Private Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class with a Mexican Grandmother
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Discover the rich traditions and techniques of pre-Hispanic Mexican cooking during a 3-hour, private cooking class and meal with a warm and wonderful Mexican grandmother in her home kitchen. Isabel is incredibly passionate about pre-Hispanic cooking - so get ready to make salsa picante in a traditional molcajete and prepare a meal alongside your host that features the "three sisters". Enjoy the personal experience of a private class so you can learn every step of the recipe, practice your Spanish or just enjoy Mexican hospitality at its very best. When you are done cooking, sit down to share a hearty meal followed by a traditional Mexican treat.
- 3-hour, private cooking experience in San Miguel de Allende
- Learn the basics of pre-Hispanic Mexican cuisine
- Prepare a meal with a local
- Vegetarian meal option available
- Family friendly
Sample Menu
Starter
Margarita or non-alcoholic agua de jamaica
Starter
Nopales salad
Cactus, tomatoes, onion and cilantro in an oregano and vinegar dressing
Starter
Fresh guacamole with chips
Starter
Sopa de frijoles negros
Black bean soup topped with crispy tortilla strips
Main
Pollo santo
Chicken or rabbit stewed in a green tomato, hoja santo and cilantro sauce served with corn, mushrooms and squash blossoms
Dessert
Ate con queso
What's Included
- Private cooking class and meal with your host Isabel
- Private transportation
- 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
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- 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
Cara_B
This was a fantastic experience! Isabel is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. She guided us through preparing a delicious vegetarian meal and provided transportation from/to our lodging. Isabel’s home is beautiful and we even got to spend some time with her adorable dog Nacho. This was truly a highlight of our trip to SMA. Highly recommend.
Reviews
5.0
based on 31 reviews
Cara_B, Nov 2025
This was a fantastic experience! Isabel is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. She guided us through preparing a delicious vegetarian meal and provided transportation from/to our lodging. Isabel’s home is beautiful and we even got to spend some time with her adorable dog Nacho. This was truly a highlight of our trip to SMA. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for sharing this lovely review. We are thrilled to hear that your time with Isabel was such a standout moment during your visit to San Miguel de Allende. She loves creating warm and welcoming experiences for her guests and it is wonderful to know that her guidance, hospitality, and delicious vegetarian menu all made an impression.
It sounds like the added touches, including the ride from your lodging and a visit with little Nacho, helped make the day even more memorable. We are grateful you chose to spend part of your trip with one of our hosts and even more grateful that it became a highlight.
Thank you again for the kind words and recommendation. We would love to welcome you on another Traveling Spoon experience in the future.
Nan_W, Oct 2025
This was an extraordinary experience. We highly recommend this personal cooking class presented in a private home. Isabel is quite knowledgeable and eager to share her interest in preparing healthy food. We began by picking tomatillos from her garden, which became part of a refreshing appetizer. Then to the historical basics of the Mexican kitchen— onions, tomatoes, garlic, nopales and various fresh and dried chiles. We made a soup and a versatile meat dish, which we ate with blue corn tortillas. We felt right at home. Add a perfect recipe for blended Margaritas enjoyed on the patio. The class was a highlight of our visit to San Miguel de Allende.
Jeffrey_S, Oct 2025
Very relaxed, but great exposure to the prehistoric flavors that make Mexican food so unique. Isabel can work with novices as well as experienced cooks and she provides wonderful perspectives on how each ingredient enhances the flavor of the others.
Jennifer_D, Apr 2025
Isabel warmly opened her sweet home to us. She picked us up at our hotel and told us about local culture and history. Then, we cooked an authentic meal that you would only find in someone's home rather than a restaurant in Mexico.
We learned techniques that we will bring home to our own kitchens.
We loved our time with Isabel!
Thank you!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a special time with Isabel. Our mission at Traveling Spoon is to create meaningful, authentic food experiences that truly connect travelers with local culture – and it sounds like your time with Isabel captured that perfectly. We’re so glad you were able to learn new techniques and enjoy a home-cooked meal that reflects the heart of Mexico. We hope we have the chance to serve you on your future travels!
Lauren_H, Sep 2024
This was such a lovely experience! An absolute highlight of our trip to San Miguel. We were picked up at our hotel promptly, had a wonderful time cooking a huge meal, and we really enjoyed ourselves. Would highly recommend!
Christene_M, Sep 2024
Everything was perfect. Isabel was an amazing host and we felt like we weren’t just taking a class- we were cooking with a dear family member. Everything was delicious!
Ashwini_R, Jun 2024
When I originally booked this experience, I had no idea it would be one of the most memorable of our trip. Isabel is one of the most remarkable women my family and I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with. She not only welcomed us into her home and prepared a lovely meal for us to enjoy but she shared so much about her life and experiences. We sat down (after learning great cooking techniques) to one of our best meals in Mexico with Isabel and her friendly husband . She included our teen boys in the experience too and they had a great time. Don’t miss out on this experience! It was 100% worth it. We will never forget it or Isabel.
Carol_S, Mar 2024
What a fun and memorable experience. Isabel was so hospitable and informative. She picked us up right on time and took us to her beautiful home where learned the recipes and techniques of old Mexico. Using modern methods, of course! Isabel and the food were fascinating and delightful. I highly recommend this treat!
Margarita_S, Nov 2024
Aprendimos a elaborar un menu mexicano tradicional compuesto por arroz rojo, pollo en mole, pollo en salsa verde con hoja santa, y ensalada de nopales. Todo quedó muy rico. La anfitriona Isabel es puntual, tiene gran experiencia en la cocina y un trato alegre y amable. Lo disfrutamos y recomendamos ampliamente.
Likely to Sell Out
From $114.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Likely to Sell Out
Private Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class with a Mexican Grandmother
31
3 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$114.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
More attractions near San Miguel de Allende, Mexico