Madrid Cooking Classes: Paella & Tapas
Madrid cooking classes teach the two things visitors most want to make: a proper paella and a table of tapas, usually with a market visit and sangria, in a kitchen in the centre. Compare the top-rated classes below, then read our notes.
Paella and tapas cooking classes in Madrid
Formats: paella and sangria workshops; tapas classes with wine pairing; market-tour-and-cook classes; seafood, chicken or vegan paella options.
What you learn: the sofrito, the rice and stock, the socarrat, a paella from scratch, plus tapas such as tortilla, croquetas and patatas bravas, and how to build a sangria.
Price and time: roughly 65 to 138 dollars for two and a half to four hours, the meal included.
Paella, done properly
Madrid is not the home of paella, that is Valencia, but its classes teach the technique well: the sofrito, the toasted rice, the right amount of stock, and the socarrat, the crisp layer on the bottom of the pan. You choose seafood, chicken or a vegetable version when you book, and most classes make it in a proper paella pan over a ring, not a pot. The market versions start at a mercado to buy the day’s ingredients.
Tapas and wine
The tapas classes are the alternative: tortilla de patatas, croquetas, patatas bravas and a couple of others, often with a wine pairing rather than the workshop’s sangria. Good for people who want the everyday food rather than the show dish.
Choosing
Paella and sangria for a fun group session; tapas with wine for a quieter, more instructive class; a market class if you want to learn where the ingredients come from. For the real Valencian version, see our Valencia paella classes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the paella in Madrid classes authentic?
The technique is; purists insist true paella valenciana is a Valencian dish, and Madrid classes teach seafood and mixed versions. For the original, take a class in Valencia.
Are classes in English?
The ones we list are, with several sessions a day.
Can children join?
Yes; paella workshops suit families, with an alcohol-free sangria option.
How we choose
We list only experiences with a strong rating over a meaningful number of reviews and free cancellation where available, and we favour small-group and family-run hosts. FindEatLocal earns a commission when you book through GetYourGuide or Viator links on this page; it doesn’t change the price you pay. More about how we choose.