Homemade Pasta and Pesto Class with a Local Chef in Genoa

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Learn to make authentic Italian pasta fresca with a local chef in Genoa. Discover Italian culinary traditions and learn typical grandma recipes. Taste the fruits of your labor in a convivial atmosphere.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Communicate in advance any dietary restriction.

Not recommended for travelers with serious allergies to cats

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Cooking class

Meal and beverages

What To Expect

Pasta Fresca is one of the Italian masterpieces, get ready to learn to prepare it with a friendly local chef in Genoa. Enter is home located in the historic city center and enjoy the stunning view from the terrace overlooking the city. You will start the lesson by preparing the most famous Ligurian pasta sauce: pesto. It traditionally consists of crushed garlic, European pine nuts, coarse salt, basil leaves, hard cheese such as Parmigiano-Reggiano all blended with olive oil. You will prepare the dough of pasta, flavor, water, eggs for a delicious dish. The secret is mixing raw ingredients with passion and grandma recipes is the best way to create delicacies; you will learn to do it with your family and friends. Get cooking tips while rolling the dough and then shape it. Once the work is completed, take a seat and enjoy the fruits of your labor in a convivial atmosphere. In addition you will taste an atipasto, a traditional Genoese dessert, while toasting with a local wine and finishing with a typical Genoese liqueur The apartment is on the 5th floor in a historic palace, it doesn't have elevator!.

Sample Menu

main

Pasta Fresca

Picagge- traditional Ligurian pasta similar to wide tagliatelle

main

Pesto

dessert

Traditional Genoese dessert

starter

Genoese focaccia, Focaccette di patate, torte salate

Options

Homemade Pasta and Pesto Class with a Local Chef in Genoa

Reviews

4.95

301 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

296

Perfect Experience for Foodies
Sandra L,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
If you enjoy a hands-on cooking experience, delicious regional specialties served on a lovely rooftop garden, and learning more about the culture of Liguria, then this unique cooking class is for you. Alberto is an excellent teacher! His class is well organized with clear instructions and some very interesting information. We learned the history of pesto making, the individual ingredients that go into Genovese pesto, and the special marble mortar and pestle used. He offered calm, easygoing encouragement and assistance as we were making the fresh pasta first and then the pesto using a mortar and pestle. We received some really helpful tips going forward with our own pesto making back in the US. We had fun and were rewarded with eating the scrumptious, authentic Genovese pesto with fresh pasta. It was delicious! The tiramisu we had for dessert was the best ever for me! It wasn’t as heavy nor overwhelmed with the taste of the liquor as some versions I’ve eaten.
20 year Anniversary Celebration
Alicia D,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Alberto was an amazing teacher, with a gorgeous roof top patio. He created a unique experience, that gave a great history to quality of ingredients and patience in creating a quality product. I highly recommend this activity for an authentic Italian experience.
Amazing Rooftop Pesto and Pasta Experience
Kyle G,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Alberto provided a WONDERFUL experience across the board. Directions and instructions on getting to his beautiful apartment in downtown Genoa were easy to understand and follow. Alberto is extremely knowledgeable in both the history of the region, and of course the cooking techniques and specialties. Everyone in the group gets to participate in every part of the pesto AND pasta making, which is a lot of fun. He also provided some typical Genoan "appetizers", followed by some amazing wine with dinner and a little sweet treat at the end. The space was beautiful and tranquil, and we learned so much and had so much fun. We would absolutely recommend this class and experience. Grazie mille, Alberto!
Delicious & fun-book it!
Frank A,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A very special experience with a great local chef. Alberto also provided a fantastic rooftop kitchen venue for the prepping and tasting of our pasta & pesto, along with a few of his own treats. Book it if you're a foodie or not-one of the best activities we had in Genoa-it added to our appreciation of the regional culture and food.
For us, it's been perfect
jeanlouisg713,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very good experience, the chef is perfect in his role as "expert / teacher". It combines undeniable competence, enthusiasm and human contacts. The course is very well structured for all participants to get their hands on the dough (to make pesto ... and pasta!). Tasting, drinks and desserts in good quantity. You go out with the desire to get started and feel like you've learned what you came here for.
Engaging experience with a wonderful chef
GrandTour67384544292,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had the lovely chance to join Chef Alberto on his gorgeous rooftop. Where he teached us all the techniques and history on how to make Genovese Pesto. It was a wonderful and pleasurable experience where we got to make and eat our self made Picagge Matte al Pesto. Lovely chef Alberto served us some delicious bites and drinks. All and all very memorable time we’ve spent.
Absolutely wonderful experience.
Melanie D,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was absolutely wonderful! Be mindful of the many flights of stairs to reach the beautiful space with an outstanding host. Alberto made this class such a special experience - his knowledge, his warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the the detailed cooking experience was far more than we expected.
Pesto Perfection & Rooftop Views
llnyc09,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
BOOK IT! We had the best time making pasta and pesto with Chef Alberto on his beautiful rooftop. This was a birthday gift for my dad while we were in Genoa and it was an absolute hit. Alberto is so welcoming and knowledgeable about the region, the food and ingredients we'd be cooking with. We got to be hands on every step of the way. We loved how relaxed the environment was as well, between cooking steps or during our meal, Alberto had stepped away and gave us time to enjoy ourselves but always making sure we knew he was a holler away. The pasta and pesto we made was absolutely delicious, paired with a lovely local wine white, and finished off with the most delicious tiramisu. Alberto, thank you for being an amazing host!
So much fun!
DK C,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Positively outstanding! Enjoyed meeting our fellow guests and chef who guided us through a delightful experience. We learnedmso much about Genoa, its food and history. It was “hands on” with both pesto and pasta making with a proper explanation of both the ingredients and process. In the end - we enjoyed it all with wine and dessert. Thank you so much!!!
Fun Cooking Class
318victorm,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Alberto was our host/chef/teacher. It was held on a lovely rooftop patio with great views of the city. Alberto was terrific. He showed us in great detail how to make pasta and pesto. He was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. He was also kind enough to provide a text with the recipes as well as recommendations for dinner. We went to one of his suggested restaurants and it was fantastic. We never would have found that on our own. In addition to me and my wife, there was another married couple and a mother/daughter team. Everyone got along great we all made both pasta and pesto. Alberto cooked up the pasta and served it with pesto. I have to say it was one of the best meals on our trip. Alberto also served wine, focaccia and a great dessert. This was one of our favorite things we did in our 12 days in Italy. Highly recommended.