Gastronomic experience in the Mercado de La Ribera in Bilbao

A great experience to get to know and enjoy Basque cuisine in the emblematic Mercado de La Ribera in Bilbao.

Discover and try Basque cooking, guided by a chef

Biscay is well-known for its gastronomy, but we should not forget that the secret of good food not only lies in the recipes but also the quality of the ingredients. In this case, the key to Basque cuisine is the local produce from Basque caseríos (mountain farms).

Get to know the Mercado de la Ribera with a chef from the Higher Catering School of  Bilbao, take a stroll past the stalls offering the best local produce, learn the recipes to create a Basque menu and, finally, taste the dishes prepared…don’t miss this culinary experience in the Mercado de La Ribera in Bilbao.

Get some friends together and get ready to lean the secrets of Basque gastronomy.

What does the gastronomic experience in the Mercado de la Ribera involve?

This comprehensive culinary experience consists of visiting the emblematic food market of Bilbao, the Mercado de la Ribera, and checking out its stalls in the company of a chef while he/she explains the characteristics of the local produce. Later, in the Aula Gastronómica (culinary classroom), the participants attend a show-cooking session in which they learn the chef’s recipes and secrets. To round off the experience, naturally, a tasting session including a lunch with the previously prepared menu.

Types of gastronomic experience: traditional menu or pintxos

The Cooking School of the Mercado de la Ribera, run by the Higher Catering School of Bilbao, organises both practical cooking workshops for foodies and other gastronomic experiences: traditional Basque menu with cod omelette and txuletón (T-bone steak) or a tasting menu with pintxos (tapas) to enjoy Basque cuisine in miniature. All at an affordable price with the aim of promoting gastronomy and allowing the general public to enjoy cooking and quality produce.

Traditional Basque menu:

Garlic shoots and prawn omelette

Bacalao al pil-pil (cod with chilis, peppers and garlic)

Chuletón (T-bone steak)

Goxua (cream cake)

Bread, water and wine

Pintxos menu:

Leek salad on flaky pastry

Mushroom timbal

Salmon tartare

Strip of cod on piperade

Duck magret and shallot skewer

Bread, water and wine

How to participate in the gastronomic experience in the market in Bilbao

When? Saturdays at 12:00 (approximate duration: 2 hours 30 minutes). Sessions can be organised on other days and at different times. Consult the Catering School.
Where? The Aula Gastronómica in the Mercado de la Ribera (2^nd floor, stall 251)
How can I enrol?  On the internet. 

Furthermore, from Monday to Friday in the afternoon you can attend the Catering School of the Market for cooking courses and workshops. Consult the website of the Higher Catering School of Bilbao.

Are customised gastronomic experiences organised for private parties? 

Yes. If you would like to make a reservation send an email to  ribera@escuelahosteleria.com

After enjoying this culinary experience on Saturday (morning and midday), make sure you take a stroll around the nearby -and lively- Old Part of Bilbao in the evening.