One night in Rome, you cook and sip. Spritz & Spaghetti pairs three spritzes with Roman pasta so you’re learning by doing, not just watching.

I love the hands-on carbonara experience, with a cacio e pepe option for vegetarians. I also like the energy of cooking alongside a chef and mixologist, with drinks carried right into the lesson.

One possible drawback: this class can’t accommodate gluten-free, vegan, or lactose-intolerant diets, so check restrictions before you book.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Three spritz variations: Aperol, Hugo, and Limoncello, made during the class
• Roman pasta from scratch with a focus on classic flavors, including carbonara plus a vegetarian option
• A chef + mixologist format that turns cocktail-making into part of the meal
• A relaxed, funny vibe when hosts like Bart, Laura, and Marcella are in the driver’s seat
• Recipes to take home, so you can recreate the flavors later

Why this Spritz and Spaghetti class is such a good Rome plan

Rome can roast you alive, then the next thing you know you’re stuck in a line or a restaurant with no time to digest what you just ate. This class is built for the other side of the day. You’re moving between drinks and dough in a real kitchen setting, where the temperature is easier to handle and the pace stays active.

It also feels like more than a cooking demo. You’re not just learning what to do. You’re doing it, while learning why Roman cooking has such a clean, confident approach. And because it’s focused on a small set of signature dishes, you leave with a clear sense of what makes them Roman.

The spritz portion: Aperol, Hugo, and Limoncello (and why it matters)

This isn’t a “drink arrives, then you start cooking” situation. The spritz part is integrated into the experience, led with a professional chef and mixologist. Expect to learn how to build and balance your cocktails, not just pour.

You’ll make three variations:

• Aperol spritz
• Hugo spritz
• Limoncello spritz

What I like about this setup is that it gives you a quick, very Roman flavor education. Spritz culture is everywhere in Italy, but knowing the differences in style and balance helps you order with confidence later. You also get a more social rhythm to the evening because the class keeps moving through the cocktails with you at the center.

And yes, the experience is described as tipsy. The lesson includes Aperol, Hugo, and Limoncello spritzes, so it’s worth planning your evening accordingly. If you want a low-alcohol night, this may not be your best match.

Roman pasta from scratch: carbonara and the vegetarian cacio e pepe option

The pasta portion is the heart of the class. You’ll make handmade pasta and sauces with guidance, using classic Roman flavors. The main focus is carbonara, plus a vegetarian option called cacio e pepe.

Here’s why that matters in practice. Carbonara teaches technique. It teaches how to get the sauce to cling properly and how to handle heat so eggs and cheese don’t turn into a scrambled mess. Cacio e pepe teaches the simpler, smarter side of Roman cooking: short ingredients, strong results.

You’re also not stuck eating a dish you only half understand. You’ll prepare components, build the sauce, and learn what changes the result. When you later order carbonara in a trattoria, you’ll have real context for what good looks and tastes like.

One more practical note: the class includes dairy. So if you’re lactose intolerant, this is not something you can safely swap. The menu uses dairy products, and the class specifically notes lactose intolerance can’t be accommodated.

How the class usually flows in your 3 hours

The whole experience is listed as 3 hours. Within that window, you can think of the lesson as two linked tracks: cocktails first, then pasta, then you sit down to eat what you cooked.

You’ll likely spend time actively making the spritzes with the chef and mixologist. Then you shift into pasta-making mode: getting hands-on with the dough and sauces, staying guided but not treated like a student who only gets to observe. The class is designed to keep you involved so you don’t lose momentum.

Finally, you enjoy a lunch/dinner as part of the experience. You also get unlimited water and soft drinks, which is a nice balance when the spritz part is doing its job.

At the end, the activity returns you back to the meeting point. So you’re not booking extra transport or guessing where the night will end.

The people running it: Angela, Marcella and Sherry, Bart, and Laura

What makes this class feel memorable is the host energy. The format can be fun on paper, but the guidance is what makes it click in real time.

Angela is singled out for being a great host and chef, with drinks served throughout and a sense that the group is having a good time while learning. Marcella and Sherry are praised for pairing traditional Roman pasta-making with strong Roman drink vibes, and for making sure the experience stays enjoyable from start to finish.

Bart gets special mention for being funny and knowledgeable, and one strong tip from the experience is to try to request him if that’s an option. Laura also stands out for passion and humor, and there’s a real-life example that she worked to include someone who had broken her arm during the trip so the person wasn’t left out of the pasta-making moment.

