Orecchiette Cooking Class and Wine in Lecce: Baroque views of old town

Roll pasta by hand the way Lecce cooks have for generations, then taste the wines that go with it.

Learn to make orecchiette pasta from scratch in a Lecce old-town bistro with a local guide, then taste Puglia wines paired with local cheese, taralli and the pasta you just rolled. The class runs two hours and includes bottled water; a minimum of two people per booking is required, and vegetarian or vegan tastings are available on request.

The Experience

What does it actually take to roll orecchiette by hand? You'll find out in a casual two-hour class in the heart of Lecce's old town, working alongside locals in a bistro with a view over the Baroque roofline. The guide—in English or Italian—walks you through the technique from the start: how the dough comes together, how your thumb and finger shape each small ear of pasta, what the texture should feel like when it's ready. You make enough to taste, and the bistro's kitchen cooks what you've rolled so you eat it warm.

After the pasta comes the wine. A local expert guides you through a tasting of Puglia's most famous wines, teaching you how to taste them—what to look for, how the flavors change—and which ones pair with what you've just eaten. The tasting includes local cheese, taralli (the crispy ring-shaped crackers Puglia is known for), the orecchiette you made, and a dessert. If you eat vegetarian or vegan, let the operator know at checkout and they'll adjust the tasting menu.

The class takes two hours total and needs at least two people to run. The location is wheelchair accessible, and if you're traveling with infants or small children, you can bring a pram or stroller. Public transit stops are nearby if you're getting there without a car.

What’s included

• Orecchiette pasta cooking class with a local guide.
• wine and food tastings including local cheese, taralli, the pasta you made, and dessert.
• bottled water.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by La Strada del Vino Wine Bistrot

Is this one for you?Shape orecchiette by hand in Lecce's old town, then taste it paired with wines explained by a local expert—all in one morning or afternoon without sacrificing your whole day.

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Top questions

What exactly do I learn to make in the pasta class?

Orecchiette—the small, ear-shaped pasta that is the signature of Lecce and Puglia. You learn to roll it by hand from dough, and the bistro cooks what you make so you taste it fresh at the end of the class.

Is the wine tasting just wine, or does it come with food?

The wine tasting includes local cheese, taralli, the orecchiette you made in the class, and a dessert. The guide teaches you how to taste the wines and which ones pair best with each food.

How long does the whole thing take?

Two hours from start to finish, including both the pasta-making and the wine and food tasting.

Can I do this if I'm vegetarian or vegan?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan tasting options are available; mention your preference when you book and the bistro will adjust the menu.

What's the minimum group size?

A minimum of two people per booking is required to run the class.

Is the class in English?

The guide is available in English or Italian, so you can choose the language that works for you.