Top Genoa Food & Drink Classes

There's no better souvenir to bring home from your travels than the gift of authentic Italian cuisine. Learn how to make fresh egg pasta the Italian way with a local chef in his home in a historic palazzo and master the art of fresh pesto, too. Numbers are capped at just six travelers, ensuring an intimate experience and likely the chance to make friends over lunch.

This experience offers an authentic deep dive into Genoa’s culinary tradition, just steps from the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. You’ll learn to prepare real Genovese pesto using a traditional marble mortar and wooden pestle—just like locals have done for centuries. Set in our small artisan “food and wine” shop in the heart of the old town, the experience is hands-on, authentic and full of flavor. You’ll taste high-quality local ingredients and enjoy your handmade pesto served with trofie pasta, paired with a guided tasting of Ligurian wines. What makes this experience truly special is our family involvement: the class is led by us together with Gaia, our daughter, who was the youngest finalist at the World Pesto Championship in Genoa (March 2026). This is not just a cooking class, but a real connection to Ligurian culture, traditions and family hospitality.

- The only cooking class in which a Chef and World Champion, Camilla Pizzorno, winner of the World Mortar Pesto Championship, teaches her recipe and its secrets; - Uses a large marble mortar and wooden pestle with more than 150 years; - Taste the freshly prepared pesto with a three-course Ligurian menu: the typical Genoese focaccia - a handmade pasta of the Ligurian tradition such as trofie or gnocchi seasoned with freshly prepared pesto - a traditional dessert: the Italian Tiramisù; - The dishes will be accompanied with a wine from the Ligurian Riviera and Italian liqueurs and grappas such as limoncello, myrtle and Camatti bitter; - Authentic Italian location surrounded by greenery: garden in the summer months and heated outdoors in the winter months.

In this activity you will get to know the ingredients and the authentic culinary traditions of the area, you will experience firsthand the preparation of fresh pasta and pesto and you can have lunch in a wonderful location inside an historical palace

The experience is made truly special by Tiziana's guidance and the setting in a 17th century palace. She is a certified Mortar Pesto expert and will show you how to create the best pesto you have ever tasted.

Master the best Ligurian and Genovese recipes with guidance from local experts during this immersive cooking class in Genoa. This hands-on experience lets you prepare and taste at least four traditional dishes. Enjoy learning, cooking, and sharing stories in a fun, intimate setting with a small group size.

There’s no better place to learn to make pasta than Italy and this small-group class in Genoa teaches you everything you need to know. Join a small group and learn to make fresh pasta from start to finish. You also learn how to make an iconic Italian dessert, tiramisu, before enjoying all your hard work during a delicious meal.

Learn to make delicious Ligurian dishes from a local during this private cooking class in Genoa. Get your hands dirty as you learn the tricks of the trade to make a few of the region’s best dishes. Then, enjoy the food that you’ve made paired with wines from the region and leave with an apron and reusable shopping bag as a keepsake.

ONLY EXTRAORDINARY LOCATIONS. Unique atmosphere in an ancient apartment of the '900 in the historic center of Chiavari and an exceptional guide as the foodteller Fabio Bongiorni. An ancient Genoese-style building, in the historic center of Chiavari, houses a noble apartment with a large living room and a kitchen equipped to carry out cooking classes and gastronomic experiences in an atmosphere of yesteryear. The experiences are all active, that is, you will be involved in the preparation of the dishes.

This experience is special because it allows you to learn fresh pasta directly with a Pro Chef, in an intimate and authentic setting. Each participant prepares the pasta with their own hands, discovering traditional techniques not found in classic tourist courses. The final tasting makes the activity complete and convivial, transforming a simple cooking lesson into a real moment of Italian culture.

Capital of Italy’s beautiful Liguria region, the coastal city of Genoa takes great pride in its local cuisine—with fresh flavors and traditional recipes handed down through the generations. On this walking tour, explore Genoa’s culture and lifestyle through its food and learn why Italian cuisine is the envy of the world. Sample pasta dishes with fresh pesto, focaccia and seafood, and savory pastries, and taste the flavors the locals love.

Learning to make pasta in Italy is almost a right of passage to the country. Join this private cooking class and learn to make pasta from scratch, along with tiramisu, at a local’s home for the ultimate Italian experience. Then sit down to your delicious meal with local wines and great conversation.

We will walk through picturesque old paths called "creuze" which connect the sea with the surrounding hills ; they only can be found in Liguria and particularly in Genoa. We will discover the best panoramic views and you will get to know a bit of history of the city through original songs/tales accompanied on guitar, a definitely original way to visit a place !!

