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
5.0
(112 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Boutayebh
Mar 27, 2026
A truly high-end private cooking experience in Venice - A truly high-end private cooking experience in Venice! In a city overwhelmed by mass tourism, this felt like discovering a hidden gem. From the very beginning, we built a genuine and warm friendship with Massimo, our incredible host. We started by selecting the freshest fish at the local market, then prepared amazing dishes together. The mussels were outstanding, and the fresh tuna with orange was simply spectacular. Every dish was thoughtfully planned in advance and absolutely delicious. Massimo’s home is an artistic, cozy space filled with vinyl music and authentic charm. You truly feel like part of an Italian family. And the wine made by his father, exceptional is an understatement. Highly, highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachelsa5889qb
Mar 22, 2026
Blown Away by Authentic Fresh Pasta: A Private Venetian Experience” - I was absolutely blown away by this cooking class—such a wonderful surprise from start to finish. I didn’t expect this level of professionalism combined with such a relaxed, informal atmosphere. It was a private experience, just for us, held in Massimo’s incredibly ancient home, which made everything feel even more special. Massimo has been running cooking classes for nearly ten years, and it really shows. He taught us how to make fresh pasta completely by hand, using a rolling pin instead of the usual machine—something I truly appreciated. We explored different types of fresh pasta, including an amazing one called strozzapreti, which turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever had. We also learned three different sauces, and I have to mention the trapanese—absolutely delicious, made with dried tomatoes, smoked ricotta, and lemon. Everything was incredibly fresh, simple, and full of flavor. Beyond the cooking, the whole experience was full of laughter and connection. We made new friends, asked all kinds of questions—from his favorite cheese vendor at the Rialto market to the herbs he grows—and he answered everything with passion and care. Walking through the market with him was intimate and fascinating. This was, without a doubt, the best pasta I’ve ever had and one of the most authentic experiences in Venice. Highly, highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
555lucieg
Mar 15, 2026
The Most Authentic Cooking Experience in Venice - One of the most magical experiences we had in Venice! With Massimo, a Venetian sailor and passionate cook, we went together to the Rialto Market to choose incredibly fresh scampi, tomatoes, and potatoes. Back in his beautiful, art-filled home, with vinyl music playing, we cooked delicious gnocchi with scampi and explored a 600-year-old room full of ancient Venetian spices. Amazing wine made by his father and a delicate dessert completed an evening full of laughter, stories, and real friendship. Truly special and unforgettable. We will definitely come back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
467marielaq
Mar 7, 2026
Secrets of a Venetian Kitchen, a colorful Vegetarian Experience - This private cooking class with Massimo in Venice was an elegant and deeply authentic experience. Together we chose the menu from a generous variety of possibilities, which made the evening feel truly personal. In the end we prepared handmade pasta with fresh herbs and a beautiful cheese from the Dolomite mountains. Everything happened in Massimo’s ancient Venetian home, where we immediately felt welcomed like friends rather than guests. Before cooking, we explored the Rialto Market with him, laughing and tasting fresh fruit offered by his friends at the stalls. Seeing Venice through the eyes of a true Venetian felt magical and wonderfully exclusive. Dinner together, with vinyl records playing softly, had the warmth of a real Italian family table. Massimo’s deep knowledge of food comes from generations of tradition, with a family restaurant founded more than 125 years ago. Through simple but remarkable ingredients we traveled across Italian flavors, from alpine cheeses and honey to the treasures of the lagoon. A beautiful, cultured and unforgettable experience—highly recommended, and we will certainly return, don t miss it !!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnem1289tn
Feb 27, 2026
The Art of Fresh Pasta in Venice - In the heart of Venice, far from the crowds, we experienced an extraorddinary private cooking class entirely dedicated to fresh pasta. I had no idea that “pasta fresca” could mean so many beautiful things. With Massimo, we prepared delicate ravioli filled with fresh ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano and prosciutto crudo, rich lasagne with an incredible ragù alla Bolognese, and even handmade strozzapreti from scratch. We bught the finest ingredients together at the historic Rialto Market, laughing and learning along the way. Back in his charming Venetian home — a true hidden gem — we made pasta completely by hand: no machines, just a rolling pin, our hands, and imagination. We picked sage and rosemary from his garden, enjoyed excellent wine from his father’s selection, and tasted outstanding cheeses. It was a day full of smiles, authenticity, and exceptional food. I highly recommend booking this unforgettable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
