Top Genoa Cooking Classes

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

- 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 100 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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the art of authentic Ligurian cooking in a hands-on class led by a local chef in the heart of Genoa, one of Italy’s most vibrant coastal food destinations. Learn how to make fresh handmade ravioli, fettuccine, and classic tiramisu from scratch using high-quality local ingredients. Enjoy a fun and engaging experience with expert guidance, fine local wine, and soft drinks in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With small group sizes, you’ll enjoy a more personal and memorable experience, so be sure to reserve your spot. Along the way, discover the stories and traditions behind Ligurian cuisine and take home authentic Italian cooking techniques to impress friends and family. After the class, sit down and enjoy the delicious dishes you’ve created paired with local wine, ending on a sweet Italian note with homemade tiramisu. You’ll also receive the recipes so you can recreate everything at home and relive your unforgettable Genoa culinary experience.

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.

Immerse yourself in Italian culture with a hands-on cooking class. Learn to prepare an authentic Genoese lunch with Italian wine, dessert and coffee. Get to work with your host to discover the secrets of traditional Genoese pesto, handmade tagliatelle and dessert. Sit back and enjoy your meal on a terrace overlooking the sea and take home the new culinary skills. Learn authentic Genoese cuisine in a local's home

Discover the secrets of the original Tiramisu in a hands-on workshop with an Expert local chef. In this engaging workshop, you will learn how to prepare the perfect cream and dunk the ladyfingers, following the Italian tradition. At the end, you can enjoy your masterpiece, savoring every bite of your sweet creation.

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.

Learn how to make the perfect Genoese pesto when you book this small-group cooking class. Learn the secrets of balancing flavors and textures, from mortar and pestle grinding to final blending as you combine fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil into the perfect sauce. Enjoy appetizers and locally-sourced wine that are perfectly paired to enhance your creations.

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.

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.

Explore the city of Genoa with ease on a Segway during this small-group sightseeing tour. Learn about the importance of this historic port city as you zoom around historic landmarks including the Old Port district, the UNESCO-listed Caruggi area, and the Ducal Palace. End your tour with a relaxed walk along the seafront in the Porto Antico. All necessary equipment is provided and no previous Segway experience is necessary.

Learn to cook fresh Italian dishes in the home of a local during this small-group, hands-on cooking experience in Chiavari. Join your dedicated host in their home and prepare a meal from scratch, which may include fresh pasta and a traditional Italian dessert. Then, sit down to the fruits of your labor paired with local wines and good conversation.

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

At Villa San Giacomo, a historic gem overlooking the Ligurian Gulf, a pesto cooking class awaits. Guided by a local home cook, you'll master the art of making authentic Genovese pesto with a traditional mortar and pestle. After your culinary creation, savor your homemade pesto paired with trofie pasta in the villa's elegant surroundings, complemented by a glass of local Italian wine. This hands-on experience is perfect for food lovers eager to indulge in the rich flavors and traditions of the Italian Riviera, just a stone's throw from Portofino and the Cinque Terre.