Athens: Cooking Class & Market Walk with Greek Home Cooks

Summary

Athens food memories start in the market then fill your hands with dough and laughter

You’ll wander Athens Central Market with a local guide before heading upstairs for hands-on cooking with Greek home cooks. Roll dolmades, bake spanakopita, taste fresh tzatziki — then share lunch and stories over local wine. Expect laughter, new friends, and flavors that might follow you home long after.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if you could actually make spanakopita without wrecking the phyllo? That’s what I was thinking as we squeezed past crates of tomatoes and olives in Athens Central Market, our guide Maria waving us over to smell wild oregano. The air was thick with that earthy scent — plus something fried from a stall nearby. I tried to say “kalimera” to one vendor and got a huge grin in return (and a free olive, salty and sharp). We wandered for maybe half an hour, Maria pointing out which feta is best for pies — apparently not all are equal, who knew?

The Greek Kitchen is up two flights of stairs that creak a little underfoot. Inside, it felt like someone’s bright kitchen — mismatched mugs, handwritten notes on the fridge, music low in the background. There were five of us plus two cooks; Li laughed when I tried to roll my first dolma (“tighter!” she said). We chopped cucumbers for tzatziki, garlic everywhere (my hands still smelled like it hours later), and tasted olive oil so green it almost glowed. The spanakopita filling looked too simple but somehow came out perfect — flaky and warm, feta tangy against the spinach.

Lunch was noisy in the best way: bread passed around, stories traded about where we’d come from, Maria pouring local wine into tiny glasses. Someone asked about portokalopita — orange cake soaked in syrup — and suddenly there was a plate of it on the table, sticky-sweet with cinnamon clinging to my fingers. I didn’t expect to feel so at home so quickly. Maybe it was the food or maybe just how everyone kept saying “eat more!” like they really meant it.

I left with recipes tucked into my bag and a phone full of blurry photos (the kind you can’t help but take when you’re laughing too much). Even now, back home, I catch myself reaching for extra garlic or folding pastry just so — trying to get back to that sunny kitchen above the market. You know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking class with market visit and tasting

• Welcome to The Greek Kitchen
• Meet experienced Athenian home cooks
• Visit local market for ingredients
• Learn to make Tzatziki
• Prepare Spanakopita pie
• Roll Dolmades with rice and beef
• Top Imam Baidi eggplants with sauce and feta
• Make Portokalopita orange and cinnamon cake
• Enjoy the dishes together

Top questions

Is this Athens cooking class suitable for beginners?

Yes, the class is hands-on but designed for all skill levels — even total beginners.

Does the tour include a visit to Athens Central Market?

Yes, there’s a 30-minute guided walk through Athens Central Market before cooking begins.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?

Most dietary needs can be met; dishes are easily adaptable — just mention your requirements when booking.

How long does the cooking class last?

The experience includes about 30 minutes at the market plus several hours cooking and eating together.

Is wine included during lunch?

Yes, each guest receives 250ml of locally produced red or white wine during lunch.

Are recipes provided after the class?

Yes, you’ll receive recipes for all dishes made during your session.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup; you meet directly at The Greek Kitchen in central Athens.

Are children allowed in the class?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; otherwise families are welcome but check suitability when booking.

How many people are usually in each group?

The classes are small-group style; expect an intimate setting with other travelers.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided 30-minute walk through Athens Central Market led by a local cook before heading upstairs for a hands-on cooking class in a cozy kitchen setting. You’ll enjoy bread and olives at every class along with seasonal snacks from the market, all recipes made together (like tzatziki and spanakopita), 250ml of local wine per person during lunch, drinking water throughout, plus printed recipes to take home after sharing your meal together.