Spritz & Spaghetti Class Review in Rome

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Looking for an unique foodie experience to add to your Rome bucket list? In this Spritz & Spaghetti class review, I’ll walk you through why this night of cocktails and carbs turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in Rome to date.

I was lucky enough to be gifted two spots on Carpe Diem Tour’s Spritz & Spaghetti class last December—and it was the perfect mix of culture and nightlife in Rome.

Not only did we learn to make fresh pasta from scratch from a professional chef, but we also mixed three classic version of the Italian spritz: Aperol, Hugo, and Limoncello. Yum 👏🏼

Our teacher, Benjamin, was an expert at cooking, entertaining, and turning a simple cooking class into a full-on party—even with a small group of only three students.

If you love cooking, drinking, and jamming to an epic playlist while immersing yourself in Italian culinary traditions, this class should be very high on your Rome to-do list.

**I want to extend a huge thank you to Carpe Diem Tours for gifting me two complimentary spots to a Spritz & Spaghetti class for the purposes of this blog post review. While this post is sponsored by Carpe Diem, all opinions in this review are 100% honest and my own.

Madison, wearing a “Rome Chef” apron, holds an Aperol spritz and smiles behind a bar at the Carpe Diem Tours spritz & spaghetti class in Rome. The bar is stocked with bottles of Aperol, limoncello, Sprite, and prosecco.

SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I highly recommend this pasta making class for any and all solo travelers visiting Rome! Not only is it a safe, fun, and affordable way to learn about the local culture, but it’s also a great place to make friends.

What is the Carpe Diem Tours Spritz & Spaghetti Class?

The Spritz & Spaghetti class by Carpe Diem Tours is a fun, social cooking experience that brings together two of Italy’s greatest strengths: cocktails and carbs. Held in the Monti neighborhood, the class is led by a professional Italian chef and blends hands-on pasta making with a crash course in spritz culture.

You’ll learn how to mix three iconic Italian cocktails—Aperol, Hugo, and Limoncello Spritz—before diving into fresh pasta made from scratch. At the end, you’ll pick between two of Rome’s most classic sauces: carbonara or cacio e pepe.

It’s basically a cooking class meets cocktail party. We booked the late-night session for more of a nightlife vibe, but daytime classes are available too if you’d rather keep things chill.

👉🏼 Book your Spritz & Spaghetti Class in Rome with code MADISON20 for 20% off your booking!

Benjamin, the teacher at the Spritz & Spaghetti Class in Rome hosted by Carpe Diem Tours, stands behind a prep table smiling with an Aperol spritz in hand. He wears a “Rome Chef” apron in a cozy kitchen setup with pasta-making ingredients on the table and a neon “Rome Chef” sign glowing behind him.

Step-by-Step: What to Expect

If you’re curious what the night actually looks like from start to finish, here’s a full breakdown of everything included in the Carpe Diem Spritz & Spaghetti class—from your welcome spritz to that final bite of homemade pasta.

Arrival & Welcome

When we arrived, our teacher—Benjamin (aka our new bestie)—gave us a quick rundown of how the class would go and handed out our aprons.

Each of us had our own cooking station with all the essentials: a cutting board, rolling pin, fork, a bowl of flour, and one lonely little egg.

But before we jumped into pasta-making, we made a pit stop at the cocktail station to kick things off the Italian way—with a strong pour of something boozy.

👉🏼 Book your pasta making class with Carpe Diem before it sells out! Use code MADISON20 for 20% off.

Cooking stations set up for the start of the Spritz & Spaghetti Class in Rome, each with a cutting board, fork, egg, flour, and a Rome Chef apron. The cozy kitchen features arched brick ceilings, shelves stocked with ingredients, and a glowing neon “Rome with Chef” sign at the front.

Making Italian Cocktails

I won’t lie to you—the Aperol Spritz played a solid role in my decision to move to Italy. So you can imagine that I was more than thrilled to learn that we were kicking off the cooking class with a trio of spritzes.

I was in the mood to try something new, so I started off with a Hugo Spritz—a delicious mixture of three parts Prosecco, two parts elderflower syrup (I actually only did one because I don’t like my cocktails too sweet), and one part soda water.

I also tried my first Limoncello Spritz—which is the same ratio, but used limoncello instead of elderflower syrup (total Amalfi Coast energy). It was light and refreshing, but it was my least favorite of the three (only because I got wayyyy too drunk on limoncello for my 26th birthday in Bali).

Benjamin demonstrates how to make an Aperol Spritz at the cocktail-making station during the Spritz & Spaghetti Class in Rome. He pours Aperol into a jigger, with glasses of ice, prosecco, and garnishes like orange slices and rosemary ready on the bar.

Making Fresh Pasta

This was actually my first time ever taking a pasta making class in Rome—which is really embarrassing when you consider that I lived in Italy for two years in my early 20’s.

