Experience an Authentic Calçotada!

Enjoy a Calcotada, a Catalan Food Experience like no other!

We take you to a rural Masia restaurant, deep in the heart of the Catalonian countryside, to experience a traditional Catalan calçotada.

What are Calçots?

A sweet and tender member of the onion family, somewhere between a spring onion and a leek, Calçots are grown exclusively in Catalonia and calçot season is one of the main events on the region’s culinary calendar, with people counting the days until their arrival.

Calcots are traditionally roasted outdoors over large open grills or fires of vine canes, the prunings of neighbouring wineries, which give them their sweet smokey taste and distinctive charred appearance.

A Catalan calçotada is not for those who don’t like getting hands-on with their food or seeing everyone else doing the same!

However messy though, a calçotada is one of the most fun and delicious meals you can expect to try. And don’t worry because restaurants in Catalonia are fully prepared for the potential perils of the calçotada, arming their guests with napkins, gloves and, yes, even bibs to ensure they are fully protected!

Calçots are delicious on their own fried in tempura or in a quiche, but the real story behind a successful calçotada is the romesco sauce you dip them in. A blend of almonds, roasted garlic, olive oil, and tomato, a good romesco sauce is the perfect partner for a roasted calçot, and nearly every family in Catalonia has its own jealously guarded recipe.

Tour highlights

• We take you to enjoy a traditional Catalan calçotada at a rural masia restaurant.
• You have freshly roasted calçots to start with, a choice of traditional main courses, dessert, coffee, wine and drinks. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
• Private tour with one of our English speaking drivers.
• The calçotada can be combined with a visit to Montserrat monastery or with a wine tour of the Pendes or Bages regions.

To make the most of the day, we can combine the calçotada with a wine or cave tour of the Penedes or Bages regions, or a tour of Montserrat monastery.

*Calçots are seasonal and sadly this tour is only available from November to March!

How to eat calçots?

The art of eating a calçot is to pinch the base where the roots are and gently slide the clean cooked onion out of its charred skin.
The next step is to dip the white base of the calçot into the romesco sauce and then lift the calçot high enough to lower it into your open mouth, without dripping sauce everywhere!
It takes a couple of goes, but once this technique is mastered, the whole operation becomes a lot less messy!