251ajh
Feb 22, 2026
Seven Hundred Years of Magic, Friendship and Unforgettable Flavors in the Heart of Venice - Our private cooking class with Massimo was truly exceptional. An experienced chef with a wonderfully informal style, he made us feel comfortable from the very first moment. In a city as touristic as Venice, having a class just for us felt rare and special. Visiting the Rialto Market with Massimo was an unexpected highlight — he guided us through beautiful, high-quality vegetables and shared stories that made the experience come alive. The fresh pasta we prepared together was simply sublime. We also created a delicious Parmigiana with outstanding eggplants, paired with an impressive selection of high-quality wines and cheeses, all produced by his family. His home, a 700-year-old jewel in the heart of Venice, was magical: a record player softly playing, a charming garden with its ancient well, candlelight at lunch, and spectacular wine in our glasses. More than a cooking class, it was an experience of friendship and authentic Venetian atmosphere. We were simply very lucky to find Massimo — five stars only because we couldn’t give ten.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Markdhv
Dec 9, 2025
Hidden Venice, Exclusive Market Tour and Chef-Led Cooking Class - This private cooking class with Massimo was the most exclusive and authentic experience we had in Venice. His charming antique Venetian home instantly made us feel relaxed, and his humor kept us laughing the whole time. Massimo cooked a creamy Lemon & Pistachios Risotto that was absolutely unforgettable.And the selections of cheese was ...super! All ingredients was selected in the fresh market, so funny and interesting! The entire experience felt intimate, genuine, and created for just a lucky few. Massimo is truly the best host I’ve ever met. If you want one perfect memory from Venice, book this experience immediately.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulorodrigog2025
Dec 1, 2025
Private Portal to Venetian Gastronomy, Rialto Secrets & A Master Host - This was the single most memorable and transformative experience of my entire trip to Venice. If you are looking for an authentic, exclusive, and genuinely heartwarming immersion into Venetian life, this private group class with our incredible host, Massimo, is an absolute must-do.Our journey began by delving into the lifeblood of Venice: the Rialto Market.He was the perfect guide,​The class itself took place in his beautiful, ancient Venetian home,We immediately got to work learning one of the most treasured secrets of Italian cuisine: homemade pasta. Massimo patiently taught us the techniques passed down through his family, making the daunting task easy and fun.I had never cooked shellfish before, but Massimo's guidance was so clear and encouraging that it felt simple and incredibly enjoyable.The meal concluded with a stunning dessert: rich, creamy goat ricotta topped with a fragrant ginger-infused honey. It was the perfect, exquisite finish.This experience genuinely changed my trip. It elevated it from a sightseeing holiday to a rich, deeply personal cultural adventure. If you want to connect, laugh, learn, and taste the real soul of Venice, book this class. It’s an investment in a memory you will cherish forever.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erikasi7445jj
Dec 1, 2025
The Ultimate Seafood & Veg Experience with an Exceptional Host - The entire experience was elevated by our exceptional host. They were incredibly knowledgeable, possessing a genuine passion for food and the history of Venice. They were patient, funny, and shared fantastic stories and tips that went far beyond the recipes. They truly made us feel like honored guests in their kitchen. If you are looking for an authentic, delicious, and unforgettable culinary experience in Venice, look no further. From the vibrant energy of the Rialto Market to the joy of cooking and savoring incredible fresh seafood and vegetables, this class is a must-do.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Biancam874
Nov 27, 2025
Private lesson perfection: fresh catch, fantastic chef, and pure joy! - We enjoy a lot the visit at market with Massimo.From the moment we arrived at the discreet, stunning location, a private home tucked away in the most beautiful part of Venice, we knew this was going to be special. This was not just a cooking class; it was an exclusive, intimate immersion into Venetian culinary life, completely unlike anything you'd find in a tourist crowd.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $149
up to 10 guests
2 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).