Porto · COOKING CLASSES
The 12 best cooking classes you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.
At Domus Arte, instructors such as Teresa, Luis, Sofia, and Filipe guide you through the custard, baking, and story of Portugal’s famous pastel de nata. The pastry is pre-prepared, but you make the filling, bake several tarts, enjoy Port wine and snacks, and take home the recipe.
“Felipe was great! It was a fun class and the pastel de natas turned out really yummy. Would recommend!”
In a 2.5-hour English-language workshop, you make the dough, filling, and finished pastel de nata with guidance from instructors such as Clara, Ana, Mariah, Vanessa, and Maria. The group works in turns, shares Portuguese food stories, drinks regional wine, and enjoys warm pastries at the end.
“Absolutely loved this course! Mariah was an absolutely brilliant instructor, so engaging and funny. It was also really great that making the pasteis was a group activity, which we all got to contribute to and which made it feel much less daunting. From a practical perspective, I feel much more confident in baking these now I have returned home but almost more importantly, we had so much fun on the day! I would 100% recommend this course to anyone visiting Porto.”
Join a small workshop near Sé do Porto, where instructors such as Ana, Luis, Filipe, or Anita guide you through custard-making and baking. The puff pastry is prepared in advance, but you shape, fill, bake, taste, and take home several warm pastéis de nata with a recipe and transport box.
“Loved the class and the staff. One caution, we wanted to buy the small tins to make these at home. They charged us 1 euro each. We found 12 for 7.50 euro at a nearby kitchen shop.”
Meet guides such as Nuno, Ana, or Joseph at Mercado do Bolhão for a food-focused market tour, then ride to a clean kitchen in Gaia for a Portuguese showcooking lunch with wine. Expect demonstrations and small hands-on tasks rather than a full cooking class.
“Had a great time. Very professional and exceeded our expectations. Great experience. Highly recommended. Cheers”
At Cook in Ribeira, chef instructors Jorge, Vitor, and Andre guide you through a hands-on Portuguese meal at 6 pm. Prepare codfish, mussels or clams, and an almond dessert, then sit down with Portuguese wines, port, and your finished four-course meal.
“We had an excellent time! The venue was very professional and Victor was an excellent chef to learn from. Along with the others who attended, Victor made our evening totally awesome! We would highly recommend this to anyone who is visiting Porto and wants to take a cooking class.”
Meet Nuno near Porto’s Metro or bus network, shop for ingredients at local food shops and a small organic garden, then cook and eat at his home. Choose Portuguese dishes such as pork with clams, cod, seafood rice, and custard, with wine and plenty of conversation along the way.
“Great conversation, excellent food - a really nice experience. We learned a lot and enjoyed the meal very much.”
At Quinta de Louredo near Marco de Canaveses, Fabio leads you through an organic family farm, where you can pick fruit, collect eggs, meet the animals, and cook traditional Portuguese dishes. The four-hour visit includes a generous welcome spread, lunch, wine, and wide Douro Valley views.
“It was an amzing experience. Fábio is an incredible and open host. It was just the two of us, and he welcomed us wholeheartedly. He shared a lot about the farm and his life, and told is about his plans for rebuilding the farm after the devastating fires last year. After a plentiful and unexpected brunch, he showed us around the quinta and then we had the cooking lesson. We learned to make four delicious dishes and had interesting conversations, including quickly meeting his wife and daughter while they came home for lunch. He even took us to a store afterwards to purchase some Portuguese kitchenware that is not easy…”
Spend five hours with chef Vitor exploring Porto’s food market, selecting seafood and produce, and preparing a four-course lunch in a private kitchen. Transport is included, along with wine, beer, juice, coffee, and pickup. The class runs in English and begins at 10 a.m.
“We had such fabulous day. Highly recommend this porto market tour and cooking class - it was the highlight of our stay in Porto. Viator thank you so much for such a wonderful experience. I am so looking forward to reproducing the Portuguese meal you helped us cook for our family and friends back in Australia.”
Meet Ana or another C&D Porto Tours guide at Mercado do Bolhão for a market visit, then ride the metro across the Luís I Bridge to a kitchen near Jardim do Morro. Watch a traditional cod meal take shape, join in for small tasks, and eat with wine and conversation.
“This was a fantastic experience and the highlight of our trip to Porto!!! Thank you soooo much!!!!!!!!!”
Spend about three hours cooking Northern Portuguese dishes with Chef Heitor, Christina, and possibly other members of the kitchen team. You will prepare codfish fritters, bacalhau à Brás, pork neck with oven rice, and orange roll cake, then eat the meal with Portuguese wine in a private setting.
“What a fun, informative and delicious experience! Heitor de Melo is an amazing chef, who is happy to share his secrets, tips and teach us about culinary customs in Portugal. We highly recommend booking a lunch or dinner with him. Next time, we would like to have lunch with him at his farm, not far from Porto!”
Meet Nuno at his home, then shop small Porto markets, a bakery, butcher, or organic garden for fresh ingredients. Cook a full Portuguese menu from scratch, learn about food and history, taste olive oil, port, and wine, then sit down to enjoy your meal. Groups are limited to eight.
“Everything was perfect. We enjoyed shopping at the markets and cooking with Nuno. He is very gracious and welcoming. If you are looking to experience a traditional Portuguese meal then this cooking class will leave you delighted and full of delicious food. We highly recommend this activity.”
Meet Maria at 7:00 pm in her Porto apartment for a private cooking class built around recipes from her mother and aunt. Prepare two dishes from scratch, sit down to enjoy a traditional three-course meal, and pair it with local wine. Vegetarian options are available on request.
“Maria was a fantastic host and chef. She welcomed us into her home and taught us some simple recipes for very good food. I would always recommend Maria - she was great.”
Pick a bank, a valley or a kitchen.
