Cooking classes in Porto
A cooking class is one of the best ways to take Porto home with you. Classes run all year, so the weather matters more for the rest of your day: Porto is warmest in August at about 78°F (26°C).
Photo: Rititaneves, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top cooking classes in Porto
Porto: Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Porto Wine (Sé do Porto)From $40View 
Porto: Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Porto Wine (Lapa)From $40View 
Portuguese Cooking Class in Porto with Portuguese WineFrom $160View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
What to eat and drink in Porto
Classes here usually build the menu around local dishes. Ones to look for:
- Francesinha
- Porto's huge sandwich of meats, covered in melted cheese and a beer-and-tomato sauce, often with an egg on top.
- Port wine
- A sweet fortified wine aged in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river.
- Bacalhau
- Dried salted cod, soaked and cooked in countless ways; a pillar of Portuguese cooking.
- Tripas
- Tripe stewed with white beans and sausage, the dish that gives Porto's people their nickname.
- Bifana
- A thin pork cutlet marinated in garlic and wine, served hot in a soft bread roll.
How to pick a good cooking class
- Check whether you cook every dish yourself or watch a demonstration. Hands-on classes usually cap groups at 10 to 12.
- Morning classes often start with a market walk to buy ingredients; afternoon ones go straight to the kitchen.
- Tell the host about allergies or a vegetarian diet when you book, not on the day.
- Look for a class that sends the recipes home with you, so you can cook them again.
Porto month by month
Averages for Porto, 1981–2010.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 57 (14) | 59 (15) | 63 (17) | 65 (18) | 68 (20) | 74 (24) | 78 (25) | 78 (26) | 75 (24) | 69 (21) | 63 (17) | 58 (14) |
| Low °F (°C) | 41 (5) | 43 (6) | 46 (8) | 48 (9) | 53 (12) | 58 (15) | 61 (16) | 61 (16) | 58 (15) | 54 (12) | 48 (9) | 44 (7) |
| Rain, in | 5.8 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 6.2 | 6.8 | 7.1 |
| Sunset (15th) | 5:30 pm | 6:08 pm | 6:40 pm | 8:14 pm | 8:45 pm | 9:09 pm | 9:06 pm | 8:34 pm | 7:45 pm | 6:55 pm | 5:16 pm | 5:06 pm |
Questions
What food is Porto known for?
Francesinha: porto's huge sandwich of meats, covered in melted cheese and a beer-and-tomato sauce, often with an egg on top. Port wine: a sweet fortified wine aged in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river. Bacalhau: dried salted cod, soaked and cooked in countless ways; a pillar of Portuguese cooking.
How long does a cooking class take?
Most classes run three to four hours including the meal; ones that start with a market visit take closer to five.
Where can I book cooking classes in Porto?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
