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Greece is one of our favorite countries for food. Even though we’ve traveled to the country several times, it wasn’t until recently that we took an Athens cooking class.
Our goal in Athens was to learn how to make the traditional Greek dishes we love. We signed up for a delightful cooking class and share our review here.
If you’re traveling to Athens, dive into the local flavors in a Greek cooking class.
Read about our Athens cooking class experience and what to expect, as well as two other great alternative cooking classes.
For the ultimate cooking experience over several days, read more below about joining Authentic Food Quest on an immersive cooking vacation in Crete.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you want to savor the unique flavors of Greece, join Authentic Food Quest on an 8-day/7-night immersive cooking vacation in Crete and discover the island’s rich culinary heritage. Learn to make iconic Cretan dishes with local chefs, visit artisanal olive oil, cheese, and honey producers. With wine tastings, cultural excursions, and private villa accommodations, it’s a delicious and immersive way to discover the true flavors of Greece. Find out more about dates, pricing, and how to join us in Crete.
Top Athens Cooking Classes
Some of our favorite Greek dishes range from simple salads to lamb dishes and delicious zucchini balls.
While in Athens, we made it a point to find a cooking class where we could learn to make some of our favorite Greek foods.
We were thrilled to find this small group cooking class in Athens with dinner.
What attracted us is the small group size and the additional bonus of dinner with a view of the Acropolis.
In our search for the best Athens cooking class, we also were tempted by two other cooking classes.
- This Greek cooking class takes place in a bakery in the Monastiraki district. It is a 4-hour cooking class taught by a professional chef and limited to a small group of 12 people.
- Offering either lunch or dinner, this traditional Greek cooking class is fully hands-on and takes place in a professional cooking studio. You’ll learn to make 5 or 6 traditional Greek recipes and enjoy your meal with a view of the Acropolis.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Besides taking an Athens cooking class, you can also dive into traditional Greek cuisine on a food tour with a local guide. We took several food tours in Athens, and we highlight them in our review of the Best Food Tours in Athens for a Greek Feast
Overview of our Athens Greek Cooking Class
The captivating views of the Acropolis outside the window of our cooking class captured our attention as we walked into the cooking studio.
This small group cooking class in Athens promised a view, and it delivered. Set across a large table were individual cooking stations neatly arranged with some cooking equipment.
For about 4-hours, we got our hands dirty learning to make starters, a main dish, and dessert.
The cooking class experience starts with a brief introduction to Greek cuisine. More specifically, an overview of the herbs and fresh produce that are essential to authentic Greek cooking.
After that, you start by preparing the hot food first and then move to the cold starters.
Plan to have a great time, and you can get involved in the cooking as much or as little as you want.
The best part is eating the delicious food you make at sunset, with Greek wine and an outstanding view.
Watch Our Athens Cooking Class Video
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Highlights Of Cooking Class
This Athens cooking class packs a lot in only 4 hours. We learned to make the following 7 Greek foods.
- Greek Salad or Horiatiki Salad
- Cheese-spinach pie or Spanakotiropita
- Stuffed vine leaves or Dolmadakia
- Tzatziki Dip
- Zucchini Balls
- Roasted lamb with potatoes
- Greek yogurt dessert
To get all this accomplished, you’ll work as a team with assistance from the cooking instructor and the support staff.
RELATED: 5 Best Food Markets in Athens: Your Guide To Athens Central Market and Laiki
Lots of Preparation
One of the things we love most about Greek food are the fresh flavors and seasonal ingredients.
In this cooking class in Athens, you’ll get involved in peeling, chopping, and prepping the fresh ingredients used in the dishes.
Squeezing Zucchini By Hand
The zucchini balls starter called for a large amount of zucchini mixed with cheese and fresh herbs.
Working in groups, some people peeled the fresh zucchini, and others used a box grater to shred them into fine pieces.
