Welcome to the historic cave oil mill:
Step inside a historic cave carved into the rock of the Sassi di Matera and toast with a glass of prosecco in a warm and authentic atmosphere.
A journey into rural Matera:
Explore the ancient oil mill and discover stories about local rural life, olive oil production, and Matera’s culinary traditions.
Hands-on pasta making:
Learn how to prepare fresh handmade pasta using traditional techniques passed down through generations in Lucanian homes, working the dough step by step.
Seasonal flavors from the region:
While you prepare the pasta, the chef creates the sauce using fresh seasonal ingredients and authentic local recipes beyond the classic tomato-based sauces.
Two available options: Cooking Class or Cooking Class with Lunch
Choose the 2h 30m Cooking Class option including a welcome glass of prosecco and fresh pasta workshop. Take home the handmade pasta prepared during the class as an authentic souvenir of your experience in the Sassi. Or enjoy the complete experience with lunch inside the cave, including local appetizers, the pasta prepared during the class, local wine, dessert, coffee, and a traditional digestif.
- Fresh handmade pasta class inside a historic cave olive oil mill in Matera
- Learn from a local expert how to make cavatelli or orecchiette using traditional techniques
- Choose between the full lunch experience or the workshop option with handmade pasta to take home as a souvenir
- Enjoy a complete meal with traditional local appetizers, fresh pasta, wine, dessert, coffee, and digestif
- Small-group experience with excellent value
- Seasonal ingredients and authentic farm-to-table cuisine
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| Not included |
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| Duration | 4 Hours or 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Bring along |
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| Participants | Min 2 Max 10 |
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| Important information | Important information:
For further information or additional questions, please feel free to contact the phone numbers below. Our team will be happy to assist you and help make your cooking class experience truly memorable. Contact numbers: +39 0835334543 / +39 3284364400
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Further information
Matera pasta making class in the Sassi with cave dining experience
Discover an authentic Matera pasta making class in the Sassi inside a historic cave oil mill carved into the rock. This hands-on small-group experience combines traditional Lucanian recipes, farm-to-table ingredients, and the unique atmosphere of cave dining in Matera. Inspired by the rural heritage of southern Italy, the experience celebrates local flavors, seasonal products, and recipes passed down through generations.
Hands-on pasta making in the Sassi of Matera
During this hands-on Matera pasta making class in the Sassi, you’ll learn how to prepare fresh handmade pasta using traditional techniques in a truly unique setting surrounded by ancient stone spaces and the historic cave oil mill. The small-group experience creates a warm and interactive atmosphere, perfect for sharing stories, food traditions, and local culture.
Two ways to enjoy the experience: Cooking Class option
Choose the “Cooking Class” option and enjoy a welcome glass of prosecco while learning the art of handmade pasta in an authentic cave setting. At the end of the experience, take home the fresh pasta prepared during the class together with a souvenir participation certificate, a memorable keepsake from your local food experience in Matera.
The authentic flavors of rural Matera: lunch option
For a complete cave dining in Matera experience, choose the lunch option and enjoy traditional local appetizers, the fresh pasta prepared during the workshop, regional wine, dessert, coffee, and a traditional digestif surrounded by the atmosphere of the ancient cave oil mill.
An authentic local food experience in Matera
More than a simple cooking class, this experience offers an authentic journey through the flavors, traditions, and rural culture of Matera, combining farm-to-table cuisine, handmade pasta, and the unforgettable atmosphere of the Sassi.
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To be clear, this is not a criticism of the instructor, who was warm, friendly and welcoming throughout. Our disappointment lies entirely with the experience itself and the way it is marketed.
The activity consisted of making four different pasta shapes by hand. While enjoyable, it provided far less than we expected and, in our opinion, did not justify being described as a “Cooking Class.” We did not prepare any traditional Lucanian recipes, work with farm-to-table ingredients, prepare sauces, or cook the meal that was later served.
This was particularly disappointing because the website describes the experience as a hands-on activity combining “traditional Lucanian recipes, farm-to-table ingredients,” celebrating “local flavours, seasonal products, and recipes passed down through generations.” None of these elements formed part of our hands-on experience.
The lunch that followed was also underwhelming. The portions served to us were noticeably smaller than those being served to other restaurant guests, and the overall meal did not reflect the premium price of €80 per person (€50 for the workshop plus €30 for lunch).
What disappointed us most, however, was the handling of our complaint afterwards. After several exchanges, Martulli Viaggi acknowledged that they would revise the wording of the experience to make it clearer for future guests, effectively recognising that the description could create expectations beyond what is actually delivered. Despite this, they refused to offer even a modest goodwill gesture or partial refund to the customers who experienced that very issue.
We travel extensively and rarely leave negative reviews, but we feel it is important that future guests understand exactly what they are booking. If you are looking simply for a pasta-shaping workshop followed by lunch, this may suit you. If, however, you are expecting a broader hands-on cooking class based on the website’s description, you may leave as disappointed as we did.
