13 Best Cooking Classes in Florence, Italy – Our Top Picks for Food Lovers

As passionate food lovers, we set out to discover the best cooking classes in Florence—ones that are not only fun and hands-on, but also truly authentic and worth your time (and money).

What we found? There’s no single “best” class. Instead, Florence is full of incredible options tailored to every interest, skill level, and appetite.

Whether you want to master:

• fresh pasta (think ravioli, tagliatelle, or pici) or gnocchi
• explore traditional Tuscan cuisine (coccoli, Tuscan ragù, roast pork with seasonal vegetables), 
• or try your hand at pizza, tiramisù or gelato,
  

this guide will help you find the perfect culinary experience.

How we choose the best florence cooking classes

We’ve tried several cooking classes in Florence over the years, and in this guide, we’re sharing the ones we truly loved—plus a few top-rated favourites that fellow travellers keep recommending.

Each of these Florence cooking classes is led by passionate local chefs who cook with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

You’ll end every class with a delicious homemade meal, a glass (or two) of wine, and that warm Florentine hospitality that makes these experiences feel so special.

If you’re looking for the best cooking class in Florence, these are the ones worth checking out.

1. Florence pizza or pasta class with gelato at a Tuscan farm

50% OFF until October 20

• 🕒 Class Times in 2025:
  10 AM Pasta and gelato class
  2:30 PM Pizza and gelato class
  5 PM Pizza and gelato class
• ⏳ Duration: ~5 or 7 hours
• 📍 Location: Meeting point is in the heart of Florence - at Piazza dei Cavalleggeri (not far from Ponte alle Grazie): coach will transfer you to a private estate in the hills above Florence
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly (kids aged 8 and up are welcome)
• 🚫♿️ Not wheelchair accessible
• 💶 All major currencies accepted - €120 / $144 / £106
  🔥 50% OFF - Ends October 20
• 💡 Why We Love It: It's one of the best Florence cooking classes offering fun, good company and hands-on experience with authentic local recipes.

This half-day cooking class in the Florentine hills stands out for its amazing setting, fun and educational instructors, and great atmosphere. Don’t forget the amazingly delicious food you’ll prepare—and eat—here.

Once you arrive at the Tuscan estate (round-trip transfers are included), you’ll first be welcomed with traditional focaccia and a glass of Chianti wine.

Those who choose the pasta class will be dusted with flour while making fresh pasta from scratch (three types) and cooking iconic sauces such as carbonara, amatriciana, or pesto.

Those who opt for the pizza making class will knead the perfect pizza dough and select toppings picked from the vegetable gardens of the estate. Your own pizza will be baked in a wood-fired oven—you won’t experience this anywhere else.

An additional bonus is making creamy gelato, later topped with various toppings.

Of course, you’ll feast on everything you prepared during this amazing Florence cooking class—it might just be the most delicious meal ever. By the end, you’ll be sad to leave.

2. Pastamania Florence pasta making class

• 🕒 Class Times: 9 AM – 7:30 PM (multiple sessions daily in 2025)
• ⏳ Duration: ~3 hours
• 📍 Location: Pastamania Cooking Studio, Lungarno Guicciardini 17R (Oltrarno district, across the river from the historic center)
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly (kids 4 and older are welcome)
• 💶 All major currencies accepted - €70 / $83 / £62
• 💡 Why We Love It: Hands-on pasta-making in a cosy studio across the Arno—perfect for food lovers wanting a taste of Florentine tradition.

We chose the Pastamania Florence cooking class for its excellent reviews, small group size, and great value. The location—near Ponte Santa Trinita—was also super convenient from our base, Casa di Chiara (a cosy, stylish Florence apartment).

We loved getting our hands into the dough, kneading, rolling, and cutting it into tagliatelle, ravioli, and tortelli. We also learned how to make the perfect pomarola, a classic Tuscan tomato sauce.

