Magpie
5.0(38 reviews)

Shop, Cook, Feast: A Hands-On Culinary Adventure

From$150
5 hours
Max 7 people
Istanbul, Turkey

About this activity

After shopping for ingredients in one of Istanbul’s most food-centric neighborhoods,  we’ll teach you how to cook six of our favorite recipes from all over Turkey in this Istanbul cooking class .

Highlights

  • Learn how to prepare iconic, delicious Turkish dishes
  • Market visit to shop for ingredients
  • Authentic, hands-on experience in a local home

Full description

Behind every great Turkish cook is a bustling artisans' food community. Nowhere in Istanbul is this culture more alive than in Kurtuluş. Before we start to cook, while visiting the simit stand where the locals lines up for a morning snack, the liver butcher favoured by chefs all over the city, a cheese shop, greengrocer, a traditional bakery and a cured meat and maze shop that this neighbourhood is known for,  a vision emerges of a local life that revolves around food.
Back at the kitchen, we’ll teach you how to cook six of our favorite Turkish recipes from all over Turkey in our Istanbul cooking class – dishes like Circassian chicken, stuffed eggplant from southeastern Turkey, Aegean-style mincemeat pastries and more. Once lunch is ready, we’ll open a bottle of raki, the traditional liquor of Turkey, and celebrate the food that we’ve prepared. For a sweet finale, we’ll enjoy a pumpkin dessert laced with tahini and walnuts and some revitalizing Turkish coffee.

Included / Excluded

  • Guided tour through Plaka and Anafiotika neighborhoods
  • Tastings of traditional Greek dishes and local specialties
  • Wine tasting featuring small Greek producers
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point

Meeting point

Start Location

Kurtuluş, 19 Mayıs, Şişli/İstanbul, Türkiye

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour is conducted in English; proficiency is recommended.
  • Some stops may not be suitable for individuals with mobility impairments due to stairs and uneven terrain.
  • The tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone streets.
  • Bring a light jacket or sweater as evenings can be cool.
  • Ensure you have a valid ID if you plan to participate in wine tasting.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

More than one week before the beginning of the activity: 90% Refund Less than one week before the beginning of the activity: 50% Refund Less than 72 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: No Refund

Reviews

5.0(38 reviews)
Google
Laura Dalrymple
Oct 2026
5.0

Thanks for an excellent day full of delicious and very varied food experiences, from onigiri all the way to sake. Our host, Diana, was lovely and knowledgeable.

Google
Tony Egan
Sep 2026
5.0

We did the Yanesen tour with Michelle and had a wonderful time exploring corners of Tokyo we were unlikely to find ourselves. The food and venues were very well curated with cultural and historic locations well spaced between eating and drinking. Michelle provided excellent background and context at all times and the pacing was great. Finishing with a drink on a makeshift street bar was perfect. Thank you Michelle for one of the best experiences of our trip.

Google
oliver sands
Sep 2026
5.0

We recently did the food tour of Kichijoji and had the best time. Our guide, Michelle, was incredible. She was the perfect blend of knowledge, fun and passion, and she introduced us to a diverse range of food offerings and venues. I would highly recommend jumping on one of Michelle's tours with Culinary Backstreets as it was the highlight of our 5 day stay in Tokyo. Cheers, Oliver & Ged

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