13 Places Where You Can Learn to Cook Local Cuisine While Traveling

One of the best ways to connect with a destination is through its food, and cooking classes make that experience even more memorable. Travelers can spend a day learning recipes passed down through generations, exploring local markets, and preparing traditional dishes with the guidance of local cooks. These classes give you more than just a good meal—they offer a real taste of the culture behind it.

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Bangkok, Thailand – Baipai Thai Cooking School

Set in a peaceful garden setting away from the city’s noise, Baipai Thai Cooking School introduces guests to Thailand’s most beloved dishes. Participants begin by exploring fresh ingredients like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal before turning them into flavorful curries, stir-fries, and soups. The small group size makes the experience more personal, allowing plenty of interaction with instructors.

Classes focus on everyday Thai food such as pad thai and green curry, but the teachers explain regional variations and cultural background too. Visitors don’t just leave with recipes—they gain a better sense of how food is woven into Thai life. The experience often ends with a shared meal, which feels like dining with new friends.

Chiang Mai, Thailand – Thai Farm Cooking School

Located on an organic farm outside the city, this school takes guests straight to the source of their ingredients. The day begins with a trip to a local market, followed by time spent gathering produce directly from the gardens. Each participant then prepares multiple dishes, ranging from spicy curries to traditional soups.

The relaxed setting makes it easy to enjoy the pace of rural Thailand while learning practical cooking skills. Many travelers appreciate the chance to cook outdoors with the sounds of nature around them. By the time the meal is ready, the food tastes even better knowing you picked and cooked it yourself.

Hoi An, Vietnam – Red Bridge Cooking School

This well-known school combines a riverboat ride, a market visit, and a hands-on cooking session. Guests shop for herbs and vegetables at the bustling market before heading to the riverside kitchen. Under the guidance of friendly instructors, they prepare Vietnamese classics like pho, spring rolls, and clay-pot fish.

Cooking in an open-air classroom adds to the charm, and the focus on fresh flavors reflects Vietnam’s culinary traditions. The setting by the river feels relaxing, creating a memorable backdrop for learning new recipes. By the end, participants often say the class feels like a full-day cultural journey rather than just a cooking lesson.

Tokyo, Japan – Tsukiji Cooking Class

These workshops take place near the famous Tsukiji fish market, long regarded as the heart of Tokyo’s seafood trade. Participants often start by touring the stalls and learning how fish is selected before heading into the kitchen. Sushi-making is a highlight, with careful demonstrations on how to shape rice and slice fish properly.

Beyond sushi, the classes sometimes include dishes like miso soup or rolled omelets, giving travelers a broader view of Japanese home cooking. The teachers are welcoming, making what can seem like a serious art feel approachable. Guests leave with skills they can practice at home while remembering the market’s lively energy.

Kyoto, Japan – WAK Japan Cooking Class

This program emphasizes traditional Japanese culture, offering more than just recipes. Participants may wear aprons styled like kimono and cook in a tatami-matted space that feels like an authentic Kyoto home. The menu usually includes miso soup, seasonal vegetables, and rice dishes, often prepared with gentle, detailed guidance.

Learning to cook in such a setting provides a glimpse of daily life in Japan’s cultural capital. The experience blends etiquette, presentation, and taste, showing how Japanese meals are both artful and nourishing. By the time the dishes are plated, the lesson feels like a quiet cultural exchange.

Ubud, Bali – Paon Bali Cooking Class

Held in a family compound, this class welcomes guests into the rhythm of Balinese life. The day often begins with a visit to a local market where tropical produce and spices fill the stalls. Back at the home kitchen, travelers prepare dishes like satay, peanut sauce, and fragrant rice.

The warmth of the hosts makes the experience feel like joining a family gathering. Cooking over traditional wood fires adds authenticity, while stories about Balinese rituals provide extra meaning to each recipe. Many participants remember the class as much for the people as for the food.

Tuscany, Italy – Toscana Mia

Nestled in the hills, Toscana Mia invites travelers to cook surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The hosts, often members of the same family, teach guests to prepare pastas, sauces, and seasonal vegetable dishes. The air fills with the aroma of simmering tomatoes and freshly baked focaccia.

The atmosphere is relaxed and intimate, as if you were cooking alongside friends. Lessons emphasize simple ingredients and traditional methods, the hallmarks of Tuscan cuisine. Sharing the meal with local wine completes the experience, making it a highlight of any trip to Italy.

Paris, France – La Cuisine Paris

This school brings French cooking within reach of travelers eager to try it themselves. Classes range from croissant-making workshops to sessions on sauces and classic dishes. Before the cooking begins, some programs include a guided walk through local markets.

The instructors balance technical skill with warmth, helping guests feel comfortable in the kitchen. By the end, participants understand why French cuisine values both taste and presentation. Sitting down to eat feels especially rewarding when you’ve shaped the pastries or whisked the sauce yourself.

Athens, Greece – The Greek Kitchen

This hands-on class begins with a walk through Athens’ bustling markets. Students gather ingredients for dishes like moussaka, tzatziki, and Greek salads made with local olive oil and herbs. The teachers explain cooking methods that have been part of Greek households for generations.

The emphasis is on freshness and simplicity, hallmarks of Mediterranean cuisine. As the dishes come together, the flavors reflect the country’s connection to land and sea. Dining together afterward feels like joining a big family meal, full of warmth and laughter.

Oaxaca, Mexico – Casa Crespo Cooking School

Oaxaca is famous for its rich food culture, and Casa Crespo brings that to life. Guests prepare dishes like mole, tamales, and tortillas, often starting with a visit to the local market. The school’s courtyard kitchen provides a charming backdrop for the class.

Instructors share the cultural meaning behind each recipe, giving context to the flavors. Chocolate-making and chile-roasting are highlights for many travelers. The experience goes beyond cooking by immersing participants in Oaxacan traditions.

Mexico City, Mexico – Aura Cocina Mexicana

This class blends city energy with home-style cooking. Participants tour markets filled with chilies, herbs, and vegetables before heading to the kitchen. Classic dishes like tacos, salsas, and tamales form the core of the menu.

The atmosphere is friendly and interactive, with plenty of chances to taste along the way. The focus is on learning recipes you can recreate at home while remembering the flavors of Mexico. It’s a lively introduction to one of the world’s most beloved cuisines.

New Orleans, USA – New Orleans School of Cooking

This well-loved school specializes in Cajun and Creole classics. Students learn how to prepare gumbo, jambalaya, and pralines while hearing stories of Louisiana’s food heritage. The instructors’ humor and energy add to the fun.

The experience is as much about atmosphere as it is about technique. Sharing a meal in the heart of the French Quarter gives the class an added sense of place. Many travelers leave with recipes and a deeper appreciation for Southern traditions.

Marrakech, Morocco – La Maison Arabe Cooking Workshop

Set in a traditional riad, this workshop introduces guests to Moroccan cooking in an elegant yet welcoming setting. Participants use spices like cumin, saffron, and cinnamon to prepare tagines and salads. Guidance comes from local dadas, or traditional female cooks.

The hands-on approach makes learning accessible, while the atmosphere reflects Moroccan hospitality. Cooking in such surroundings creates a sensory experience filled with aromas and colors. Guests often describe the class as one of their most memorable moments in Marrakech.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.