From the market, to the secret kitchen

About this tour

Shop the markets of San Sebastian alongside a Basque chef, then cook and eat a traditional regional menu at a gastronomic society—a private kitchen where locals gather to cook and dine together. This 8-hour experience moves from vendor stalls to the kitchen table, grounded in everyday Basque food culture rather than tourist spectacle. You'll handle ingredients, cook dishes, taste local wines, and finish as locals do: with coffee and a cigar.

Highlights

• Hunt ingredients through San Sebastian's working markets with your host
• Prepare a classic Basque menu in an authentic gastronomic society kitchen
• Taste pintxos and regional wines throughout the day
• Learn how locals shop, cook and eat together
• Finish with coffee and a cigar in true Basque style

What to expect

You'll start with breakfast, then walk through markets and specialist shops with your Basque guide, tasting food as you go and selecting ingredients for the day's cooking. Once at the gastronomic society—a members' kitchen where neighbours gather to prepare meals together—you'll roll up your sleeves and cook. This isn't a formal class; it's genuine kitchen work alongside someone who knows the region's food inside out. You'll eat what you've made, paired with local wines, then linger over the traditional closing ritual of coffee, cup and cigar. The pace suits the experience; if you have dietary preferences or requests, flag them beforehand.

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