Looking to learn the secrets of authentic Italian cuisine? Oh, yum! Check out this list of the very best cooking classes in Florence selected by a local.
Imagine walking through the cobblestone streets of Florence, the Tuscan sun casting a warm glow on the terracotta rooftops, as the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread, simmering tomato sauce, and bubbling cheese wafts through the air… can you see yourself there? And what if you became the chef for one day?
If there’s anything better tasting than Italian pasta, it has to be Italian pasta that you made from scratch! Italy is world-renowned for many things, but its delicious cuisine is in a league of its own. And yes, I might be biased as I’m Italian, but you agree with me, don’t you? 😉
There’s no better way to savor it (and learn all of its tricks and tips to keep savoring at home) than by joining a class with a professional Italian chef and cooking in Florence your own lunch or dinner.
A cooking class is definitely something that should be on your Florence itinerary if you’re spending at least a couple of days in town.
I was born and raised in Bologna, just one hour north of Florence. Clichè enough, I grew up watching my nonna and my great grandma making fresh pasta and cooking all sorts of delicious things in the kitchen – lasagna, tortellini, tortelloni… you name it!
Yet, I never learned how to make fresh pasta until I took one of these Florence cooking classes below with my Argentinian partner. I thought the cooking class was going to be too touristy for me, but I loved it!
And now I tell everyone that they should join a class at one of the best cooking schools in Florence, Bologna or Rome, even if they’re Italians.
In this article, we’ll explore the best cooking classes in Florence, where you can learn to create mouthwatering dishes and take home some unforgettable culinary experiences. So, let’s dive in and discover the magic of Italian cooking in the heart of Tuscany!
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Table of Contents
The VERY Best Cooking Class in Florence, Italy
Discover the secrets of Florentine cuisine on the Wanna Be Italiano – The Original Cooking Class & Market Tour. Explore the Central Market with expert chefs, and gather fresh ingredients. Then, learn to make tasty Italian dishes like bruschetta, homemade fresh pasta (ravioli and tagliatelle), and tiramisu in a cozy kitchen.
The chefs will guide you as you prepare your dishes and sauces, and you’ll then sit to enjoy your homemade meal with some Chianti wine. The menu can be adapted for vegetarians.
👉 Why this cooking class? With hundreds of 5-star reviews, this is the top-rated cooking class on Viator. We believe it’s the most comprehensive class on this list, as you get to whip up multiple dishes and also visit the local market with the chef. If you’re looking for the ultimate experience but don’t want to travel outside Florence, choose this class.
📝 This Florence cooking class includes: All the ingredients, Central Market visit, two glasses of Chianti wine, recipe booklet, and a diploma. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Top Cooking Classes in Tuscany: A Day Trip from Florence
But why stay in Florence when you can travel to the Tuscan countryside and learn there? The picturesque countryside provides a serene and beautiful backdrop for your culinary adventure, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the heart of Tuscany.
If you have the time, these classes below offer an unforgettable experience.
▶️ Embark on a Tuscan culinary escapade, starting with a market tour in Florence to gather fresh ingredients. Then, on this Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse With Visit to a Local Market, you’ll whisk away to a charming Tuscan farmhouse for a hands-on cooking class led by an expert chef.
Prepare a scrumptious 4-course feast featuring bruschetta, fresh tagliatelle pasta, roast pork with potatoes, and tiramisù, all accompanied by delightful Tuscan wine. It’s a day of shopping, chopping, and laughter—plus, you’ll leave with a diploma, recipes, and memories to cherish!
📝 This cooking class includes: Market visit, cooking class, 4-course lunch, wine, recipe booklet and diploma, and transportation by minibus. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Pizza is more of your thing? Then join this Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class in Tuscan Farmhouse. You’ll visit a wonderful farmhouse in the rolling hills of Tuscany, where you’ll indulge in a tasting of focaccia and wine before getting your hands dirty on the creation of pizza dough.
You’ll learn about Italy’s two most famous foods, and prepare a creamy gelato to enjoy as dessert. And when the class is over, the best part is coming. Enjoy the delicious food you’ve made accompanied by wine or beer, with scenery that truly beats any restaurant in town.
📝 This class includes: Cooking class, 3-course lunch or dinner, wine, beer, recipe booklet, cooking diploma, and transportation by minibus. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Join a Pasta Making Class in Florence
▶️ If pasta is all you can think about when in Italy (we don’t blame you!), you should join a Small-Group Pasta Class in Florence. You’ll learn all the secrets behind authentic Italian pasta as you prepare ravioli, tagliatelle, and spaghetti from scratch, following the instructions of your chef.
