London is a city that takes its food seriously, and it’s a fantastic place to learn new cooking skills. Whether you’re interested in trying your hand at traditional British fare or exploring Asian street food, London offers a wide variety of culinary experiences. We especially love the London Cooking Class and British Royal tasting Menu Dinner for its intimate setting and regal theme, and the Dim Sum and Bao Cooking Class with Wine for its hands-on approach to Chinese cuisine. These classes are perfect for foodies seeking both fun and skill-building in a city famous for its diverse flavors.
London’s cooking classes span everything from British royal favorites to Vietnamese street foods, Indian curry mastery, and vegetarian Asian dishes. Below, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best options, highlighting what makes each stand out, the experience you can expect, and who it’s best suited for.
1. London Cooking Class and British Royal tasting Menu Dinner
At number 1, this class offers a rare peek into dishes loved by British royalty. Led by an 18-year-old chef with close ties to King Charles III, you’ll learn how to prepare four classic royal favorites, then sit down to a shared dinner with a glass of champagne. The class accommodates just six guests, which fosters a family-like atmosphere perfect for those craving an intimate experience. The focus on British cuisine and royal history makes this a unique, memorable outing. Expect a mix of storytelling and hands-on cooking, and leave with recipes to impress friends back home.
Bottom Line: This class is ideal if you want an exclusive, upscale experience with a close-knit vibe, and you’re fascinated by British traditions and royal cuisine.
2. London Cooking Class & Local 7 Course Tasting Dinner
Holding a local home-based setting, this four-hour class takes place in a genuine Edwardian London home. You’ll learn to prepare three signature dishes from the menu, then sit down to enjoy a cozy seven-course tasting dinner that highlights London’s culinary history. Its family-friendly nature makes it perfect for travelers with kids or those seeking an authentic home-cooked experience. The class emphasizes storytelling about the dishes’ origins, adding a cultural layer to the cooking. Visitors rave about the warm atmosphere and the chance to learn with a real London family.
Bottom Line: Best suited for those who want an immersive, authentic experience in a charming setting, with a focus on traditional London flavors.
3. London: Dim Sum and Bao Cooking Class with Wine
This hands-on class is perfect for lovers of Chinese cuisine. Over three hours, you’ll learn to make dim sum and bao from scratch, mastering wrapping and folding techniques. An expert chef guides you through seasoning secrets and sauce choices, while you enjoy a glass of wine as you cook. You’ll get to take home your leftovers and recipes, making it practical for recreating Chinese dishes at home. This class balances skill development with fun, making it ideal for beginners or those looking to add authentic dim sum skills to their repertoire.
Bottom Line: If you want to learn how to craft delicious, authentic Chinese dim sum and bao, this class delivers expert guidance and a relaxed atmosphere.
4. London: Full Day Chinese Banquet Cooking Class with Wine
For around $264, this full-day class immerses you in the art of Chinese banquet cooking. You’ll learn wok techniques for stir-frying and steaming, plus how to use a Chinese cleaver to perfect your knife skills. The menu includes dishes like spicy Hunan beef and Jiaozi dumplings. The comprehensive nature of this class makes it ideal for serious foodies eager to master multiple cooking techniques. The instructor emphasizes seasoning and sauce-making, so you leave with a well-rounded skill set. Expect a lively, engaging environment with plenty of hands-on work and wine to complement your efforts.
Bottom Line: Best for those eager to spend a full day mastering Chinese banquet dishes, with skills that will elevate your home cooking.
5. London: Full Day Vietnamese Cooking Class with Wine
This five-hour class dives into the complex world of Vietnamese cuisine. You’ll learn to prepare iconic dishes like Pho broth and Nuoc Cham, all while balancing flavors with herbs and spices. The class is highly interactive, focusing on knife skills, rolling summer rolls, and seasoning basics. It’s perfect for travelers who want a deep dive into Vietnamese flavors and cooking techniques. Known for its hands-on approach, the class leaves you with not only new recipes but also an understanding of Vietnamese culinary culture.
Bottom Line: Ideal for those wanting a comprehensive, immersive Vietnamese cooking experience with plenty of practical skills.
6. London: Gluten-Free Dim Sum and Bao Cooking Class with Wine
This three-hour class is perfect if you’re gluten-sensitive but still craving authentic dim sum. You’ll learn to make gluten-free bao dough, fillings, and shape buns and dumplings from scratch. The instructor shares various methods for folding and shaping, giving you the skills to recreate these dishes at home. Paired with a glass of wine, it’s a relaxed but skill-focused experience. It’s especially suitable for those with dietary restrictions who want a hands-on, practical class.
Bottom Line: A top choice for gluten-free cooks interested in authentic Chinese street food techniques.
7. London: Indian Cooking Masterclass with Market Tour
This 2.5-hour class combines a visit to a local Indian food shop with hands-on cooking. You’ll learn to blend spices, prepare curry pastes, and cook classic dishes. The market tour provides insight into authentic ingredients and their uses. It’s perfect for those interested in Indian cuisine’s depth and variety, especially if you enjoy shopping for your ingredients. The instructor shares tips on balancing flavors and creating hearty, flavorful meals. Excellent for beginners or seasoned cooks wanting to refine their spice blends.
Bottom Line: Best for spice lovers and those wanting a local market experience combined with practical Indian cooking skills.
