Top Gjirokaster Cooking Classes

Get acquainted with making Gjirokaster cuisine from a local instructor during this private cooking experience. Enjoy personalized attention throughout as you learn how to cook two traditional dishes plus a dessert. Familiarize yourself with the spices and herbs that are commonly used in making Gjirokaster meals. After your class, sit down to eat the food you’ve just cooked.

Learn to prepare traditional Albanian dishes with this Gjirokastra cooking class. Whip up local favorites like oven-cooked cheese, rice balls, stuffed peppers, savory pies, and a sweet dessert alongside a professional chef and a small group of just 10 people or fewer. At the end of the class, enjoy your meal paired with a glass of wine.

What makes our cooking experience truly unforgettable is its authentic blend of home-style warmth, ancient heritage, and breathtaking scenery. Far from a sterile commercial kitchen, this is a vibrant, hands-on culinary journey hosted on a private panoramic terrace overlooking Gjirokastër's historic stone rooftops and mountains. The true flavor of this activity lies in its rich sensory and social connection. You will breathe in the aroma of wild mountain spearmint as you learn to flip iconic Qifqi rice balls in a traditional cast-iron pan, feel the rustic texture of homemade dough as you bake traditional bread from scratch, and hear the sizzle of fresh, local cheese grilling to perfection. We culminate the experience sitting together at a beautifully set table to share a family-style feast paired with local southern Albanian wine and fiery raki under the stars. You don’t just learn recipes; you taste the authentic soul of Albanian culture in every single bite.

We meet at Cerciz Topulli square, where you join with your host and walk over to one of the oldest neighbourhoods, “Pazar i Vjeter” to meet Marjeta and her husband. We begin the class with a glass of raki or a soft drink while chatting with your group mates. The food we are going to prepare is a vegetarian menu, and under the guidance of Marjeta we will learn three dishes. The first one is called “Qofte bobollaqe” consisting mainly on yogurt, the traditional “Qifqis” found only in Gjirokaster and consisting mainly on rice and the desert called “Hasude”. All these three are accompanied by the salad of the season Marjeta has already prepared for you. After all the hard work, sit down with your group to savor each of your dishes. Pair your menu with a complimentary glass of wine, raki, or a soft drink and have a nice chat while you eat. Your cooking class will conclude after the meal. Cheers and Bon appetite!

This Albanian cooking class in Gjirokaster is perfect for food lovers, travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience, and anyone interested in learning to cook traditional Albanian recipes in a fun, hands-on environment. Join a hands-on Albanian cooking class on a terrace in historic Gjirokaster. Learn to prepare three traditional dishes using simple, beginner-friendly recipes. Cook local favorites like Gjirokaster rice balls, cornbread, and halva. Enjoy a warm, communal atmosphere and interactive atmosphere. Sit down together for a shared meal and taste the dishes you’ve created, served with a glass of raki or wine.