Workshop
Cook a Turkish three-course meal in a central Istanbul kitchen: a meze trio, a main of lentil köfte or stuffed peppers, and baklava for dessert — then sit down and eat it together with Turkish tea.
A hands-on Turkish cooking workshop in a central Istanbul kitchen — no cooking show on a screen, you do the work.
In two hours we make a meze trio (cacık, ezme, haydari), a main of lentil köfte or biber dolması, and assemble baklava layer by layer with butter, walnuts and pistachios. Then we sit down and eat what you cooked, with three rounds of Turkish tea.
The lentil köfte main is fully vegan and the meze can be made dairy-free — tell us at booking.
Meet in the kitchen, get an apron on, and walk the ingredients — sumac, Aleppo pepper, pomegranate molasses, fresh dill.
20 minCacık, ezme and haydari — three dips in about twenty minutes, made side by side so you can taste the differences.
20 minEither lentil köfte — vegan, hand-rolled, served on lettuce with lemon — or biber dolması, peppers stuffed with rice, dill, currants and pine nuts.
30 minWe do not roll filo from scratch in two hours, but we do build the baklava layer by layer with butter, walnuts and pistachios, then bake it while we eat.
20 minWe eat what you cooked with three rounds of çay — you do not refuse the second or third — and warm baklava to finish. Recipe cards on the table.
30 minAlessio & Sofia
Couple from Italy
“Oral was a great tour guide, very friendly and easy to get along with, he had a lot of knowledge about everything and we all had a really good time together, it was so worth it and I would recommend him to anyone”
Julia M
Returning visitor
“The food was delicious, 3 restaurants choice is the best. We had a small hike up to the hill. It was ok. The view worth it. Many beautiful pictures, nice, polite with knowledge of history and Greek cuisine guide. Highly recommended ❤️🌷❤️❤️. Yes, we could name it very unique and local too. Not only the best food tasting but also diving into the myth of Greece”
EZXpeditions
US
“Tour Guide Review: Turkey Rating: 5/5 Stars Our two-day private tour with Oral was a highlight of our time in Turkey. From start to finish, he provided a professional, seamless, and deeply enriching experience that turned a short visit into a comprehensive journey through Turkish history and culture. Punctuality & Organization Oral was exceptionally punctual, meeting us exactly as planned each morning. His preparation was evident; he took our specific requests and built a logical, efficient itinerary that maximized every minute. We were particularly impressed by his ability to navigate the local public transportation systems, coordinating our movements so that we transitioned between sites effortlessly. Expertise & Insight His knowledge of Turkish history is extensive and academic in its depth, yet he delivered it with an engaging storytelling style. A standout moment was our visit to the Egyptian/Spice Market. Rather than just walking through, Oral provided a fascinating "history lesson" on Turkish tea and spice traditions that added a rich layer of context to the sensory experience of the bazaar. Going Above and Beyond Beyond following our requested route, Oral offered thoughtful suggestions for hidden gems we hadn't considered, ensuring our two days were "jam-packed" with both historical education and genuine fun. If you are looking for a guide who is organized, knowledgeable, and dedicated to providing a high-quality experience, we cannot recommend Oral highly enough.”
Reply from TravelLove Athens
Dear Samantha and the EZXpeditions team, Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words and for taking the time to share your experience on my website. It was an absolute pleasure working with you both in Istanbul! I truly enjoyed the challenge of tailoring a 'jam-packed' itinerary that balanced the high-energy Spice Market with the deeper historical narratives of our city. Being part of your production and helping you capture the 'authentic' side of Turkey—from the tea runs in the backstreets to the local traditions—was a highlight for me as well. I am thrilled that the logistics and the 'history lessons' added value to your journey. It was a joy to see Istanbul through your lenses, and I wish you a smooth recovery and much success with the content you created here. You are always welcome back to Istanbul, and I look forward to our next collaboration, hopefully in Greece. And I can't wait to see the YouTube videos that I had an opportunity to be part of. Warm regards, Oral travelloveathens.com
April
USA
“This was a wonderful, off the beaten path food tour of Athens! It not only included tasty food but wonderful views of the city from a local perspective. The historical perspective was fantastic and our tour guides (Oral and Julia) were just amazing. I will definitely book this tour again the next time I'm in Athens. Highly...highly recommend.”
Dennis G.
Photographer
“I recently had the pleasure to follow Oral on a food tour in Athens. As an Athenian who has lived abroad for many years and who often likes to be a tourist in his own hometown, I can certainly say that I am impressed with the knowledge of the Greek culture, the places that Oral took me to, and the stories that he shares. This tour is certainly a hidden gem and I highly recommend it to visitors and locals alike. Thank you so much Oral for the excellent tour. It was an awesome afternoon in Athens.”
Jean B.
Solo traveller
“Absolutely exceeded our expectations. We had an opportunity to walk through three very different and interesting areas. And loved each restaurant we went to, they were very local and the food was fantastic. And our tour guide was really great. We definitely recommend this tour to others. A fantastic way to spend the afternoon.”
Rukshad M.