Before adding in the other ingredients, one tip we learned was how to remove the water from the zucchini.
Our instructor taught us to use our hands to squeeze all the water out of the zucchini. This is “how it is done at home,” she told us, and it’s “more efficient than using a machine”.
When you cook with your hands, our cooking instructor added, “You make the food with love.”
Making Phyllo Dough for Spanakotiropita
Making the phyllo dough was surprisingly easy. The ingredients are simple, and according to our instructor, the most important thing is using Greek extra virgin olive oil.
On a previous trip to Greece, we had learned how to make phyllo dough on the island of Crete. The Cretan version uses Tsikoudia or Raki, a beloved local Greek spirit.
As we had fun making the phyllo dough, we learned that each family and home cook has their own style of making the pastry.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Don’t miss visiting the Parthenon on an Acropolis tour. We highly recommend taking a guided tour, either early in the morning or late afternoon, to skip the crowds. This no-crowds Acropolis guided tour uses a special itinerary to ensure you’ll see the Parthenon without the crowds. Find out more and make the most out of your trip to the Acropolis.
Folding & Stuffing Vine Leaves
Stuffed grape leaves or dolmadakia have their origins in the Ottoman Empire. In Türkiye, they make a similar recipe of stuffed grape leaves but with meat.
However, in Greece, the vine leaves are stuffed with rice. Our instructor told us that the other name for dolmadakia is gialantzi, which in Turkish means fake or without meat.
Stuffing and wrapping vine leaves is an exercise that requires patience and skill.
In our Athens cooking class, we all had fun trying to make perfectly rolled vine leaves, similar to our instructor’s.
A labor of love, we couldn’t wait to eat these little flavorful little bites.
Hand-Tossed Greek Salad
It’s interesting to know that Greek salad in Greece goes by its Greek name, Horiatiki salad.
This simple salad was one of our favorite dishes to make and eat.
Continuing to work as a team, some people sliced the tomatoes. Others peeled and cut the cucumbers, peppers, onions and cheese.
In a large mixing bowl, our instructor seasoned the salad and then mixed everything together by hand.
Mixing by hand, she told us, ensures that all the ingredients are in olive oil and herbs.
The salad’s fresh and vibrant flavors filled the room, drawing everyone in with the enticing aromas.
Sunset Dinner a la Fresco With Acropolis Views
This Athens Greek cooking class takes place in a restaurant. One of the best parts of the experience was eating dinner outdoors and overlooking the Acropolis at sunset.
After the cooking experience, we were seated outdoors at tables of four, each with a great sunset view.
Restaurant staff brought the dishes to each table, starting with the appetizers or starters, the main lamb course, and dessert.
As we dined, we also enjoyed Greek wine and water to quench our thirst. Getting to know the people in our group was also part of the fun.
We shared our table with a couple from Estonia and the UK and enjoyed exchanging culinary stories over Greek cuisine.
One thing that surprised us was the copious amount of food we had. It didn’t feel like we made a lot in the class, as some people prepared different things.
However, when it was all served, there was a lot of delicious food, generously served, with plenty to go around.
It ended up being so much food that we even had boxes to take away the extra food.
Athens Cooking Class Overall Impressions
What We Loved
- Superb Views: The Acropolis in Athens is stunning. And at sunset, when the golden light hits the historic structures, the breathtaking beauty is awe-inspiring.
- The wide variety of delicious Greek foods: The four hours in the cooking class went by quickly as we made the different dishes. Our instructor was well-organized and kept the group moving at a good pace while sharing insights and culinary tips.
- Flexibility to choose your level of involvement: This Athens cooking class is flexible and gives you the freedom to choose how hands-on you want to be in the cooking and food preparation. This makes it accommodating for everyone and rewarding for those looking to learn new techniques.
- Nice tasty recipe booklet: One of the best parts of taking a cooking class is making the recipes at home. We loved the neat recipe booklet we received at the end of the class with photos and simple step-by-step instructions.
