Barcelona: Paella Cooking Class & Bottomless Wine Dinner

Summary

Paella cooking in Barcelona with cava, laughter and new friends

You’ll walk into a buzzing Barcelona kitchen and learn to make real paella side-by-side with local chefs—glass of cava in hand—before sitting down for a five-course dinner with endless Catalan wine. Expect laughter, new friends at your table, and flavors you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed was the smell — saffron and garlic hanging in the air, even before we’d had our first sip of cava. The Paella Club in Barcelona isn’t some stuffy classroom; it’s more like walking into a friend’s kitchen where everyone’s already laughing. Our host handed me a glass (I always forget how dry cava is compared to prosecco) and started chatting about the rice, the pans, even the tomatoes for the pa amb tomaquet. I tried to say “pa amb tomaquet” properly — Li laughed at my accent, but hey, I tried.

We paired up at these big steel cooking stations. My partner was from Manchester and kept making jokes about burning things — turns out neither of us had ever made paella before. The chef walked us through every step, not just tossing instructions but actually showing us how to coax the flavors out of the sofrito. At one point I got distracted by the sound of rain outside (it was that kind of Barcelona evening), but our guide nudged me back to stirring. There were different kinds of paella bubbling all around: seafood, veggie, even one with rabbit I think? It felt like a real day trip into Spanish food culture without leaving the city center.

After we finished cooking, everyone sat down together at this long wooden table — strangers an hour ago now passing plates and pouring each other more wine (bottomless really means bottomless here). Tasting my own paella under those warm lights with people from all over — honestly, it tasted better than any restaurant version I’ve had. Maybe it was just pride or maybe the Catalan wine helped. Dessert came last: salted chocolate mousse with olive oil from Menorca. Weird combo, but somehow perfect after all that savory stuff.

I still think about that night sometimes — how easy it felt to belong in Barcelona for a few hours. If you’re looking for a paella class in Barcelona that doesn’t feel like a tourist trap (and includes all the wine you want), this is it. Just don’t let them catch you scraping the socarrat too early…

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Paella cooking and tasting experience

• Arrive at The Paella Club
• Receive a glass of cava
• Learn about The Paella Club concept
• Form groups of two at cooking stations
• Cook various types of paella
• Share paella creations at communal table
• Enjoy additional entrees and desserts
• Drink free-flowing Catalan wine

Top questions

Is there bottomless wine during this Barcelona paella class?

Yes, free-flowing Catalan wine is served throughout dinner after cooking.

Does this paella experience include vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes, vegetarian and vegan options are available if requested when booking.

How many people join each cooking class at The Paella Club?

The maximum group size is 16 people per session.

Is this Barcelona paella class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Paella Club is wheelchair accessible for all guests.

What dishes are included besides paella?

The menu features gazpacho, pa amb tomaquet, sorbet, and salted chocolate mousse along with your paella.

Do I need any cooking experience to join?

No prior experience is needed; chefs guide you through every step.

Is pickup included for this activity?

No hotel pickup is included; guests arrive directly at The Paella Club.

What’s included

Your evening includes a hands-on cooking class led by professional chefs in central Barcelona, a welcome glass of cava on arrival, guided preparation of several types of paella using your own station and utensils, plus a five-course dinner paired with unlimited Catalan wine—all dietary needs catered for if you let them know when booking.