Faro Cataplana Cooking Class: Learn the Iconic Algarve Pan

Cook cataplana, the pan that defines Algarve food, and eat it the same day

A three-hour cooking class at Tertúlia Algarvia in Faro where you learn to prepare cataplana, the traditional shallow pan that is central to Algarve cooking. You'll make a fish and shellfish dish from scratch under instruction, then sit down to eat it as part of a full meal with starters, drinks and dessert. The class runs at 11:30 am or 6:30 pm, and an apron is provided.

The experience

The cataplana is not just a pan. It's a cooking method that defines what people eat in the Algarve. Its shallow shape and tight-fitting lid trap steam and flavor while using very little fat, which is why the same tool appears on tables across the region. In this class, you'll learn how that design works by using one yourself. You start at Tertúlia Algarvia's restaurant and culinary school, where the instructor walks you through preparing a fish and shellfish cataplana. The hands-on work is the core of the three hours. You're not watching a demonstration, you're doing the cooking.

Once your dish is ready, you move to the table. The meal includes starters and a full menu built around the cataplana you just made, plus drinks and dessert. The class runs at 11:30 am or 6:30 pm, so you can choose the slot that fits your day. An apron is provided, and the space is wheelchair accessible. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on the group.

What’s included

• Lunch with starters, the cataplana you prepared, drinks and dessert.
• apron for the class.
• instruction from a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to FridayDeparts at 11:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tertúlia Algarvia - Centro de conhecimento em cultura e alimentação tradicional do Algarve

Is this one for you?The class meets at Tertúlia Algarvia's restaurant in Faro, so you don't need a car to get there: public transportation reaches the location. If you're staying in the city without rental transport, the fixed start times at 11:30 am or 6:30 pm let you plan the rest of your day around whichever slot suits you.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What exactly is a cataplana and why is it so important to Algarve cooking?

A cataplana is a shallow, hinged metal pan with a tight-fitting lid that traps steam and moisture while cooking. The design allows dishes to be made with very little added fat, which is why it's the signature tool of Algarve gastronomy and appears in kitchens and restaurants throughout the region.

Do I cook the whole meal or just the cataplana dish?

You prepare the cataplana with fish and shellfish during the class. The starters and dessert are provided as part of the meal that follows. Your focus is on learning and making the main dish.

What time should I arrive, and how long does the whole experience take?

The class runs for three hours total, starting at either 11:30 am or 6:30 pm at Tertúlia Algarvia. You choose which time works for your schedule when you book.

Is this class suitable if I've never cooked before?

Yes. The instructor guides you through each step, and the class is designed to teach you how the cataplana works and how to use it. No prior cooking experience is required.

What's included in the meal after the cooking class?

The meal includes starters, the cataplana dish you made, drinks and dessert. An apron is also provided for the cooking portion.