STREET FOOD · COOKING CLASSES
The good cooking classes keep small groups and fill up early. Below: the 15 to book ahead, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend five hours with a local chef such as Federico, Tommaso, Alice, or Jon, shopping and tasting at Florence’s Mercato Centrale before making pasta, sauces, bruschetta, and tiramisu. Finish with Chianti, a digital recipe book, and a graduation diploma.
“Had a great time! Chef and staff were all nice and made a fun class. Touring the market to start was a nice activity”
Meet at The Greek Kitchen on Athinas Street, walk with your cook through Varvakios Agora, then prepare dolmades, spanakopita, imam baildi, tzatziki, and portokalopita. English-speaking cooks such as Vasia and Thanasis keep the class relaxed, social, and practical.
“LOVED LOVED LOVED this! We loved it all from the walk through the local food markets, to learning new recipes and sharing the food together as a group at the end. Despina was lovely. Efharisto Despina 😍”
At Pierogi & More in Warsaw, you’ll learn to knead dough, prepare meat and vegetable fillings, fold pierogi several ways, and cook the dumplings you make. The roughly two-hour class is taught in English, includes vegan options by request, and ends with a Polish liqueur tasting.
“This is an excellent experience for travelers visiting Warsaw! The opportunity to actually make pierogi ourselves (and eat them) was SO much fun. We are excited to try making pierogi at home with all that we learned!”
Meet at Bucareli 165 in Mexico City for a hands-on Mexican cooking class led by chef José. Visit a local market to help choose ingredients, make tortillas, guacamole, salsas, guisados, and dessert, then sit down to eat. The menu changes with the season, and vegetarian options are available.
“Wonderful hands-on class that starts with buying produce at the local market and ends with a satisfying meal that we cooked! I highly recommend this class for anyone interested in learning about spices, herbs and the process of making basic Mexican dishes.”
Meet at a real home in San Telmo for a three-hour hands-on class led in English or Portuguese by hosts such as Thomas or Sophia. You’ll make meat or vegetarian empanadas, corn-starch alfajores with dulce de leche, and traditional mate, then sit down to eat what you prepared.
“We are a family of 3 (parents and 1 teen). This activity worked well for all of us. We loved the structure of the activity and the guide was excellent.”
Meet an English-speaking chef, explore Florence’s Central Market with tastings, then cook fresh pasta, Nonna’s lasagna, sauces, and tiramisù. The class is fully hands-on, usually lasts 3 to 5 hours, and ends with your meal, Chianti, dessert wine, recipes, and new friends.
“Alicia was a wonderful guide/chef/teacher. Learned a lot at the market and in the cooking class. The time flew by and the food was delicious.”
Join Rose Kitchen in a peaceful Hanoi villa for a two-hour, hands-on class led by an English-speaking Culture Storyteller such as Simon, also called Tín. Choose one dish, including phở, bún chả, bánh xèo, or spring rolls, then enjoy a complimentary local coffee.
“I chose to make bún chà. It was a one-on-one class as I was the only client /guest. Chef Simon (Viet name Tín) was engaging and I learned he had culinary training in Paris and spoke some French which I was happy to practice my French Read more”
Meet Yayo near Noda Station for a 2.5-hour home cooking lesson in Osaka. You will prepare okonomiyaki, takoyaki, miso soup, and other Japanese favorites, then eat your meal with optional sake and beer. The class holds no more than eight people, with vegetarian and pescatarian choices available by request.
“I learned so much from her cooking class! Ever since I have returned to the US I have been making different types of okonomyaki and my mother loves them!”
Spend about 90 minutes making Japanese gyoza in a traditional Kyoto townhouse with an English-speaking instructor such as Hama, Maya, Ryo, or Yo. Choose a filling, make wrappers, fold and cook your dumplings, then try Samurai armor for photos if you wish. Aprons are provided.
“We had a great time learning how to make Japanese-style gyoza in the "Gyoza Cooking Class in Kyoto: Traditional Japanese Dumplings" and highly recommend the class if you're interested! Our instructor, Hama, was easy and fun to leaRead more”
In a roughly 2.5-hour class with Sakura Cook, you make fresh ramen noodles, soup, toppings, and two gyoza styles: pork and rectangular vegetable dumplings. Chef Keigo and his team teach each step in English, then serve your meal with green tea and seasonal dessert. Vegetarian options require advance notice.
“We had a amazing night, the steps where easily explained and the food was tasty! Will definitely make this at home aswell”
In Palermo, a local guide such as Carolina, Tomas, or Catalina leads you through homemade empanadas and dulce de leche alfajores. You mix, fold, bake, and eat what you make, with meat or vegan fillings, mate tea, and Argentine food traditions woven into the 150-minute class.
“Had a lot of fun experiencing some Argentina cuisine culture and learning about this country. Enjoyed meeting people from other countries”
Meet at Porta Messina Restaurant at 10 a.m. for a market visit, coffee, and a hands-on Sicilian cooking class. With guidance from chefs and staff, you will prepare bread, pasta, and four to six dishes, then eat your meal with local wine before receiving an apron and certificate.
“This is definitely a must to do. Such a great experience. Would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn cooking in Sicily.”
Meet Dionysia and her family at Panepistimiou 64 for a three-hour, hands-on Athens cooking class. You’ll make gyros five ways, knead pita, mix tzatziki and spicy feta, then sit down to lunch or dinner with drinks and Greek-style cheesecake.
“Fun and hands on activity! She gave us step by step direction in preparing the meal. The food was delish and very filling. Gotta be the best gyro, pita and tzatziki sauce I’ve ever had! Hoping to receive the recipe soon so we can recreate this at home. Highly recommend this cooking class.”
At CookInn Taiwan’s Zhongshan kitchen, you’ll knead dough, fold Xiao Long Bao, prepare braised beef noodles, make cucumber salad, and shake bubble milk tea. Instructors such as Angela, Lydia, and Diana guide small groups of up to 10. You’ll leave with recipes and class photos.
“This was a fantastic experience! Angela was a great host and made everyone feel welcome and included. We loved learning to cook traditional dishes and hearing the stories behind them. Would highly recommend!”
At MOMO to SAKE near Osaka Namba, Momo guides you through a hands-on takoyaki class followed by Japanese sake tasting. Cook octopus balls with options such as wagyu, cheese, kimchi, and corn, then compare seasonal sakes while learning how they are made and how to order with confidence.
“We had a great time at Momo's cooking class, it was so much fun to make the takoyaki. The sake tasting was excellent, Momo shared lots of her knowledge about sake and how its made. Would highly recommend, thank you Momo!”
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