Cooking classes in Istanbul
A cooking class is one of the best ways to take Istanbul home with you. Classes run all year, so the weather matters more for the rest of your day: Istanbul is warmest in August at about 83°F (28°C).
Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top cooking classes in Istanbul
Turkish Cooking Class in Istanbul with a Local HostFrom $76View 
Cooking Class in IstanbulFrom $260View 
Home Cooking Class in Central Istanbul with a Local ChefFrom $104View
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What to eat and drink in Istanbul
Classes here usually build the menu around local dishes. Ones to look for:
- Kebab
- Grilled or spit-roasted meat; Istanbul has dozens of regional styles.
- Baklava
- Layers of filo pastry with chopped nuts, soaked in syrup or honey.
- Simit
- A sesame-crusted bread ring sold from street carts all over the city.
- Lahmacun
- Thin flatbread topped with spiced minced meat, rolled up with herbs and lemon.
- Meze
- A spread of small dishes (dips, salads, pickles) shared before the main course.
- Börek
- Flaky pastry filled with cheese, spinach or minced meat, often eaten for breakfast.
- Turkish delight
- Lokum: soft cubes of starch and sugar flavoured with rose, citrus or nuts.
- Döner
- Meat roasted on a vertical spit and sliced into bread or a wrap.
How to pick a good cooking class
- Check whether you cook every dish yourself or watch a demonstration. Hands-on classes usually cap groups at 10 to 12.
- Morning classes often start with a market walk to buy ingredients; afternoon ones go straight to the kitchen.
- Tell the host about allergies or a vegetarian diet when you book, not on the day.
- Look for a class that sends the recipes home with you, so you can cook them again.
Istanbul month by month
Averages for Kireçburnu, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 48 (9) | 49 (9) | 54 (12) | 61 (16) | 70 (21) | 78 (26) | 82 (28) | 83 (28) | 76 (25) | 68 (20) | 59 (15) | 51 (11) |
| Low °F (°C) | 38 (4) | 38 (4) | 41 (5) | 47 (8) | 55 (13) | 63 (17) | 69 (20) | 70 (21) | 63 (17) | 56 (14) | 49 (9) | 42 (6) |
| Rainy days | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 18 |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:00 pm | 6:38 pm | 7:10 pm | 7:43 pm | 8:15 pm | 8:38 pm | 8:35 pm | 8:04 pm | 7:14 pm | 6:24 pm | 5:46 pm | 5:37 pm |
Questions
What food is Istanbul known for?
Kebab: grilled or spit-roasted meat; Istanbul has dozens of regional styles. Baklava: layers of filo pastry with chopped nuts, soaked in syrup or honey. Simit: a sesame-crusted bread ring sold from street carts all over the city.
How long does a cooking class take?
Most classes run three to four hours including the meal; ones that start with a market visit take closer to five.
Where can I book cooking classes in Istanbul?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