Afterwards, we feasted on the pasta we made, paired with organic Tuscan wine from the owner’s family farm. A delicious dessert followed, along with a recipe booklet to take home.

To top it off, we enjoyed a relaxed stroll around Oltrarno, picking up unique souvenirs along the way.

3. Francy's pasta & gnocchi on top of Florence hills

• 🕒 Class Times (2025): 10 AM and 6 PM daily
• ⏳ Duration: ~3 hours 15 minutes
• 📍 Location: Francy's house in Florentine Hills (take taxi from Piazzale di Romana - it's 10 minute ride)
• 💶 All major currencies accepted - €130 / $155 / £115
  
• 💡 Why We Love It: Truly unique culinary experience for the whole family - in the hills above Florence!

This cooking class in the Florentine hills is a true gem.

A local, Francesca, welcomes you into her home set in a historic villa, where you'll spend around three hours cooking, chatting, and having fun.

Freshly made coffee and cookies await you at the start of the class. Next, the cooking session begins with kneading the perfect pasta dough—you'll get insider tips from someone who makes pasta every day.

You'll be making one of several pasta shapes, such as spaghetti alla chitarra, ravioli, or cappelacci (a hat-like shape), as well as potato gnocchi. You'll also cook various sauces and enjoy a surprise dessert at the end.

This Florence cooking class is completely hands-on, meaning you'll knead, chop, cook, and bake, all while enjoying insights into Italian cuisine from your friendly host.

Top off your experience by sitting down to feast on the fresh dishes you've prepared together. We're sure you'll be amazed by this Florence pasta-making class with Francy.

4. Mastering Nonna's recipes - Florence pasta class

• 🕒 Class Times: 10 AM, 3 PM & 7:30 PM daily (2025)
• ⏳ Duration: ~3 hours
• 📍 Location: Via dell’Agnolo 77R, right in the historic center of Florence (close to Basilica di Santa Croce and Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio)
• 🥦 Vegetarian friendly
• 💶 All major currencies accepted - €90 / $107 / £80
• 💡 Why We Love It: This pasta class is a laid-back, fun gem in the heart of Florence—authentic, delicious, and perfect for pasta lovers.

Hands down one of the best cooking classes in Florence — and it’s no surprise, the reviews speak for themselves.

The class is held in a cosy cooking studio right in the heart of the city.

During this fun, 3-hour Florence cooking session, you'll learn the secrets to making perfect pasta dough, shape a variety of traditional pasta types. Additional plus is that you'll be guided by Chef Michele (that learned everything from his grandmother, a true pasta master from Bologna).

You'll prepare 3 to 4 mouthwatering dishes, such as:

• Tortelli with ricotta and butter herb sauce
• Tagliatelle with classic Tuscan ragù
• Ravioli filled with gorgonzola or porcini mushrooms

And of course — the best part — you’ll sit down to enjoy your handmade meal, paired with generous pours of great local wine.

We’re already planning to take this Florence pasta class on our next trip to Italy.

5. Cooking with a Chef Luca in Florence (private)

• 🕒 Class Times: 10 AM & 5 PM daily (2025)
• ⏳ Duration: ~3 hours
• 📍 Location: Chef Luca Polverini’s home kitchen, near Campo di Marte train station (a short taxi ride from Florence’s historic center)
• 💶 Pay in your currency - €105 / $124 / £93
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly (kids of all ages welcome)
• 💡 Why We Love It: A cosy, hands-on class in Chef Luca’s home, where you’ll learn classic Tuscan dishes with expert guidance in a truly authentic setting.

What sets this Florence cooking class apart?

It takes place in Chef Luca’s own home—a warm, intimate setting that feels more like cooking with a friend than a formal class. It’s one of the most authentic culinary experiences Florence has to offer.