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants more than instructions, these details matter. You’re not just tasting food. You’re learning from a team that knows how to keep the mood light and the lesson clear.

Location and meeting point: Via Cesare Balbo, 19

This class starts at Via Cesare Balbo, 19, 00184. The meeting instructions say to look for a sign that says Rome With Chef outside the class.

That’s useful because it removes one of the hardest parts of Rome evenings: finding the place while you’re hungry and dressed for nowhere in particular. When you’re only doing a 3-hour activity, losing 20 minutes to navigation is the difference between a great night and a rushed one.

If you want a smooth start, plan to arrive a bit early so you can get oriented and not feel pressured.

Price and value: is about $100.82 worth it?

At $100.82 per person, the price is not “cheap,” but it is fairly straightforward value for what’s included. You’re paying for more than recipes on a clipboard.

Your ticket includes:

• A workshop led by a professional chef and mixologist
• A local culinary expert
• Fresh, locally sourced ingredients
• Aperol spritz, Hugo spritz, and Limoncello spritz
• Handmade pasta and sauces (carbonara and cacio e pepe)
• Lunch/dinner
• Unlimited water and soft drinks
• Recipes to take home

When I judge value like this, I look at the full bundle: instruction + ingredients + meal + multiple drinks. In Rome, it’s easy to spend a similar amount on a dinner where you learn nothing and just leave full. Here, you leave full and capable. You also get a recipe pack, which is the part that keeps the class from fading after the trip.

Who should book this class (and who should skip it)

This is a strong fit if:

• You want a hands-on cooking + cocktail experience in a short window
• You enjoy Roman classics and want to understand carbonara better than just ordering it
• You’re comfortable with the tipsy vibe since spritzes are part of the lesson

It’s not the right fit if:

• You need gluten-free, vegan, or dairy-free meals
• You have coeliac disease, gluten intolerance, or lactose intolerance
• You want a dry, low-alcohol experience (spritzes are included and central)

If you have dietary restrictions, the class asks you to tell them in advance. That’s smart, because they’ll only be able to work within what their menu allows.

Practical tips so your evening goes smoothly

A few small moves can make this type of class more fun and less stressful.

• Wear clothes that tolerate a little kitchen mess. Pasta work gets hands-on quickly.
• Pace yourself with the spritzes. Even with unlimited water and soft drinks, go easy if you’re planning other nights after.
• Use the recipe handouts immediately. If you wait a month, the details blur. Reading the instructions the next day helps you remember how the sauce and pasta should behave.
• Ask questions while you’re working. The best payoff comes when you understand the technique, not just the end plate.

Also, because it’s listed in English, you can expect a clear walkthrough without needing Italian to keep up.

Should you book Spritz and Spaghetti in Rome?

I’d book it if you want a night that’s social, hands-on, and genuinely centered on two iconic Roman pleasures: spritz culture and Roman pasta technique. The class earns its price by bundling instruction, ingredients, three cocktails, and a meal into one 3-hour block.

Skip it if your diet needs gluten-free, vegan, or lactose-friendly options, because the class clearly states it can’t accommodate those needs. And if you’re hoping for a dry, quiet lesson, the tipsy spritz format may be more party than classroom.

If you fit the category, it’s the kind of Rome activity that gives you stories and skills, not just photos.

FAQ

What is the duration of Spritz and Spaghetti in Rome?

The class runs for 3 hours. Exact starting times are shown when you check availability.

Where do I meet for the class?

Meet at Via Cesare Balbo, 19, 00184. Look for a sign that says Rome With Chef outside the class.

What dishes and drinks are included?

You’ll make and enjoy three spritz variations: Aperol spritz, Hugo spritz, and Limoncello spritz. You’ll also make handmade pasta with carbonara and a vegetarian option (cacio e pepe).

Is there an English guide?

Yes. The class is listed with a live tour guide in English.

Do you provide food and drinks during the class?

Yes. Lunch/dinner is included, along with unlimited water and soft drinks.

Do you get recipes to take home?

Yes. Recipes are included, so you can recreate the dishes later.

Are gluten-free or vegan options available?

No. The class states it cannot accommodate coeliac disease, gluten intolerance, and/or a vegan diet.

What about lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance also can’t be accommodated, because the class uses dairy products.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. The carbonara portion has a vegetarian option using cacio e pepe.

What are the cancellation and payment options?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible.