9 Best Chiang Mai Cooking Classes (By a Local Foodie!)

But which one is worth a spot on your itinerary?

After doing extensive research and trying out several cooking classes in Chiang Mai, here are my top picks for the best cooking classes in this beautiful northern city.

In the class I took, we whipped up the best tom yum soup I’ve ever had, mouthwatering fresh curry we made from scratch, delicious pad thai, and mango sticky rice.

It’s not just the food I love – cooking classes are so fun! It’s so easy to make friends in these classes, a huge plus for someone like me who travels solo. 

As you plan your trip to Chiang Mai, trust me when I say – no visit is complete without one of these top-notch Thai cooking classes.

1. Benny’s Home Cooking Chiang Mai

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (240+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  6.5 hours | ✅ Book it!

Benny’s Home Cooking should definitely make it onto your itinerary if you’re a food-loving traveler like me. 

This exceptional Thai cooking school caters to all skill levels and even offers vegetarian options, ensuring no one misses out on the culinary fun. With a small group setting of no more than nine people (the smallest class size on the list), you’ll enjoy an intimate cooking experience that’s hard to come by. 

What sets Benny’s apart are the unique menu options not found at the other Chiang Mai cooking schools, like chicken satay with peanut sauce, pad see iw (my fave), drunken noodles, and the delightful steamed banana cake.

They also cover all the classics – curries, pad thai, mango sticky rice…you name it! During the Loy Kratong Festival, they even include special Kratong dishes in their offerings. 

And trust me when I say this – Benny’s recipes could give most restaurants a run for their money. To top it off, Thai beer and cocktails are available for those wanting to add a little extra sizzle to their session. 

While it may be slightly pricier and longer than other classes, the small group advantage and extensive menu choices make it well worth your time and money. You’ll enjoy a market tour and the home setting. So go ahead and spice up your Chiang Mai trip with Benny’s Home Cooking!

2. Smile Organic Farm Thai Cooking Course

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (9,700+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  6 hours | ✅ Book it!

The cooking class at Smile Organic Farm is the very first cooking class I’ve ever taken – it was recommended to me by my hostel, so I decided to try it. Now, I’m HOOKED on cooking classes and have taken them all around the world.

Backpackers especially love this course since it’s one of the cheapest cooking classes in Chiang Mai. 

They take you on a tour of a local market and then around their garden, where you learn about local herbs and veggies that you’ll be cooking with. 

The highlight for me was getting hands-on with creating some mouth-watering Thai dishes like curry paste (a bit of a workout for your muscles), stir-fry, soup, and even spring rolls! I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that their tom yum soup recipe is the best I’ve ever tasted. 

You can choose what goes on your menu and decide how much spice to add. And if you’re vegan or vegetarian, don’t sweat it – they’ve got you covered, too. 

Trust me when I say there’s so much food that leftovers are pretty much guaranteed! 

Word of caution: it is an outdoor class, so if the heat isn’t really your thing, look into option #4 below, which offers air-conditioned comfort (for an extra cost). But honestly? Cooking al fresco added an extra layer of charm for me. 

If you have time in your schedule, you can take the full-day version of the course, which also includes a Thai herbal drink.

“We had a great time – loads of choices for what to make , easy to cater to different diets (vegetarian here) and really good fun. You make a lot of food so be prepared and come with an empty stomach!” – Leah (Read more reviews)

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

3. Thai and Akha Cooking Class Chiang Mai

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (2,900+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  6 hours | ✅ Book it!

The Thai and Akha cooking class in Chiang Mai is so popular that they opened up a brand new location, just a stone’s throw from the city center. 

It’s a little different than the other cooking courses on the list, as it focuses on the delicious cuisine of the Akha Hill Tribe of Southeast Asia. It’s a great introduction to Northern Thai cuisine!

I recommend you book the morning cooking class since you’ll get to take a detour to the local market after getting picked up from your hotel, where you’ll handpick fresh ingredients while learning about their significance in Thai and Akha cuisine. 

The chance to prepare 11 distinct dishes under the guidance of an indigenous Akha host is extraordinary. You’ll make some familiar favorites like papaya salad, spring rolls, and traditional Akha dishes like their chili sauce. 

