Private Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class with Local Moms

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Istanbul, Turkey

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

3 hours (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· Cecilia_T ·

Apr 2025

My husband and I had an amazing time. Learned so much, felt so welcomed on arrival. This cooking class made a tremendous impact on our Istanbul adventure. We felt like a member of the family. We loved the homestyle cooking and felt like we experience the Kurdish experience like no other. We would highly recommend this to everyone.

· XiaoMiao_Z ·

Jan 2026

This cooking class in Istanbul was an amazing experience. We learned to make some of our favorite Turkish dishes and really appreciated how authentic the whole experience was. Having Nouran’s friends and family join us for dinner made it feel warm, communal, and truly local. The welcoming culture and hospitality stood out. I would 100% recommend this experience to anyone visiting Istanbul.

Overview

Sample Menu

Main

Dolma

Vegetables and leaves stuffed with rice and special spices

Starter

Börek

Pastry that is made of a thin dough such as with a variety of fillings

Main

Vegeterian Turkish Dishes

Variety of Western Turkish Dishes cooked with vegetables and olive oil

Starter

Meze

Variety of Turkish small dishes served as a starter

Starter

Carrot Salad

Special Turkish Carrot Salad with yogurt

What's Included

Dinner

If the experience is booked for 5pm, it will be held as a dinner!
Breakfast

If the experience is booked for 10am, it will be held as a breakfast, where you will learn how to cook Turkish breakfast dishes and prepare a proper Turkish breakfast.

Private transportation per request after booking.
Private transportation
Film My Experience - A friend will casually film your experience. You'll get an edited reel afterward — great for memories or sharing on social.

$5.00 per booking

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Sinanpaşa, Selamlık Cd. No:21, 34353 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye
Please notify any dietary restrictions after booking.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Besiktas

Dolmabahce Palace

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Supplied by

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

Inna_B

I can't possibly say enough good things about our experience doing the cooking class with Rojda. It was be awkward entering a new person's home for the first time, but Rojda made it feel anything but. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with the infamous Turkish hospitality by both Rojda and her sweet little daughter. Water, tea, coffee, slippers, snacks-- everything was shared before we even started cooking. The food was incredible! We made an amazing feast and cooked so many amazing dishes- enough to feed a small army! Rojda kindly offered to have us take a lot of the food home, but unfortunately we were flying back the next day. The table was full and it was so hard to believe we cooked so much in such a short time-- soup, a main dish, and 4? 5? different mezze. And a salad. Incredible! The only thing more wonderful than the food was the conversation. Rojda shared with us about her life- what an amazing and inspiring woman she is! She shared with so much openness and honesty and warmth. It's amazing how even come from such different backgrounds, we have so many things in common and points of connection. My whole family- 2 adults and 2 kids- had the most wonderful time. It is an experience none of us will ever forget, and we are so grateful we got to take part in. Thank you Rojda!

Reviews

5.0

based on 117 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Cooking class with Rojda

Inna_B, Feb 2026

Fantastic local experience

XiaoMiao_Z, Jan 2026

Delicious breakfast with...

Jennifer_O, Jan 2026

Delicious breakfast with warm, gracious hosts! We enjoyed learning to cook this meal, as well as getting to know our hosts.

Wonderful unique experience, especially for solo travelers!

Arrianna_S, Jan 2026

I arrived at the cozy apartment where the friendly host Nuran invited me to a lovely cup of Turkish tea together with her mother who was there as well. We started chatting, and I felt home immediately. We prepared dinner, which was a soup, main dish with lamb and potatoes, a broccoli and yogurt salad with bread on the side and my very favorite Turkish butter rice. Some pickles were served as well and Nuran explained how all is prepared patiently. Apart from the food being absolutely delicious, I was welcomed into this family atmosphere and just had the best time. It was the first time for me in Istanbul and I can recommend this cooking experience to anyone who just wants to feel home away from home. Even if you’re not into cooking, you will have a lovely time with Nuran and her wonderful family. I can highly recommend this class, packed with insights that will widen your horizon culturally too!

Authentic atmosphere and...

Damien_F, Dec 2025

Authentic atmosphere and delicious food shared with our host and her whole family, it was a culinary but also a great human experience. I would recommend it for anyone. Thank you!

amazing local experience !

