Our 5 Top Picks for Italian Culinary Classes in NYC

If you love Italian food and wish to learn how to cook your favorite dishes, head to these Italian cooking classes in NYC! Whether you are an aspiring chef or just someone who appreciates good food, these cooking courses will provide you with not only new skills but also memorable experiences. 

In each culinary class, you’ll be guided by a team of local, friendly chefs in NYC and learn authentic Italian recipes and their respective history behind the dish. The cherry on top is that after each class, you'll leave with a new recipe to add to your personal cookbook—a recipe you can revisit and enjoy for years to come! 

Ready to dive right in? Discover our recommendations for the best Italian cooking classes in New York City.

1. Learn the art of pasta making

Have you ever tasted fresh pasta? If so, then you know exactly what it would be like once you make it yourself! At pasta making courses in NYC, you'll learn how to knead, roll and shape pasta dough into classic shapes such as tagliatelle, farfalle and ravioli all under the guidance of seasoned chefs. 

For a fun group activity, CocuSocial in Brooklyn offers this fun, hands-on pasta making class, where you will learn how to create handmade pasta the traditional way. By using rolling pins and pasta cutting wheels to cut the pasta into different shapes like fettuccine and pappardelle, it’ll be sure to be an arm workout! 

New to pasta making? No worries! Your friendly teacher will guide you through each step of the way and help you enjoy the cooking process in a fun and vibrant environment. Simply come with your loved ones and get ready for a cooking workshop like no other! 

2. Make delicious pizza with your friends

Who doesn’t love biting into a slice of hot pizza with gooey cheese stretching with each bite? Now imagine making it yourself! These pizza making classes in New York City make this dream come true.

This interactive pizza making class in Manhattan comes highly recommended for those looking for fun things to do in NYC and a great casual activity to do with friends. Learn how to make pizza dough, flip and roll to create the perfect base. For this workshop, you’ll learn how to make Neapolitan-style pizza, but you’re also welcome to put your favorite toppings. The best part? You get to eat your delicious pizza at the end of the class with your loved ones. 

3. Travel to the north of Italy with a NYC cooking class

Without leaving NYC, you can now head to Northern Italy through our regional cooking classes, which offers this immersive experience into their respective culture and food. So if you want to learn more about Italian food beyond pasta and pizza, head to Home Cooking New York, located at 158 Grand Street in New York. Here, you will learn all about food inspired by northern Italy, from lemon-rosemary chicken to spinach and basil risotto and much more! 

This cooking class is also mobile, so whether you want to have the workshop in their venue or your own home kitchen, your teacher can accommodate it all! They’ll provide all the materials and equipment required, so all you need to do is bring your favorite people and your preferred drinks to complement the meal. Whether you’re looking for must do NYC activities or team building activities, make sure this Italian cooking class is at the top of your list. 

4. Make traditional risotto from scratch 

For those with an interest in perfecting the art of cooking risotto, Home Cooking New York offers a class that provides a deep dive into this comfort-food staple of Italian cuisine. This culinary class is designed to teach you the basics of cooking risotto, ensuring that you leave with the ability to make this dish at home just like an Italian Nonna would! 

The unique feature of this workshop is its format—a friendly cooking competition! Get ready to roll your sleeves up and dive into some cooking fun in the kitchen. You’ll be split off into groups, then pick a bunch of mystery ingredients to make your own risotto. Get plenty of expert guidance through each step of making good risotto but you’re also free to add any ingredients you desire.

The best part? At the end of each session, everyone gets to enjoy their handmade risotto accompanied by BYO wine. This is not only an opportunity to learn new skills but also a great way to meet like-minded Italian food lovers in NYC.

5. Enjoy creating an Italian dinner in New York

If your love for Italian cuisine extends beyond just one dish, we recommend trying out Selfup NYC's authentic homemade Italian dinner cooking class. Here's your chance not only to learn how to cook traditional Italian dishes but also to understand more about their cultural significance.

At Selfup NYC, small groups gather under expert guidance, where they are taught how to prepare three classic dishes: handmade pasta such as fettuccine, linguine or pappardelle; a fresh Italian salad to complement the meal; and to round it off, a classic tiramisu for dessert.

As you knead the dough for pasta or whip up a cloud-like mascarpone cream for tiramisu, you'll feel transported straight to an Italian kitchen. Not only will you learn the art of cooking these dishes, but also get tips on how to plate them beautifully. Plus, once you learn these simple yet delicious Italian recipes, you can make them again and again at home for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

Taking an Italian cooking class in NYC is not just about learning new recipes or techniques—it's about immersing yourself in a culture renowned for its love for food and communal dining. So whether you’re looking for a unique date night idea or just want to expand your culinary repertoire, these Italian culinary classes in NYC are sure to satisfy your appetite! So what are you waiting for? Don your apron now!