🍴 Welcome Snacks & Aperitif

• Start with warm coccoli (fluffy fried dough balls) served with Tuscan ham and creamy stracchino cheese
• Enjoy a refreshing aperitif as you settle in

🍝 Hands-On Pasta Making + 🍰 Tiramisù Masterclass

• Make two types of fresh pasta (e.g. tagliatelle and gnocchi or filled pasta)
• Prepare seasonal sauces like Tuscan ragù, fresh tomato, or mushroom
• Learn real Italian techniques from a passionate local chef
• Make Italy’s favourite dessert from scratch

In the end, you'll sit down to savour the dishes you’ve prepared, perfectly paired with a glass of local Chianti.

Chef Luca shares expert tips, stories, and answers all your cooking questions, making the experience personal and memorable.

6. Authentic pasta class in Florence

• 🕒 Class Times: 10:45 AM & 4:45 PM daily (except Sundays)
• ⏳ Duration: ~3 hours
• 📍 Location: Chefactory Cooking Academy - Via Camillo Cavour, 180/R, easy to reach from historic centre on foot, by taxi or tram no. 2
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly (kids 10 and up are welcome)
• 🥦 Dietary Options: Vegetarian/ vegan/ gluten free options available, just inform when booking
• 💶 All major currencies accepted - €68 / $81 / £64
• 💡 Why We Love It: Professional chefs teach you art of pasta making in the heart of Florence (plus panna cotta or tiramisù)

Chefactory’s cooking class in Florence is definitely on our bucket list!

We think it’s among the best cooking classes Florence can offers. Running twice daily - morning and afternoon, it takes place in a charming, centrally located cooking studio (don’t worry—it’s air-conditioned!).

Over the course of 3.5 hours, professional chefs will guide you through creating a delicious Italian meal using simple, high-quality ingredients.

This is a completely hands-on Florence cooking class, and pasta is the star of the show!

You’ll make three delicious Italian pasta dishes:

• Ricotta and spinach ravioli
• Potato gnocchi with ragù sauce
• Fettuccine alla Norma (Sicilian pasta with eggplant, tomatoes, and ricotta)

And don’t worry—you won’t skip dessert! You’ll prepare either panna cotta or tiramisù to sweeten the day.

At the end of the class, you’ll enjoy the delicious meal you’ve made, paired with a glass of good Tuscan wine. Plus, you’ll receive a recipe booklet so you can easily recreate the dishes at home.

7. The original cooking class & Market tour in Florence

• 🕒 Class Times:
  Market Tour & Cooking Class: 9 AM (daily)
  Pasta & Gelato Class: 3 PM & 6:30 PM (daily)
• ⏳ Duration:
  Market + Cooking: ~5 hours
  Pasta & Gelato: ~3 hours
• 📍 Location: Via Panicale 43R — next to Mercato Centrale, short walk from the Duomo and Santa Maria Novella train station; stay nearby at Globus Urban Hotel
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly: Welcomes families with kids of all ages, including little ones
• 🥦 Dietary Options: Vegetarian-friendly (just mention dietary needs when booking)
• 💶 Pay in your currency - €85 / $101 / £79
• 💡 Why We Love It: One of the most popular cooking classes in Florence! Combines a local market tour with hands-on Tuscan cooking in a great central location.

This Florence cooking class stands out for one special reason — it starts with a visit to Mercato Centrale, the city’s largest and most vibrant food market.

You'll meet your chef nearby and shop together for fresh, seasonal ingredients, enjoying tastings along the way—think olive oil, truffles, and other Tuscan specialties.

Back in the kitchen, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and:

• Learn to knead the perfect pasta dough with expert tips from your chef
• Make tagliatelle and ravioli, served with classic sauces like meat ragù and pesto
• Prepare bruschette, and finish with a hands-on tiramisù.
  

Once the cooking’s done, sit down to enjoy your meal with a glass of Chianti, and take home a recipe booklet and graduation diploma.

Short on time? Then choose the 3-hour hands-on pasta workshop plus a gelato-making demonstration.

