San Francisco is a culinary wonderland—home to cozy ramen houses, sophisticated tasting-menu destinations, and everything in between. And yet, dining out isn’t the only way to experience the city’s world-class culinary scene. For decades, top San Francisco chefs and instructors have invited foodies to join them in the kitchen for hands-on cooking classes that allow participants to take home a taste of the city.
Offering everything from pasta-making workshops to dumpling parties, these gastronomic activities are a great addition to your California culinary adventure, whether you’re stopping in San Francisco during an epic Golden State road trip or planning an extended stay in the City by the Bay. Read on for the 10 best cooking classes in San Francisco.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: Sushi Fans
Sushi Basics at Chef Mike’s Place
Neighborhood: Dogpatch
Need to Know: The class costs $129 per person and typically lasts three hours. A four-course meal is included.
In this sushi-making class, pick up insider tips for assembling nigiri and rolls while learning about the culture behind this Japanese delicacy. Using the freshest fish and vegetables, Chef Mike guides participants in crafting nigiri, spicy salmon rolls, and inside-out veggie rolls before turning the class loose to come up with their own sushi roll creations. This is a great way to learn the basics from a knowledgeable and engaging instructor.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: Couples
The Art of Macaron Making at BiteUnite
Neighborhood: Mission
Need to Know: The class costs $109 and lasts three hours. While it’s great for travelers in search of couples cooking classes, private workshops are also available for groups of 10–16.
Not sure how to approach making these delicate French pastries? This class is perfect for beginner bakers or seasoned home cooks looking to up their dessert game. Instructors will walk students through every step in the process, from creating macaron shells, honing steady piping skills, and achieving the ideal consistency for the filling. These classes are smaller in size, ensuring a more personalized experience and plenty of opportunities to ask questions. If you’re in the mood to make something savory, BiteUnite offers many other classes, from rooftop Thai cooking to soup dumpling workshops.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: Pasta Making
Fresh Stuffed Pasta at The Foodery
Neighborhood: Dogpatch
Need to Know: The class costs $129 and lasts three hours. Participants can bring their own wine or beer for the end-of-class feast.
Making stuffed pastas like cappelletti or tortelloni may seem out of reach to some cooks, yet with patient, step-by-step guidance from Chef Daniel Morduchowicz, they soon find the confidence to tackle it like a pro. After the rolling and stuffing, the class finishes with a hearty meal of pasta, along with an Italian appetizer, seasonal salad, and dessert. Chef Daniel also teaches classes focusing on vegan Italian fare, New York pizza, and Spanish paella.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: Big Groups
Asian European Fusion at Chef Dirk’s Place
Neighborhood: Mission
Need to Know: Accommodating groups of up to 25 people, the class costs $125 and runs two and a half hours. Participants may bring their own beer or wine to sip during class.
Group cooking classes can be great fun for families or friends traveling together. In this hands-on experience, funny and engaging Chef Dirk—a native of Germany—taps into his experiences living in more than 20 countries to take students on a culinary journey through Asia and Europe. The class menu includes steamed dumplings, Philippine chicken adobo, caramelized fruits, and a seasonal option such as fresh garlic noodles with vegetables.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: Bakers
Introduction to Sourdough Baking at Sour Flour
Neighborhood: Mission
Need to Know: The two-hour class costs $80 and is held at the iconic Mexican pasteleria Victoria Bakery.
This hands-on workshop at Sour Flour, founded in 2009 as a community bakery, shows participants everything they need to know about feeding and maintaining a naturally fermented sourdough starter. Artisan bakers then teach participants to prepare the starter for a starring role in traditional rustic sourdough loaves and pizza, and guide students in making their own sourdough flatbread. Each student goes home with a starter for making bread at home.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: Chinese Food
Ultimate Dumpling Dinner Party at Chef Eddie’s Place
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley
Need to Know: Classes start at $119 and last three and a half hours. Chef Eddie trained at European cooking schools and learned to make dumplings at his family’s Chinese restaurant.
Dumplings are a San Francisco staple, and in this class Chef Eddie shares his techniques for making them at home—from wrappers to fillings to folding. The fun begins with a blind tasting of soy sauces to get a better understanding of umami, then moves on to a braised pork belly demonstration and a hands-on dumpling-making session. Class concludes with a group dinner party consisting of dumplings, pork belly, and a red bean dessert.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: Indian Cuisine
Indian Cooking Class at Crimson Kitchen
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
Need to Know: The class costs $150 and lasts three and a half hours. All ages are welcome. Vegetarian and gluten-free menus are available.
Meghna Agarwal teaches Indian cooking classes in her home, customized for both novice and experienced cooks. With a warm and interactive vibe, her class provides a primer on regional Indian cuisines and spices, showing participants how to create classic dishes like shahi korma, gobi fry, cucumber raita, and pulao. At the end of class, cooks enjoy the fruits of their labors paired with naan and a traditional Indian dessert.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: Pizza Lovers
Neapolitan Pizza Class at Chef James’ Place
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
Need to Know: The three-hour class costs $129. Students can BYO beer or wine for the meal at the end of class.
Everyone loves bubbly-crust Neapolitan pizza, and this hands-on pizza making class in Chef James’ well-equipped home kitchen provides the intel for making it yourself. Aspiring pizzaiolos learn the techniques for crafting homemade pizza dough, then stretch and shape premade dough into rounds. (Neapolitan dough takes time to proof, so making it for same-day consumption in a class setting isn’t always practical.) Each student tops their own pizza to devour at the end of class with chef-prepared sides and dessert.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: California Cuisine
Seasonal California Cuisine at First Class Cooking
Neighborhood: South of Market (SoMa)
Need to Know: The three-hour class costs $109 and finishes with a three-course meal. Many menus can accommodate dietary concerns.
Join upbeat instructor Emily Dellas to prepare a seasonal California-centric menu featuring dishes like arugula salad with figs, summer tomato galette, and whole grilled fish with fennel and citrus. Along the way, students learn about kitchen science, proper culinary techniques, and how to use the principles of flavor composition to cook delicious dishes without a recipe.
Best Cooking Class in San Francisco For: Sharpening Your Knife Skills
Knife Skills at The Civic Kitchen
Neighborhood: Mission
Need to Know: The class costs $75 and lasts two and a half hours.
Knowing how to properly use a knife to slice, dice, chop, and mince is often half the battle when it comes to cooking. Learn to sharpen your knife skills with help from Civic Kitchen founder Jen Nurse, who formerly led cooking classes at the city’s acclaimed Tante Marie’s Cooking School (now closed). At the end of the workshop, students share a hearty vegetarian main-course salad made with the produce prepared in class—paired with a glass of wine, beer, or a nonalcoholic drink.
Class themes sometimes change with the seasons and instructors are continually adding new offerings, so it’s wise to check websites before your travels for the latest menus and workshops.
Additional cooking classes in San Francisco are searchable via Cozymeal and BiteUnite.
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While San Francisco’s cooking classes are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the city’s culinary scene, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy during your visit. Explore the vibrant neighborhoods, from the historic charm of Fisherman’s Wharf to the bustling energy of Chinatown. Take a scenic walk or bike ride across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, or relax in the The Presidio, home to the Presidio Tunnel Tops and the nearby Crissy Field. Don't miss a visit to Alcatraz Island for a fascinating glimpse into the city's history
