bread croutons with yogurt

What's Included

  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Local taxes
  • Food tasting
  • Lunch
  • Wine tasting
  • Hotel pickup
  • Drinks
  • Hotel drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Complimentary pick up service from centrally located Istanbul hotels

or

Meeting point

  • Sultanahmet, Alemdar, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Your morning begins with pick-up from your central Istanbul hotel and a short ride to the Deraliye Restaurant in the heart of Sultanahmet. After meeting your instructor, a professional chef, and discussing the day’s menu, it’s time to get started.

Uncover the unique flavors and ingredients of Turkish cuisine as you prepare a range of typical dishes, and master traditional techniques that date back to Ottoman times. Learn how to make creative mezes such as stuffed vine leaves with sour cherries or Sailor’s rolls, delicious pastries made with cheese and honey, and discover the secrets of classic dishes like Kirde Kebabi. Along the way, pick up plenty of expert tips to help you recreate your favorite dishes back home.

After a 2-hour cooking class, sit down to sample your creations and tuck into a 3-course homemade lunch, including an indulgent dessert and local wines. After lunch, your tour ends at Deraliye Restaurant.

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Melissa_M
I would highly recommend this cooking class at this Michelin star restaurant. The owner of the restaurant taught the class with precision, humor and a personal touch. We learned new cooking techniques, and the food was amazing. We were able to eat our dinner that we cooked and it truly was a highlight of our trip. Thank you for offering us a rare opportunity for which we will always be grateful!

Reviews

4.4
based on 23 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

An amazing class!

Melissa_M, Nov 2024
I would highly recommend this cooking class at this Michelin star restaurant. The owner of the restaurant taught the class with precision, humor and a personal touch. We learned new cooking techniques, and the food was amazing. We were able to eat our dinner that we cooked and it truly was a highlight of our trip. Thank you for offering us a rare opportunity for which we will always be grateful!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that your experience at our Michelin-star restaurant’s cooking class was a highlight of your trip. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed learning new techniques, cooking with our chef, and savoring your own creations. We aim to make every moment special, and we’re grateful that you felt the humor, precision, and personal touch we love to bring to every class. Thank you for joining us and making it an unforgettable experience for all. We hope to welcome you back for another culinary adventure soon!

Cooking wit Mr Necati Ylmaz.

Elena_I, Jul 2023
It was a great experience! The restaurante is wonderful, the chef, Mr. Neceti Ylmaz, is very personable. The chef that accompanied us was very professional and efficient. We were able to cook delicious dishes from the Otoman cuisine, and had a great lunch.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for your comments & thoughts. We would love to see you again on your İstanbul vacations. Best wishes, Caner

Istanbul cooking class

Richard_P, Jul 2022
My wife and I had a great time during the cooking class and have taken back some inspiration to cook a similar style of food at home. The chef and restaurant manger, who we primarily interacted with, were superb. Their instruction and patience was much appreciated and the food at the end was delicious. Additionally, the restaurant was in a great part of town, ideally located to make a day of seeing Istanbul’s key landmarks such as the Hagia Sofia. The only disappointment was that it is advertised as a 4 hour experience where in reality it is only half that. If it has not been for this it definitely would have received 5 stars. Would definitely recommend this experience to anyone with an interest in cooking.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thanks RİCHARD, I wish to be with you agan your next Istanbul holidays. Saim

Happy in Istanbul

MaryPat_C, Apr 2022
I really enjoy taking cooking lessons in countries that I visit and this lesson was fabulous. We prepared, cooked and ate three authentic Turkish dishes. Chef was fully prepared, efficient and patient with us. And the best of all, every dish was delicious.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Hello Mary, So happy to hear you enjoyed the class. Hope to see you again. Regards

Interesting historical cuisine

kathryndanette, Jan 2020
The dishes on the menu are based on the Ottoman cuisine and delicious, but quite unexpected. They are simple to prepare such that beginners can easily make them. Very chill atmosphere and a welcoming staff as well.

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Thank you for your excellent reviews, we would like to see you again in İstanbul. Sincerely

Exciting Cooking

Yousof_A, Jan 2020
Very exciting and simple to learn dishes that pack a lot of flavour. The cook easily explained what we needed to do and guided us to complete our dishes

Response from Host, Jan 2020

Thank you for your positive review. We would like to see you again in İstanbul. Sincerely,

This was a fun experience. It would...

Kristie_K, Oct 2017
This was a fun experience. It would be nice to have it a bit more hands-on though (my learning style). For most of the dishes I watched the chef do the work. Having each of us make a smaller version of the dish instead of the chef making one dish is a nice way to learn. Delicious recipes made!

From $292.19

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 159 days in advance.

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