European Cuisine Cooking Classes – 6 Cuisines You Will Want to Try

by | Last updated Mar 28, 2026 | Cooking and Travelling, Europe live work and play

Explore Europe through its many cuisines. Learn to make your own mouth watering dishes in European cuisine cooking class.

 

Europe is one of my favourite foodie destinations. And I can recount at the drop of a hat which local foods I ate in a particular European city or town. Pizza in Naples, Italy. Bouilabaisse in Paris, France. Souvlaki on the island of Crete, Greece. Chocolate everywhere in Belgium. Paella in Marbella, Spain. I think you get the drift! Yep, when I travel Europe I love to try the local foods of the different countries unique cuisine. It is one of the best ways to immerse myself in the local culture! And I’m sure you would agree.

What I also do is try to recreate the dishes I have enjoyed. After all, cooking your own meals on the road is cheaper! Some with success and some failures. Now when I travel around Europe I always try to include a cooking class or two into my European itinerary. And now, I often have more successes than failures! If, like me, you enjoy European cuisines and want to recreate them.

Whether you are visiting Europe for a city escape weekend, having a week touring a European country or going on a 1 month European vacation, here are some of the best cooking and baking classes across Europe I have found.

 

Affiliate disclosure: All cooking classes mentioned in this post can be booked in advance through GetYourGuide. Read my affiliate disclosure here.

 

Why Do a Cooking Course in Europe?

 

There are many advantages to doing a cooking course in Europe. Advantages I have found include:

  • skill development
  • meet other like-minded cooking enthusiasts
  • great way to immerse yourself in the local culture
  • learn to cook your favourite European food
  • it’s just a fun thing to do

 

European Cuisine Cooking Classes

 

1. Austria – Apple Strudel, Schnitzel & Mozart Chocolate

 

First on my list of European cuisine cooking classes is a class making apple strudel in Austria. I often associate Austria with the movie ‘The Sound of Music’ with its old buildings, snow capped mountains and rolling grassy hills with a cow munching on the grass. I also associate Austria with warm foods like goulash and weiner snitzel followed by apple strudel for desert. And also chocolate. As Salzburg in Austria is where Mozart was born, you could discover the job of Mozart Chocolate making.

Some of the best cooking classes in Austria to make local Austrian food include:

 

Powered by GetYourGuide

2. Belgium – Chocolate and Waffles

 

There are many chocolate makers throughout Europe and none more spectacular that those in Belgium. Add in Belgian beer, local produce and waffles and you may never want to leave this small country in central Europe. Before you buy out the chocolate shop, why not learn why and how Belgian chocolate is so special in a cooking class. Add a waffle making cooking class and you are all set!

Some of the best cooking classes in Belgium to make local Belgian food include:

 

Powered by GetYourGuide

3. France – Macaroons & Pastry Cooking Classes

 

For many, French cuisine is gastronomy! Such gastronomy is created by locally grown and made produce that creates classic French dishes. French Onion Soup, boeuf bourguignon (beef in red wine), souffle and bouillabaisse (fish soup) to name a few. Then add the pastries, breads and other sweet treats! And when in France, particularly spending time in Paris, do as the French do, and create classic French fare when you undertake a French cooking class. Bon Appetite!

Some of the best cooking class experiences in France include:

 

Powered by GetYourGuide

4. Italy – Pasta, Pizza and Gelato

 

Let’s be honest, if you are in Italy, pasta, pizza and gelato will be your staple diet! So why not have the experience of a lifetime and learn to make your own from a nona! Different regions in Italy are known for their cuisines. Milan is known for its risottos. Naples for being the home of pizza and Rome for its carbonara classic dishes.

Here are a few Italian cooking classes you could try!

 

5. Greece – Classic Greek Dishes

 

While Greek island hopping or stepping back in time in Athens I am sure you will enjoy some local Greek delights. So come off the beach or step back in to today and learn to cook the Greek way!

Some of the best Greek cooking classes in Greece include:

 

6. Spain – Paella

 

The Spanish know how to turn a traditional dish into an enjoyable meal! Using local produce infused with garlic and olive oil each region of Spain has many dishes to try. And why not discover how some of them are made! Paella is a popular rice dish in Spain infused with flavour and seafood. Learn how to make Paella the Spanish way in a cooking class.

