Aruban Cooking Classes
Roll up your sleeves and learn to prepare authentic Aruban dishes from local cooks. The best souvenir is a recipe you can recreate at home.
Why Take a Cooking Class in Aruba?
Aruban cuisine is a vibrant blend of Dutch, West African, Latin American, and wider Caribbean influences. Cooking classes let you go beyond the resort buffet and discover the real flavors of the island, from the cheese-stuffed keshi yena to the cornmeal funchi and the art of folding a perfect pastechi.
Hands-On
Small Groups
Local Chefs
Eat What You Cook
Popular Cooking Experiences
Aruban Kitchen Experience
Oranjestad
Hands-on class in a local home kitchen. Learn to prepare a full Aruban lunch including funchi, stewed chicken, and freshly squeezed local juice.
Keshi Yena & Stories
Noord
Cook the island national dish, keshi yena, a whole round of Edam or Gouda cheese filled with spiced chicken, raisins, olives and capers, while learning about the Dutch and Caribbean history behind this beloved comfort dish.
Pastechi & Sweets Workshop
San Nicolas
A relaxed class focused on traditional Aruban snacks and sweets. Fold and fry pastechi, shape pan bati, and make tropical cala, finishing with a sit-down tasting.
Seaside Cooking Adventure
Savaneta
Cook traditional dishes near the calm leeward coast. Work with fresh-caught red snapper and wahoo, plantains, and local produce for a rustic yet unforgettable experience.
What to Expect
Before the Class
- • Some classes include a market or farm visit
- • Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty
- • Most dietary needs can be accommodated, just ask in advance
During & After
- • All ingredients and equipment are provided
- • You'll sit down and eat what you cooked
- • Recipes are usually shared for you to take home
More Culinary Experiences
Explore food tours and farm-to-table dining for a deeper dive into Aruban cuisine.