Enzo_B, Dec 2025

Nuran is an amazing host, so welcoming and kind. We made traditional Kurdish recipes and learned about her culture and family. This is a must do if you are in Istanbul!

Fabulous Home Cooking Class in Istanbul!

Kane_M, Aug 2025

This was a wonderful experience hosted in a locals home! Özge was very warm and welcoming to us and it felt like we were catching up with a friend, not a stranger! We learnt not just about Turkish food and cooking, but also about Özge’s life and her travels which we also shared our story over a lovely meal which we all cooked together. Özge gave us insight with small changes and additions to the meal depending on what we liked and told us about local ingredients and how they make the meal we made so special! We also had a dessert along with some Turkish coffee, which was lovely. We were lucky enough to meet the Özge’s pets who were adorable! Please if you’re interested in learning Turkish style cooking, book a breakfast OR dinner cooking class with Özge or with this company! This is an experience we won’t forget.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Dear Kane, You’ve just made my day with this beautiful review! 🧡 Thank you so much for your kind words — I’m so happy it felt like cooking with a friend and the feeling is mutual. Theo & Penny enjoyed spending time with you & Taylor a lot :)) Hope our paths cross again someday! ✨

Amazing, immersive cultural experience!

Clinton_H, Jun 2025

Such an amazing cultural experience. We had traditional Kurdish foods, in a private home. Note that we are gay, so I reached out to the service beforehand, and was informed that she welcomes everyone, and that there would be zero problems, and that she couldn't wait to welcome us into her home. That was exactly right. We learned so many great techniques and had a delightful conversation with her & her husband and adult son. Her mother was visiting as was her sister. It was wonderful.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

This warmed our hearts. Everyone is welcome at our table — always. Thank you for bringing your full selves and sharing your story. 🌈🧡

We purchased two tickets...

ringenbergsj, May 2025

We purchased two tickets for the cooking class and had a great time. The food was good and the host was awesome!

Hostess is charming and...

Chris_O, May 2025

Hostess is charming and involved us in all aspects of the food preparation. It’s an at home experienced, which involved us somewhat in the family story , not part of a cooking school as has been our experience in the past. 4 separate dishes were prepared, cooked and consumed - all very efficiently; and all delicious. We provided the hostess with a new word “yummy” which was the instantaneous response to each dish! Only minor criticism is that the class occurs inside an apartment in a building whose address you have, but you do not have the apartment number to buzz.

Awesome

Cecilia_T, Apr 2025

Authentic Turkish food in a real home setting

Linda_P, Apr 2025

The highlight of my visit to Istanbul. Nuran was welcoming and friendly. This was a low key 'informal' home cooking experience and I was surprised at how many really authentic dishes we were able to make together in her tiny kitchen. Travelling alone, I was able to join in with a group of others. I loved her style of cooking - no 'set' recipes to slavishly follow! She was great at getting us all involved. Getting there in the rush hour was a challenge, as was the steep flight of stairs to her apartment, but it was worth it and good value. Thank you Nuran.

Cooking with Local Mom

Elizabeth_N, Mar 2025

The experience was really great. Our host welcomed us into her home as guests and proceeded to walk us through how to make 4 dishes - dolmas with lamb and rice, carrots with homemade yoghurt, and salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and sumac, as well lentil soup. So, so good. The menus change depending on the season, market produce, etc, but all are traditional dishes. After making everything, we ate together at her table. Truly an amazing, one-of-a-kind experience. Thank you again to our host!!!!

Wonderful connections.

Jim_M, Jan 2025

Thank you Nuran and family. We really enjoyed the cooking, the eating and the conversation. Thank you sooooo much!!!

Must do while in Istanbul

Melissa_C, Dec 2024

Such a unique experience. We felt so welcome into the home. Wonderful conversation and amazing food! Would definitely recommend!

Cooking and learning from a great host

Doug_B, Oct 2024

Our host Kevser was great. She welcomed us into her home and we soon felt like old friends. It was one of our favorite Istanbul experiences. I highly recommend cooking and talking with her, petting her puppy and learning more about her beautiful country.