Family trip
“We spent two full days with Oral in Athens and had a great and fun time and he made us make the most of the time that we had! Oral is friendly and warm and made a great program for our visit, yet he was flexible to accommodate our requests! His knowledge of Greek history is deep, but he knows how to keep it simple and interesting. Also, Oral is a great food critic and knows the best places to take you for a coffee, a snack or a meal We had a great experience with him and would recommend him to anyone visiting Athens.”
Reply from TravelLove Athens
We spent two full days with Oral in Athens and had a great and fun time and he made us make the most of the time that we had! Oral is friendly and warm and made a great program for our visit, yet he was flexible to accommodate our requests! His knowledge of Greek history is deep, but he knows how to keep it simple and interesting.
Alessio & Sofia
Couple from Italy
“Oral was a great tour guide, very friendly and easy to get along with, he had a lot of knowledge about everything and we all had a really good time together, it was so worth it and I would recommend him to anyone”
Julia M
Returning visitor
“The food was delicious, 3 restaurants choice is the best. We had a small hike up to the hill. It was ok. The view worth it. Many beautiful pictures, nice, polite with knowledge of history and Greek cuisine guide. Highly recommended ❤️🌷❤️❤️. Yes, we could name it very unique and local too. Not only the best food tasting but also diving into the myth of Greece”
EZXpeditions
US
“Tour Guide Review: Turkey Rating: 5/5 Stars Our two-day private tour with Oral was a highlight of our time in Turkey. From start to finish, he provided a professional, seamless, and deeply enriching experience that turned a short visit into a comprehensive journey through Turkish history and culture. Punctuality & Organization Oral was exceptionally punctual, meeting us exactly as planned each morning. His preparation was evident; he took our specific requests and built a logical, efficient itinerary that maximized every minute. We were particularly impressed by his ability to navigate the local public transportation systems, coordinating our movements so that we transitioned between sites effortlessly. Expertise & Insight His knowledge of Turkish history is extensive and academic in its depth, yet he delivered it with an engaging storytelling style. A standout moment was our visit to the Egyptian/Spice Market. Rather than just walking through, Oral provided a fascinating "history lesson" on Turkish tea and spice traditions that added a rich layer of context to the sensory experience of the bazaar. Going Above and Beyond Beyond following our requested route, Oral offered thoughtful suggestions for hidden gems we hadn't considered, ensuring our two days were "jam-packed" with both historical education and genuine fun. If you are looking for a guide who is organized, knowledgeable, and dedicated to providing a high-quality experience, we cannot recommend Oral highly enough.”
Reply from TravelLove Athens
Dear Samantha and the EZXpeditions team, Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words and for taking the time to share your experience on my website. It was an absolute pleasure working with you both in Istanbul! I truly enjoyed the challenge of tailoring a 'jam-packed' itinerary that balanced the high-energy Spice Market with the deeper historical narratives of our city. Being part of your production and helping you capture the 'authentic' side of Turkey—from the tea runs in the backstreets to the local traditions—was a highlight for me as well. I am thrilled that the logistics and the 'history lessons' added value to your journey. It was a joy to see Istanbul through your lenses, and I wish you a smooth recovery and much success with the content you created here. You are always welcome back to Istanbul, and I look forward to our next collaboration, hopefully in Greece. And I can't wait to see the YouTube videos that I had an opportunity to be part of. Warm regards, Oral travelloveathens.com
April
USA
“This was a wonderful, off the beaten path food tour of Athens! It not only included tasty food but wonderful views of the city from a local perspective. The historical perspective was fantastic and our tour guides (Oral and Julia) were just amazing. I will definitely book this tour again the next time I'm in Athens. Highly...highly recommend.”
Dennis G.
Photographer
“I recently had the pleasure to follow Oral on a food tour in Athens. As an Athenian who has lived abroad for many years and who often likes to be a tourist in his own hometown, I can certainly say that I am impressed with the knowledge of the Greek culture, the places that Oral took me to, and the stories that he shares. This tour is certainly a hidden gem and I highly recommend it to visitors and locals alike. Thank you so much Oral for the excellent tour. It was an awesome afternoon in Athens.”
Jean B.
Solo traveller
“Absolutely exceeded our expectations. We had an opportunity to walk through three very different and interesting areas. And loved each restaurant we went to, they were very local and the food was fantastic. And our tour guide was really great. We definitely recommend this tour to others. A fantastic way to spend the afternoon.”
Rukshad M.
Family trip
“We spent two full days with Oral in Athens and had a great and fun time and he made us make the most of the time that we had! Oral is friendly and warm and made a great program for our visit, yet he was flexible to accommodate our requests! His knowledge of Greek history is deep, but he knows how to keep it simple and interesting. Also, Oral is a great food critic and knows the best places to take you for a coffee, a snack or a meal We had a great experience with him and would recommend him to anyone visiting Athens.”
Reply from TravelLove Athens
We spent two full days with Oral in Athens and had a great and fun time and he made us make the most of the time that we had! Oral is friendly and warm and made a great program for our visit, yet he was flexible to accommodate our requests! His knowledge of Greek history is deep, but he knows how to keep it simple and interesting.
