From October 18 to 20, Barcelona will once again vibrate with the third edition of Mercat de Mercats, one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of the year. For the second consecutive year, Plaça de Catalunya will be the setting for this great celebration, where the city’s municipal markets will become the protagonists, offering the best of their fresh and local products. This year’s edition promises to be even more special, with a wide range of activities, showcookings with Michelin chefs and a strong commitment to sustainable and local gastronomy.
Organized by the Barcelona City Council through the Institut Municipal de Mercats de Barcelona (IMMB) and in collaboration with the Federació de Mercats Municipals de Barcelona (FEMM), this fair is not only a showcase for the best food from the markets, but also a platform to promote healthy eating habits and encourage local commerce.
Mercat de Mercats: a fair with a neighborhood soul
One of the highlights of the Fira Mercat de Mercats is its ability to value the markets as economic and social engines. According to Raquel Gil, councilor of Comerç, Restauració i Mercats, this fair not only highlights the quality of the products, but also the importance of the markets as meeting and revitalizing spaces in the neighborhoods. ” Plaça Catalunya will be the epicenter of local gastronomy, a reflection of the life that municipal markets bring to the city,” said the councilor. This year, Mercat de Mercats is part of the Regata Cultural, a series of events organized by the City Council to accompany the arrival of the America’s Cup in the city. The fair’s activities will include live broadcasting of the regattas on a giant screen, which will make the experience even more complete for attendees.
A complete gastronomic experience
The fair will feature the participation of 19 stands from nine municipal markets, where visitors can buy fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, charcuterie and much more. Participating markets include Mercat de la Boqueria, Mercat de Sant Gervasi and Mercat de Santa Caterina, among others.
In addition, attendees will be able to enjoy an area of brases, where they can cook fresh products purchased at the fair and taste them at the time. If you are passionate about market food, this is the perfect place to discover the quality and variety that Barcelona’s markets have to offer.
Restaurants and tapas at popular prices
In the food court, visitors will be able to savor tapas for 3 and 5 euros prepared by some of the best restaurants in Barcelona, many of them located in the markets themselves. La Barca (Sant Antoni), Kiosk Universal (Boqueria) and El Grapat (Fort Pienc) are just some of the names that will delight attendees with their local cuisine. In addition, special menus will be offered such as the ‘Menu de les Estacions’ for 10 euros and the ‘Menú Familiar’ for 20 euros, ideal to enjoy in a group.
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Local products: a commitment to local products
The commitment to local products is one of the pillars of Mercat de Mercats. In the space Productes del territori, visitors can discover a wide variety of Catalan artisan products, from sausages from the Garrotxa to the delicious formatges Montbrú from Moianès. This space highlights the richness of local gastronomy and reinforces the importance of consuming zero kilometer products, a practice that contributes to reducing the ecological footprint.
Activities for everyone: workshops, showcookings and live music.
Mercat de Mercats is not only a place to buy and eat, but also to learn and enjoy. During the three days of the fair, there will be more than twenty activities aimed at all audiences, including showcookings with Michelin chefs such as Jordi Artal (Cinc Sentits), Yoshikazu Suto (Suto) and Fran Agudo (MontBar). There will also be workshops on healthy eating, wine and beer tastings, and presentations of books related to gastronomy. For the little ones, the fair will have a Espai Infantil full of educational activities on healthy eating and sustainability, organized in collaboration with organizations such as Mercabarna and the Gremi de Carnissers de Barcelona. All workshops will be free and will last approximately one hour, with registrations available from 10 October on the fair’s official website.
Restaurants with the most iconic tapas in the city
In addition, the festive atmosphere will be guaranteed thanks to the live music concerts that will take place throughout the event. Artists such as Los Buenos Valedores, Galgo Lento and DJ Diego Armando will fill the square with rhythm and joy.
Timetable of Mercat de Mercats 2024
- October 18: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- October 19: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- October 20: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A space for everyone
The Fira Mercat de Mercats 2024 is designed for everyone to enjoy. From the market stalls to the brases area to the Espai Infantil and live concerts, there is something for everyone. Attendees will be able to stroll through the stands, sample tapas, learn about local products and participate in activities, all in a festive and welcoming atmosphere. With more than a decade of history, Mercat de Mercats has established itself as one of the most important gastronomic fairs in Barcelona, a must for lovers of food and markets. This year, in addition, the merger with the Cultural Regatta adds a unique component, allowing visitors to live a complete experience of gastronomy and sport in the heart of the city.
