Cooking Classes in Croatia: 8 We Would Book Ourselves

1.Truffle hunting & cooking tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 257 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130Our pick

In Paladini near Motovun, the Karlić family introduces you to Istrian truffle hunting with trained dogs, forest traditions, and a three-course meal. You’ll visit Croatia’s first truffle museum, walk through the Motovun forest, watch truffle dishes prepared, and sample local cheese, salami, honey, brandy, wine, chocolate, and truffles. The small group is limited to 12.

“The truffle hunting walk was very educational, the dogs managed to turn up three truffles. Afterwards the cooking portion was exceptional, the food was excellent and the chef cooks in the main area so you can observe and ask questions. We took our 16mo old and stroller, which was difficult at certain points of the walk. I would suggest a stroller that’s easy to fold up and carry through tough spots. All that said the restaurant had the nicest high chair I’ve ever seen and our toddler developed a frightening taste for truffle products haha”

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2.Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $290

Leave Dubrovnik with Oliver and spend about five hours at a family farm hosted by Nikolina and her relatives. Pick garden produce, gather eggs, prepare traditional Dalmatian dishes, sample homemade wine and liqueurs, then sit down to a generous meal. Pickup, equipment, ingredients, and drinks are included.

“My girlfriend and I were the last two people to have a cooking class within the season. What must have been a long season for them, this didn’t stop Nike from giving us her full attention, not only teaching us the way she makes bread, soup, stew and dessert, but also showing us the garden, collecting freshly laid eggs, and taking us down the road to milk goats. This also proved that everything we used really was grown or reared within a very small radius of the village, and sampling the food afterwards and experiencing true freshness backed this up. Having cooking experience already, nothing was overly advanced and at…”

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3.Split Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $211

Meet at 9:00 a.m. near Split’s old center and walk through the Green Market and Fish Market with a chef such as Marin, Željko, or Drago. Choose ingredients, prepare fish, bread, seafood, vegetables, desserts, and other Croatian dishes, then sit down for lunch with wine and coffee. Groups are limited to 12.

“This was a fantastic experience from start to finish. I learned a lot and we made a lot of food. The risotto was the best I've ever had. The school is very close to the palace so it was easily walkable from where I was staying. I will use a lot of the skills I learned in the future. It is one of the fondest memories I have of Croatia.”

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4.Traditional Dalmatian Cooking Class from Dubrovnik

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · from $235

Leave Dubrovnik by air-conditioned vehicle for a country estate, where Marija, Oliver, Miho, Nike, or another local host may guide your day. Pick vegetables, learn family recipes, help prepare a four-course meal, and taste wine, brandy, cheese, bread, and seasonal dishes with a Croatian family.

“We had a fantastic time! The cooking was a lot of fun and it was very interesting to explore the farm, pick some fresh vegetables from the garden and cook together. The host was very friendly and kept us very hands on and immersed in the cooking experience. Very much recommended.”

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5.Private Truffle Hunting with Cooking Session

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $188

Meet the Karlić family in Paladini near Motovun for a private three-hour truffle hunt with dogs such as Stela and Trufi. Learn about Istrian truffles, search the Motovun forest, visit Croatia’s first truffle museum, then help prepare scrambled eggs before a meal of cheeses, sausages, local products, and truffle chocolate spread.

“The highlight of our Croatia trip. The whole truffle experience is what makes up what Croatia is. The staff were wonderful but the stars were the dogs that found the 4 truffles that day with them. Amazing experience!!The best!!”

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6.Authentic Garden to Table Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $208

Travel from Dubrovnik to Kameni Dvori in Konavle for a hands-on Croatian cooking class with Ivo, Katarina, and their family. You will knead bread, collect garden produce and eggs, possibly milk a goat, prepare seasonal dishes, and eat with homemade wine in a 500-year-old family setting.

“My sister and I decided to take a break from the regular tour stuff and take this cooking class. We could not have been more delighted. We were picked up from our hotel by Ivo. We had a mini history lesson of the area on our way to the site. The place, which has been in the family since the 1500's was beautiful. The whole family is involved in this endeavor. We met his lovely wife, Katarina and one of his daughters. Everyone lends a hand. Had a tour of their amazing gardens and fruit trees, where they produce their own wine, and where they produce their own olive oil.…”

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7.Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $162

Meet Florio in Mokošica for a hands-on look at peka, Croatia’s slow-cooked meat and vegetable dish. You’ll help prepare food beneath a bell-shaped metal dome, enjoy homemade bread, cheese, wine, and a full lunch, and hear about local food and family life. The setting is private, personal, and limited to eight people.

“We had a wonderful experience spending the morning with Florio. We weren't confident in our ability to drive our car through the narrow roads but Florio came out and drove our car for us. The Peka dish was delicious and we enjoyed seeing the entire process. Beyond the Peka experience, we learnt a lot about Croatians, the food they grow and the things they make! It felt more like visiting a friend's home than a tour and it was also lovely to meet Florio's family! We would definitely recommend this tour to others!”

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8.Dubrovnik: Private Cooking Experience with Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 7 hours

Take a private seven-hour tour from Dubrovnik with an English-speaking guide such as Ivo or Igor. See Ombla, Mount Srdj, Ston, and Game of Thrones locations, then cook and eat a three-course Dalmatian meal at a farmhouse, taste wine in Peljesac, and swim in the Adriatic.

“Ivo was exceptional! We had a wonderful time learning about Dubrovnik and the town Ston. We met Tony at the wine tasting and loved his wines. The best part was the hospitality of Ivo’s parents making a wonderful lunch. They were charming…and the views, amazing! We would definitely recommend!”

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