Cooking Alaturka

We were four Canadians who love gastronomic travel. We had a wonderful day taking the tour 'Two Continents, One Soul.' Our guide, Aysegul, was incredibly generous.

Our family group of 8 ate here last night and we all thought the food and service was exceptional. We chose to order 4 each of the two set menus and then shared so that we all could taste all the dishes. There wasn’t a single dish that someone didn’t like. The restaurant was quiet, the food was both unusual and delicious - a call out for the hot yogurt soup! We are trying to figure out how we can return during our short stay in Istanbul for another amazing meal. Highly recommended!!!

We booked a big group food tour and had a wonderful time. Our tour guide picked us up from our hotel and escorted us all around Istanbul to try many amazing foods. She had extensive knowledge of Istanbul and notable local foods. We tried so many different things! Some familiar, some new. Taking a food tour like this is an incredible way to see the city and feel connected to the places you visit. I highly recommend getting a taste of this tour.

Had such a fun experience in Rocco and Leyla’s kitchen! They opened up a private class for myself and a friend and we had the best time learning about Turkish history and Ottoman cuisine. The meal prep was easy but informative and fun. The meal turned out delicious and we ate it with Leyla with some fantastic local wine. Would highly recommend this class to anyone who enjoys cooking, food, history, and wine! Leyla was also such a funny and warm host! She was also very helpful with local recommendations for other restaurants and attractions. She even called a few places to make reservations for us! Thank you for a memorable afternoon!!!

We are a couple from New Zealand and we did our cooking class on a friday night! The experience was so much more than our expectations. The staff were very friendly, welcoming and joyful. They were extremely easy to communicate with, the steps were easy to follow and the food was delicious. We had so much fun! We made 5 course meals from fresh, organic ingredients and at the end, we were able to enjoy the meals as if it was a provate top class restaurant. I’d definitely recommend this if you are looking for some unique, exciting experience in Istanbul!

If you visit Istanbul it’s a must! My boyfriend found this class on a travel blog and it was one of the most authentic culinary experiences we have had while traveling. Leyla and Rocco are super warm, friendly and knowledgeable. We did the class with two of our friends and we had a blast! They welcomed us very warmly and we’re extremely organized. We began by getting to know each other and having an overview of the 5 dishes. They printed out the menu with the recipes for us to take with us. While cooking everything was seamless and we all got to contribute to the cooking. We learned about the different regions of Turkey while sharing about our own cultural dishes similarities and differences. After cooking for a couple of hours we got to eat dinner in a beautifully placed table where Layla served us the different courses with some really tasty white Turkish wine. Hands down one of the best culinary experiences we have had. They are a very warm and kind couple I highly encourage you to experience them on your own!

What a great experience! Rocco and Leyla are lovely people and great chefs and teachers. Their passion for what they do is infectious. We learnt a lot, we made new friends, and we cooked and ate an amazing meal!

A true highlight of our stay in Sultanahmet, Istanbul. Rocco and Nazli are golden. As a team they artfully complement one another. We learned to made Ottoman and Anatolian dishes; we even made Simit, a typical bagel-like bread sold on every street corner. We prepared a 5 course meal and then we dined on our efforts. The dishes were complemented by yummy Turkish wine. So much fun- never felt rushed and we learned some great cooking skills. (And, we know our way around a kitchen.) Thank you Rocco and Nazli and your lovely daughter. You earned the high praise- best to you always with Alaturka Cooking School and Restaurant.

We had a wonderful evening cooking with Rocco and Leyla! They were warm and inviting as they explained to us how to prepare and cook the menu. The food was fresh and, in the end, we created a delicious meal that was full of taste and good health. It was one of our favorite evenings in Istanbul!!!

I registered to take this class the day after arriving in Istanbul. Despite being terribly jet-lagged, I managed to take away some great introductory information about Turkish food, as well as some cooking skills and tips. And it was the perfect thing to do at the beginning of my vacation in Istanbul. Before the class, online registration was effortless, and Eveline responded quickly to any inquiries. She was very available and approachable. The cooking school is beautifully decorated in lovely colors and artwork, and she has some items for sale that are used in the class. Very calming and peaceful. The kitchen is well-thought out and has an efficient use of space, not at all cramped or uncomfortable to work in The class was led by Eveline, who created Cooking Alaturka, and her chef. The class was a wonderful size, and we all received a good amount of individual attention and instruction. Don't let her chef intimidate you; he seems scarey at first, but he is really funny and a very skilled. We had hands on experience in prepping 5 courses (sounds daunting in 5-6 hours, but totally do-able). At the end, some of the dishes were finished off by her staff and served to us as we sat in her restaurant. The food was wonderful, and served with our choice of beverage, including beer and wine. If you cannot take the class, the cooking school has a small eating area in the front, so people can stop in, sit down and eat a delicious meal. Be advised there are some stairs to navigate to get inside, if anyone has a handicap. The bathroom is easy to access but rather small. Overall, it was incredibly enjoyable, and a great start to my vacation in Istanbul. Don't miss this class - very affordable at 65 Euros (less than many other tours in the area, and well worth it).

Seriously, if you like to cook or have any interest in learning how to make Turkish dishes, this is a MUST on your trip. Absolutely fabulous and one of the highlights of my trip. Mara was our guide and Chef Feyzi is the kitchen master. What a great group of fellow students, too! Mara was helpful and clear- she spent a good deal of time explaining how and why things were done as they were. She was also very sweet and friendly. Definitely couldn't have asked for anyone better. Chef Feyzi was a jokster. Totally funny. He also pulled us into the kitchen to watch Turkish coffee being made after dinner, which was excellent! We made a 5-course meal, which was fantastic. After cooking we sat down to eat. Yum! They also were very happy to accommodate vegetarian needs, provided you let them know in advance. While definitely touristy, it's absolutely worth the time.

This was our (my husband and my) first time taking a cooking class in Turkey, and I loved all the things we got to make. Half the class was vegetarian and half was not, which meant we all got a variation of the following menu: Ezogelin çorbası - Red lentil and bulgur soup with dried mint and chili İmam bayıldı - Eggplant cooked in olive oil with onion, garlic and tomato Kabak mücveri - Zucchini pancakes with white cheese and herbs Etli yaprak sarması - Vine leaves stuffed with meat, served with yogurt İncir tatlısı - Walnut-stuffed dried figs cooked in clove syrup Cooking such a variety of things was pretty wonderful, but a bit difficult- I felt like we didn't really get to make the dishes in their entirety as we were always paired up with someone and sharing tasks. I loved learning more about the spices and cuisine, but would have definitely appreciated cooking the dishes entirely myself (as I have done in cooking classes in Vietnam and Thailand). Everyone in the class was lovely though, and the chefs (both Feyzi and the assistants) were extremely helpful and funny.

The cooking class we took at Cooking Alaturka was a highlight of our time in Istanbul. Eveline is a phenomenal chef and these classes are so well run - a great way to pick up some pointers, nice coverage of region-specific cuisine, tasty food, and a wonderful staff. I'd definitely recommend one of Eveline's classes as a fun alternative to a dinner out on your trip!