Madrid Tapas & Paella Cooking Class: Market to Table

You make the meal, then eat what you cooked.

A hands-on cooking class in Madrid where you shop at a historic market, then prepare traditional paella, tapas, croquetas and dessert in a private kitchen space with a small group of up to 12 people. The class runs 3.5 hours in English, includes a market tour with a local guide, an aperitif, lunch with wine or beer, and takes place in the Huertas neighborhood near a working restaurant kitchen.

The experience

The morning starts at Antón Martín, one of Madrid's oldest markets, where neighborhood residents have shopped for over a century. Your guide walks you through the stalls to show you the high-quality Spanish products that form the foundation of local cooking: fresh produce, cured meats, cheeses, seafood. You pick up ingredients you'll use later, and chat with vendors who've been selling there for decades. This is not a quick walk-through. It's the part that teaches you what Spanish food actually is before you start cooking it.

From the market, you head to a private kitchen space tucked behind one of Madrid's restaurants in the Huertas neighborhood. The group stays small (12 people or fewer), so there's room to move and the guide can watch what you're doing. You start with a typical Spanish aperitif: sweet vermouth and snacks from the market you just visited. Then you work together to make tapas, homemade croquetas, patatas bravas with two sauces, and a seasonal dessert. The guide shows you techniques as you go, and by the time you sit down to eat, you've handled the knife work, understood the timing, and learned why these dishes matter in everyday Spanish life.

Lunch is what you made: tapas, paella, dessert, plus your choice of beer or wine. You eat together at a table, and by then the group feels less like strangers. When you leave, you have recipes that actually work because you made them, not just watched someone else do it. The class runs 3.5 hours total. Vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free and non-alcoholic options are available. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, email the team after booking so they can arrange your ingredients.

What’s included

• Market tour with a local guide at Antón Martín.
• Spanish aperitif with vermouth and market snacks.
• private kitchen space in the Huertas neighborhood.
• all ingredients for paella, tapas, croquetas, patatas bravas and dessert.
• instruction and techniques from your guide.
• lunch with your homemade dishes.
• seasonal fruit for dessert.
• beer or wine with the meal.

Options for this experience

2 options

Market visit included in this Madrid cooking class covering paella and tapasGuide in English · 10:30

Private Cooking ClassGuide in English · Available from 2 Jan 2027After buying fresh ingredients at a local Madrid market, you'll learn to make authentic paella and tapas alongside a private chef.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 10:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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 yesterday

Good to know

Public transport nearby

Operated by Devour Madrid Food Tours

Is this one for you?Book the shared class if you want to cook alongside other travelers and meet people over a meal. Choose the private option if your group wants the kitchen and guide to yourselves for the full 3.5 hours.

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Top questions

What exactly do I cook in this class?

You prepare traditional Spanish tapas, homemade croquetas, patatas bravas with two homemade sauces, and paella. Dessert is seasonal fruit from the market. The guide teaches techniques as you work, and everything you make becomes your lunch.

Do I need cooking experience to join?

No prior experience is required. The guide walks through each step and the group works together. The class is designed for people who want to learn Spanish cooking hands-on, not for professional cooks.

What's included in the price?

The market tour with a local guide, the private kitchen space, a Spanish aperitif, all ingredients for the dishes you cook, lunch, dessert, and your choice of beer or wine are included. Transport to the market or kitchen is not included, though public transportation is available nearby.

How many people will be in the class?

The group stays at 12 people or fewer, so there's enough space and attention from the guide. You'll cook alongside the same small group the whole time.

Is this class suitable for children?

The class is not suitable for children under 12 due to sharp knives, hot stoves and high work surfaces. The minimum age is 15.

What happens if I have dietary restrictions?

Vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free and non-alcoholic options are available. After you book, email the Guest Experience team with your dietary needs so they can arrange your ingredients before class starts. Vegan, celiac and lactose-intolerant diets cannot be accommodated.