Alessio & Sofia
Couple from Italy
“Oral was a great tour guide, very friendly and easy to get along with, he had a lot of knowledge about everything and we all had a really good time together, it was so worth it and I would recommend him to anyone”
Julia M
Returning visitor
“The food was delicious, 3 restaurants choice is the best. We had a small hike up to the hill. It was ok. The view worth it. Many beautiful pictures, nice, polite with knowledge of history and Greek cuisine guide. Highly recommended ❤️🌷❤️❤️. Yes, we could name it very unique and local too. Not only the best food tasting but also diving into the myth of Greece”
EZXpeditions
US
“Tour Guide Review: Turkey Rating: 5/5 Stars Our two-day private tour with Oral was a highlight of our time in Turkey. From start to finish, he provided a professional, seamless, and deeply enriching experience that turned a short visit into a comprehensive journey through Turkish history and culture. Punctuality & Organization Oral was exceptionally punctual, meeting us exactly as planned each morning. His preparation was evident; he took our specific requests and built a logical, efficient itinerary that maximized every minute. We were particularly impressed by his ability to navigate the local public transportation systems, coordinating our movements so that we transitioned between sites effortlessly. Expertise & Insight His knowledge of Turkish history is extensive and academic in its depth, yet he delivered it with an engaging storytelling style. A standout moment was our visit to the Egyptian/Spice Market. Rather than just walking through, Oral provided a fascinating "history lesson" on Turkish tea and spice traditions that added a rich layer of context to the sensory experience of the bazaar. Going Above and Beyond Beyond following our requested route, Oral offered thoughtful suggestions for hidden gems we hadn't considered, ensuring our two days were "jam-packed" with both historical education and genuine fun. If you are looking for a guide who is organized, knowledgeable, and dedicated to providing a high-quality experience, we cannot recommend Oral highly enough.”
Reply from TravelLove Athens
Dear Samantha and the EZXpeditions team, Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words and for taking the time to share your experience on my website. It was an absolute pleasure working with you both in Istanbul! I truly enjoyed the challenge of tailoring a 'jam-packed' itinerary that balanced the high-energy Spice Market with the deeper historical narratives of our city. Being part of your production and helping you capture the 'authentic' side of Turkey—from the tea runs in the backstreets to the local traditions—was a highlight for me as well. I am thrilled that the logistics and the 'history lessons' added value to your journey. It was a joy to see Istanbul through your lenses, and I wish you a smooth recovery and much success with the content you created here. You are always welcome back to Istanbul, and I look forward to our next collaboration, hopefully in Greece. And I can't wait to see the YouTube videos that I had an opportunity to be part of. Warm regards, Oral travelloveathens.com
April
USA
“This was a wonderful, off the beaten path food tour of Athens! It not only included tasty food but wonderful views of the city from a local perspective. The historical perspective was fantastic and our tour guides (Oral and Julia) were just amazing. I will definitely book this tour again the next time I'm in Athens. Highly...highly recommend.”
Dennis G.
Photographer
“I recently had the pleasure to follow Oral on a food tour in Athens. As an Athenian who has lived abroad for many years and who often likes to be a tourist in his own hometown, I can certainly say that I am impressed with the knowledge of the Greek culture, the places that Oral took me to, and the stories that he shares. This tour is certainly a hidden gem and I highly recommend it to visitors and locals alike. Thank you so much Oral for the excellent tour. It was an awesome afternoon in Athens.”
Jean B.
Solo traveller
“Absolutely exceeded our expectations. We had an opportunity to walk through three very different and interesting areas. And loved each restaurant we went to, they were very local and the food was fantastic. And our tour guide was really great. We definitely recommend this tour to others. A fantastic way to spend the afternoon.”
Rukshad M.
Family trip
“We spent two full days with Oral in Athens and had a great and fun time and he made us make the most of the time that we had! Oral is friendly and warm and made a great program for our visit, yet he was flexible to accommodate our requests! His knowledge of Greek history is deep, but he knows how to keep it simple and interesting. Also, Oral is a great food critic and knows the best places to take you for a coffee, a snack or a meal We had a great experience with him and would recommend him to anyone visiting Athens.”
Reply from TravelLove Athens
We spent two full days with Oral in Athens and had a great and fun time and he made us make the most of the time that we had! Oral is friendly and warm and made a great program for our visit, yet he was flexible to accommodate our requests! His knowledge of Greek history is deep, but he knows how to keep it simple and interesting.
Reply from TravelLove Athens
We send the exact street address by SMS the day before. The kitchen is within walking distance of Sultanahmet / Beyoğlu and easy to reach by tram or metro — tell us where you are staying and we will point you the right way.
85 € per adult · 2 hours
Traditional Turkish Cooking Workshop
Full refund: cancel at least 2 days ahead.
50% refund: cancel up to 1 day before.
Non-refundable: less than 1 day notice.
We will email you the moment dates are released. No spam, ever.
We will email you as soon as new dates are open.
