15 Drinks & Cocktail Classes Worth Flying For

1.Ramen and Sushi Cooking Class with Sake Pairing Set in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $79Our pick

At Sushi Making Tokyo in Tsukishima, you’ll spend about three hours making sushi, preparing ramen broth from scratch, and tasting sake with an English-speaking instructor. Sato, Ryushi, Alex, Taka, and Kaori are among the teaching team named in class details. The small group setting keeps the instruction personal, with the class ending at its starting point.

“The sushi making experience and sake tasting was wonderful. There were only 5 in our group, so instructions on sushi making were up close and personal and very helpful. The setting was great, overlooking the river, and the sushi we got to eat after making it was delicious. Also, the sake was top notch and very smooth.”

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2.Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 241 reviews · 3 hours · from $67

Spend three hours at Cooking Sun in central Kyoto learning izakaya-style home cooking with English-speaking instructors such as Yumi and Yumiko. Cook in two stages, usually making four to six dishes, then eat what you prepare. The class covers practical techniques, ingredients such as dashi and mirin, and recipes you can recreate at home.

“We had Thatcher as our tour guide yesterday and she was amazing. She expertly guided us through eating experiences in different districts of Tokyo whilst sharing insightful history on the dishes. Thatcher was so enthusiastic and it made our group get along so well we had truely an amazing time. Thatcher is an amazing guide and we hope we can have her for another tour sometime. Chloe :)”

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3.Izakaya Style Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $71

At Cooking Sun in Kyoto, an English-speaking chef guides you through dashi, Japanese sauces, and seasonal izakaya dishes in a traditional wood house. You prepare and eat your meal, often six dishes, then take the recipes home. The 3-hour class starts at 2pm, welcomes beginners and families, and serves groups of up to eight.

“Amazing experience instructors were so nice fun helpful and the food menu was so interesting and tasty. Me and my kids loved it and would definitely recommend to friends”

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4.Osaka Sake Tasting with Takoyaki Cooking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

At MOMO to SAKE near Osaka Namba, Momo, a sake sommelier and former brewer, guides you through sake history, production, tasting, and food pairing. You will make takoyaki from scratch, with fillings such as octopus, wagyu beef, cheese, kimchi, and corn, then sample more than 10 Japanese sakes or choose soft drinks.

“Excellent Sake Tasting and Takoyaki. Mamo is so friendly and knowledgeable. We had a great time making some very tasty takoyaki and tasting many different types of sake. Would highly recommend to anybody visiting Osaka!”

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5.Sushi and Ramen Cooking Class with Sake Pairing Set

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 3 hours · from $129

At a small Tsukishima cooking studio, English-speaking instructors such as Sato, Haruko, Risa, and Alex guide you through ramen, chashu pork, and nigiri sushi. You will learn the food traditions behind each dish, taste three selected sakes, eat what you make, and take home recipes plus souvenir chopsticks.

“Absolutely amazing experience!! The cooking venue was cozy, but very welcoming. Some aspects of cooking were completed ahead of time to accommodate the timeframe. However, we never felt rushed and the facilities are immaculate. It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Japan with my family. We all raved about the experience after the class and everyone agreed that they would do it again.”

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6.Small-group Immersive Basque Cooking Class in Bilbao with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $181

Meet chef Mikel Larrañaga at Gastronomía Bilbao for a three-and-a-half-hour Basque cooking class near the Guggenheim Museum. Prepare several traditional dishes, including marmitako, txuleta, chorizo in cider, and torrijas, while enjoying an open wine bar. Groups are limited to 12, and the menu changes with the market.

“I learned several new ways of preparing dishes. Mikuel is a top notch chef and a fun instructor. The best dessert ever.”

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7.Sushi Cooking Class with Sake Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 55 reviews · from $112

Meet your English-speaking guide near Iriya Station, shop for Japanese ingredients, and cook sushi, miso soup, eggplant dengaku, and dashimaki tamago. You will eat your meal with four sake samples, receive recipes, and finish near Asakusa and Kappabashi. Guides including Tiger, Suzy, Taka, Fuji, and Mihori are praised for patient instruction.

“We had such a fun time with Taka! The experience was so fun and educational! Would highly recommend because we really enjoyed it!”

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8.Cooking Class with a Chef at the Ftelos Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 33 reviews · from $113

Join a small group of up to 10 for a hands-on Santorini cooking class at Ftelos Brewery. With a chef such as Mike or Katerina, prepare four Cycladic dishes, then eat your meal with a Ftelos beer. The class moves indoors or onto a shaded vineyard patio, depending on the weather.