Thankfully, Benjamin was a fantastic teacher and made the process both simple and fun!

He told us there were only two rules in his class. 1. Don’t be afraid to dance. 2. You have to drink every time he said “pasta.”

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

To start, Benjamin walked us through the process of making the pasta dough. We created a small well in our bowl of flour and then poured in our egg.

After combining the two, he showed us how to correctly knead our dough into the perfect consistency for our fresh pasta.

Below, my friend Akum demonstrates the expert technique 😜

Close-up of a pasta-making station with a bowl of flour and a cracked egg ready for mixing, set beside a fork and rolling pin.

Madison's friend presses dough on a floured cutting board during the hands-on pasta-making portion of the cooking class.

Madison's friend rolls out a strip of pasta dough on a floured cutting board while wearing a Rome Chef apron.

Step 2: Slice into Noodles

After you’ve achieved the perfect consistency—and had it okayed by Benjamin—it’s time to slice your flattened dough into noodles.

Although the class is called Spritz & Spaghetti, you’re actually making fresh tagliatelle pasta. But don’t worry—that doesn’t make it any less delicious.

Be careful: they do tend to feed you alcohol all night and then hand you a massive kitchen knife.

👉🏼 Snag your spot at the Spritz & Spaghetti Cooking Class with code MADISON20 for 20% off!

Madison smiles while proudly holding up freshly cut pasta. She's wearing a Rome Chef apron and standing in a cozy brick-arched kitchen space.

Benjamin tosses a fresh pile of hand-cut pasta on a wooden board during the pasta-making portion of the Spritz & Spaghetti Class.

Step 3: Boil the Pasta & Prepare the Sauce

Now that the noodles are ready, Benjamin will send you back over to the cocktail station to refresh your drinks and—if you’re anything like us—have a mini photoshoot in your aprons.

He’ll take a minute to set up all of the ingredients to boil the pasta and put together the sauce before calling you back in to finish your de-licious pasta dishes.

At this point, you’ll have the choice between carbonara or cacio e pepe. If you’re unfamiliar, here’s the difference:

Carbonara: A Roman pasta dish made with fresh egg yolk, guanciale (pork cheek—basically like thick bacon), pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper.

Cacio e Pepe: A very simple Roman pasta dish made with pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper. This is the vegetarian-friendly option.

We ended up making three plates of carbonara (my favorite Roman pasta) and one cacio e pepe.

Madison's friend grinds fresh black pepper into a mixing bowl of cheese for the cacio e pepe sauce. She stands at her station in a Rome Chef apron, with an Aperol Spritz nearby and festive red bows decorating the wall behind her.

Benjamin pours freshly cooked pasta into a bowl of rich, creamy carbonara sauce during the final steps of the Spritz & Spaghetti Class.

Step 4: Enjoy!

Now for the best part—eating your pasta.

We plated everything up, added the final touch—grated pecorino Romano on top—and sat down to enjoy our delicious pasta family-style.

There was no rush—we had time to savor the dishes, sip our cocktails, and really get to know our teacher. He gave us plenty of recommendations for restaurants and things to do around Rome and, by the end, it really felt like we were just out to dinner with a friend.

Three bowls of freshly made carbonara topped with crispy guanciale and grated pecorino, served on a rustic wooden table.

Class Logistics

This Spritz & Spaghetti class review wouldn’t be complete without a few quick logistics. Here’s what to know before you go—from where to meet to how to save on your booking.

Where to Meet

Our class was held in the Monti neighborhood at Via Cesare Balbo, 19. It’s only a short, 9-minute walk from the Termini train station—which is the largest and most well-connected train station in Rome.

Carpe Diem actually has two locations for this class, but they are both located within a 5-minute walk of each other.

If you’re having trouble figuring out where to go, I highly recommend downloading Google Maps and using their easy-to-follow transit directions (or reaching out to Carpe Diem before the start of your tour).

Timing

The cooking class is offered at three times throughout the day: noon, 4:30 PM, or 8:30 PM. Each class lasts around three hours.

The 8:30 PM class is considered the “party” class of the day. If you’re looking to drink, dance, and have a fantastic time—I highly recommend booking the late night slot (like we did!) with code MADISON20 for 20% off.

If you’re looking for a chiller atmosphere with less of a drinking/party vibe, then I recommend booking the noon or 4:30 PM options.

How to Book (with my Discount!)

You can book this class directly through the Carpe Diem Tours website. The price of the class varies a bit by season, but typically costs around €85 per person.

The good news is you can save yourself 20% (€17) by using my discount code—MADISON20! At only €68, the class is a steal.

BOOK YOUR SPRITZ & SPAGHETTI CLASS

Pros and Cons of the Class

To help you decide if the Spritz & Spaghetti class is right for you, here is my personal list of pros and cons. Cross my heart—you know I always give you my honest opinion!

