12 BEST Cooking Classes in Puglia (selected by an Italian)

Looking for cooking classes in Puglia? Learning the secrets behind Italian cuisine is the best way to enjoy it. Check out my selection of ultimate culinary lessons in the region. 

Imagine stepping into a world where olive groves, medieval towns, and a passion for food merge seamlessly. Welcome to Puglia, a treasure of culinary delights nestled in the heel of Italy’s boot.

Puglia is one of my absolute favorite regions of Italy. The food, the beaches, the enchanting towns and the trulli. I just fall in love with it a bit more every time I go. Last year I finally brought my boyfriend to Puglia and he must have gained a few (happy) kilos eating his way through the region.

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 gastronomic adventure as we unveil the 12 most exceptional cooking classes in Puglia, taking place in enchanting cities like Bari, Lecce, Ostuni, and Polignano.

These comprehensive lessons will allow you to indulge your senses and immerse yourself in the captivating flavors, centuries-old traditions, and heartfelt hospitality that make Puglia a culinary paradise like no other. 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. 

The 3 BEST 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 Puglia 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: 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 in Alberobello includes: Cooking class, all ingredients, 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, cooking class, a market tour, and a tasting session. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ Embark on a gastronomic adventure at a charming family-owned agricultural farm in Locorotondo with this Cooking Class Experience at Masseria. Discover Pugliese cuisine secrets as a local chef guides you to prepare heavenly dishes. 

Learn how to make orecchiette and cavatelli pasta, focaccia, and delectable desserts, and also taste the farm’s own olive oil and wines while exploring the rich history of the Masseria. This tour is limited to up to eight guests for an intimate experience.

📝 This cooking class in Puglia includes: ➥ BOOK IT HERE

The 3 BEST 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 recipes and a ferretto pasta tool to continue cooking!

📝 This tour includes: 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: 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: Cooking class, all ingredients, a meal, and an Aperitivo. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

A Cheese-Making Experience in Puglia

Step into the stunning Apulian countryside and embark on an experience like no other: Cheese Making Tour: Learn the Secret of Apulian Cheese in the countryside of Martina Franca. Immerse yourself in a picturesque Masseria, where you’ll explore the sheds and unravel the rich history of a family-run cheese-making enterprise. 

From the production area to the aging room, learn how milk transforms into delectable treats like mozzarella, Buffalo mozzarella, cacioricotta, and caciocavallo. Indulge in a cheese-tasting experience, accompanied by a medley of local delights. 

📝 This tour includes: Tour of the farm, 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 Matera cooking class in this post.

Join this Matera Cooking Class 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: Cooking class and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Cooking Classes in Puglia FAQs