BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo

Good food makes Buenos Aires easier to understand. This 2.5-hour class pairs hands-on Argentine empanada making with a guided tasting of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. I like the small maximum of 12 people, which gives the cooking lesson a personal feel, and I like that the wine comes after the empanadas rather than being an unrelated add-on.

I also appreciate the practical value: you make the food yourself, eat it, and receive a recipe you can use at home. The main consideration is that the class takes place at one meeting point in Palermo, so you must arrange your own transport. At $47 per person, it is a good fit for food lovers, couples, families, and solo visitors who want a social activity without giving up half a day.

Key points to know before booking

• Empanadas are the main event: You prepare authentic Argentine empanadas with a professional cooking guide, then enjoy what you made.
• Three Argentine wines follow: The tasting includes Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
• The group is capped at 12: This is small enough for questions and individual help at the cooking table.
• Several guides have earned warm praise: Tomas, Lorde, Carolina, and Daniela have each been singled out for friendly teaching and hosting.
• The class suits solo visitors especially well: Previous solo participants joined small groups and found it easy to take part.
• The activity begins and ends in Palermo: Meet at Gorriti 4882, and plan your own route there and back.

Why empanadas are a smart introduction to Buenos Aires

You will find empanadas all over Buenos Aires, from simple snack counters to sit-down restaurants. They are familiar, portable, and strongly tied to Argentine food culture, which makes learning to prepare them a useful way to connect a meal with the country itself.

This class does not ask you to watch a chef work from the sidelines. You make your own empanadas with an apron, ingredients, and guidance from a professional. That matters because folding, filling, and cooking the pastries gives you skills you can repeat in your own kitchen.

The lesson is also approachable. One solo participant described the recipe as simple and said the instructor was patient and encouraging. Another participant with two children found the instructions easy to follow, and the children enjoyed taking part. You should not expect a formal culinary school course. Instead, think of it as a practical food lesson built for visitors who want to cook, eat, and talk.

Arriving at Gorriti 4882 in Palermo

The meeting point is Gorriti 4882, C1414BJN, in Buenos Aires. The address is near public transportation, but transportation is not included, so you need to make your own way there. The activity returns to this same location at the end.

I would allow enough time to find the address without rushing. Cooking classes work best when you arrive ready to listen and participate, rather than walking in while the first instructions are already underway. Your booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking, so keep those details available.

Because the class is in Palermo, it can fit neatly into a day spent around the neighborhood. Still, the tour itself does not include a neighborhood tour or transport between sights. You are booking a food activity, not a general sightseeing excursion.

The first stage: making Argentine empanadas

The class begins with a professional guide leading you through the empanada-making process. The supplied ingredients and apron are included, so you do not need to bring cooking equipment or shop for supplies.

Expect the focus to be on the basic method rather than a long series of complicated dishes. You will learn how to work with the dough and filling, shape the empanadas, and prepare them to eat. The strongest practical benefit is that you can follow the process closely and ask questions as you go.

The instructors named in past sessions have each brought a slightly different personality. Tomas has been praised for his patience, teaching, and explanations of Argentine food and wine. Lorde was described as a strong instructor during a last-minute solo booking. Carolina received praise for being kind and helpful while covering empanadas, wine, and cheese. Daniela was singled out as an especially enjoyable host.

Those names should not be treated as a guarantee of who will lead your class. They do show the kind of hosting style you can hope for: conversational, attentive, and more personal than a large demonstration.

The class also appears to leave room for conversation. That can be a real advantage in Buenos Aires, where food often opens the door to questions about regional cooking and everyday culture. You may learn not only how to fold the pastry, but also why empanadas are such a common part of Argentine meals.

Eating what you make

The payoff comes when the empanadas are ready to eat. You are not simply handed a snack prepared in advance. You get to taste the results of your own work, which makes small imperfections part of the fun rather than a problem.

That is especially helpful if you want to make empanadas at home later. One participant was excited to leave with a recipe, while another praised the straightforward cooking instructions. I would bring a willingness to work with your hands and accept that the first fold may not look perfect. The food is meant to be enjoyed, not judged like a restaurant competition.

Additional snacks may also be served, based on the experience described by past participants. Cheese and food pairings have been part of some sessions, but the confirmed core of the activity is the empanada lesson followed by wine tasting. Treat any extra snacks as a pleasant possibility, not a promised course.

The wine tasting: three Argentine styles

After the cooking portion, the group tastes three wines: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. This gives you a simple comparison of well-known red wine varieties rather than one glass served without explanation.