With options to adapt all recipes for vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diets, no one is left out. 

Plus, they provide a souvenir cookbook to recreate the dishes at home! 

Savoring a cup of authentic Akha Hill Tribe coffee is the icing on the cake.

“This cooking class was worth every penny! I made so many different, delicious dishes. The instructor and her assistant gave really clear instructions and were super helpful. The facility was beautiful, clean, and well spaced to where you didn’t feel like you were in a group of 16. They send you home with a cookbook, which is awesome. Highly recommend this company and this class! Would do it again and select different dishes to learn.” -Hayley (Read more reviews)

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

4. Mama Noi Thai Cookery School

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (330+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  4 hours | ✅ Book it!

You start your Mama Noi Thai Cookery School adventure with a local market tour, where you’ll get to handpick fresh ingredients and sample some delectable produce. 

After this exciting taste of Thai culture, you’re whisked away to an organic kitchen garden, where they grow all the ingredients you will use for your class – talk about farm-to-table! 

The course itself is brilliantly structured and perfect for those who are short on time since the course is on the shorter side. It can have up to 20 participants, but everyone gets their own cooking station.

And let’s not forget about the star dish – Khao Soi, a local favorite and Chiang Mai’s pride! Only a few of the Chiang Mai cooking schools have khao soi as one of the menu options, so this is special.

Expert instructors guide you through every step, ensuring that by the end of the lesson, you can recreate these authentic Thai flavors in your own kitchen. 

Bonus – there’s even an optional upgrade to air-conditioning if you prefer cooler conditions while cooking up a storm. A great option for those who don’t love to sweat while they cook, especially during the summer months!

“This was the highlight of our trip to Chaing Mai! They were so incredibly organized and efficient. The farm is beautiful and the cooking facility quite amazing. The instruction is thorough, easy to follow and so fun! We were able to pick our own dishes and customize them. The cookbook at the end was a huge bonus. I just can’t say enough good things about Mama Noi!!” -Lisa (Read more reviews)

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

5. Grandma’s Home Cooking School

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (85+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  4.5 hours | ✅ Book it!

Grandma’s Home Cooking School course is not just a cooking class, it’s an immersive journey into Thai culture that stems from the heart of Rabiiab, a remarkable woman whose love for cooking has been passed down generations. 

Sadly, Grandma Rabiiab has since passed away, but the school is still run by her doting grandson, who treats every guest like they are part of his own family. 

Your day starts at the local market, where you get an introduction to essential Thai ingredients and learn how to handpick the best ones. Then it’s off to their lush farm where you collect fresh vegetables and eggs straight from the chicken house – yes, you even get to feed the chickens! 

You then head over to their open-air pavilion, amidst all this verdant beauty, where you prepare iconic dishes like Tom yum soup, green curry, and Pad Thai, using traditional methods such as making curry paste by hand, and even better than you’ll find at the Gate Night Market. 

Each session winds up with refreshing Thai milk tea or lemon tea included!

This experience helps you understand why home-cooked Thai food eclipses restaurant food – there is something undeniably special about a dish made with Grandma’s love. 

So come along and bring your appetite – this is easily one of the best cooking classes in Chiang Mai.

“I loved getting a tour of the market to see the fresh ingredients and the dried/packaged versions we could take home. The class itself was so fun! I really feel like we could recreate these dishes in our own kitchen and we’re excited to enjoy our own Thai cooking at home.” -Kasey (Read more reviews)

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

6. Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School Chiang Mai

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (1,000+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  5 hours | ✅ Book it!

Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School sits amidst idyllic rice fields and tranquil lakes, just a 20-minute drive from the Old Town. Just remember to pack some bug spray and sunscreen, as you’ll be surrounded by nature. 

The school’s charm lies in its beautiful location, laid-back pace, and humorous guides that add a dash of fun to your cooking experience. 

The class allows you to handpick four dishes and one curry paste and offers a chance to master the art of making sticky rice with mango – a local favorite! 

Like most of the cookery classes in Chiang Mai, it starts with a visit to the food market, where you’ll get hands-on experience buying fresh ingredients for your chosen menu. 

