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Barcelona is much more than architecture, beaches, and tapas bars. It’s a city with a love for food, where cooking is a way to connect with people and culture. One of the most enriching experiences you can enjoy here is joining a local cooking class. These classes go beyond recipes; they immerse you in tradition, flavours, and creativity. From seafood paella in the Gothic Quarter to Moroccan tajines and homemade pasta, here’s a selection of unforgettable cooking workshops that will bring out your inner chef.

La Boqueria Market and Paella Cooking Class

To truly understand Barcelona’s culinary identity, start at La Boqueria. This iconic market, with its stalls and lively atmosphere, sets the perfect tone for a day of learning and tasting. The experience begins with a guided tour through the market, where you pick out fresh seafood, vegetables, and spices alongside a local chef.

Once the ingredients are in hand, the group heads to a nearby kitchen space where you’ll roll up your sleeves and prepare a classic seafood paella. With the chef’s guidance, you’ll learn how to build flavour step by step, from the sofrito base to the careful layering of rice and shellfish. You’ll also prepare traditional tapas, and the session ends with a celebratory meal complete with homemade sangria. It’s the perfect balance of hands-on cooking, local immersion, and pure enjoyment.

Price: €142

Location: Pl. Reial, 2, Ciutat Vella 

The Pasta Workshop

While Spain is known for paella, tapas, and gazpacho, Barcelona’s culinary scene is also deeply international. The Italian Pasta Workshop offers a delicious detour into the world of handmade pasta, guided by Italian chefs who bring authenticity and passion to every step. This class is about learning the craft behind the pasta: kneading dough by hand, shaping it into ribbons or stuffed pockets, and pairing it with sauces made from scratch.

Held in a kitchen, the atmosphere is relaxed and social. There’s plenty of laughter and enjoyment. By the end of the workshop, you won’t just know how to make pasta, you’ll understand why it’s such a cherished ritual in Italian homes. And of course, the best part comes at the end, when you sit down to enjoy your dishes over a glass of wine.

Price: €80

Location: Carrer de Badajoz, 115, Sant Martí

The “Sweet Escape” Dessert Experience

For those who prefer baking, the Sweet Escape class is an irresistible option. Focused on desserts, this workshop brings Catalan favourites with Mediterranean and French-inspired treats. Think crème catalana with that perfect caramelised top, buttery croissants, or local specialities like panellets.

The class invites you to explore texture, flavour balance, and plating with guidance from pastry chefs who treat dessert like art. It’s not just about following a recipe; it’s about understanding the science behind it and adding your personal touch. This class offers a rewarding and hands-on escape into the world of sweets for bakers and dessert lovers.

Price: €51.94

Location: Gastronomic Arts Barcelona, Carrer de Lancaster, 10

Moroccan Tajine Workshop

Barcelona’s cooking classes are not limited to local cuisine. One of the most fascinating and aromatic workshops is the Moroccan Tajine class. Inspired by the rich culinary heritage of North Africa, this session introduces you to the spices, ingredients, and slow-cooking methods that define Moroccan food. You’ll learn to prepare a traditional tajine, typically a stew of meat or vegetables with preserved lemons, olives, and spices like cumin and cinnamon, using clay pots that intensify the flavour.

Led by chefs with roots in Moroccan culture, this workshop is more than just cooking. It’s a conversation about migration, heritage, and the way food carries memory across generations. The session ends with a communal meal. It’s a rare and beautiful cultural experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Price: €169.20

Location: El Raval

Cooking with Just Royal Barcelona

If you’re looking for a cooking class with a touch of elegance, Just Royal Barcelona offers an elevated culinary experience. Hosted in a stunning venue just steps from Plaça Reial, this class blends fine dining with interactive cooking in a regal setting. You’ll prepare a full Spanish menu under the guidance of a professional chef, and dishes may include gazpacho, tortilla de patatas, paella, and crema catalana.

What sets this class apart is the setting and the sense of occasion. You cook, dine, and connect in a space that feels like a private salon, surrounded by art and architecture. It’s perfect for those seeking something more intimate and refined, ideal for couples, small groups, or special celebrations.

Price: From €120

Location: Pl. Reial, 3, Ciutat Vella

Barcelona Cooking

For a well-rounded and consistently praised experience, Barcelona Cooking is a favourite among tourists and locals. Their classes combine tradition, technique, and fun, offering everything from classic Spanish menus to themed tapas nights and wine pairings. Many of their sessions include a visit to La Boqueria, giving context to the ingredients used in class.

The chefs are experienced, friendly, and bilingual, creating an atmosphere that’s informative and approachable. You’ll learn about olive oil, local fish, Iberian ham, and how to distinguish real saffron from substitutes. The meals are hearty and satisfying, and the conversations around the table make the experience feel like a dinner party among friends.

Price: From €80

Location: Barcelona Cooking. La Rambla, 58

Barcelona Culinary Hub

For those who want to go a step further and study gastronomy on a deeper level, the Barcelona Culinary Hub is the place to be. This institution is more than a cooking class; it’s a training ground for future chefs, sommeliers, and culinary entrepreneurs. While most of their programs are longer-term or degree-based, they also host occasional workshops, masterclasses, and events open to the public.

The focus here is on innovation, sustainability, and professional technique. You’ll find courses on plant-based cuisine, food styling, modern pastry, and even gastronomy business strategy. It’s ideal for those who are serious about food and want to understand the future of culinary arts in Spain and beyond.

Location: Avinguda de la Granvia de l’Hospitalet, 153

Barcelona’s food scene is thrilling on every level, but stepping into a kitchen and preparing the dishes yourself adds a whole new layer to the experience. Whether you’re learning to perfect a paella in a bustling market space or rolling fresh pasta in a sunlit studio, these classes offer a genuine connection to the flavours, people, and spirit of the city. Each workshop, from the lively tapas-filled afternoons to the slow-cooked Moroccan evenings, invites you to learn, share, and celebrate food in its most human form. If you’re visiting Barcelona, don’t just eat like a local, cook like one.