Malbec is the obvious Argentine reference point for many visitors, but tasting it beside Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc makes the session more useful. You can compare the wines directly and notice how each one works with the food. The class is not just about drinking. It is also about understanding the relationship between Argentine dishes and Argentine wine.

Several past participants praised the wine portion as educational and enjoyable. Tomas was described as a passionate wine host, and another participant appreciated his explanations of regional food and wine. A French-speaking participant also enjoyed pairing three wines with the empanadas.

The wine selection means this activity may appeal to someone in your group who is more interested in wine than cooking. At the same time, you should know that the listed tasting centers on three wines. It is not presented as a full winery visit or a broad survey of every Argentine wine region.

What the small group changes

The maximum group size is 12 people. That number is large enough to create conversation but small enough that the guide can keep an eye on the cooking work.

For a hands-on class, this matters. You may need help with dough, filling, or folding, and a smaller group gives you a better chance to ask. It also makes the wine discussion more relaxed than a large tour where everyone simply listens from the back.

The format works particularly well for solo visitors. A solo participant described joining one other couple and having a good time, which suggests that you do not need to arrive with a built-in group. Couples and families can also share the activity without being separated into different parts of the class.

Families should note that the food and wine program is not described as a children’s class. Still, children have enjoyed following the cooking directions in past sessions. If you are bringing children, the hands-on work is likely to hold their attention better than a long seated tasting, but adults remain responsible for deciding how the wine portion fits their group.

The value of $47 for 2.5 hours

At $47 per person, this is not the cheapest way to eat empanadas in Buenos Aires. You could buy the finished food for less. The price makes more sense when you count the guide, apron, ingredients, cooking instruction, prepared food, and wine tasting.

You are paying for a complete activity rather than a single meal. The class fills roughly an afternoon or evening, gives you a recipe to take home, and offers a social setting in which you can learn about local food and wine. I consider that fair value for visitors who want participation, not just a plate placed in front of them.

The value is strongest if you enjoy both parts of the program. If you do not drink wine, or if you would rather spend your time at a restaurant, the price may feel less appealing. The class is also less useful for someone who already makes empanadas confidently and has little interest in Argentine wine.

With a 4.9 rating from 36 reviews and a 100 percent recommendation rate, the experience has received unusually consistent praise. That does not remove the need to match the activity to your interests, but it supports the idea that the class delivers what it promises.

Who should book this Palermo cooking class

I would recommend it for several types of visitors:

• Solo visitors: The small group gives you an easy way to meet people without needing to arrange your own party.
• Couples: You can cook together, compare your empanada folds, and share the wine tasting.
• Families with older children: The hands-on recipe is easy to follow, and past participants found that children enjoyed the activity.
• Food-focused visitors: You get both a local dish and useful context about Argentine food.
• Wine drinkers: The three-wine tasting offers a clear introduction to important Argentine varieties.
• First-time visitors to Buenos Aires: The class gives you a relaxed entry into local culinary culture.

I would think twice if you want a full restaurant meal, a long neighborhood walk, or a professional-level cooking course. None of those is the focus here.

Practical details that affect your choice

The class lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. It begins and ends at Gorriti 4882, with no transportation included. Public transportation is nearby, but you should still plan your route before the start time.

The booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows local Buenos Aires time.

Tips are not included. Bring whatever gratuity you feel is appropriate if the guide gives you a good lesson and a welcoming afternoon.

The activity is provided by Tours Buenos Aires. Since the guide may vary, you should book for the format and subject rather than for a specific instructor. The repeated praise for Tomas, Lorde, Carolina, and Daniela is encouraging, but no particular guide is promised in the available details.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want to do more than order an empanada and move on. For $47, you get a small-group lesson, your own cooking activity, food to eat, a recipe for home, and three Argentine wines to compare.

I would make it a strong pick for solo visitors, couples, and families who enjoy friendly instruction and conversation. The only real limits are the fixed Palermo meeting point, the need to arrange transport, and the fact that wine is an important part of the program. If those fit your plans, this is a practical and enjoyable way to spend 2.5 hours in Buenos Aires.

FAQ

How long does the empanada and wine experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the activity begin?

It begins at Gorriti 4882, C1414BJN, in Buenos Aires.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point on Gorriti 4882.

How many people can join the class?

The maximum group size is 12 participants.

Which wines are included?

The tasting includes Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.

Are ingredients and an apron provided?

Yes. The experience includes an apron and empanada ingredients.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included, although the meeting point is near public transportation.