8. Florence pasta making classes

• Chef Vary offers pasta making classes at 10:15 and 5:30pm
• Classes take place in the cooking studio near the Boboli Gardens (Via Romana, 41R); the meeting point is inside the store TUSCAN TASTE
• These classes are not suitable for children under 16
• 👍 These are among the most popular cooking classes in Florence!

You'll love taking Florence cooking classes with Chef Vary! During 2.5 hours, you'll learn making fresh pasta from scratch as well as cook traditional sauces. As soon as you arrive to the class, you'll agree what to cook with your chef. Some of the dishes you'll be preparing: ravioli with lemon, tagliatelle with ragù sauce, spaghetti pesto, fusilli with zucchini and lemon, spaghetti with porcini mushrooms...

In the end, you'll feast on everything you've cooked along 2 glasses on wine. Note that minimum age of participants is 16 years! You can opt for a cooking class that includes a visit to the local market! Chef Vary's cooking classes in Florence are limited to eight people, ensuring attention from the chef! 👉 Grab your spot on these Florence cooking classes!

9. Florence pasta cooking class with unlimited wine

20% OFF until September 13

• 🕒 Class Times: 10 AM, 2:30 PM & 6:30 PM daily (2025)
• ⏳ Duration: ~3 hours
• 📍 Location: Restaurant Cucina in Torre - Via Matteo Palmieri 31R – just behind the Duomo
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly: Welcomes families with kids of all ages
• 💶 All major currencies accepted - €68 / $ 81 / £60
  20% OFF until September 13
• 💡 Why We Love It:  It's hands-on Italian cooking class inside a medieval tower in Florence, where you'll make fresh pasta, enjoy great food and wine, and experience authentic local culture.

The Cooking Art Brunelleschi School's pasta-making class takes you to the heart of Florence, just a few steps from the Duomo. Inside a restaurant set in a 12th-century medieval tower, a professional chef awaits to teach you the art of pasta-making.

Together, you’ll make three types of fresh pasta—ravioli, tortelli, and pappardelle. The chef will also prepare matching sauces, such as butter and sage, arrabbiata, and a traditional Tuscan ragù.

And once the cooking’s done? You’ll sit down to enjoy it all with a glass (or two) of wine.

They offer multiple time slots daily—morning, afternoon, and evening—making it easy to fit into your Florence itinerary. This cooking class is a great break from sightseeing.

10. Florence cooking class for pasta lovers with optional market tour

• 🕒 Class Times:
  Cooking Class with Market Tour - 9AM
  Cooking Class - 2PM and 5:30PM
• ⏳ Duration: ~3 or 4 hours
• 📍 Location: Ciao Foodies Hub at La Cucineria, Via della Mattonaia, 19/R, not far from Mercato Sant'Ambrogio
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly: Kids 6+ are welcome
• 💶 All major currencies accepted - €69 / $83 / £61
• 💡 Why We Love It: Florence culinary experience that combine market tour with hand-on cooking in local neighbhourhood!

Join a small-group cooking class in a real Tuscan trattoria, where you'll learn how to make fresh tagliatelle, ravioli, and tiramisù from scratch.

The class begins in central Florence. If you choose the morning session (except on Sundays and holidays), you’ll start with a visit to the lively Sant’Ambrogio Market. There, the chef will guide you through picking fresh, seasonal ingredients — just like locals do.

Back at the kitchen, it’s time to put on your apron and get cooking! You’ll start by preparing traditional sauces like ragù and tomato sauce, then move on to making pasta dough with just eggs and flour. While the dough rests, the chef will show you how to make a creamy, authentic tiramisù.

After a short break with Tuscan appetizers and a few fun stories about Italian food culture, you’ll roll out your dough and shape it into tagliatelle and ricotta-filled ravioli.

Finally, once everything’s cooked, you’ll sit down and enjoy the meal you made — paired with local house wine. This is truly one of the best cooking classes Florence has to offer.

