What Food to Try in London: Dishes, Where and Recipes

Published: September 2026 · Last updated: September 2026 · Facts checked: September 2026 · Curated by Clara Whitby, The Londonologist.

A cooking class is one of the best value, most memorable things you can do in London, far more hands on than another museum, and you leave having actually made something. There is a class for every taste and level, from a one hour drop in to a serious half day masterclass. The only two questions are what you want to cook, and how long you have. Here are the best by type, with rough prices and how to book each one.

The Best Cooking Classes in London by Type

Prices are rough guides per adult and change with the season, so check the live price when you book. Most of these offer free cancellation.

Fresh pasta and Italian

The most popular class in the city, and a joy. Roll, cut and cook fresh pasta from scratch with a chef, then eat the results. Two to three hours, from around 70 dollars. Perfect for beginners and couples.

Check pasta class availability

Indian and Thai masterclasses

Learn to build a proper curry from the spices up. London has some outstanding teachers, including award winning cookbook authors, running Indian and Thai masterclasses of two to three hours, from around 90 to 120 dollars. You leave able to actually recreate it at home.

Check Indian cooking class availability

Chinese dumplings and Asian street food

A hands on three hour session folding and steaming your own dumplings, from around 100 dollars, and one of the most fun group classes. Sushi and wider Asian street food classes are easy to find too.

Chocolate and bonbons

Notting Hill is the home of chocolate workshops, where you go bean to bar or hand make your own bonbons to take away. One to two hours, from around 75 dollars. A great rainy day activity and a lovely gift experience.

Check chocolate workshop availability

Make your own gin

London is the home of gin, and at a working distillery you can blend and distil your own bottle in a gin lab, learning the botanicals as you go. Two to three hours, from around 90 dollars, and you leave with a bottle you made. More of a boozy experience than a cookery class, and all the better for it.

Check gin making availability

Baking, scones and afternoon tea

Bake and eat a proper English afternoon tea, scones, finger sandwiches and pastries, or take a rustic bread class. Usually one to two hours, from around 50 dollars, and among the most affordable and quintessentially London options.

British classics and a supper club

A longer, sociable evening, three to four hours, where a small group cooks a multi course British meal together and then sits down to eat it, often with wine. From around 150 dollars, and a memorable night out in its own right.

Browse all London cooking classes   Compare classes and prices

Cooking Classes at a Glance

How to Choose the Right Class

A few things to weigh before you book.

• Your level. Most classes are pitched at beginners and are relaxed and social, but some masterclasses assume a little confidence. The listing usually says, and if in doubt, a pasta, dumpling or chocolate class suits everyone.
• How long you have. A one hour scone or chocolate session slots into a busy day, while a supper club is a whole evening. Match the class to your schedule.
• Couples or groups. Cooking classes are a brilliant date or group activity, sociable, hands on and a good story afterwards. Pasta, chocolate and gin classes are the favourites for couples.
• Dietary needs. Many classes are vegetarian friendly or can adapt, but check before booking rather than on the day.
• A market visit. Some classes start with a guided shop at a market such as Borough, choosing your ingredients before you cook. A lovely extra if you have the time.

Practical Tips

A few things worth knowing. Book several days ahead, classes are small and the good ones fill up, especially at weekends. Most include everything you need, an apron, ingredients and equipment, and you eat what you cook, often with a glass of wine. Look for free cancellation when you book, most reputable classes offer it. Come a little hungry, and wear something you do not mind getting a bit of flour on. For more food ideas, see our guides to London food tours and where to eat in London, or make it a date with a romantic evening in London.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join a cooking class in London?

Yes, easily. London has hundreds of cooking classes open to visitors, from one hour drop ins to half day masterclasses, covering everything from pasta and curry to chocolate and gin. Most are small group, beginner friendly and bookable online in advance with free cancellation.

What cooking classes are available in London?

You can find fresh pasta and Italian classes, Indian and Thai masterclasses, Chinese dumpling sessions, sushi, bread baking, afternoon tea and scone baking, chocolate and bonbon workshops, gin distilling labs and multi course British supper clubs, among many others. Whatever you want to cook, there is a class for it.

How much does a cooking class in London cost?

Most cooking classes run from around 50 US dollars for a short baking or drop in session to about 150 to 160 dollars for a long masterclass or supper club, with the majority in the 70 to 120 dollar range. Prices change with the season, so check the live price when you book.

Are cooking classes in London good for beginners?

Very much so. The great majority are aimed at beginners, relaxed and hands on, with a chef guiding every step. Pasta, dumpling and chocolate classes are especially welcoming if you have never cooked much before.

Are there cooking classes in London for couples?

Yes, cooking classes are one of the best date activities in the city, sociable, fun and something you make together. Pasta, chocolate and gin making classes are the most popular with couples, and many are easy to combine with a night out afterwards.

Can I do a cheap or free cooking class in London?

There are no genuinely free public cooking classes, but the shorter baking, scone and drop in sessions from around 50 dollars are the most affordable way in. Compare options and prices before booking, as the same style of class can vary a lot in cost.

Do you eat what you cook in a London cooking class?

Almost always, yes. The great majority of classes finish with you sitting down to eat what you have made, frequently with a drink included, and you often take home recipes or, in a chocolate or gin class, what you produced.

Do I need any experience to join?

No experience is needed for most classes. They are designed for complete beginners, with the chef leading you through each step. Only a few advanced masterclasses assume some confidence in the kitchen, and the listing will say so.

The Bottom Line

A cooking class turns a few hours in London into a skill and a story you take home. Decide what you want to cook and how long you have, pick a class to match, and book ahead because the good ones are small and popular. Whether it is fresh pasta, a fiery curry or your own bottle of gin, you will eat well and leave having actually made it yourself.

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