Dubrovnik Countryside: Dalmatian Cooking Class & Wine

Summary

Dalmatian recipes shared in a dubrovnik village kitchen

You’ll join a small group in the Dubrovnik countryside for hands-on Dalmatian cooking with local hosts—chopping fresh vegetables, baking bread, sipping homemade wine, and sharing laughter over a four-course meal. Expect warm hospitality, real conversation, and flavors you’ll remember long after you’ve left Croatia.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so at home so quickly out in the Dubrovnik countryside. The air smelled like rosemary and wood smoke when we stepped out of the van — our guide, Ana, waved us over with a flour-dusted hand. She had this way of talking that made you want to listen, even when she was just explaining how to chop onions for zelena menestra. I tried not to cry (from the onions, mostly), but she just laughed and handed me a glass of red wine before we got started on the cooking class. Honestly, I needed it.

The kitchen was busy but not rushed — windows open, chickens clucking somewhere outside. We all took turns kneading bread dough and slicing garden vegetables while Ana told stories about her grandmother’s peka and how every family does it a little differently here. There was this moment when the soup started simmering and the whole room went quiet except for someone humming softly — I think it was Ana’s cousin? The smell reminded me of my own childhood somehow, even though I’d never tasted anything like it before.

Lunch turned into more of a feast than I expected: charcuterie from their cellar, that hearty soup, then slow-cooked meat with veggies straight from their garden. They poured homemade liqueurs after dessert (a cake they only make for special occasions), and we all sat around swapping travel mishaps and bad attempts at Croatian pronunciation. My bread came out lopsided but nobody cared — Ana said that’s how you know it’s real. On the ride back to Dubrovnik, I kept thinking about how easy it is to feel like a guest instead of a tourist when people open their kitchens like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Traditional Dalmatian cooking class

• Hotel pick-up by private vehicle
• Travel to Dubrovnik countryside
• Learn to prepare charcuterie board and veggie soup
• Cook local meat or fish main dish
• Prepare traditional local cake dessert
• Savor 4-course meal with local wines
• Enjoy coffee and tea
• Chat with fellow foodies
• Return to hotel by private vehicle

Top questions

How long is the Dubrovnik countryside cooking class?

The cooking class lasts approximately 5 hours including transfers.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off by private vehicle are included.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free options available?

Yes, both vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be arranged if requested in advance.

What dishes will we prepare during the class?

You’ll make traditional dishes such as peka or zelena menestra, homemade bread, soup with garden vegetables, and an authentic local cake.

How many people are in each group?

The small group size is limited to 8-10 people for a personal experience.

Is wine included during the meal?

Yes, homemade red and white wines as well as liqueurs are served with lunch or dinner.

Where does the cooking class take place?

The class is held in the picturesque countryside near Dubrovnik city.

Can I book this as a private tour?

This experience is offered as a small-group activity rather than fully private.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by private car or minivan, all ingredients for your four-course meal (with vegetarian or gluten-free options if needed), hands-on guidance from a local chef in their countryside kitchen, homemade liqueurs plus local red and white wine throughout lunch or dinner—and plenty of coffee or tea before heading back to town.