On this private, full-day shore excursion for cruise passengers, you’ll discover two of northern Italy’s most picturesque coastal towns: Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. Enjoy panoramic views over the Ligurian coastline from Castello Brown, stroll through Portofino’s scenic central square, “La Piazzetta,” and grab a meal or a gelato in the colorful fishing port known to locals simply as “Santa.”

This experience takes place inside a family-run Ligurian food shop, not in a standard cooking school. Prepare potato gnocchi from scratch and make authentic Genoese pesto with a marble mortar and wooden pestle. Then enjoy the food you created during a relaxed brunch, paired with 2 wines from small Ligurian producers. You will also discover the stories, ingredients, and traditions behind Genoa’s local food culture.

Be assisted and guided step by step by expert Genovese chef Fabrizio in preparing an entire delicious Ligurian menu! You will learn how to cook 6 typical local dishes, from appetizers to dessert: Panissa, 4 different types of focaccia, gnocchi with pesto, panera: you'll prepare everything at home with first-rate ingredients, in a beautiful and spacious setting in the center of town. Afterwards you will enjoy calmly and in the company of chef Fabrizio the delicacies you will have prepared with his guidance, accompanied by a good glass of wine: chatting and laughter are guaranteed...Furthermore, Fabrizio makes and teaches how to make the best focaccia in Genoa, you won't find one this good even in delicatessens! Fabrizio is a chef with many years of experience, his passion for cooking started when he helped his grandmother in the kitchen as a child. In fact, he also ran for a very long time two restaurants and a home restaurant called “Nonna Leo,” named after his grandmother Leonilda

Immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of Liguria with a delightful aperitif experience at the historic Villa San Giacomo, perched majestically above the Gulf of Tigullio. Under the guidance of a knowledgeable local host, learn to craft an authentic Ligurian aperitivo featuring freshly baked focaccia and aromatic Genovese pesto. The experience culminates in a relaxed tasting session where you savor your creations alongside a glass of exquisite local wine, all set against the villa's elegant backdrop and stunning sea views. This activity is ideal for food enthusiasts, couples, and small groups seeking an authentic slice of Italian culture.

Explore the vibrant port city of Genoa as well as the gorgeous seaside resort town of Portofino during this full-day experience. Enjoy a morning walking tour of the historic city of Genoa, followed by an excursion to the pretty coastal town of Portofino.

The marble mortar, fresh Genovese DOP basil, pine nuts, Ligurian extra virgin olive oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Pecorino cheese: the iconic ingredients of authentic Genoese pesto become the stars of an exclusive culinary experience in the heart of historic Genoa. This hands-on cooking class takes place in an elegant frescoed hall overlooking Via Garibaldi, the famous UNESCO-listed street of the Rolli Palaces. Guided by foodteller Fabio Bongiorni, you’ll learn how to make traditional pesto by hand using the ancient marble mortar technique, while discovering stories, traditions, and culinary secrets from Liguria. After a welcome toast with a glass of local Vermentino wine, you’ll enjoy the pesto you prepared yourself, served with authentic Genoese focaccia, bruschette, and a selection of local specialties. A refined and immersive experience, perfect for couples, small groups, and travelers looking to discover the true flavors and atmosphere of Genoa.

Get off the beaten tourist path and you’ll be welcomed into your host’s home in Savona for a private cooking class. Embark on a local market visit to find the freshest ingredients for your cooking class, then get to work making three traditional dishes. You’ll get personalized attention from your guide and enjoy the ability to ask plenty of questions while you taste your creations.

Enjoy a hands-on way to discover Liguria’s storied cuisine during this gourmet, small-group cooking class, hosted in the resort town of Rapallo. In the morning, make your way to one of the town’s top restaurants, and be sure to come hungry. With your chef’s guidance, you’ll learn how to make traditional Ligurian pesto with a mortar and pestle, as well as several other dishes. At the end of class, sit down for a well-deserved lunch, accompanied with local wine.

This activity is special because it allows you to discover the secrets of real homemade ice cream directly with those who prepare it every day. It's not just a tasting: you actively participate in the creation of ice cream, learn real techniques and taste flavors prepared by yourself. It is an authentic, practical and engaging experience, combining theory, manual skills and flavours in an informal and welcoming environment. Eventually you bring home not only recipes, but a true understanding of what it means to make quality ice cream.

Genoa is known for its UNESCO-listed monuments and gigantic Aquarium, but there’s so much more to see in the port city. On this Lokafy walking tour, connect with a Genoa local who will show you around their city like a friend and take you to the neighborhoods, museums, shops, and restaurants that they know and love. Chat with your guide before you arrive and devise an itinerary that suits your preferences and style of travel.