Ah, Barcelona! A city known for its vibrant art, stunning architecture, and… mouth-watering cuisine? Absolutely! For travellers looking to immerse themselves in the local culture, there’s no better way than diving spatula-first into a cooking class. Not only do you get to whip up some delicious dishes, but you also get a taste (pun intended) of the local lifestyle and traditions. It’s a fun, hands-on way to explore the city’s rich culinary heritage and bond with your mates.
Why cooking classes in Barcelona are a must-do
Picture yourself immersing into the heart of Spanish cuisine. That’s what cooking classes in Barcelona offer. They’re not only about learning to cook a few dishes; they’re an immersive, hands-on experience that can make your trip to Barcelona truly unforgettable.
Step into these cooking schools and you’ll be greeted by professional chefs who won’t just show you how to whip up delectable Spanish treats, but also provide insights into the rich history and culture behind each dish. From classic paella to mouth-watering tapas, there’s so much more than meets the eye. It’s an opportunity for culinary enthusiasts to delve deeper into the gastronomic world while having fun. Barcelona is renowned globally for its vibrant food scene and taking part in local cooking classes can give you an intimate glimpse of it. You get insider tips on selecting quality ingredients from bustling markets such as Mercat de la Boqueria – one of Europe’s largest and most famous food markets!
Lastly, let’s not forget that these classes are also perfect for socialising! Meet fellow food-lovers from around the globe while enjoying a shared passion. Your class could be a mix of individuals, families or couples all looking forward to creating memorable meals together.
So there you have it – whether it’s mastering new recipes, delving deep into Spain’s culinary heritage or simply making new friends over good food – signing up for a group cooking class in Barcelona is absolutely worth every penny!
Five of the best cooking classes in Barcelona
When it comes to group cooking classes in Barcelona, you’re spoilt for choice. Let’s take a closer look at five of the best options that’ll not only enhance your culinary skills but also provide an unforgettable experience.
Hands-on paella class at The Paella Club
While Valencia lays claim to being the spiritual home of paella, The Paella Club brings traditional paella making to the heart of Barcelona. Located in the barrio El Raval, part of the historic centre, they spread the slow food message.
After a welcome glass of cava and an intro to the session, your chef will lead you to the kitchen and the fun can begin. You’ll be guided through the art of making the perfect paella, along with making a couple of dishes that you’ll nibble on while your paella is simmering to perfection. They offer vegetarian and plant-based menu options. And the best part? You get to devour your creation at the end.
📍 Address: Calle del Doctor Dou 5, Barcelona, 08001
⏲️ Cooking: Daily at 17:00 Duration: 2.5 hours Minimum: 1 person Language: English, Spanish
☀️ Book your spot now for The Paella Club’s hand’s on paella experience
Catalan tapas & wine class with Boqueria Market tour by Barcelona Cooking
This 4-hour class is more than just cooking; it’s an experience. After meeting at the school HQ on Las Ramblas, you’ll head up the road for a tour of the famous La Boqueria Market. You’ll start by learning about the market & its produce and meet some of the vendors too. Then, under the guidance of your chef, you’ll pick fresh ingredients before heading to the kitchen.
Under the watchful eye of you bi-lingual local chef, you’ll craft a range of Catalan & Spanish tapas dishes. The classes are taught in such a way that whether you’re an accomplished chef or kitchen klutz, you’ll be able get involved with the prep & cooking. Once the food is prepared (and all the sharp objects are out of harms way), you’ll gather around the table and enjoy the fruits of your labour as you sample several of the best Catalan wines. It’s a great way to discover the region’s food and wine.
Jetset Bart & myself love eating tapas when we’re in Spain. After the fun we had making paella in Valencia, on one of our many visits to Barcelona, we decided to have a go at doing this tapas making class ourselves. It’s something different and it turned out to be a really fun way to spend an evening! It’s definitely worth doing if you love good tapas.
📍 Address: La Rambla 58, Floor 2, Barcelona, 08002
⏲️ Cooking: Wednesday at 10:00 Duration: 4 hours Minimum: 2 people Language: English, Spanish
☀️ Book your spot now for Barcelona Cooking’s Catalan tapas & wine class with Boqueria Market tour
Market visit, tapas, sangria & paella cooking class by Gastronomic Arts Barcelona
Gastronomic Arts Barcelona (GAB) makes the bold claim that they offer the best paella making class in the city. Whether that’s true or not, the class has a five-out-of-five rating on Tripadvisor and five stars on Get your Guide and Viator.