“So much fun! We learned so much and the host was so genuine and great!”

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9.Cooking Class & Sake Tasting with Local Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 31 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Meet an English-speaking guide near Minami Morimachi Station, shop for ingredients at a local supermarket, then cook niku-sui, okonomiyaki, and gyoza in a small studio. Guides such as Chie, Eri, Emi, Akko, and Ayu lead the class. Lunch, three canned drinks, tea, recipes, and tour photos are included.

“It was super good. Such a cool experience. ERI was super friendly and helpful.”

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10.Maggie Beer’s Farm: Cooking Demonstration with Lunch & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 16 reviews · 2h 30m · from $102

Spend 150 minutes at Maggie Beer's Farm Shop in Nuriootpa with a live cooking demonstration, food samples, a guided Pheasant Farm Wines or Orchard Gin tasting, and seasonal lunch at The Farm Eatery. Hosts such as Linda and Drew share practical kitchen tips, while the farm, lake, animals, and produce gardens add a pleasant Barossa setting.

“Wonderful products, great service and the staff couldn’t do enough to provide a marvellous experience. Not only were the team knowledgeable and displayed their talents, but they were also enthusiastic about sharing it all with us.”

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11.Okonomiyaki Cooking Class with Beer or Soft Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9 reviews · 1 hour · from $51

Meet your English-speaking instructor at Nakatsu Station and learn the story behind Osaka’s favorite savory pancake. In a small group of up to four, you’ll choose ingredients, prepare one okonomiyaki with hands-on guidance, and eat it hot with Japanese beer or a soft drink. The class welcomes adults and children, but is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with gluten intolerance.

“Taking this cooking class in Osaka was one of the highlights of our trip. The dishe themselve was delicious ( WE LOVE OKONOMIYAKI) but what made the experience unforgettable was our instructor. She wasn’t just showing recipes step by step – she really cared about making sure everyone understood, felt comfortable, and enjoyed the process. Her warmth and energy made the whole group feel at home, even though we had just met. By the end, it felt less like a class and more like cooking together with a friend who happens to be incredibly skilled.”

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12.Authentic Japanese Cooking Experience at Izakaya restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 5 reviews · from $139

At Izakaya Factory in Kyoto’s Kiyamachi area, you’ll prepare yakitori, filled onigiri, and dashi-maki tamago with an English-speaking instructor, then eat what you make. The 1.5-hour class is limited to eight people, includes ingredients, tools, a soft drink, and a bandana souvenir, with vegetarian, vegan, and Muslim-friendly options available.

“My husband and I had such a wonderful time! We were the only ones there which was a pleasant experience as we had more one on one time! This experience will definitely be a highlight for us and we are excited to recreate these recipes at home!”

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13.Mirissa: Cooking Class with Beer and Meal

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 4 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $45Best value

Spend 3.5 hours at Cosmic Power Wood Cottage & Cooking Class in Kotapola, learning traditional Sri Lankan dishes with an English-speaking chef. You will prepare food with local spices and ingredients, enjoy one beer and a bottle of water, then eat your own meal. Bring comfortable cooking clothes and report allergies in advance.

“We thought it was a little expensive for what you get. Food was okay and beer was missing unfortunately. Sweet woman who teaches you how to cook curry’s. H”

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14.Maggie Beer’s Farm Hands-on Cooking School and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3h 30m · from $155

Spend up to 210 minutes at Maggie Beer’s Farm learning seasonal recipes from her trained team, including Lynda and Elli Beer. Watch a demonstration, cook one course, then share it at a long table lunch with wine available. The group is limited to 10, and children under 13 cannot join.

“It was a fabulous event / time well spent and delicious lunch served with wines . My husband and I enjoyed learning and listening and cooking together snd sharing a long lunch with new friends. Linda, hand picked Maggie Beer chef, shared Maggie’s cooking philosophy and Elle Beer looked after us too. 5 stars!”

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15.San Diego: 2-Hour Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2 hours · from $75

Spend two hours with a local chef learning to mix, knead, roll, and cut fettuccine from scratch. You’ll make a spicy marinara with garlic, herbs, tomatoes, and Calabrian chile, then eat the meal you prepared. The class is held at a brewery whose location varies by date, with drinks available to purchase.

“Thank you for your fantastic review and for rating the "San Diego: 2-Hour Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Brewery" 10/10! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed the experience. We sincerely hope to welcome you back to one of our future classes. If you captured any photos or videos during your class, we would love for you to share them on Instagram and TikTok and tag us using our handle @classpopeven”

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