The 15 Best Drinking Tours

1.Ramen and Sushi Cooking Class with Sake Pairing Set in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $79Our pick

At Sushi Making Tokyo in Tsukishima, you’ll spend about three hours making sushi, preparing ramen broth, and tasting sake with an English-speaking instructor. The small group, capped at eight, allows close guidance from teachers such as Sato, Ryushi, Alex, Taka, or Kaori, depending on the session.

“Definitely pay the extra for this class I have done many cooking classes and this was one of the best”

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2.Kyoto: Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 241 reviews · 3 hours · from $67

Spend three hours at Cooking Sun in Kyoto learning everyday izakaya cooking with English-speaking instructors such as Yumi and Yumiko. You will prepare several savory dishes and possibly dessert in two cooking rounds, eat what you make, and take home recipes for recreating the meal.

“Really excellent. Our guide was relaxed, informative and very genuine. Great fun.”

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3.Izakaya Style Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $71

At Cooking Sun Kyoto, an English-speaking chef guides you through dashi, Japanese sauces, and several seasonal izakaya dishes in a traditional wooden house. You prepare, eat, and take home the recipes. The class begins at 2pm, lasts about three hours, and welcomes up to eight people.

“Lots of fun cooking many dishes. Well thought out with plenty of cooking assistance. I have allergies and they accommodated me perfectly.”

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4.Osaka Sake Tasting with Takoyaki Cooking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Meet Momo, a sake sommelier and former brewer, at MOMO to SAKE near Osaka Namba. In two hours, you’ll cook takoyaki with fillings such as octopus, wagyu beef, cheese, kimchi, and corn, then compare more than 10 Japanese sakes with expert guidance.

“We had a great time and learnt a lot about sake - how it’s made, the way it’s graded and by tasting different ones finding out what we like. The Takoyaki cooking was brilliant too and was really delicious! Would recommend this experience 😄”

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5.Tokyo: Sushi and Ramen Cooking Class with Sake Pairing Set

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 3 hours · from $129

In Tsukishima, learn ramen broth, chashu pork, and nigiri sushi with English-speaking instructors such as Sato, Haruko, and Risa. The three-hour class includes hands-on cooking, three sake pairings, cultural notes, recipes for home, and souvenir chopsticks. Groups are capped at eight.

“If you want to take any cooking class in Tokyo, take this one. The hosts were so warm and welcoming, and also helpful and engaging! Everything about the class was so fun and the food itself was amazing. The ramen was quite literally some of the best I've ever had to date! Shoutout Alisa, Risa and Sato!! You guys are the absolute best and I look forward to taking another one of your classes if you ever expand. If you're looking for something to do on your trip to Tokyo, make sure this is on your itinerary!!”

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6.Small-group Immersive Basque Cooking Class in Bilbao with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $181

At Gastronomía Bilbao, Chef Mikel Larrañaga leads a three-and-a-half-hour English-language class for up to 12 people. You help prepare Basque starters, mains, and dessert, then eat together with wine and cider included. The menu changes with the market.

“Let’s put it this way: before the class was even done, I had signed up for a second cooking class the following day! Had such an incredibly fun time — the highlight is essentially spending time with the chef, Mikel (Michel?) and hearing his stories and experiences. He is such a fun character, and you learn about Basque food, cooking, and culture, as well as learn some basic techniques (knife skills). I’d describe this more as a cooking demonstration - in contrast to other cooking classes, you aren’t hands-on making your own individual dish or set of dishes on your own stove or hot plate - the group works together…”

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7.Tokyo: Sushi Cooking Class with Sake Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 55 reviews · from $112

Join a small English-speaking class near Asakusa and Kappabashi. With guides such as Fuji, Taka, or Mihori, you’ll shop for ingredients, make sushi, miso soup, eggplant dengaku, and rolled egg, then enjoy lunch with four sake tastings. Recipes and tour photos are included.

“Awesome! We really enjoyed our cooking class! Our instructor Mahori was kind, friendly and knowledgeable! She made the class enjoyable for both adults and my young son! She did not rush the instruction, everyone was included and able to participate! The food turned out very good!”

