Venetian Cooking: Authentic Italian Class

Immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of Venice with a market tour and private cooking class. Learn to make homemade pasta and warm focaccia bread from a passionate local chef.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Mercati di Rialto - Massimo, a lively and engaging Venetian and Merchant Navy officer, is eager to share his passion for Venice and his family’s culinary traditions. Opt for the market tour to start your gastronomic adventure with a guided visit to Mercato di Rialto, the primary market for locals in Venice. Stroll through the market to discover…
What's Included
  • Guided tour of Mercato di Rialto (if market tour is selected)
  • Hands-on cooking class
  • Homecooked meal
  • Alcoholic beverages
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
Additional Information

If you’ve always wanted to master the art of traditional Italian cuisine during your visit to Venice, your search ends here. Accompany your host, Massimo, on this 4-hour journey as you visit the Mercato di Rialto together, purchasing the fresh ingredients needed for your cooking lesson. Follow Massimo to his residence where you’ll be taught to prepare…

Location
Caffè Vergnano 1882
For market tour, meet Massimo at Caffe Vergnano 1882, a cafe close to the Rialto bridge. Massimo will be waiting for you outside the cafe. If you choose the cooking class only (no market tour), meet Massimo at Campo Santa Maria Formosa. Please check the "Before you go" section in your confirmation.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(99 Ratings)
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Tiffanya696
Oct 16, 2025
Authentic Italian experience! - We had the pleasure of having a authentic cooking demonstration with Massimo! First we went to the market to get the ingredients and walked to his home to cook. He taught us how to make homemade pasta, and other dishes. We also had delicious wine from his family vineyard. This experience is definitely a must because its truly an authentic Italian experience. Massimo was so kind and personable. We felt so welcomed in his home . I would definitely recommend this experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brad
Oct 5, 2025
Amazing experience! Massimo is the best! - We had an amazing afternoon with Massimo in his home. Would highly recommend this and it was the highlight of our trip to Venice. If you get the opportunity to do this it is a must do in Venice!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Natalie_h
Oct 1, 2025
Fantastic Day with an Italian Chef - Rarely has a vacation “experience” been as enchanting, educational, and fun as the one my friend and I had with Massimo. We communicated a bit before our meeting where he inquired about food allergies or preferences. He guided us through our morning, explaining that our cooking would start in the sea, and move landward to the mountains, entertaining us with history and anecdotes of his family’s longevity in the area. First stop was at the fish market in Venice where he picked out shark, mantis shrimp, and mussels for our meal but gave us time to peruse all the delicacies of the sea. His kitchen was an cozy setting where we participated in making and cooking pasta for the seafood, putting rosemary and pickled onions on the homemade focaccia, all while enjoying a nice prosecco. Truly one of our best meals in Italy, Massimo’s engaging passion for cooking and eating was one of the highlights of our trip.
Review provided by Viator
Tourist61341100557
Sep 26, 2025
Very nice customizable Venice experience! - Excellent private brunch with great food. Massimo was an incredible host and chef!..definitely recommend for individuals looking for an intimate experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brad_s
Sep 24, 2025
Amazing experience! We would give it 6 stars if we could. - Amazing lunch with Massimo! Unforgettable experience and the best way to start our vacation in Italy. Massimo is as talented as he is personable and kind. After welcoming us into his home he made us feel like long lost Italian family, teaching us the secret traditions of his mother and grandmother. Truly an experience we will never forget and the best pasta we’ve ever had!
Review provided by Viator
H7113qwsabrinal
Sep 5, 2025
The best cooking class experience - I had such a wonderful experience with this cooking class in Rome! We started the day at the central market, sampling local specialties and learning about fresh Italian ingredients. From there, we headed to a beautiful kitchen where we prepared a full meal the traditional Italian way. The host was fantastic—knowledgeable, fun, and passionate about sharing the secrets of Italian cooking. The facilities were excellent, and the whole experience was engaging for the entire family. We even made (and ate!) the best pasta of our lives. Loved every moment and would absolutely come back again. Grazie!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richardpo5880hj
Aug 15, 2025
Fresh herbs and pasta with a friend - What a delightful experience with Massimo. We went to his apartment and gathered some fresh herbs. It was like we were having dinner with a friend. We made pasta with a sage butter sauce. He had prepared focaccia in advance since it had to rise but we finished garnishing with some our fresh rosemary. He was a charming host and we would love to hang out with him again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dave
Aug 5, 2025
Best food tours ever! - This was the best tour we've had in Italy. Massimo was a delightful host and made our family feel like part of his. His history and connections to the food of the region added depth to the experience. Even the grandkids got involved in the cooking. We often try food tours in the places we visit and this one will be among our best memories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dave_c
Aug 5, 2025
The best tour ever! - This was absolutely the best tour we had in Italy. We felt that Massimo invited our family to his family meal. It will be a forever memory of our time in Venice.
Review provided by Viator
Denise
Aug 3, 2025
This was an amazing... - This was an amazing interactive experience in Masimo’s home. Yum! We helped with pasta, drank amazing wine and felt like family.
Review provided by Viator
From $149
up to 10 guests
2 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).