Cooking Alaturka

Established in 2002 by Eveline Zoutendijk, Cooking Alaturka holds the distinction of being the first dedicated Turkish cooking school founded in Istanbul. Operating as a culinary workshop and boutique dining establishment on Akbiyik Caddesi in Sultanahmet, the venue offers travelers and food enthusiasts an immersive exploration of Anatolian and Ottoman gastronomic traditions. In 2015, Italian-Turkish chef and instructor Rocco Strazzera took ownership of the school after twenty years of working in Mediterranean restaurant kitchens across Palermo, London, and Istanbul. Having relocated to Istanbul in 2006, Strazzera was introduced to the nuances of Turkish home cooking through his wife Leyla, blending classical Mediterranean technique with regional Turkish recipes.

Today, Cooking Alaturka serves as both an educational workshop and a 20-to-25-seat dining room situated amidst the historical landmarks of Sultanahmet. The venue guides small groups through the preparation of five-course regional menus, pairing hands-on kitchen instruction with sit-down lunches and dinners accompanied by local Turkish wines. Beyond classroom workshops, the establishment organizes guided culinary walking tours through historical neighborhoods, allowing participants to experience local market culture before stepping into the kitchen.

Cuisine and Menu

Cooking Alaturka focuses on regional Anatolian recipes, traditional Turkish home cooking, and classic Ottoman dishes. Rather than operating with an extensive à la carte selection, the school organizes instruction around four rotating five-course menus, complemented by daily four-course fixed meals in the restaurant. Each workshop teaches foundational preparation techniques, and all menus can be adapted for vegetarian diets upon request.

Representative dishes from the four rotating menus showcase the breadth of regional cooking. Menu 1 highlights Ezogelin çorbası (red lentil and bulgur soup with dried mint and chili), İmam bayıldı (eggplant braised in olive oil with garlic and tomatoes), Kabak mücveri (zucchini pancakes with white cheese and herbs), Etli yaprak sarması (meat-stuffed vine leaves served with yogurt), and Şekerpare (semolina cakes soaked in syrup with hazelnuts). Menu 2 features Yayla çorbası (hot yogurt soup with cumin and dried mint), Zeytinyağlı taze fasulye (runner beans cooked in olive oil), Ispanaklı saç böreği (spinach-filled Anatolian flatbread), Karnıyarık (stuffed eggplant with minced meat and bulgur pilaf), and walnut-filled İncir tatlısı simmered in clove syrup.

Other rotating highlights include Pastırmalı sıcak humus (oven-baked hummus with cured beef), Circassian chicken (Çerkez tavuğu) with walnuts, smooth Fava bean puree, and Hünkar beğendi (braised lamb served over smoky eggplant puree), followed by desserts like cheese-filled Künefe, caramelized Fırında sütlaç, or seasonal poached Ayva tatlısı (quince stuffed with apple). Special additions such as İslim kebabı, enginar (artichokes), or fresh simit can be integrated on request. The standard five-course cooking class is priced at 110 USD in cash or 125 USD by credit card, including wine pairing. Guided excursions like 'From Ghetto to Gourmet' and 'Shop locally cook happily' cost between 125 and 150 USD, while 'Two Continents One Soul' ranges from 120 to 160 USD.

Atmosphere and Who It Suits

The atmosphere at Cooking Alaturka is warm, cultural, and distinctly home-like, prioritizing an engaging, educational experience over formal restaurant dining. Classes are conducted entirely in English in a relaxed kitchen setting where participants actively chop, season, and cook alongside Chef Rocco Strazzera. With workshops strictly capped between 2 and 10 participants, every guest receives dedicated guidance throughout the five preparation stages before sitting down to enjoy their creations paired with local Turkish wines.

The adjoining boutique restaurant features a cozy dining area with seating for 20 to 25 guests. Operating without the fast turnover of commercial Sultanahmet tourist spots, the dining room provides a quiet environment for savoring the daily four-course fixed menu. In addition to the culinary workshop and dining tables, the venue houses a small retail corner where visitors can purchase traditional Turkish spices, pantry items, and specialized ingredients used during the lessons to recreate recipes at home.

Cooking Alaturka is particularly well suited for international travelers, passionate foodies, couples, and small friend groups looking for a participatory cultural activity in Istanbul. The interactive dynamic encourages conversation among participants around the preparation table, making it an enjoyable outing for small groups seeking authentic cultural depth. According to Frommer's travel guide, the school was featured in its 'Cooking Classes Abroad: Travel for Taste' list as a notable culinary workshop in Istanbul. Furthermore, the establishment is highlighted by Tom Brosnahan on Turkey Travel Planner as a recommended boutique restaurant and cooking school.

Location and Practical Details

Cooking Alaturka is located at Akbiyik Cadessi 72A (Akbiyik Cad. 72a) in the Cankurtaran neighborhood of Sultanahmet, Istanbul. Positioned directly along Akbıyık Caddesi, the venue sits in the historic peninsula within comfortable walking distance of the Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), Hagia Sophia, and the Arasta Bazaar, making it straightforward to combine with historical sightseeing.

The establishment operates from Monday through Saturday and remains closed on Sundays. Culinary workshops are scheduled across two daily sessions: a lunch workshop from 10:30 to 14:30 and an evening dinner workshop from 16:30 to 20:30. For those visiting exclusively for dining, restaurant service runs from 12:30 to 15:30 for lunch and from 18:30 to 21:30 for dinner.

Advance reservations are required for all cooking classes and dining visits. Bookings are submitted via the online reservation form on the official website, where guests provide their contact phone number, email address, group size, preferred dates, and any food allergies or vegetarian dietary preferences. Payment for classes is settled on-site at 110 USD in cash or 125 USD by credit card. Gift vouchers valued between 100 and 110 USD are also available, with payment requests processed through Payoneer. Direct inquiries can be directed to the team by phone at (0212) 458 59 19 or +90 (539) 982 3360, or by email at [email protected].

The Mio Angle: As a Meeting Spot

On Mio, where community recommendations center on meaningful experiences and specific visit contexts, Cooking Alaturka stands out as an interactive gathering point rather than a conventional restaurant stop. It serves as an ideal recommendation for travelers, visiting couples, or small groups of friends (up to 10 people) who want a shared culinary project instead of a passive meal. The communal five-stage cooking structure creates an easy social dynamic, culminating in a relaxed sit-down lunch or dinner with local wine.

From a budgeting perspective, Cooking Alaturka falls into the higher price band. With cooking classes priced at 110 USD (cash) or 125 USD (card) and culinary food walks ranging between 120 USD and 160 USD, it represents a premium, experience-driven investment. The cost reflects several hours of structured, hands-on culinary instruction, high-quality ingredients, multiple courses, and wine pairings, making it an excellent choice for celebratory trips, anniversary dates, or dedicated gastronomic exploration.

For social sharing and photography, the venue offers rich visual moments. Content creators and social diners can capture the tactile steps of Turkish cooking—rolling delicate vine leaves for etli yaprak sarması, baking golden saç böreği flatbread, crisping zucchini mücver, and plating layered dishes like Hünkar beğendi. Combined itineraries such as the Spice Bazaar tour and cooking class combo or the 'Shop locally cook happily' walk add vibrant market scenes, spice displays, and historic Sultanahmet streetscapes to the culinary narrative.