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8.Santorini: Cooking Class with a Chef at the Ftelos Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 33 reviews · from $113

At Ftelos Brewery near Fira, an English-speaking chef guides you through a four-course Cycladic menu, from Santorini salad to stout-sauced pork. Cook in a small group of up to 10, eat what you make with one craft beer, and explore the brewery independently.

“The crew was exceptional and knowledgeable. The trip was beautiful and cliffs magnificent! Highly recommend.”

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9.Osaka: Cooking Class & Sake Tasting with Local Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 31 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Meet an English-speaking guide such as Chie, Eri, or Akko near Minami Morimachi, shop for ingredients, then prepare niku-sui, okonomiyaki, and gyoza. You will eat what you cook, taste three canned drinks, receive recipes and photos, and learn practical Osaka food traditions.

“Linda was superb. She went to the trouble of decorating the room with Christmas decorations and was extremely attentive throughout our time with her. She went out of her way to take us to buy some sake too!”

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10.Maggie Beer’s Farm: Cooking Demonstration with Lunch & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 16 reviews · 2h 30m · from $102

Spend about 150 minutes at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop with a 45-minute cooking demonstration, tastings of Colin’s Pheasant Farm Wines or Maggie’s Orchard Gin, and seasonal lunch at The Farm Eatery. Guides such as Linda and Drew share practical tips in a small, friendly setting.

“Wonderful products, great service and the staff couldn’t do enough to provide a marvellous experience. Not only were the team knowledgeable and displayed their talents, but they were also enthusiastic about sharing it all with us.”

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11.Osaka: Okonomiyaki Cooking Class with Beer or Soft Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9 reviews · 1 hour · from $51

Meet your English-speaking instructor at Nakatsu Station and learn to make one of 10 okonomiyaki variations. This one-hour class includes ingredients, personal guidance, and a Japanese beer or soft drink. The small four-person setting suits couples, families, and curious food lovers.

“It was such an unique, private and yummy cooking-experience. We loved to learn from our guide and chat with him about Osaka, the food and the Japanese way of life. Can't wait to cook okonomiyaki at home! Thank you!”

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12.Authentic Japanese Cooking Experience at Izakaya restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 5 reviews · from $139

At Izakaya Factory in Kyoto, you will grill yakitori, shape filled onigiri, and roll dashi-maki tamago with an English-speaking instructor. The 1.5-hour class suits beginners, serves your finished dishes with a soft drink, and offers vegetarian, vegan, and Muslim-friendly courses.

“My husband and I had such a wonderful time! We were the only ones there which was a pleasant experience as we had more one on one time! This experience will definitely be a highlight for us and we are excited to recreate these recipes at home!”

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13.Mirissa: Cooking Class with Beer and Meal

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 4 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $45Best value

At Cosmic Power Wood Cottage & Cooking Class in Kotapola, an English-speaking chef guides you through traditional Sri Lankan dishes, from spice mixing to meal preparation. You receive ingredients, equipment, one beer, water, and the meal you cook. Bring comfortable clothing and report allergies in advance.

“We thought it was a little expensive for what you get. Food was okay and beer was missing unfortunately. Sweet woman who teaches you how to cook curry’s. H”

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14.Maggie Beer’s Farm Hands-on Cooking School and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3h 30m · from $155

Spend 210 minutes at Maggie Beer's Farm learning seasonal recipes from her team, including Lynda and Elli Beer. Watch a demonstration, cook one course yourself, then share the food at a long-table lunch with wine available from the Farm's range.

“It was a fabulous event / time well spent and delicious lunch served with wines . My husband and I enjoyed learning and listening and cooking together snd sharing a long lunch with new friends. Linda, hand picked Maggie Beer chef, shared Maggie’s cooking philosophy and Elle Beer looked after us too. 5 stars!”

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15.Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Join Chef Harold, a sushi chef with more than 20 years of experience, for a two-hour class at Long Live Roxbury. Make miso soup, shrimp tempura and sweet potato hand rolls, plus spicy tuna rolls, using fresh gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free ingredients. Beer is available at the bar.

“The chef was great and the experience itself was positive - because we sat right next to him. He doesn't use a microphone, so sometimes the hearing is a bit difficult. Also, the menu itself felt a bit simple, even if the pricing was great. But everyone managed to do their rolls and the new knowledge was nice! Would do it again, just think the menu + can improve.”

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