Top Florence Cooking Classes

There are scores of highly-rated Florence cooking classes, but these are the top five right now, according to ratings from previous customers:

• Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class at a Tuscan Farmhouse
• Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour 
• Pasta Making Class in Florence
• Florence Cooking Class: Learn How to Make Gelato and Pizza
• Wanna Be Italiano - The Original Cooking Class & Market Tour in Florence

That depends. Cooking classes in Florence start at US$35 for a virtual group class and go up to US$1,300 for a private cocktail-making class with a well-known expert. There are plenty of options for different budgets, though. Some cooking classes are paired with a private farmhouse lunch, a market tour, or a romantic dinner.

It’s generally cheaper to cook than eat out. Florence is home to several large indoor and open-air food markets, so shopping for and cooking your meals is a fun way to experience Florence like a local. Florence restaurants range from less-expensive trattorias outside the main tourist areas to high-end ristorantes.

There are many places to study cooking in Florence, but the top culinary institutes in the city are The Lorenzo de' Medici Cooking School, the Florence Culinary Arts School, and the School of Culinary Arts Cordon Bleu Florence. A cooking class in Florence is a great way to immerse yourself in local food culture.

Florence is known for several dishes, including ribollita (white bean and vegetable soup), pappa col pomodoro (a tomato and basil soup), artichoke omelet, and lampredotto sandwiches made with beef or veal. The city’s most famous dish is arguably Florentine steak (bistecca alla fiorentina) which is roasted over oak or olive coals.

Most cooks in Italy train at a professional food and hospitality school or earn a bachelor’s degree in food science at university. Many cooks also receive on-the-job training, by working in different kitchens. Florence cooking classes are a great place to start your culinary journey.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Florence aside from cooking classes. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Wine Tasting

• Private Drivers

• Vespa Rentals

• Art Classes

• Day Trips

Florence cooking class prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now: 

• Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Optional Market Tour

• Florence Cooking Class Making Gelato and Authentic Pizza

• The Real Italian Artisan Gelato

• Cooking Art Brunelleschi with Unlimited Wine

• Cooking Art Brunelleschi

Before booking a Florence cooking class, read what’s on the menu and choose a class that makes dishes that most interest you: Some classes are all about Tuscan pasta recipes, while others might focus on pizza or gelato. Check the duration and itinerary, too; longer classes may include a local market tour, while shorter experiences get straight to the cooking. Finally, confirm the meeting point for the class—some experiences may be located outside of the center of Florence.

Tips for your Florence cooking class include coming hungry—most classes include several food tastings and end in a meal featuring the dishes you’ve made during the lesson. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and sleeves you can easily roll up, as you’re likely to spend most of the class on your feet and with your hands in a bowl of pasta dough. Lastly, don’t forget to ask your teacher for recommendations about where to eat well in Florence.

Florence cooking classes are great activities year-round. Most experiences are held indoors, offering a break from the summer heat or winter chill, and classes are capped at a comfortable group size, no matter the season. Generally, September to October and April to June are the best months to visit Florence, when the weather is mild and the city is free of summer crowds.