Puglia is the heel of Italy, a beautiful region in Southern Italy with picture-perfect white-sand beaches, spectacular weather, historic towns and architecture, and… you guessed it: mouthwatering cuisine. And this is coming from me, a native of Bologna, Italy’s foodie capital!
Puglia is one of my absolute favorite regions of Italy, and I fall in love with it (and its food) a little more every time I visit.
Last year, I finally brought my husband to Puglia, and he must have gained a few (happy) kilos eating his way through the region. We both did, if I’m being honest. Puglia is known as a foodie hotspot for a very good reason, and I can’t help but agree.
Pugliese cuisine is very traditional of this part of Italy, so you’ll only be able to enjoy it – sadly – when you’re there. But my favorite hack? Learning how to prepare all the authentic dishes, so I can recreate them at home. And you can too!
I’ve compiled the absolute best cooking classes in Puglia, which take place in cities like Bari, Lecce, Ostuni, and Polignano a Mare, so you can relish the local flavors as you learn all the secrets behind the recipes. Trust me, your friends and family back home will be very happy you joined one! Ready? Let’s dive in.
Why should you take my word on Puglia cooking classes? I’ve been curating travel guides and tours for ten years, and I’ve personally taken part in many cooking classes, both in Italy and around the world.
I’ve used my special talent for identifying extraordinary activities, combined with my personal experience of summers spent in Puglia, and plenty of culinary lessons over the years, to ensure the ones I selected are high-quality, offer excellent value, and are worthy of your time.
I generally use Viator and Get Your Guide to book tours around the world. I especially recommend them for their great cancellation policy, which allows you to cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
Limited time? These are the top classes:
| THE BEST CLASS | Puglia Cooking Class ”Le Orecchiette, che pasta!” |
| COOKING CLASS IN BARI | Bari: Pasta Experience Walking Tour |
| TOP CLASS IN ALBEROBELLO | Small-Group Market Tour & Cooking Class |
| CHEESE EXPERIENCE | Cheese Tour and tastings to Masseria Fragnite |
OUR PICK: The Best Cooking Class in Puglia
In this Puglia Cooking Class ”Le Orecchiette, che pasta!”, learn the secret to crafting perfect orecchiette pasta in a charming Trulli house, nestled in the Itria Valley countryside. You’ll channel your inner Italian nonna as you knead, roll, and shape the region’s most iconic dish, orecchiette, an ear-shaped pasta beloved by the locals.
Led by an expert cook, you’ll learn the traditional techniques behind celebrated Puglian recipes, including a starter such as La Frisa or Acqua Sala, orecchiette pasta with sauce, and a meat or vegetable-based second dish, which can be Brasciole or Cime di Rapa.
You’ll be using fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables grown in the garden, enjoying views of the countryside and, if the weather allows, preparing your dishes outdoors.
At the end of the class, you’ll sit down to enjoy a multi-course meal, starring your own creations and finished with a sweet dessert, coffee, and wine.
A short historical tour of the Trulli, Puglia’s cone-roofed homes, and the property is also included.
This experience is perfect for the whole family, and caters to various dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten- and lactose-free.
Why is this the top class? It introduces you to the most renowned dish in the region, orecchiette, but you’ll also have the chance to prepare other local specialties, learning the recipes and techniques to craft them. The cooking class takes place in a beautiful location, it accommodates most dietary requirements, and includes a scrumptious, succulent lunch at the end, paired with local wines.
Read what the reviews say:
“Authentic, fun, educational and time flew by. Felt very personal and was lovely to have Simone’s Nonna and husband there helping out during the session, felt like a really Italian family experience wirh info being passed down through the generations.”
Derek_L – Read more reviews
This cooking class includes: All ingredients, a tour of the property and trulli, an expert cook, a multi-course lunch, wine, and coffee. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cooking Classes in Bari
▶️ On this Bari: Pasta Experience Walking Tour, uncover the city’s hidden treasures with a local expert and marvel at the awe-inspiring Basilica of Saint Nicholas and the majestic Swabian Castle.
You’ll explore the city’s modern French district, strolling along the picturesque sea walk, and at Signora Maria’s House, master the art of making orecchiette pasta.
Indulge in its mouthwatering flavors paired with authentic Primitivo wine, and top off the experience with a delightful taste of homemade Italian gelato.
This class includes: A guide, a walking tour, and pasta class with food and wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Explore the city like a local on this Bari Bike Tour with Pasta Experience. Pedal through the charming Old Town and marvel at the impressive Basilica of St. Nicholas and the Bari Cathedral.
Traverse the modern French enclave and explore the vibrant seaside fish market, before stepping into a local home for an authentic pasta-making class.
Get ready to craft traditional Puglian orecchiette pasta by hand, and later indulge in your creations alongside a glass of Puglia’s intense primitivo red wine.
This cooking class includes: Bike and helmet rental, pasta experience, and luggage storage. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Indulge in a flavorful adventure with this private Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Bari. Step into a local Cesarina’s home, a culinary enthusiast eager to share their knowledge and traditions. In this intimate setting, you’ll immerse yourself in the art of making Bari’s most famous dishes.
With your skilled host’s guidance, master the preparation of three authentic recipes, and later get to savor the fruits of your labor in a well-deserved feast paired with local wines.
You’ll receive a souvenir apron and shopping bag to bring a piece of Bari’s culinary heritage back home with you.