What Could Be Improved on this Cooking Class
We had a great time in our Athens cooking class and it was exactly as it was described. Overall, there was not much negative, but it is worth noting a few things.
- Class size larger than expected: The cooking class was larger in size than we expected. While it was well organized and the instructors did a great job managing the group, we would have preferred a smaller class.
- No access to the kitchen: The cooking class takes place on the second floor of the restaurant, right above the kitchen. Once we made the dishes like the cheese-spinach pie and lamb, they were taken to the kitchen to be cooked in the oven. It would have been nice to see the process of the Greek food cooking in the oven.
- Limited wine: To enjoy with our meal, we were each offered a glass of either Greek red or white wine. It would have been nice to have had the option for a second glass, if desired, to savor with all the food.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If your Greek travels take you to the island of Santorini, consider taking a cooking class and learning about the island’s specialties. See our review of the 7 Hands-On Cooking Classes in Santorini for an Authentic Taste
How To Book Your Athens Cooking Class
This cooking class in Athens is a fun and tasty way to learn to make a wide variety of Greek dishes.
It’s a fun and upbeat class where you’ll spend about 4 hours learning to make as many as seven Greek foods.
The class starts at 4:30 pm allowing you to enjoy amazing sunset views with dinner. This is a popular class, and it tends to fill up quickly.
If you know you want to take this class, we recommend booking it in advance.
This is one of the best Athens cooking classes to consider if you want to learn about Greek culinary culture through a wide variety of foods.
Alternative Cooking Classes in Athens to Consider
Greek Cooking Class in an Athens Bakery
This Athens cooking class takes place in Monistraki, one of the oldest Athens neighborhoods.
It’s a lively and popular district and one you’ll likely visit in Athens.
This Greek cooking class takes place in the kitchen above a popular local bakery. It is limited to only 12 people, making for an intimate cooking experience.
During this 4-hour class, you’ll make a wide variety of Greek dishes and enjoy your meal with a view of the Acropolis.
What To Expect From
Some of the key highlights from this class include:
- Learning to make 3 appetizers, one main dish, and one traditional dessert
- Unique cooking location above a bakery
- Hands-on guidance from a local chef
- Acropolis views
What People Say
Travelers love this cooking class and consistently rate it as a 5-star experience. They describe the cooking class as great fun, super informative, and with a great chef who got everyone involved.
Lunch or Dinner Traditional Greek Cooking Class
Taught by professional chefs, this traditional Greek cooking class offers hands-on instructions as you learn to make traditional Greek food.
This 3-hour class takes place in a cozy cooking studio with windows that open to views of the Acropolis.
The recipes vary depending on the seasonal ingredients available, but you can expect to make at least 5 to 6 traditional foods.
The class is limited to a maximum of 15 people, giving you a more intimate experience.
What To Expect From
Some of the key highlights from this class include:
- Flexibility to choose either a lunch or dinner cooking class
- Ability to choose what to prepare and tailor recipes for any dietary preferences
- Hands-on instruction with views of the Acropolis
What People Say
Another one of the top-rated cooking classes in Athens, guests describe this class as an awesome way to experience Greek culture. The food is described as delicious, authentic and the best food in Athens.
RELATED: 7 Best Cooking Vacations in Greece For Mediterranean Flavors
Have you ever taken cooking classes in Athens or anywhere on your travels? Please let us know in the comments below.
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Rosemary Kimani is the co-founder and editor-in-chief at Authentic Food Quest, where she helps travelers connect with cultures through food and immersive cooking vacations. Since 2015, she and her partner, Claire, have explored the cuisine of 45 countries and 290+ food cities. Her work has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Huffington Post, and more. A co-author of three books, including a collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism, she blends storytelling with culinary exploration. When not discovering new flavors, she’s an avid runner, having completed eleven marathons. Previously, she held senior strategy roles in advertising.