Home away from home

Kyle_R, Sep 2024

Kevser, our generous host, made us feel right at home in her home! The food was delicious, and the small group we had, had plenty of great conversation into the evening. One of my favourite things I got to experience in Istanbul for sure.

Super!

Timothe_G, Sep 2024

We had a superbe moment! We cooked, ate and laughed! The host and the food were very good! We enjoyed a lot!

Amazing Turkish experience

Sidrah_H, Sep 2024

Rojda is a super host. From the moment I arrived at her place I felt welcomed. Food we cooked was absolutely delicious and we also had turkish tea and coffee. I learned alot about the turkish cuisine in just few hours.It started to rain and Rojda was kind enough for us to stay a bit longer until the rain stopped! I will remember this experience for a lifetime. I highly recommend to try this experience and you won't be disappointed:).

Really felt like a part of the family :)

Anton_L, Aug 2024

Nura (the Turkish Mom) is such a sweetheart - she welcomed me into their home with warmth and even waited from the 2nd floor of the apartment complex to make sure I would arrive safely. I don’t have much experience in cooking, but Nura was very patient with me as she helped me refined my knife skills a little. While Nura had some trouble in communicating in English, we were able to have a decent conversation while preparing a hefty dinner for 10 - very similar to how a mother and child might prepare for a party. :) I did feel a sense of accomplishment after having cooked everything, and even received praise from the guests from the dolma that we prepared. It felt festive at night without feeling forced - and I really did feel that I was part of the family, even for a short while. I appreciated that Bayer provided many options in helping me get to the house since it is a little difficult to find.

Great experience

Belinda_W, Aug 2024

I learned so much about Turkey and Turkey cuisine. I am glad I choose this experience. I would recommend this experience to anyone.

Authentic food and experience - thank you!

Chloe_B, Jun 2024

Me and my partner had a fantastic evening at this cooking class! The host, Nuran, was so welcoming and friendly and taught us how to cook the most delicious food! On top of that, we met her incredibly warm and friendly family and shared stories about our lives over the many courses of food we cooked. I would 100% recommend this class to anyone and would book through lokalbond in the future. Thank you 🇹🇷❤️🇹🇷❤️🇹🇷

Great Experience for the Young and Not So Young!

MaryEllen_D, Jun 2024

Two grandparents and a 13 year old grandson had a wonderful time learning to cook a Turkish breakfast in Nuran‘s home. She was so friendly and made sure our grandson was engaged in all the activities! He LOVED it….as did his grandparents! A great way to ‘see into’ traditional Turkish life after 2 day of visiting Grand Mosques and Palaces!

Unique and wonderful!

Rebecca_P, May 2024

Nuran was such a lovely host and we found the class fun and insightful! It was such a unique and wonderful experience to share the moreish food that we made with her family who were very friendly! Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something unique to do whilst in Istanbul.

Wonderful insight into the life of a Turkish family and their kitchen!

Marcus_E, May 2024

This was the highlight of our trip to Istanbul. What a charming family, heavenly food and lively atmosphere trading cultural stories. Absolutely loved this and would highly recommend to anyone wanting a different angle on their holiday itinerary. Thank you Nura and your family for opening up your home and welcoming us like so warmly :)

Wonderful time

Mgane_B, Apr 2024

I spent a wonderful time with Nura and her family. It was such a nice experience I’d recommend to anyone who is interested in meeting local people and learn from their culture.

Tiny taste exchange

Kaaren_N, Apr 2024

Our kids loved this! (We did as well) So amazing to be welcomed into a home and learn about life in Istanbul and greater Turkey.

The Best Thing I did in Istanbul

Caroline_T, Apr 2024

This was so much fun, and the best thing I did in Istanbul. Nora and her family were so kind and accommodating, and spending time with them was an absolute pleasure! -Caroline, United States

Fun experience

RASHMI_H, Apr 2024

We had so much food. Everyone was incredibly friendly; learned a great deal, and the food was absolutely delicious.

Great food makes the world smaller!

Fong_W, Mar 2024

What w wonderful opportunity to meet a highly accomplished family and learn some local dishes with the recipes to take home and try. Noora was a gracious host and my time with her a lovely contrast with the usual touring to popular sites.