The workshop offers three hours of pure culinary delight. To start off, you’ll make a trip tp La Boqueria, which is a feast for the senses. The chef will guide you around the stalls as you pick up the ingredients for class.
Back at the GAB LAB (their purpose-built teaching kitchen), you’ll make up an authentic Paella Marisco with the fresh seafood from your market visit. (Chicken and vegetarian options are also available). You’ll also learn to make some tapas to enjoy while the paella cooks, and some sangria to wash the food down with. It’s a gastronomic journey that culminates in an enjoyable meal.
📍 Address: Carrer de Lancaster 10, Floor 1a, Barcelona, 08001
⏲️ Cooking: Daily at 11:00, 14:30 & 18:00 Duration: 3 hours Minimum: 1 person Language: English, Spanish
☀️ Book your spot now for Gastronomic Arts’ market visit, tapas, sangria & paella cooking class
La Boqueria market and cooking class by Just Royal Barcelona
Starting with a tour of La Boqueria, this workshop features a whopping 10 tapas creations and lasts for a good four hours. They offer three timeslots in the day, ranging from a 10:00am start for a lunch session to 7:30pm start for a Spanish-timed dinner. (There’s also a 3:00pm start for those who like to dine earlier).
After meeting at the Just Royal Barcelona office on Las Ramblas, you’ll be guided to the market. As a popular tourist destination, La Boqueria is generally pretty crowed, so it’s great having someone to help you navigate it.
Your host will lead you through the various sections of the market and explaining about the products on sale. (If you’re lucky your guide will score some Jamón Ibérico and you’ll be able to compare it other types of Jamón).
Back at the workshop, the chefs will lead you through the preparation of the tapas dishes, which range from the classic Tortilla Español to the citrus and spiced creaminess of Crema Catalana. After working up an appetite in the kitchen, you’ll join your compañeros at the table to enjoy the meal you have prepared, accompanied by some history of Spanish food and plenty of wine, beer or soft drinks.
📍 Address: Plaça Reial 3, Barcelona, 08002
⏲️ Cooking: Monday to Saturday 10:00, 15:00 & 19:30 Duration: 4 hours Minimum: 1 person Language: English, Spanish
☀️ Book your spot now for Just Royal Barcelona’s La Boqueria market visit & cooking class
Cooking with Grandma
To really discover what the locals eat, you need to see what they have when they are at home. And who better to teach you about that than a genuine Catalan àvia (grandmother). Bringing a lifetime of home cooking experience with them, grandma will guide through the preparation of the meal, imparting culinary wisdom along the way.
The evening starts with a welcome drink, and then you’ll head into the kitchen. There, your host will translate as grandma guides you through making the meal.
Once all the prep is done, you and your classmates will gather around the table, where grandma with serve up the food, along with some local wines.
It’s like having a family meal and there’s plenty of time to chat to grandma and the rest of the group. This is an experience that gives you a very personal experience of Barcelona life and Catalan food.
📍 Address: Calle de Lluís el Piadós 5, Barcelona, 08003
⏲️ Cooking: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday at 19:30 Duration: 2 hours Minimum: 1 person Language: English, Spanish
☀️ Book your spot now for Grandma’s Cooking Barcelona cooking experience
There you go!
Barcelona’s culinary scene is a treasure trove of flavours, traditions, and experiences. For young travellers, joining a group cooking class is not just about learning to cook; it’s about connecting with the city’s soul. It’s about laughter, bonding, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
So, the next time you find yourself in Barcelona with your mates, don a chef’s hat and embark on a culinary adventure. You won’t regret it!
My first visit to Barcelona was when I was on holiday in Sitges in 1999. We hopped on a train and headed into the city and I fell in love with it the minute we arrived. Since then, Barcelona has been one of my favourite cities in the world. I have lost count of the number of times I have visited, and yet I still find something new every time I go back. I could go on all day about why I love the city and I still wouldn’t be able to do it justice. It’s one of those places I can’t get enough of and I always look forward to visiting again.