“Such an amazing experience! Absolutely beautiful location and even better food! Opal was an excellent instructor and made the experience even more fun! The transfer to and from our hotel was easy and convenient! I highly recommend if you’re in Chiang Mai!” -Abbie (Read more reviews)

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

7. Tom Yum Thai Cooking School

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (180+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  5 hours | ✅ Book it!

The Tom Yum Thai Cooking School is well-loved for its lively chef-instructor and fascinating guided tours of local food markets – an authentic experience that’ll deepen your understanding of Thai ingredients. 

The half-day cooking class fits snugly into your Chiang Mai travel itinerary and allows you to prepare up to six dishes. 

It’s specially catered to small groups, with a maximum of ten participants per class, ensuring a personalized and intimate learning environment. 

I have an unapologetic love for​​ Tom Yum Soup, and I can tell you that homemade hot and sour prawn soup is out-of-this-world! Plus, they whip up delightful khao soi and mango sticky rice – talk about getting the whole Thai culinary experience!

“Such a great experience- would highly recommend and so glad I booked this cooking class! Going to the market before to select the ingredients was one of my favourite parts of the afternoon. I also really liked that we ate together after making each dish so that you could eat it fresh. Our instructor was great and explained all the ingredients and also sent us a recipe book via email after so we can re-create the dishes at home. Make sure you don’t eat too much before you go as there is 6 courses so I was very full after!” -Dhara (Read more reviews)

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

8. Siam Garden Cooking School

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (50+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  4.5 hours | ✅ Book it!

Siam Garden Cooking School in Chiang Mai is known for its low price and extensive menu options that outweigh most of the other local cooking schools. 

The unique dishes you can learn to whip up range from the aromatic massaman curry to stir-fried morning glory and fried cashew nut with chicken. As for dessert, they offer delectable treats like sticky rice with mango, banana spring rolls, and black sticky rice pudding! 

If you can’t finish your food during the class, they’ll pack it up for you. Who doesn’t love leftovers?

Plus, they have a comfy air-conditioned dining room as an alternative to their picturesque garden setting. 

The only minor drawback might be the larger class sizes of up to 20 guests. But hey, that just means more new friends to make while learning some fantastic Thai recipes!

“It was a really fun activity, it’s definitely worth the price. The staff was very friendly and helpful, we made 5 dishes from scratch that we could choose and ate it afterwards. The food was amazing and they made the process of making it very easy.” -Rka (Read more reviews)

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

9. Benny’s Home Cooking – Private Dinner Course

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars (30+ reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  5 hours | ✅ Book it!

I already listed Benny’s as the best Chiang Mai cooking course, but this one is a little different – it’s completely private!

Benny’s has got you covered if you’re not into stirring up a storm with strangers and prefer a more intimate gathering! Their private course is designed just for your group (of up to 9 people), offering a cozy culinary adventure right in a local’s home. 

Or, if you’re staying in a villa with an adequate kitchen, Benny can come to you!

You’ll be whipping up five dishes of your choice and creating curry paste from scratch. There’s also the option to cook vegetarian or dabble in Northern Thai cuisine with options like Cab Moo and Sai Aua. 

So, while their group course holds the crown as number one on our list, this private class definitely takes the cake for those looking for something more personal and exclusive.

“A most memorable experience, we couldn’t recommend it enough, both Benny and Nan are fantastic hosts, and provide a professional experience with a twist of their own personality on the menu” -Chris (Read more reviews)

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

Read More About Markets and Food in Chiang Mai:

• Best Chiang Mai Food Tour for Foodies (Beyond Pad Thai!)
• 9 Best Chiang Mai Cooking Classes (By a Local Foodie!)
• Best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai: 15 Must-Try Restaurants
• Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market with Insider Food Tips
• Gate Market Chiang Mai: Ultimate Guide
• 11 Best Chang Phuak Gate Night Market Food Stalls
• Chiang Mai University Night Market: Best Local Eats
• Warorot Market (Kad Luang): A Local Foodie’s Guide
• Ton Lamyai Market: Best Chiang Mai Flower Market Guide
• 29 Delicious Thai Fruits You Must Try (And How to Eat Them)
• Mueang Mai Market: Largest Fruit Market in Chiang Mai
• 17 Best Foods in Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai Food Guide