Puglia is the famed heel of Italy, an astounding destination featuring pristine white-sand beaches, perfect weather, historic towns and architecture, and… you guessed it: a treasure trove of culinary delights.
Puglia is one of my absolute favorite regions of Italy, and I fall in love with it 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. It’s known as a foodie hotspot for a very good reason!
In Italy, while the national cuisine is predominant everywhere you go, each region proudly boasts its own specialties, and Puglia is no exception.
And sure, you can just eat the food and be happy enough, but wouldn’t you love to know how to replicate the dishes at home for your family and friends?
Prepare to embark on an unforgettable adventure as we unveil the most exceptional cooking classes in Puglia, taking place in cities like Bari, Lecce, Ostuni, and Polignano a Mare. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Why should you take my word on Puglia cooking classes? Childhood summers spent in Puglia have made me no stranger to the region’s culinary magic. Coupled with a decade of experience in guiding travelers through Italy’s best, I’ve handpicked cooking classes that offer a taste of Puglia’s authentic flavors and traditions.
Trust me, these selections are the kitchen-tested, grandma-approved best of the best.
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.
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 tour includes: A guide, a walking tour, and pasta class with food and wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Explore Bari like a local on this Bike Tour and 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 tour 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
Learn the secret to crafting perfect orecchiette pasta in a charming Trulli house. In this Puglia Cooking Class ”Le Orecchiette, che pasta!” channel your inner Italian nonna as you whip up this delicacy, getting hands-on with seasonal herbs and veggies.
Then, savor your creations in a delectable four-course meal. With historical insights and options for special diets, this tour is a pasta lover’s dream. Plus, enjoy an appetizer and take a historical tour of the Trulli buildings.
This experience is perfect for the whole family, so you can take the kids along for a memorable day.
This cooking class includes: All ingredients, a walking tour, lunch, and beverages. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ 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 tour includes: Italian Aperitivo, a cooking class, a market tour, and a tasting session. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Alberobello will also introduce you to the culinary talents of Italy’s home cooks. In a Cesarina’s kitchen, you’ll craft traditional Italian dishes, including starters and pasta, as you learn techniques and tips to succeed in your gastronomic ventures.
Cap off the experience with a scrumptious lunch or dinner, paired with local wines and topped with an Apulian dessert. The cooking class is exclusive for your group of up to eight.
This cooking class includes: A private lesson, all ingredients, a 3-course meal, and wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cooking Classes in Lecce
▶️ Join this Traditional Home Cooking Class in Lecce 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 hand-made orecchiette pasta. You’ll later savor your creations alongside homemade bread and wine, followed by a typical dessert, and homemade limoncello.
Enjoy a Leccese Coffe and take home the recipes, as well as a ferretto pasta tool to continue cooking!
This tour 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 Tasting Tour. 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 tour includes: A cooking class, wine, and food tastings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Join this Lecce Private Home Cooking Class 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 tour 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 tour 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 tour 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 tour includes: A cooking class and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