8. London: Intro to Thai Cooking Class with Wine
Over three hours, learn to make authentic Thai dishes like curries and stir-fries. The class emphasizes making curry paste from scratch using a pestle and mortar, which offers a true taste of Thailand’s flavors. The instructor guides you through balancing sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes, culminating in a delicious meal paired with Monsoon Valley Thai wine. It’s beginner-friendly but rich in techniques, suitable for those new to Thai cooking or looking to refine their skills.
Bottom Line: Great for first-timers and Thai food lovers who want to learn essential dishes and flavor balances.
9. London: Malaysian Cooking Class with Wine
This three-hour class explores Malaysia’s bold, aromatic flavors. You’ll learn to make dishes like Char Kway Teow and Rojak Salad, focusing on creating flavorful curry pastes from scratch. The instructor emphasizes Malaysian culinary heritage, making this an educational experience. The class is hands-on, and you enjoy a glass of wine while cooking. It’s ideal for those curious about Southeast Asian cuisine’s diversity and richness.
Bottom Line: Perfect for adventurous cooks eager to learn Malaysian staples with authentic techniques.
10. London: Pasta Making Class
This two-hour class guides you through making fresh pasta from scratch, including ravioli and tagliatelle with two sauces. It’s perfect if you want a quick but comprehensive lesson in Italian pasta techniques. The instructor shares tips on dough consistency and shaping, making it accessible for all skill levels. You’ll also get to enjoy a glass of Italian wine, making it a relaxing, satisfying experience.
Bottom Line: A solid choice for pasta lovers wanting practical skills in a short, fun session.
11. London: Southeast Asian Cuisine Cooking Class with Wine
This three-hour class covers dishes like Nasi Goreng, Malaysian Chicken Satay, and Singapore Chilli Crab. It offers an overview of flavour profiles from across Southeast Asia, with expert guidance on seasoning and techniques. It’s suitable for all skill levels and emphasizes hands-on experience, making it both educational and fun. You’ll also enjoy a glass of wine during your cooking. If you’re interested in the diverse tastes of the region, this is a great introduction.
Bottom Line: Ideal for those wanting a broad overview of Southeast Asian cuisine with practical skills.
12. London: Thai Street Food Cooking Class with Wine
This class focuses on authentic Thai street foods like Jungle Curry and Thai Fish Cakes. Over three hours, learn to recreate dishes from scratch, emphasizing stir-frying and flavor layering. The chef shares tips on balancing heat, sour, and sweetness, typical of street food. With a glass of wine included, it’s an energetic, interactive experience perfect for those interested in fast, flavorful dishes. It’s especially popular for its focus on street-style food, which is often overlooked in formal cooking classes.
Bottom Line: Best for fans of bold flavors and quick, street-style cooking techniques.
13. London: Vegetarian Chinese Cooking Class with Wine
This class offers a vegetarian twist on Chinese classics. You’ll learn wok techniques to create dishes like stir-fried vegetables and vegetarian dumplings, emphasizing achieving that coveted wok hei flavor. The instructor shares Chinese seasoning secrets and guides you through making flavorful, meat-free dishes. It’s ideal for vegetarians or anyone wanting to explore Chinese flavors without meat. The class is hands-on, fun, and ends with a glass of wine to relax after your cooking.
Bottom Line: Perfect for vegetarians wanting authentic Chinese cooking skills with a flavorful, meat-free twist.
14. London: Vegetarian Korean Cooking Class with Wine
In this three-hour class, learn to prepare vegetarian Korean dishes like Kimchi, Yachaejeon (vegetable pancakes), and veggie Kimbap. The instructor emphasizes Korean seasoning, especially the use of gochujang and other fermented ingredients. Knife skills are a focus as you shape and fill your dishes. It’s an excellent choice for those interested in Korean flavors and vegetarian cooking. The class is lively and offers a good mix of technique and cultural insight, with a glass of wine to round out the experience.
Bottom Line: Great for vegetarians or Korean food fans eager to master traditional, flavorful dishes.
15. London: Vegetarian Thai Cooking Class with Wine
This class focuses on vibrant vegetarian Thai dishes. You’ll learn to make fragrant curries using red curry paste you prepare yourself, and practice knife skills with a Chinese cleaver. The instructor emphasizes using fresh vegetables and balancing flavors, while you enjoy a glass of Thai wine. It’s suited for vegetarians and those wanting to create healthy, flavorful meals with authentic Thai techniques.
Bottom Line: Ideal if you want to cook colorful, veggie-packed Thai dishes and improve your knife skills with expert guidance.
How to Choose the Perfect Cooking Class for You
When deciding between these options, consider your interests, skill level, and schedule. For a luxurious experience with royal flair, the Royal tasting menu stands out. If you prefer authentic street food techniques, the Thai street food or Dim Sum classes are excellent choices. For family-friendly, immersive experiences, the London home dinner offers a warm, authentic atmosphere.
Think about your dietary preferences—vegetarian options are available in the Korean, Chinese, and Thai classes—while those eager to explore multiple cuisines might enjoy the full-day banquet. Booking early is always wise, especially for popular classes during weekends or holidays.
Final Thoughts
London’s diverse culinary scene offers a fantastic range of cooking classes to suit all tastes and skill levels. For a regal British experience, the Royal tasting menu is hard to beat. Food adventurers should look into the full-day Chinese banquet or the Southeast Asian classes for comprehensive, flavorful lessons. Meanwhile, vegetarians and those interested in street food will find plenty to love in the Korean and Thai classes.
Regardless of your choice, booking early, considering your dietary needs, and thinking about how much time you want to spend in the kitchen will ensure you get the most out of your culinary adventure in London. Happy cooking!