Cooking Class in Lecce: Orecchiette, Tiramisù and Which One to Book
Updated October 19, 2026 · 6 min read
A cooking class is one of the easier ways to spend an evening in Lecce, because the city is compact and most classes start in the old town. The choice is between a big, lively group in a historic courtyard, a restaurant kitchen, a small bistrot or a dinner at a family’s house, and the price runs from €60 to €109.
What you will make
Orecchiette, the small ear-shaped pasta, is the one every listing is built around. Salento has its own shapes too: the course in the 1400s courtyard teaches orecchiette and sagne, a type of pasta it describes as made exclusively in Puglia. Sagne ‘ncannulate, twisted ribbons of pasta, are widespread across Salento.
Tiramisù turns up in two of the five classes. It is a national favourite, not a Salento speciality, so if the dessert is not the point, choose a class that stays with the local pasta.
Five classes compared
Prices are per person and come from GetYourGuide.
| Class | Price | Length | Rating | Reviews | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasta class in a 1400s courtyard with wine | €60 | 2.5 hours | 4.7 | 519 | By far the most reviewed; orecchiette and sagne; English, French, Italian |
| Ravioli, fettuccine and tiramisù class | €60 | 2.5 hours | 4.7 | 193 | In a restaurant; wine, a Prosecco or soft drinks; recipes to take home |
| Orecchiette class with food and wine | €68 | 2 hours | 4.8 | 26 | Old-town bistrot; four local wines and an aperitif |
| Authentic Puglia class in a local family home | €89 | 3.5 hours | 5.0 | 58 | A full dinner at a family table, small group; outside Lecce |
| Cook like a local: pasta and tiramisù with wine | €109 | 3 hours | 4.6 | 36 | Shared class in local homes; the dearest of the five |
Choosing
For most people the courtyard class at €60 is the sensible default. It has 519 reviews, more than twice as many as any other class here, and a 4.7 average. It runs in a courtyard that dates from the 1400s in the centre of Lecce, and the listing describes eating your pasta afterwards with a glass of wine. The inclusions list also mentions an aperitif, dessert and dinner, which does not quite match that description, so check what your date includes. Reviewers describe one long shared table and lots of interaction; the review summary adds that some travellers would like smaller groups for more individual guidance.
The restaurant class at the same price is the one for tiramisù. The listing promises ravioli, fettuccine and tiramisù, two glasses of wine plus a Prosecco or soft drinks, and recipes to take home. It is listed as not suitable for people with gluten or lactose intolerance, which is worth knowing when both pasta and tiramisù are the point.
The bistrot class is the shortest. Two hours, orecchiette only, no machines, with four local wines in the price. It has only 26 reviews, so its 4.8 is a small sample. The page also lists very young children among those it is not suitable for; check the age rules on the booking page if you bring any.
The family-home evening is the most memorable on paper and the most work. At €89 and 3.5 hours it is a whole dinner: aperitivo, orecchiette and maccheroni made by hand, unlimited local wine, dessert and limoncello, with a meeting point in Corigliano d’Otranto. A 5.0 from 58 reviews is the best score here. The meeting point is outside Lecce, so plan your transport and your evening return. If you want to hire a car for it, compare car hire for Lecce, and remember there is wine.
The shared class in local homes is the hardest to recommend on the numbers. €109 is the highest price here and the rating, 4.6 from 36 reviews, is the lowest.
Before you book
- Dietary needs: tell the operator when you book. The restaurant class asks for notice of allergies, and the bistrot class says it can accommodate gluten-free requests for the tasting.
- Accessibility: if you need step-free access, ask the operator of the class before booking; the listings do not describe the venues in detail.
- Cancellation: all five offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. The courtyard class is cancelled and refunded if too few people book.
- Language: the courtyard class lists English, French and Italian; the bistrot and family-home classes list English and Italian.
If you would rather eat on your feet
A class keeps you at a table. If you want to eat your way through the old town instead, read our guide to the Lecce street food tour, and the food tours in Lecce page lists every tasting and class. For a different evening drink, see wine tasting in Lecce.