11. Pasta, meatballs and gelato class in a villa in the hills of Florence

• 🕒 Class Times: 10:30 AM and 5 PM daily (2025)
• ⏳ Duration: ~3 hours 40 minutes
• 📍 Location: Private villa in the hills of Florence; the host will pick you up by car in Viale Europa 126 in Florence (use taxi or bus to get there)
• 💶 All major currencies accepted - €90 / $107 / £80
• 💡 Why We Love It: Truly unique Florence cooking class you shouldn't miss when in the city!

This is not just a cooking class, it feels like spending the afternoon with old friends (who just happen to be amazing cooks). Guya and Matteo, warm and genuine hosts, welcome you to their home in the hills above Florence.

Together, you'll make two types of fresh handmade pasta — tagliatelle and ravioli (filled with ricotta and spinach). Next, you'll cook tomato sauce with meatballs, and finally, whip up some authentic gelato. Only high-quality, local, and organic ingredients are used in this Florence cooking class.

You'll laugh, chat, and eat one of the best meals of your Italian trip. It’s easy to see why this is considered one of the best Florence cooking classes.

12. Cooking class and lunch at Tuscan farmhouse (with local market)

• 🕒 Class Time: 9 AM daily (2025)
• ⏳ Duration: ~7 hours
• 📍 Location: Rustic Tuscan farmhouse; the meeting point is right by the taxi stand at Santa Maria Novella train station (you can even arrive by train from Rome for this experience)
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly: Kids 8+ are welcome
• 💶 All major currencies accepted - €120 / $144 / £106
• 💡 Why We Love It: The whole day culinary experience at Tuscan farm - with lots of delicious food and good company!

Enjoy a full-day culinary adventure in the heart of Tuscany.

Your day starts in the morning with a meet-up in Florence, where you’ll head to the lively Mercato Centrale with your local chef-guide to pick out fresh ingredients — think cured meats, cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and more.

Next, hop in a comfortable minibus and head to a beautiful Tuscan farmhouse, where the real fun begins. In a hands-on cooking session, you’ll learn how to prepare a full traditional Tuscan meal: fresh tagliatelle with a rich meat sauce, bruschetta, roast pork with potatoes, and of course, homemade tiramisù.

After all your hard work in the kitchen, sit down to enjoy the meal you’ve created, paired with plenty of delicious Tuscan wine and great company.

To wrap things up, you’ll receive a cooking diploma and recipe booklet so you can recreate the magic at home. You’ll return to Florence happy, full, and with unforgettable memories from one of the top-rated cooking experiences in the Tuscany.

13. Small-group pasta making class in a Tuscan castle

• Cooking classes takes place at Castello del Trebbio (30min drive from Florence) at 10:30am and 3:30pm; hotel transfer can be arranged separately
• The tour company can arrange a private transfer from and to Florence for you - request if you need one!
• Vegetarian options are available, but advise in advance
• 👍 This is among the best cooking classes in Tuscany!

You'll adore this 3.5-hour culinary experience in Tuscan castle, offering cooking session, amazing lunch with wines and castle experience.

You can choose from two different options! Pasta lovers's cooking lesson includes preparation of two handmade pasta - tagliatelle and tagliolini, 2 sauces and a starter (tasting 3 wines). Masterchef cooking lesson includes making a starter, handmade pasta, chicken main course and dessert (tasting 4 wines).vegetarian options can be arranged.) Of course, in the end you'll sit down and enjoy the meal, accompanied with wines.

After lunch, you are free to explore the vineyards and the castle. This is a truly unique experience you can have anywhere else! 👉 Book this culinary class in Tuscany!

2 Bonus cooking classes in Florence/Tuscany

1. Authentic Tuscany cooking class with Antonella in the Florentine Hills

2. Cooking class for pasta lovers in Tuscany

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• Best food cities in Italy
• Day trip from Rome to Florence
• Handpicked food tours in Rome
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