Some Spanish cooking classes to try include:

 

FAQs about European Cooking Classes

 

Where are the cooking classes held?

Cooking classes are held in local restaurants and sometimes people’s homes.

Who conducts the cooking classes?

Cooking classes are conducted by local qualified chefs.

How long does a cooking class last?

Cooking classes usually last 2-4 hours, though some can be all day if they include a visit to the local market to buy ingredients.

Do you get to cook during a cooking class?

Yes, cooking classes are very hands on. You will be cooking your own meal.

Do you get to eat the food you make during a cooking class?

Yes, you certainly do. You get to eat the food you have made.

 

Final Words on European Cuisine Cooking Classes

 

And there you have it. Some of the best European cuisine cooking classes you must try while travelling in Europe. If you have done a cooking class in Europe I would love to hear about it in the comments following.

 

More European Inspiration

1 Month in Europe Itinerary
Eurail and Interrail Pass Review
European Holiday Summer Packing List
European Holiday Winter Packing List

 

Europe Cuisine Cooking Class. People In A Kitchen Learning To Cook.

Like what you read? Please like, Pin, share and follow along. Thank you.

 

(Just so you know: some of the links in this post might be affiliate links, which earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. No pressure to use my links, but I REALLY appreciate when you do! Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 


My Essential Live and Work Abroad (and Play) Resources

 

🏠 Where Will You Be Sleeping Tonight? – Get a bed in a hostel dorm through HostelWorld or for a hotel room check out Booking.com. Get free accommodation house and pet sitting through Trusted Housesitters – this has saved me thousands on accommodation, no joke!

✈️ Need a cheap and flexible airfare – head to Skyscanner.

 🚙 Car Rental – search and compare vehicles at DiscoverCars.

 🚆 Train Travel: I love riding the rails. For a rail pass in Europe head to Raileurope. And Japan has a great one too – JapanRail Pass.

🚌 Travelling by bus is often the cheapest way to travel. Compare and get a ticket or a pass at Busbud.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Jump-the-queue entrance tickets and day tours: I book these through GetYourGuide.

 🌏 How to pick a country to live and work abroad in? Check out my Working Holiday Visa Country Guides and Digital Nomad Visa Country Guides to see where you can live work play travel abroad.

👕 For travel clothing and gear I get a lot of stuff from Amazon, North Face and Anaconda.

 🚑 Should you buy travel insurance? Absolutely Yes! SafetyWing is great digital nomads and long-term travellers and World Normads has policies for general and adventure travel.

 

Sharyn McCullum Sailing Through The Panama Canal With Storm Chasing Boat.

Hi, I’m Sharyn. Travel addict. Lover of ’80s music. Chocolate, coffee and Mexican food connoisseur. Travel Writing Digital Nomad specialising in writing about how to live and work abroad (and play abroad too). Currently living, working and playing in Australia.

Meet Live Work Play Travel?

7 Comments

  1. ANUKRATI DOSI

    Thank you for sharing this post! It would be so helpful when I visit the continent.

    Reply
  2. Ophelie

    I love this idea of cooking classes! It makes you discover a place under a new angle and appreciate the local food differently!

    Reply
  3. sue

    I love the idea of doing cooking classes while I’m travelling & once took one in Thailand which was fantastic. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  4. Krista

    These all look like so much fun to try! We did a cooking class at our B&B in Italy once where we made fresh pasta and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Reply
  5. Ketki

    I am too lazy to do anything even remotely to cooking while on a vacation! Although it will be super interesting to know the recipe of the local dishes. Maybe I will consider it for next time.

    Reply
    • Sharyn McCullum

      Oh well. There are plenty of amazing cafes and restaurants out there to satisfy your enjoyment for local dishes. I like to be spoilt while on vacation also!

      Reply
  6. simplyjolayne

    I would love all of these experiences. That’s one thing my husband and I have yet to do when we travel, so taking a cooking class together should be our next adventure.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *