10 Places You Should Visit If You Love To Cook
Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies. I love that there is always something to learn, new ways to incorporate ingredients, and new dishes to try that often become family favorites.
When I travel, I don’t always like to cook though, as part of the fun is eating at local restaurants and trying new things. My husband and I always take a food tour in a new city, as we’ve found its a great way to get to know the area as well as try out a few local dishes.
These tours, often send me home with new recipes to try, but sometimes, I don’t get the technique right, or the meals just feel like “something is missing”. So, our new favorite thing to do on vacation is to take a cooking class. It’s so much fun to spend time with a local chef learning the culinary traditions of the region and making our own meals.
I’ve put together a list of our favorite cooking class locations, plus a few that are still on my wish list, and thought I’d share them with you too!
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is a charming region located in central Italy, known for its rolling hills, historic cities, and world-renowned vineyards. Bordered by the Apennine Mountains to the east and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, Tuscany is famous for its art, architecture, and contributions to Italian culture, particularly during the Renaissance.
Florence, its capital, is home to iconic landmarks like the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo. Tuscany is also celebrated for its cuisine, with specialties like handmade pasta, olive oil, and Chianti wine, making it a top destination for both culture and food lovers.
Pasta Making
Tuscany is the perfect place for pasta lovers to dive into authentic Italian cooking. In Florence or the surrounding countryside, you’ll find numerous cooking classes that teach how to make pasta from scratch, from rolling out the dough to crafting delicate shapes like pappardelle or ravioli.
Many classes also include lessons on traditional sauces and wine pairings, allowing you to savor a complete Italian meal. We used the freshest ingredients in our pasta from tomatoes to local olive oil, and the quality shines through even with amateur chefs like us creating the meal.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, is an interesting mix of modern skyscrapers, ancient temples, and cutting-edge technology. Located on the eastern coast of the island of Honshu, Tokyo is known for its fast-paced lifestyle, world-class dining, and vibrant pop culture.
Its neighborhoods, like Shibuya and Shinjuku, pulse with energy, while traditional districts such as Asakusa offer a glimpse into Japan’s rich heritage.
Tokyo’s food scene is unparalleled, with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to street vendors serving up sushi, ramen, and tempura.
sushi Making
Tokyo is home to some of the best sushi chefs in the world, and you can join them in a hands-on sushi-making class. These workshops often start with a trip to the famed Tsukiji Fish Market to select the freshest fish, followed by a detailed lesson on the art of preparing sushi, sashimi, and rolling the perfect maki.
You’ll leave with newfound respect for this culinary tradition and the skills to recreate it at home.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, nestled in the mountainous region of northern Thailand, is renowned for its rich history, beautiful temples, and lush surroundings. Once the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai boasts a peaceful atmosphere and is home to more than 300 Buddhist temples.
It’s also a hub for Thai culture, with traditional festivals, night markets, and a vibrant arts scene. Known for its cuisine, Chiang Mai is the perfect place to experience authentic Thai dishes, including khao soi (curry noodle soup) and spicy papaya salad.
Thai Cooking
Chiang Mai is a food lover’s paradise, especially for those who want to learn how to make fragrant Thai dishes. Many cooking schools here take you to local markets to buy fresh herbs and spices before you learn to prepare iconic dishes like pad thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice.
The great thing about making my own Thai food, is I can control the spice level. I like mine at 0-1, where my husband pushes his to 4 like a maniac.
Barcelona, Spain
Located on Spain’s northeastern coast along the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is a city known for its stunning architecture, artistic heritage, and lively culture. As the capital of the Catalonia region, Barcelona is famous for the works of Antoni Gaudí, such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.
The city’s food scene is equally impressive, offering delicious tapas, fresh seafood, and the iconic Catalan dish, paella. Barcelona’s bustling markets, like La Boqueria, provide a sensory overload with their vibrant displays of local produce, cured meats, and regional delicacies.
Tapas and Paella
Be sure and schedule some time for a cooking class in Barcelona, where you can learn to make iconic dishes like paella and tapas. Many cooking classes here teach you to prepare paella from scratch, often combined with lessons on traditional tapas such as patatas bravas, croquetas, and pan con tomate.
Paired with local wines, these classes provide a full immersion into Spanish dining culture. We’ve found some that are offered in homes with local families, which is an excellent way to immerse yourself in culture and get a sense of the customs and traditions.
Paris, France
Paris is celebrated for its rich history, world-class art, and culinary excellence. Known as the “City of Light,” Paris sits along the River Seine and is home to landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre.
The city is a global center for fashion and culture, and its café scene is legendary. Paris is also a haven for food lovers, offering everything from fine dining to neighborhood boulangeries serving fresh baguettes and croissants.
Its patisseries are particularly famous, producing delicate treats like macarons and éclairs.
Bread and Pastry Baking
For those with a sweet tooth or a passion for baking, Paris offers a range of pastry and bread-making classes. Learn the techniques behind crafting the perfect croissant, baguette, or éclairs from French bakers.
Many workshops focus on the science behind the perfect puff pastry or how to achieve that coveted crispy crust on a baguette, leaving you with the skills to recreate French patisserie in your own kitchen.
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech, located in western Morocco at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, is a vibrant city steeped in history and culture. Known for its bustling souks, palaces, and gardens, Marrakech offers visitors an exotic blend of traditional Moroccan life with a modern edge.
The city’s famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square comes alive with street performers, food stalls, and merchants. Marrakech is also famous for its flavorful cuisine, particularly dishes like tagine, couscous, and mint tea, which are integral to Moroccan hospitality and dining culture.
Tagine Making
These classes typically start with a trip to a local market, where you’ll gather spices like cumin, saffron, and cinnamon. Then, you’ll learn how to layer flavors in the tagine, a traditional Moroccan stew slow-cooked in an earthenware pot. Enjoy the fruits of your labor with fresh bread and mint tea under the Marrakech sun.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City, the sprawling capital of Mexico, is one of the oldest and most culturally rich cities in the Americas. Located in the Valley of Mexico at a high altitude, it blends ancient Aztec history with modern urban life.
The city is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, historic landmarks like the Zócalo and the Templo Mayor, and its UNESCO-recognized cuisine.
Street food is a major part of Mexico City’s culinary identity, with tacos, tamales, and quesadillas sold on almost every corner, offering visitors a true taste of authentic Mexican flavors.
Street Food Making
In these classes, you’ll learn to make traditional dishes like tacos, tamales, and salsas using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Often, the classes also offer a deep dive into Mexican culture, where you can learn about the history and significance of the dishes while honing your cooking skills.
Whats is fun about cooking in Mexico, is that each region has their own traditions and specialties so you can take courses in different cities and learn something new each time. My favorite is Oaxacan food!
Kerala, India
Kerala is a tropical paradise located on the southwestern coast of India, bordered by the Arabian Sea.
The region is famous for its spices, with a long history of spice trading, and its cuisine is characterized by the liberal use of coconut, curry leaves, and a variety of fragrant spices.
Visitors to Kerala can experience the flavors of Indian curries, seafood dishes, and traditional delicacies like dosa and appam, often served on banana leaves.
Indian Curry and Spice Blending
Classes here often focus on creating flavorful curries, blending spices, and making traditional dishes like dosa, biryani, and chutneys.
You’ll leave with a newfound understanding of Indian spices and techniques to take your home cooking to the next level.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali, one of Indonesia’s most popular islands, is renowned for its stunning beaches, terraced rice paddies, and spiritual culture. Located between Java and Lombok, Bali is a major destination for travelers seeking a blend of natural beauty and rich traditions.
Known for its Hindu temples, yoga retreats, and arts scene, Bali is also a culinary hotspot, with its farm-to-table approach to cooking. Local dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice), satay, and the iconic babi guling (suckling pig) are must-tries for visitors exploring the island’s diverse food offerings.
Farm To Table Cooking
Many cooking classes on the island emphasize using fresh, organic ingredients harvested from nearby farms.
Learn to make Balinese staples such as nasi goreng, satay, and gado-gado, and enjoy your meal surrounded by Bali’s lush rice terraces and tropical landscapes.
Santorini, Greece
Mediterranean Cooking
Learn to prepare dishes like moussaka, tzatziki, and fresh seafood, often accompanied by locally produced olive oil and wine. The classes often conclude with a feast overlooking Santorini’s iconic sunsets, making it a food and travel experience you won’t forget.
