Top 10 Cooking Classes in Genoa

1.Homemade Pasta and Pesto Class with a Local Chef in Genoa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 305 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102Our pick

Join Alberto, Alessandra, or Silvia in a historic Genoese palazzo for a hands-on lesson in fresh pasta and mortar-made pesto. Groups are limited to six. You will cook, eat, and share local wine on a rooftop terrace, but be ready for five flights of stairs and a slightly tricky meeting point.

“A very special experience with a great local chef. Alberto also provided a fantastic rooftop kitchen venue for the prepping and tasting of our pasta & pesto, along with a few of his own treats. Book it if you're a foodie or not-one of the best activities we had in Genoa-it added to our appreciation of the regional culture and food.”

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2.Genova: Homemade Pasta & Pesto Local Chef Class with Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 217 reviews · 3 hours · from $105

Join Chef Alberto in central Genoa for a three-hour, hands-on class limited to eight people. Make fresh pasta and basil pesto from scratch, learn Ligurian food traditions, and sit down to enjoy your meal with wine, focaccia, regional specialties, dessert, and a Genoese liqueur.

“Alberto isn’t just a chef, he’s a raconteur and a wonderful ambassador for everything Genoan and Ligurian - whether it be ancient or modern. Can’t recommend highly enough.”

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3.Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class in Genoa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $155

Join a Cesarina in her Genoa home for a hands-on pasta and tiramisu class. You will make two pasta shapes, enjoy an Italian aperitivo, and eat the meal you prepare. Hosts may include Tiziana and Roberto, Daniela, or other local cooks. Choose a lunch or dinner session in English.

“Tiziana and Roberto made us feel welcome and comfortable in their home immediately. Tiziana is an expert in teaching at multiple levels. She’s patient and kind and has a great laugh. We learned so much from her! We can’t wait to try everything at home and share with family and friends. Roberto is knowledgeable about the area and was helpful in giving great advice on what to see while visiting Genova. We feel like we made friends which made Genoa more like home away from home.”

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4.Hands-On Home cooking Class Pasta Pesto and more with wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · from $113

Spend three hours in a Genoese home learning to make colorful gnocchi, pesto with a mortar and pestle, and possibly fresh pasta. Hosts have included Alberto, Silvia, Alessandra, and Cristina. The small group is limited to six, with wine, focaccia, lunch, and coffee included.

“We really enjoyed the course. Alberto is an excellent host and the location on the rooftop is just stunning. The pasta and pesto that we cooked was very delicious!”

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5.Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class at a Local’s Home

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 21 reviews · from $112

Spend three hours in a Genoa home learning hand-rolled sfoglia, two pasta styles, and tiramisu with a Cesarina host. Hosts may include Daniela, Tiziana, Roberto, Tomaso, or Agata. Prosecco, snacks, wine, coffee, and the meal are included.

“My friend and I made two types of pasta and a tiramisu with Tomaso and Agata in Genova. Each dish was absolutely delicious, one featuring Tomaso’s own pesto made from home grown basil. We both learnt a lot about making the dishes and about pasta and the hosts were warm and very easy company making for great conversation during the experience. Would recommend this to anyone looking to find an activity that’s personal, wholesome and delicious.”

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6.With Tiziana Cooking Class for Pesto , Gnocchi and Tiramisù

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $162

At 11:00, Tiziana leads you through authentic pesto alla Genovese, homemade gnocchi, and classic tiramisù in her Genoa home. Roberto adds conversation, local tips, and family stories. You then eat what you made with focaccia, coffee, and prosecco in a small group of up to 12.

“Tiziana warmly welcomed our family (4 adults and 2 children) into her home and involved all of us in making tiramisu, gnocchi, and pesto. Her passion for cooking and sharing her craft was truly inspiring, and we felt so fortunate to be part of the experience. To top it off, her partner Roberto was equally engaging. Their home is filled with family photos and mementos from World War I, and Roberto’s captivating stories delighted the history buffs in our group. Add in their friendly dog and cat, and it felt like visiting old friends. We highly recommend this unforgettable experience!”

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7.Genoese Pesto Lesson with Mortar, Pasta Tasting and Local Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $93

Barbara and Gaia lead a small, hands-on pesto lesson in a Genoa food shop near Columbus’ House. You grind basil, pine nuts, cheese, garlic, and olive oil with a marble mortar, then eat your pesto with trofie pasta and taste Vermentino or Ciliegiolo.

“I learned to make delicious Pesto in a really nice, cozy environment. Very very delicious😋 It was a very clear and well explained lesson in a clean, cozy environment thank you.”

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8.Cesarine: Pasta & Tiramisu Class at Local’s Home in Genoa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $174

Spend about three hours in a local Genoa home with a Cesarina such as Emanuela, Tiziano, Roberto, Tomas, or Andrea. Learn two pasta dishes and tiramisu, share a meal, and choose lunch or dinner for a more personal taste of Ligurian cooking.

“The food was absolutely amazing, and we loved getting to see how it’s been made for so long! Would definitely recommend to anyone traveling through Italy.”

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9.Fresh Pasta mastserclass Michelin Stars

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $82Best value

Join Andrea and the Dinoidue team in central Genoa for a two-hour, hands-on pasta class. Learn more than ten pasta styles, including tagliatelle, ravioli, and Ligurian specialties, then eat what you make with a glass of wine. Classes run in English, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.

“Foi tudo incrível. Adoramos a experiência. O Andrea foi um excelente professor.”

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10.Share your Pasta Love: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class in Camogli

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $114

In Camogli, Sonia and a local home cook welcome you into a family kitchen for a three-hour lesson on two fresh pasta dishes and classic tiramisu. You will cook, learn family tips, and sit down to eat with local wine. Groups are capped at 12.

“Great experience. We really learned a lot from the best Nonna. Her daughter, Sonia, created a great atmosphere.”

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