Explore the massive kitchen complex that fed thousands of people daily. These kitchens showcase the sophisticated culinary traditions and organizational skills of the Ottoman court.
Daily Meals
Kitchen Sections
Kitchen Staff
Porcelain Pieces
The Topkapi Palace kitchens were among the largest in the world, serving up to 10,000 people daily including the sultan, his family, court officials, and palace staff.
Today, these kitchens house one of the world's finest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, European ceramics, and Ottoman kitchen utensils, providing insight into both culinary traditions and diplomatic gift exchanges.
Massive cooking halls with enormous hearths and copper cauldrons where the main meals for the palace were prepared daily.
Separate kitchens for different types of food preparation, from sweets and preserves to beverages and special dietary requirements.
The kitchen complex now houses an extraordinary collection of over 10,000 pieces of porcelain and ceramics, making it one of the world's largest collections outside of China.
Celadon, blue and white, and famille rose pieces from various Chinese dynasties.
Imari and Kakiemon style pieces showcasing Japanese artistic traditions.
Diplomatic gifts from European courts including Sèvres and Meissen porcelain.
Experience the sophisticated kitchen culture that fed an empire.