Good Outing
Florence, Italy

Cooking classes

Cooking classes in Florence

A cooking class is one of the best ways to take Florence home with you. Classes run all year, so the weather matters more for the rest of your day: Florence is warmest in August at about 90°F (32°C).

Photo: Wikibusters, CC BY-SA 4.0

What to eat and drink in Florence

Classes here usually build the menu around local dishes. Ones to look for:

Bistecca alla fiorentina
A thick T-bone steak, grilled over coals and served rare, sold by weight.
Lampredotto
Tripe simmered in broth and served in a bun with green sauce, from Florence's street carts.
Schiacciata
Tuscan flatbread with olive oil and salt, split and filled as a sandwich.
Gelato
Italian ice cream: denser and silkier than most, best from shops that make it daily.
Chianti
Tuscany's best-known red wine, from Sangiovese grapes grown between Florence and Siena.

How to pick a good cooking class

  1. Check whether you cook every dish yourself or watch a demonstration. Hands-on classes usually cap groups at 10 to 12.
  2. Morning classes often start with a market walk to buy ingredients; afternoon ones go straight to the kitchen.
  3. Tell the host about allergies or a vegetarian diet when you book, not on the day.
  4. Look for a class that sends the recipes home with you, so you can cook them again.

Florence month by month

Averages for Florence, 1991–2020.

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F (°C)52 (11)55 (13)61 (16)68 (20)76 (24)84 (29)90 (32)90 (32)81 (27)71 (22)60 (16)53 (11)
Low °F (°C)36 (2)37 (3)41 (5)47 (8)53 (12)61 (16)65 (18)65 (19)59 (15)52 (11)44 (6)37 (3)
Rainy days87798534691010
Sunset (15th)5:03 pm5:44 pm6:20 pm7:58 pm8:33 pm8:59 pm8:55 pm8:20 pm7:26 pm6:32 pm4:50 pm4:38 pm

Questions

What food is Florence known for?

Bistecca alla fiorentina: a thick T-bone steak, grilled over coals and served rare, sold by weight. Lampredotto: tripe simmered in broth and served in a bun with green sauce, from Florence's street carts. Schiacciata: tuscan flatbread with olive oil and salt, split and filled as a sandwich.

How long does a cooking class take?

Most classes run three to four hours including the meal; ones that start with a market visit take closer to five.

Where can I book cooking classes in Florence?

The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.

More things to do in Florence

Everything to do in Florence, Italy

Cooking classes in other cities

Cooking classes in every city