Food tasting with a local family in Istanbul
Excursions & day trips

Food tasting with a local family in Istanbul

4/5

Great
1 reviews
from
£33.00
Free cancellation
Language: English, Arabic
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: Flexible
Why you’ll love this…
  • You'll enjoy an exclusive, intimate dining experience with an Istanbul family in their own home
  • There's a chance to participate in preparing traditional Turkish dishes, learning local cooking techniques
  • You can engage in meaningful conversations about daily life in Istanbul, gaining insider cultural insights
  • The experience offers a unique opportunity to taste authentic, home-cooked Turkish cuisine
What to expect

Immerse yourself in Turkish culture by joining a local Istanbul family at their dining table. You'll step into a world where East meets West, experiencing the warmth of Turkish hospitality firsthand. This intimate experience is exclusive to you and your group, ensuring a personal connection with your host family.

Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with traditional Turkish hospitality, perhaps starting with a glass of çay (Turkish tea) or ayran (a yoghurt-based drink). Then, you'll have the opportunity to assist in preparing the meal, learning the secrets of Istanbul's renowned cuisine. If you prefer, you can simply observe, take notes, or capture photos of the process – the choice is yours! Your host family will have a basic command of English, allowing for engaging conversations about daily life in Istanbul. Feel free to ask about Turkish customs, the city's rich history, or modern life in this vibrant metropolis. In turn, share stories about your own culture and homeland. Many Istanbul families are eager to learn about different parts of the world, making this a truly enriching cultural exchange.

This experience offers you a unique glimpse into authentic Istanbul life, far beyond what most tourists see. You'll leave with not just a full stomach, but also a deeper understanding of Turkish culture and perhaps even new friends in this fascinating city where continents collide.

Read more
What's included
  • check Drinks
  • check Dinner
  • check Snacks
What's not included
  • x_not_included Alcoholic drinks
Where
Meeting point:
Meeting point details will be shared with the booking confirmation and voucher that you'll receive after the booking is done.
What to remember

Not allowed:

  • Avoid wearing revealing clothing, as it may not be appreciated, especially in rural areas

Know in advance:

  • Meeting point details will be provided with your booking confirmation and voucher
  • It's customary to remove your shoes before entering the house
  • Discuss photo-taking and social media posting preferences with your host family

Remember to bring:

  • A notebook to write down recipes
  • Culturally appropriate clothing
Read more
Provider
ResiRest
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 7 days before the experience begins. If you cancel up to 5 days before, you can still receive a 50% refund.

What people say about this experience

Great

4 /5

Based on 1 reviews from verified customers


0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Sort by:

  • T

    TUI Musement Traveler

    Verified booking

    4

    29 October 2025

    A really good idea to get to know and eat with a local family, who made us feel very welcome. We had a lovely evening in their home, and generously they took us to see a gorgeous spa/bath house whilst dropping us back at the ferry. The meal was delicious.

You might also like

Nat Geo Day Tour: Artists and Artisans in Istanbul with Hands-on Art Class
Excursions & day trips

Nat Geo Day Tour: Artists and Artisans in Istanbul with Hands-on Art Class

Immerse yourself in Istanbul's vibrant heritage in the hip Fener-Balat district. Discover the roots of the community and join in a painting workshop before trying mantı, a local delicacy.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Private Nat Geo Day Tour: Istanbul's Coffee & Treats with Fortune Teller
Excursions & day trips

Private Nat Geo Day Tour: Istanbul's Coffee & Treats with Fortune Teller

Explore Istanbul's rich heritage on a guided walking tour, where you'll visit esteemed gourmet institutions to savor their delicacies and uncover the fascinating history of Turkish coffee and culture.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Bosphorus dinner cruise and live show
Activities

Bosphorus dinner cruise and live show

Enjoy an evening on a luxurious cruise and have dinner while watching a live oriental show.

free cancellation
Instant Confirmation
Topkapi Palace & Harem Fast Track Ticket and Guided Tour
Excursions & day trips

Topkapi Palace & Harem Fast Track Ticket and Guided Tour

Enjoy the Topkapi Palace tour with a historian guide, save queueing with a fast track ticket and learn the history of the Ottoman empire.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Hagia Sophia skip-the-line entry ticket and optional audio guide
Monuments

Hagia Sophia skip-the-line entry ticket and optional audio guide

Explore the Hagia Sophia with priority access. Add an informative audio guide to learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Validity 24 hours
Available in:

en, it, fr, es, de 

Instant Confirmation
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar guided small group tour
Activities

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar guided small group tour

Discover Istanbul's old city in this 4-hour guided tour, discover Byzantine and Ottoman relics, learn about Hagia Sofia Mosque, and visit the Grand Covered Bazaar.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus Cruise, Blue Mosque guided small group tour
Activities

Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus Cruise, Blue Mosque guided small group tour

Admire Istanbul's skyline during a Bosphorus cruise. Visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Grand Covered Bazaar, and take in the view from Pierre Loti Hill.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Experience cruising the Golden Horn, Bosphorus and more
Attractions & guided tours

Experience cruising the Golden Horn, Bosphorus and more

Book Experience cruising the Golden Horn, Bosphorus and more to learn with an audio app, cruise along the 32 km Bosporus, and enjoy seeing Istanbul's main attractions including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Maiden Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace and many more.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Dolmabahce Palace plus Harem skip-the-line ticket and audio guide
Attractions & guided tours

Dolmabahce Palace plus Harem skip-the-line ticket and audio guide

Book your Discover Dolmabahce Palace VIP tickets with highlights tour and audio guide to admire the picturesque location of the Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus and its luxurious decoration worth more than 1.5 billion dollars.

free cancellation
Available in:

en, it, fr, es, ar, +4  de, ru, pl, zh

Istanbul Full-day Old City Tour
Activities

Istanbul Full-day Old City Tour

Admire the mosque Hagia Sophia, discover the site of Byzantine sports at the Roman Hippodrome and explore the alleys of the Grand Bazar.

free cancellation
Available in:

en, es