Private Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class With Local Moms

We really enjoyed meeting our host, Esra, learning more about living in Istanbul and creating the Turkish dishes. She was very relaxed in how she taught us and seemed to thoroughly enjoy educating us on Turkish cuisine. She was also very organized with everything prepared in advance to make the process fun and easy. It was an enjoyable experience and a little off the beaten path from the typical tourist activities.

My father, brother, and I joined Esra for a cooking class during our trip to Istanbul, and it was one of the highlights of our visit. We prepared five traditional Turkish dishes, all of which were absolutely delicious. Esra was a lovely host, warm, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable. Beyond the cooking, we had a wonderful conversation about Turkish culture and the history of Istanbul, which made the experience even more memorable. She even sent us all the recipes afterwards so we could recreate the dishes at home. Highly recommended!

We had the most wonderful time with Esra! We have done other cooking classes before but nothing compared to the warmth we felt during this experience. Esra was extremely welcoming and kind and prepared a menu for us that exceeded our expectations. Communication was wonderful prior to meeting and once there conversation with her was excellent. She recommended places for us to try while in Istanbul and we are truly grateful! We absolutely loved the experience!

Great food, great people This is our favorite activity in Istanbul. The directions were perfect. Our host was great and language was not an issue. We participated in meal prep and they altered the menu to include my favorite , lentil soup. The meal was amazing. It included an eggplant dish. Normally I don’t care for eggplant but this Turkish eggplant, meat and spiced dish was amazing. I need to rethink my feelings about eggplant since when cooked well it is a star. The conversation was local, authentic and a great addition to the experience. Don’t miss this opportunity!

It was an awesome experience. We share more than food with these family. We made new friends cooking was so fun and the food was tasty. We’ll try it at home. We will repeat the experience if we can.

This was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip to Istanbul! Our host was incredibly warm and welcoming and made us feel like we were guests in her home rather than simply attending a cooking class. The entire experience felt personal, relaxed, and genuinely authentic. We loved learning how to prepare traditional Turkish dishes while also hearing about the culture, ingredients, and traditions behind the food. Cooking alongside a local mom made the experience feel so much more meaningful than a typical tourist activity. The food was absolutely delicious, but the hospitality and connection were what really made it special. If you’re looking for an authentic Turkish experience and a chance to experience the warmth of Turkish hospitality firsthand, I couldn’t recommend this enough.

Great dinner and wonderful hosts!

Excellent experience with a really nice family. Nuran is a great cooker and all the dishes were really tasty! We expect to cook all the dishes in our home!

Amasing experience with a local family! Really nice people and the food was so fotos!

This was so much fun, informative and delicious!!

Nuran was an amazing host!! She made me feel so welcome, and I wouldn’t have it with anybody else. I even left with some amazing Turkish music!

Cooking as it should be! Hosts that make you feel part of their family, sharing dishes and cooking secrets that should be in a cookbook! We made five dishes along with several dips, and it was over the top in a very good way. What a wonderful way to share learning about Turkish and Kurdish cooking!

Wonderful traditional Turkish breakfast that we helped prepare. Didn’t know there was such a variety of food. My favorite was honeycomb with homemade yogurt on bread, delicious! Hosts even made sure my wife had her needed gluten bread.😄 Our host Nuran and her some Baver were the best. Even had her other son and his wife join us for a truly Turkish family breakfast. Baver offered great suggestions on sights in the city. It is well worth it👍

We had an amazing time in the cooking course. Very local experience, even got to meet the cook’s family⭐️⭐️

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!

I really loved this experience! Our host showed us some easy but really delicious Turkish and Kurdish recipes. After our cooking class we ate with her family, which are just wonderful people. Their kindness are unmatched as they invited us also to come next morning for a breakfast. Unfortunately we could not make it though, but it really sums up what kind of people they are; kind and welcoming.

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.

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

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 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!

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!

I had great time with Nuran and her family. It was feeling like my own mom's house. I learned new recepies and ways of using the ingredients I already now. I higly recommende this experience.

What a wonderful evening we had with Nuran and her family. Delicious food and a wonderful chance to share and learn about each other's cultures.

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.

The host was vey warm and welcoming. She was very willing to share her cooking technique. We had a lot of fun and very interesting conversations

We had an amazing time here, chatting and learning to make some authentic Turkish cuisine. It really felt like we were visiting good friends. Chatting, laughing, cooking, and eating together

Just as the advertising says. We went into the lovely Nuran's home and prepared the most amazing food in her family kitchen. My partner is a vegetarian, which came as a surprise. Nuran, our host, was totally unfazed, and altered everything that needed to be altered. We then ate the food we prepared with Ibrahim, her husband, joining us. Even the trip out to the suburbs in our taxi helped make the experience worthwhile. We got to see the real Istanbul. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone who loves cooking and eating

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.

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 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.

The experience was amazing and felt more family-friendly. It was our first time having this cooking class and we learned a lot from how to cook Turkish food. Other than the food, the dinner was fantastic. We had good conversations, good talks with the family and friends. Everyone was very welcoming and open. Makes us miss our own family too. I would do again the next time I come to Istanbul. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

The experience at the cooking class was exceptional- very delicious and fun to make -- if you want to try to make any of your favourite dishes, choose this.

Such a fun night! We got to learn more about Turkish culture AND help make some great food. The food was great, but the experience was so much more. We learned so much about Turkish culture, both historically and today. Our dietary restrictions (vegetarian and 1 gluten free) were met with no problem and when we did eat, it was straight up just good, healthy, and delicious. And, Turkish Mom is an Instagram star! You're in Istanbul with a free night, this is a must do.

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.

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.

Nuran and her son Ozan were amazing hosts! And the food was incredible - we had so much fun cooking and eating together. We highly recommend it for anyone looking to connect authentically with a wonderful local family.

This was much more than just a cooking class—it was a true cultural experience! The food was delicious, the hosts were warm and welcoming, and we had so much fun. We learned a lot about the traditions and even ended the night singing and dancing together. A perfect evening that we will never forget!

A perfect combination of delicious food, culture, and fun! We had such a great time cooking, laughing, and learning. The hosts made us feel like family, and by the end of the night, we were all dancing and singing together. A truly wonderful and unique experience—highly recommended for everyone!

We had the best time at this cooking class! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the food was delicious, and the entire experience felt so authentic. We laughed a lot, learned about the culture, and even ended the night with music and dancing. A truly special experience that we highly recommend!

An unforgettable experience! The cooking class was not only informative but also incredibly fun. We cooked amazing food, laughed non-stop, and felt like part of the family. The evening ended with music and dancing, making it even more special. A must-do for anyone who loves culture and great food!

Such an amazing experience! The cooking class was not only about food but also about culture, family, and having a great time together. We cooked, laughed, shared stories, and even danced at the end of the evening. It was a full experience of joy and connection. Highly recommended!

This cooking class was an absolute highlight! It was so much fun, truly authentic, and full of laughter. We prepared delicious dishes while learning a lot about the culture and family traditions. The evening ended with dancing, music, and singing, making it a perfect experience. Highly recommended for everyone!

We had an absolutely fantastic time at this cooking class! It was not only fun but also incredibly authentic and engaging. We cooked delicious food, laughed a lot, and learned so much about the culture and the family. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the experience went far beyond just cooking. By the end of the evening, we were all dancing, listening to music, and even singing together—it was truly a perfect and unforgettable experience. We highly recommend this class to anyone looking for a unique and immersive cultural experience. Thank you for an amazing time!

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!!!!

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!!!!

We have attended many cooking classes across Europe and Mexico. Some are large and in commercial storefronts and others in home. All offer something unique so one must compare "Apples to Apples". Booking was easy through LokalBond and we had a Whatsapp chat to help select the right host and then paid ok the website. The booking confirmation email had a link for Google Maps directions which were correct. Nuran was our hostess and we had a great time in her kitchen making a great meal with simple ingredients. We talked half about culture and life and the other about the ingredients. We are big foodies and ate our way through a 11 day tour of Turkey and the simple dishes we prepared with Nuran exceeded the same dishes we had previously on our trip. For example, her lentil soup and the carrot youghurt salad were perfect. We would encourage anyone wanting an in home cooking experience to book with Nuran or I am sure her colleagues via LokalBond are also great too.

This was an amazing experience! We arrived at the apartment and were warmly welcomed by the local mom that made us feel comfortable and explained what we were going to cook on the day. We started by having a very pleasant chat in the living room and got to know the grandma as well. Afterwards we cooked together many different Turkish-Kurdish dishes for which explanation on ingredients and measurements were always provided. During the cooking process we had really nice conversations about life in Istanbul, the Kurdish background of the family, we felt very comfortable to make questions and bonded easily. This nice atmosphere continued by the time we were already sitting at the table enjoying our freshly made börek, home made yogurt with honey from the mom's hometown, a delicious potato salad, Turkish tea…to just name a few! In the end the mom even packed some leftovers for us to take for the day 🥲 I highly recommend this experience, you will leave with a warm heart and a full stomach!

I had such a great time at this warm house! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed like family, making the whole experience feel warm and authentic. The host was so sweet and patient, guiding us through every step of the cooking process. We made some incredible dishes, including Perde Pilavı, and everything turned out delicious! It was so fun learning the little tricks and secrets behind traditional Turkish recipes. Plus, sitting down to enjoy the meal together at the end was the perfect way to wrap up the class. If you're looking for a unique, hands-on experience in Turkey and love good food, I highly recommend this class. It’s not just about cooking—it’s about connection, culture, and amazing flavors!

The chef demonstrated professionalism by explaining everything clearly and sharing helpful techniques. Most importantly, he crafted an environment that made cooking both easy and enjoyable. The dinner was awesome! Thank you for a wonderful evening!