Needless to say, at the end of the lesson you’ll get to sample your homemade dishes with a delicious glass of wine!
👉 The pasta-making class I joined (and loved) is unfortunately not available anymore. This class, though, offers the same exact program and looks like a great alternative! It’s one of the top-rated cooking classes in Florence, Tuscany.
📝 This Florence pasta making class includes: Pasta and sauce cooking class, lunch or dinner, bottled water, recipes, and Italian wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ If you’d rather choose a private experience, check out Pastamania – Pasta Making Class. Under the watchful eye of a local chef, you’ll master the art of crafting ravioli, tagliatelle, and tortelli, along with a delectable tomato sauce during this pasta class in Florence.
Once the hard work is done, sit back and relish your creations, paired with fine Tuscan wine.
📝 This private cooking class in Florence includes: Pasta making class, dinner, wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Gelato and Pizza Cooking Class: The Best Combo!
Truly, though: is there a better combo than pizza and gelato?! Learn how to prepare Italy’s iconic food in this Pizza & Gelato Making Class in Florence, where you’ll be introduced to the history of the dishes and let in all the tricks to make a truly authentic and mouthwatering pizza.
When you’re done, move on to prepare your own gelato, which you’ll enjoy for dessert.
📝 This class includes: Cooking class, dinner, and a glass of wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
The Ultimate Florentine Steak Experience
You can’t leave Florence without having enjoyed a true Florentine Steak Experience. One of the Tuscan cuisine’s staples, you’ll be in charge of grilling your own Florentine steak under the careful watch of an expert chef.
Learn all about this traditional dish, from the adequate cut and the cooking to the best wines to pair it with. You’ll then indulge in your 3-course meal in a beautiful trattoria, with, bruschetta, dessert and wine included.
📝 This class includes: Steak cooking class, dinner, and alcoholic beverages. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Best Family-Friendly Cooking Class in Florence, Italy
If you’re traveling with your kids, this Family-Friendly Cooking Class in Florence with Organic Ingredients is a great option to enjoy some quality and delicious time with them.
Under a pro chef’s watchful eye, whip up mouthwatering Italian dishes like mini focaccias, tagliatelle pasta with a double dose of sauces, and a fruity twist on tiramisu. Then you’ll eat it all, of course!
With laughter on the menu and a “Little Chef” certificate for the kiddos, this class is a recipe for non-stop fun and unforgettable memories.
📝 This class includes: Group lesson of max 15 participants, recipes, dinner with drinks, and Little Chef diploma. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
A Gluten-Free Cooking Class in Florence
If you’re celiac or following a gluten-free diet, you can still enjoy a Firenze cooking class with this Semi-Private Gluten-Free Experience. You’ll embark on a hands-on lesson and learn how to adapt the glorious Tuscan flavors to your lifestyle, so you can continue to savor them after your trip.
You’ll discover the secrets of gluten-free pasta making in Florence, and also make some other dishes such as meatballs and focaccia, which you’ll enjoy with some tastings of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and wine.
📝 This class includes: Cooking class, lunch or dinner, alcoholic beverages, recipes. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
👉 Interested in other foodie experiences in Florence? I mean, there’s never such a thing as too much when it comes to food in Italy! Check out my other posts about the best wine tours from Florence and the top Florence food tours.
Cooking Classes in Florence, Italy FAQs
You can learn to cook anywhere in Italy, but dishes might differ as Italian cuisine is very regional. A good place to learn for first timers is Florence. You can’t really go wrong when it comes to cooking classes in Florence, but these are the best ones in our opinion:
• Wanna Be Italiano – The Original Cooking Class & Market Tour
• Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse With Visit to a Local Market
• Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class in Tuscan Farmhouse
• Small-Group Pasta Class in Florence
The price for a shared cooking class in Florence usually goes from $60 to $100.
Italian cuisine is worldwide known for a reason, and Florence offers astounding cooking classes that will provide insights into the secrets of the most famous dishes, so I’d say it’s definitely worth it! We personally recommend these classes:
• Wanna Be Italiano – The Original Cooking Class & Market Tour
• Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse With Visit to a Local Market
• Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class in Tuscan Farmhouse
• Small-Group Pasta Class in Florence
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