Where to Shop and Eat: 5 Market and Cooking Class Tours in India

1.Jaipur Market Tour & Vegetarian Rajasthani Home Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · from $60Our pick

Meet Shalini near Crystal Mall for a market visit, where you choose seasonal vegetables and learn about Rajasthani spices. Then cook a vegetarian meal with Shalini and her mother-in-law in their Jaipur home. Lunch and dinner times are available, and the menu changes with the season.

“This is the best cooking class I’ve ever taken is so special to be in somebody’s home and learn so much about local culture. It was very nice to pick out our own vegetables and learn about the different spices. I would strongly urge anybody to do this, while they are in Jaipur.”

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2.Spice Knight (Cooking Class -> Meal -> Local Market walk)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $85

Meet at Saffron Palate in Hauz Khas at 11:30 am for a small-group Indian cooking class led by Neha. Prepare four main dishes and three breads, eat the meal with dessert and drinks, then ride to a Delhi spice and vegetable market. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus can be arranged.

“An excellent cooking class with Neha who is very kind and helpful. We did 3 different dishes and 3 breads before heading to the spice market for shopping. I’ve learned a lot and can’t wait to try the recipes at home!”

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3.Traditional Indian Cooking Class & Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 3 hours · from $43

Join home chef Lubna in New Delhi for a private three-hour cooking class at her family home. Visit a nearby market by tuk-tuk, choose dishes in advance, learn spice blends and bread techniques, then eat three main dishes, breads, rice, and more together.

“I had an amazing time visiting the market and cooking with Lubna. I wanted to learn more about Indian cuisine beyond the well-known dishes, and Lubna suggested wonderful options like paneer nihari, kadhi pakoda, and mutton stew. The market visit was a highlight—not only did we shop for our cooking, but she also helped me find spices that are hard to get overseas and introduced me to delicious street food. Back at her beautiful home, we cooked together while she shared so much knowledge about spices, oils, and bread-making techniques. Lunch together was equally lovely, with great conversation and a wonderful atmosphere. This experience was one of the highlights of…”

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4.Pondicherry: Indian Cooking Class with Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 18 reviews · 3 hours · from $24Best value

Join Sita Cultural Centre for a three-hour cooking class built around a local market visit. Your instructor, such as Saranya, Krishti, or Keerthi, helps you choose ingredients, then guides you through about four vegetarian, vegan, South Indian, North Indian, or non-vegetarian dishes. You cook, eat in the garden, and receive an e-booklet afterward.

“Der Kochkurs hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht. Wir wurden sehr schön über den Markt geführt mit sehr viel Hintergrundwissen, sehr vielen Erklärungen und es wurde sehr flexibel auf unsere Wünsche zum Essen eingegangen, weil wir unter anderem den Bananenstamm nicht kannten und nicht wussten, wie er verarbeitet wurde, so wurde er in unserem Menü mit eingebaut. Insbesondere möchte ich hervorheben, dass Saranya sehr freundlich und mit sehr viel Hintergrundwissen uns sehr schön durch den Abend geführt hat. Vielen Dank. The cooking class was a lot of fun. The market tour was very informative, with plenty of background knowledge and many explanations, and our wishes regarding the food were handled very…”

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5.Indian Cooking & Market Tour in Pondicherry with Manisha Ray

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 3 hours · from $24

Meet Manisha Ray at Great Singapore Steels for a guided walk through Goubert Market. Choose your dishes, shop for seasonal produce, then ride a rickshaw to her home for a hands-on class. You will cook 3 to 4 local dishes, learn about ingredients and food traditions, and eat the meal together.

“Manisha is a lovely woman who took us around the market, teaching us about the different produce. She welcomed us into her home and we enjoyed a fabulous class preparing 5 Indian curry dishes chosen by us. We felt very comfortable throughout the experience chatting to her about Indian cuisine. A fantastic experience overall - thank you !”

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