Sri Lanka Cooking Class with Granny
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kandy, Sri Lanka
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Learn how to make authentic Sri Lankan food at home—long after your visit—during a private cooking class. Get an overview of classic Sri Lankan spices and ingredients before you get to cooking. Practice different techniques under the guidance of your private instructor, who will provide additional cooking tips. The dish may change depending on what's fresh and in season.
- Practice making Sri Lankan rice and curry in Kandy
- Enjoy hassle-free pickup from your hotel
- Choose from morning or afternoon classes to fit your schedule
- Upgrade your class to include an authentic market visit
Sample Menu
Main
Curries made from scratch with local market ingredients, served over rice
Dessert
Daily chefs choice
What's Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Bottled water
- Private transportation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Alcoholic Beverages
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Kristina_L
I think this was our favorite experience of our entire trip to Sri Lanka!! If you love to cook, or simply want to have a local experience - I can't recommend enough. This is not fancy, it was real cooking, the vegetable market is the real thing (for locals). It is an amazing cooking experience with a family in their outdoor kitchen. Granny and her niece (Nillu & Nandi) were just the most kind, and helpful. Thank you!
Reviews
5.0
based on 655 reviews
Kristina_L, Feb 2026
I think this was our favorite experience of our entire trip to Sri Lanka!! If you love to cook, or simply want to have a local experience - I can't recommend enough. This is not fancy, it was real cooking, the vegetable market is the real thing (for locals). It is an amazing cooking experience with a family in their outdoor kitchen. Granny and her niece (Nillu & Nandi) were just the most kind, and helpful. Thank you!
Stephen_P, Feb 2026
We loved our experience - the markets, choosing the vegetables, preparing what was bought and then cooking and of course eating at the end (so yum!). We were picked up and dropped off at the hotel (return was an extra cost but not expensive) and it was great to receive the recipes afterwards. It was very well organised and communication was excellent. Would definitely recommend.
Sian_A, Feb 2026
Don't skip the market! Fascinating and informative.
The whole experience was very well organised. Lovely to be in a family home up in the hills. Food was delicious
Victoria_R, Jan 2026
We really enjoyed the cooking class, and it was excellent value for money. We were able to select vegetables we would like to cook with and then learned how to make several dishes. It was such a feast at the end! They were also able to arrange transport for us from Kandy (included) and back to our hotel (for a reasonable fee). We would really recommend- don't miss our!
Rabab_J, Sep 2025
The cooking class and market visit were absolutely fantastic! We started at the local market, a vibrant feast for the senses with its beautiful colors and lively sounds. Sudesh guided us through the wide variety of fruits and vegetables, sharing fascinating insights and letting us taste some delicious fruits, a fun and informative way to kick off the class.
After the market, we headed to a beautiful family home in the mountains for the hands-on cooking session. There, we learned to make coconut milk from scratch and used it to prepare a variety of authentic Sri Lankan curries. We chopped vegetables, explored different spices, and helped cook each dish. Every dish was absolutely delicious.
Sudesh is truly wonderful! I was trying to make the most of just one day in Kandy, and he went above and beyond. As soon as I booked the class, he reached out on WhatsApp and offered to pick me up early and take me on a mini tour of nearby spots for a small additional fee, exactly what I needed. His warmth and knowledge made the entire experience seamless and unforgettable.
Ellie_C, Jul 2025
We had a fantastic time cooking fresh Sri Lankan curry with Granny Nanti + Auntie Shanti!
To start, they paid for our tuk tuk to their family home in a village next to Kandy, they organised our tuk tuk on the way back which we paid for.
We were lucky enough to be in a small group with just my partner and I. Nanti showed us all the fresh veg, herbs and spices she uses in her dishes. We were given the option to to use eggs and meat for 2 out of 8 dishes, the rest was all plant based. We were given the choice of which vegetable dishes we wanted to make as well, so we could personalise it to our tastes.
Nanti was engaging and fun while sharing her skills and knowledge in her BEAUTIFUL open air kitchen. All clay pots and crockery with rustic colours.
The food we made was absolutely delicious because of Nanti's guidance but also because we could choose the spice levels. We ended up with a great variety of dishes in terms of flavour and colour. With a few sides of poppadoms and Sri Lankan pancakes for dessert - we were so full and content!
A must do if you want to learn about the food culture in Sri Lanka. We were given all the recipes to try at home, as well. FYI - if you're offered the beetroot, jump on it because it's delicious!
Ben_J, Mar 2025
The overall experience was fantastic. Could have skipped the market portion but the cooking was amazing. Such variety with the foods and it felt very genuine and like you were part of the family preparing meals. A definite must for anyone who is interesting in learning about Sri Lankan cooking, spices and try some new dishes!
Lindy_H, Dec 2024
Fabulous pungent aromas, a fun vibe and a cosy atmosphere. A lovely home environment in the hills above Kandy with a warm and friendly host.
Nadine_Q, Dec 2024
We had a fantastic time with this experience. Nandi is an amazing host and she went above and beyond to make our time enjoyable and memorable. We cooked so many different dishes that were all delicious and accustomed to our tastes as we cooked them. The venue is lovely and welcoming and it was a smooth process with hotel pickup. It was great being able to be in a village just outside of Kandy. We also opted for the market part which my partner and I really enjoyed, as we loved seeing the hustle and bustle of daily life. We got to use some of the produce that we chose and made some delicious dishes with them.
Highly recommend this tour and supporting a local family who made our experience memorable.
Eilin_G, Dec 2024
A very interesting, authentic and rustic cooking class. Started with an exhilarating tuktuk ride up into the hills, to a home with a traditional clay kitchen. The instructors were very nice ladies and we enjoyed our food. This class is probably best suited to the more adventurous person.
Amelia_H, Dec 2024
Amazing cooking class in a really lovely family home’s outdoor kitchen, in a beautiful neighbourhood outside of Kandy which is like an oasis. The hotel pick up and market visit with Sudesh was seamless and fascinating, and Nandi is the sweetest and best teacher in the kitchen. And most importantly the food is the best we’ve had in our time in Sri Lanka! 😋
Alisha_C, Nov 2024
We had such a lovely cooking class. The teacher is so friendly, sweet, patient. We cooked so many different dishes. They were all so delicious. I will definitely be able to cook them once I get Home. The setting of the class is charming, as you cook at her house in outdoor covered kitchen.
Rachel_S, Nov 2024
Amazing experience, lovely family who are so welcoming and teach you lots about traditional Sri Lankan meals and cooking techniques. Highly recommend!
Naila_R, Sep 2024
We have done several cooking classes in other countries and this was by far the best and most unique! Because it is not high season my sister and I were the only “students” there and received one on one instruction. The class took place at a home in a small village with an outdoor clay kitchen - we made 9 dishes and even learned how to make coconut milk starting with breaking open a whole coconut (not an easy task!). We learned about the main spices used in Sri Lankan cooking and picked out fresh ingredients at the market including chicken, pumpkin, okra, eggplant, etc. Our hard work was rewarded with delicious coconut pancakes for dessert. You will love this class!
Graham_W, Aug 2024
A fabulous and authentic experience. We were made to feel so welcome and at ease throughout the market trip and at the family home. We were fully involved with the cooking experience and made to feel useful, whilst at the same time learning about the fresh produce and spices. We lost count of the dishes we produced but absolutely loved tasting everything, and are are looking forward to reproducing for our family and friends back home in the UK. Could not recommend more.
Thomas_H, May 2024
An amazing cooking class and overall experience! Would thoroughly recommend to anyone.
It’s based in a nice house in a village a little outside Kandy, which also helps you experience village life, how most of Sri Lankans live. The family who lives there are very friendly and welcoming. We had tea when we arrived and chatted and then started the cooking class.
The cook Nandini is a really lovely lady who teaches you all about the ingredients and methods of traditional cooking that Sri Lankans use.
You can choose from a big set of ingredients which ones you’d like to cook so it’s a meal that is personalised to exactly your tastes. And there’s so much food! We made a chicken curry, pumpkin curry, a long bean dish, egg curry, daal, mango chutney, papadums, tempered potatoes and sambol! We even made a special aubergine dish normally saved for special occasions because we said we loved aubergine!
Really fun, learnt lots, delicious food - and you’re sent the recipes after so you can make them at home!
Salome_S, Apr 2024
We had an amazing time filled with laughter, new knowledge, and delicious food! Sudesh and his family warmly welcomed us into their home, ensuring every detail was taken care of flawlessly. The nostalgic touch with the candles truly transported us back in time, creating a magical atmosphere.
Nandini, the warm-hearted chef, expertly guided us through the complexities of spice blends, vegetables and the nuances of coconut milk varieties, emphasizing the significant impact on flavor from milk one to milk two. Together, we crafted a variety of dishes, including delicious curries, relishing each mouthwatering bite. The seamless hotel pickup and drop-off enhanced the overall experience. If you're ever in Kandy, don't miss the chance to join them for a class—it's truly top-notch!
Valentin_G, Mar 2024
The cooking course was very Authentic, with a lovly older Lady showing you 5 different Sri lankan curries and when showing you a famous Dessert.
We enjoyed it very much!
Rachel_K, Mar 2024
This cooking class and market trip was one of the best experiences on our trip to Sri Lanka. The market is a must see, a maze of stalls loaded with vegetables, fruits and spices, where locals shop daily. We then headed into the mountains outside Kandy, for the most amazing cooking class, preparing 8 curry dishes in traditional clay pots using vegetables we’d chosen ourselves (many of which we’d never tried before). The hospitality was excellent and the hosts great fun, and the final dinner was just delicious. Highly recommended!
Diana_C, Jan 2024
It was a memorable experience. Nothing taste like the restaurant food. It was so much more delicate and refined. The chef has a lot of humour and give us good tips on how to make good curry and local ingredients.
Lizzie_R, Dec 2023
Excellent food. Clearly an expert cook who actively encourages you to get involved. Cooked in a traditional clay kitchen and was walked through the history of the dishes. 10/10 would recommend for friends couples or families
Fiona_S, Oct 2023
Great evening in village with a local family. Opportunity for inexperienced to learn some recipes. it went a little long and by the time we at ate got back it was pretty late
Graham_L, Sep 2023
Brilliant evening. We started with shopping at the market before travelling to the village. We then prepared and cooked the food under the instruction of the chefs which meant that we turned out a range of delicious Sri Lankan dishes
Anna_P, Sep 2023
Very nice experience with this lovely lady! I would highly recommend. Delicious food and we also got the recipes. The TukTuk-driver picked me up and brought me safely at home (only thibg: the drive back with the tucktuck was a little bit to expensive for this way).
Great thing to do in Kandy!
Philipp_E, Aug 2023
Friendly host family, interesting market visit, great chef (super sweet and handsome older woman) and of course lovely food! Highly recommended!!
Ally_K, Jul 2023
We had such a great time ! The family were lovely, we got picked up from the hotel and taken to the market we’re we experienced a lively Sri Lankan market experience. Then taken to a beautiful family home, the ladies running the cooking experience were so knowledgeable and lovely and made it such a fun experience. I would highly recommend
Michela_C, Aug 2025
We cooked but also joked and met a wonderful family, who accompanied us to discover the local flavors starting from the knowledge of the products at the market. We cooked under the careful observation of our grandmother as if she were our grandmother, sharing stories of Sinhalese and Italian customs. Super recommended!
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tilleuled, Feb 2025
Ouvrez juste votre cœur et laissez vous guider. Sudesh a déjà tout prévu et bien organisé. Vous allez apprendre les bases de la cuisine sri lankaise mais pas seulement. Vous rencontrerez des belles personnes au grand cœur,attentionnés et pleines d’humour… une magnifique rencontre humaine 🙏
Carolijn_H, Nov 2024
AANBEVOLEN!
Ik kook graag en was op zoek naar een kookles in Kandy. Deze had goeie reviews en terecht! Leuk eerst naar de groente & fruit markt en a woord gekregen op alle vragen en toen naar de locatie 20min per tuktuk buiten Kandy. De moeder is de chef en ook een goeie leraar die veel verteld en je alles zelf laat doen. We waren met 3 dus bijna privé les :-) en 5 groenten gerechten gemaakt die we zelf uit mochten zoeken, ook nog 1 kip en 1 ei gerecht en kokos sambal - was allemaal heerlijk! En daarna krijg je de recepten per mail dus kan het thuis nog eens maken. Super leuke middag gehad!
Ron_V, Nov 2024
Top kookcursus om wegwijs te worden in de lokale keuken! Eest met de Tuktuk-chauffeur even boodschappen gedaan op de markt. De kookcursus werd gegeven bij de mensen thuis, helemaal bovenin de heuvels. We hadden een leuke kleine groep (4p). De vrouw die de cursus gaf, legt alles goed uit en geeft je de kans om dingen zelf te doen. Ze heeft ook erg veel humor. We hebben daardoor een hele leuke en leerzame avond gehad en uiteindelijk super gegeten, 10 top currys!
From $25.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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