This class includes: A cooking class, all ingredients, food and drinks, an apron, and a shopping bag. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cooking Classes in Alberobello, Locorotondo & Valle d’Itria
▶️ Join forces with fellow food enthusiasts and ignite your passion for Italian gastronomy on this Cesarine: Small-Group Market Tour & Cooking Class in Alberobello.
In this small town located in the region of Apulia, you will explore the lively market alongside an expert guide, learning how to select top-notch seasonal ingredients.
Dive into the art of crafting pasta and the exquisite indulgence of tiramisu. Plus, discover the rich cultural heritage and regional flavors of Italian cuisine. Sit down to savor the fruits of your labor, accompanied by carefully selected local wines.
This class includes: Italian Aperitivo, a cooking class, a market tour, and a tasting session. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Alberobello: Pasta and Tiramisu Class at a Local’s Home is an intimate, hands-on experience led by a Cesarina, an expert cook, in their kitchen. You’ll learn how to prepare two types of fresh pasta from scratch, from mixing the ingredients to kneading and shaping.
After the pasta is ready, delve into the making of a sweet, creamy tiramisu, discovering the secrets behind the authentic recipe.
At the end of the class, enjoy you meal paired with local wines, and finish with dessert in coffee.
This cooking class in Puglia includes: All ingredients and utensils, an Italian aperitivo, a pasta lunch, dessert, and beverages. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Locorotondo: Cooking Class with Chef Linda Di Somma is a 4-hour culinary experience that takes place in a beautiful greenhouse. You’ll join a professional chef in creating traditional dishes, including the beloved orecchiette pasta and cavatelli from scratch, using seasonal, local ingredients.
You’ll learn the appropriate techniques to knead, roll, and shape the pasta, and also create a classic tomato sauce to go with it. At the end of the class, you’ll enjoy your meal paired with Apulian wine.
This class includes: A hands-on class, all ingredients and utensils, and a homemade lunch with wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cooking Classes in Lecce
▶️ Join this Lecce Hands-On Home Cooking Class: Craft Orecchiette & Savor Wine to indulge in the pleasure of creating and savoring fresh pasta the Salento way. In Lecce, the baroque capital of Apulia, meet a passionate local chef who will let you in all the secrets of regional Pugliese specialties.
Discover the techniques to craft the classic fresh tomato red sauce and a delightful chickpea and vegetable sauce to top your handmade orecchiette pasta. You’ll later savor your creations alongside homemade bread and wine, followed by a typical dessert, and homemade limoncello.
Enjoy a Leccese coffee and take home the recipes, as well as a ferretto pasta tool to continue cooking!
This cooking class includes: A cooking class, a meal and drinks, and a ferretto pasta tool. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Discover Lecce’s captivating baroque architecture and delectable cuisine on this one-of-a-kind Orecchiette Cooking Class and Wine Pairing. Step into a pasta and wine bistro nestled in the heart of the old town, and learn the art of crafting orecchiette pasta from scratch alongside friendly locals.
Afterward, indulge in a guided wine tasting featuring Puglia’s renowned wines. With a stunning location, hands-on instruction, and a small-group setting, this tour offers an informal and personalized experience.
This cooking class includes: A cooking class, wine, and food tastings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Join this Lecce: Private Cooking Class at a Local’s Home led by an expert home cook. Dive into the secrets of regional cuisine passed down through generations, and get a hands-on experience creating three authentic dishes under the direction of your chef-guide.
The best part? Indulge in a delectable feast paired with local wines. Forget souvenirs—bring home everlasting Italian cooking skills!
This class includes: A private cooking class, all ingredients, food, and drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
A Cooking Class in Ostuni
Get your apron on and join a small group of fellow foodies for an unforgettable Share your Pasta Love: Small Group Pasta and Tiramisu Class in Ostuni.
In the cozy setting of a local’s home, you’ll learn the art of making fresh pasta the Puglia style, and a delicious tiramisu for dessert.
While the meal gets cooked, bond with your newfound food-loving friends over a refreshing aperitivo before savoring the delectable dishes you’ve created together.
This class includes: A cooking class, all ingredients, a meal, and an Aperitivo. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
A Cheese Experience in Puglia
Step into the stunning Apulian countryside and embark on an experience like no other: Mozzarella Experience – Cheese Tour and tastings to Masseria Fragnite.
Immerse yourself in a picturesque Masseria, where you’ll learn how Mozzarella, Burrata, and Caciocavallo (among other cheeses) are produced.
You’ll explore the stables, milking parlor, and factory with a master cheesemaker, and enjoy tastings of a great variety of cheeses, as well as cold cuts, jams, and bread.
This class includes: A tour of the factory, a cheesemaker guide, and all tastings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
The Best Cooking Class in Matera
Matera is not technically in Puglia but in the Basilicata region of Italy. However, most people visit Matera as part of their Puglia trip, which is why we decided to add this option.
The Matera Cooking Class allows you to embark on a culinary journey set amidst the picturesque Basilicata countryside. You’ll visit a farmhouse tucked within a protected nature reserve surrounded by thousands of olive and fruit trees, and featuring impressive fruit and vegetable plots.
You’ll learn the art of Matera cooking from Silvia, the daughter of the family, who will guide you through making fresh pasta, a typical sauce, and a Matera specialty dish.
Embrace seasonal cooking, with the chance to harvest fresh herbs and vegetables for an authentic farm-to-table experience. Afterward, savor your creations alongside local wine and delightful surprises.
This class includes: A cooking class and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