What I loved

The overall vibes of the class were super fun from the moment we walked in the door to the moment we left.
Our teacher was phenomenal—he taught us a lot about cooking while still keeping the atmosphere light, fun, and entertaining.
The drinks were unlimited—which we definitely took advantage of.
The pasta dishes we made were genuinely delicious and tasted even better knowing that we made them with our own hands.
The set up: the stations were spacious and stocked with everything we needed and the class was well organized.
The playlist—Benjamin really killed it with the throwback tunes.
The space was large enough to accommodate a lot of people without feeling like you were cooking on top of each other.
The instructions were simple, but effective. Perfect for both beginners and experienced chefs.

Madison and her two friends smile proudly while holding up their handmade pasta under a brick arch at the Spritz & Spaghetti Class in Rome. Their aprons are dusted with flour, and the table in front of them is covered with pasta dough, rolling pins, and cocktails.

What I Would Do Differently

This is typically where I would provide some honest, constructive feedback for potential customers but, honestly, I can’t think of a single thing I would change about this class.

Obviously the price tag isn’t going to be for everyone, although the 20% discount with my personal code definitely makes the cost more accessible. The only other thing I can think to mention is to keep in mind that the class cannot accommodate gluten-free, lactose intolerant, or vegan customers.

Other than that, I give the Spritz & Spaghetti class by Carpe Diem a 10/10—and my friends agree 100%!

Is this Pasta Making Class Right for You?

This is the perfect Rome activity for you if…

You love taking cooking classes while traveling and you’re want to eat some seriously delicious Italian food in Rome.
You love an activity with a party atmosphere where the drinks flow like, well, wine.
You want to make friends in a friendly and fun social setting.
You want to learn about Italian culinary traditions from a professional chef.

This may not be the right activity for you if…

You don’t drink alcohol.
You’re gluten-free, following a vegan diet, or are lactose intolerant.
You’re traveling with young kids.

My Honest Opinion: Is it Worth it?

My honest review of the Spritz & Spaghetti Class? Yes—it’s worth it.

I’ve taken cooking classes all around the world in beautiful and exciting places like Krakow, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ubud, and Roatan—so trust me when I say I know a good cooking class from a mediocre one.

Although I had friends with me this time, I would absolutely book this class as a solo female traveler visiting Rome. It meets the solo travel trifecta: safe, relatively affordable, and a great way to make friends.

If you’re looking for a perfect activity in Rome—whether it’s your first or fifth time visiting the Eternal City—look no further than Carpe Diem Tours’ Spritz & Spaghetti-making class.

👉🏼 Ready to make some fresh pasta? Book your class here with 20% off using code MADISON20 at checkout!

Madison and her friend stand behind the bar at the Spritz & Spaghetti Class in Rome, toasting with their finished cocktails—an Aperol Spritz in Madison’s hand and a Hugo Spritz in her friend’s. They're wearing matching Rome Chef aprons, with bottles of Aperol, prosecco, and garnishes lining the counter and shelves behind them.

Spritz & Spaghetti Class Review FAQ:

Do you need cooking experience to take this class?

Not at all! The class is beginner-friendly and suitable for all levels.

Is this class a good activity for solo female travelers in Rome?

Yes! It’s the perfect fun, social atmosphere to make new friends while you’re learning how to make delicious Italian food.

Can you still book this class if you have dietary restrictions?

You can still enjoy this class as a vegetarian—just choose the cacio e pepe over the carbonara. However, they cannot accommodate gluten-free, lactose intolerant, or customers following a vegan diet.

How far in advance should you book?

It depends on the season, but I definitely recommend booking at least a few days in advance to make sure you get the slot you want. In the high season (summer), I would recommend booking at least a week in advance.

Is this class suitable for families or young children?

Unfortunately, the class is not suitable for young children, but if you are traveling with kids and want to experience a Roman cooking class, you can book the Pasta and Tiramisu class which can accommodate children as young as five.

Why I’d Recommend This Cooking Class to Anyone Visiting Rome

I strongly believe that there’s no better way to learn about a new culture than through its culinary traditions. Food brings people together across continents and from all different walks of life—not to mention each recipe is full of its own fascinating history.

And, when it comes to history, there’s nowhere quite like Rome. In fact, the history and the food are two of the many many reasons I decided to move back to the Eternal City.

This Spritz & Spaghetti Cooking Class by Carpe Diem Tours combines three of Rome’s best qualities: food, people, and centuries-old traditions. …Not to mention you get to drink unlimited cocktails and indulge in some seriously delicious pasta at the end.

There’s really no downside.

I hope you enjoy your Spritz & Spaghetti making class as much as we did, and stay tuned for more fantastic foodie experiences with Carpe Diem coming to the blog soon!

Ciao for now ❤️