Gastronomic retreats: A journey to the flavours of Morocco in the Empordà

When two worlds meet around a table

There are combinations that, at first glance, seem unlikely. Moroccan cuisine and the products of the Empordà, for example. But when you sit at the large chestnut table of our outdoor kitchen, with the Moroccan oven smoking in the background and the scent of spices mingling with the aroma of thyme from the garden, you understand that this fusion is not accidental: it is inevitable. It is the meeting of two Mediterranean traditions that share the same reverence for raw ingredients, the same respect for the slow time of cooking and the same conviction that eating is, above all, an act of communion.

At El Riad de l'Empordà, our gastronomic retreats are born from this conviction. They are immersive experiences designed to awaken the senses, to learn, to share and to enjoy a cuisine that is, at once, rooted and cosmopolitan, local and universal.

The Moroccan oven: The heart of our outdoor kitchen

The undisputed star of our outdoor kitchen is our wood-fired Moroccan oven. Built following traditional techniques, with clay and natural materials, this oven is much more than an appliance: it is a cultural element, a symbol of Moroccan hospitality and the centrepiece around which our entire gastronomic proposal is organised.

In a Moroccan oven, cooking is slow, patient and loving. The heat radiates evenly, penetrating the food gradually and preserving all its juices and aromas. This is why tagines cooked in a wood-fired oven have a texture and flavour that no conventional pot can replicate.

Empordà products, Moroccan recipes: Our culinary philosophy

The foundation of our cuisine is local produce. We work with local producers from the Alt Empordà who share our philosophy of quality, sustainability and respect for the land. Extra virgin olive oil from Garriguella, artisan honey from local beekeepers, fresh vegetables from the garden, characterful wines from the DO Empordà...

The result is a cuisine we might call Mediterranean fusion: dishes that respect the authenticity of the Moroccan tradition but are enriched with the quality and personality of the Empordà's products.

What can you taste at a gastronomic retreat at El Riad de l'Empordà?

Tagines: The star dish of Moroccan cuisine. Free-range chicken with preserved lemons and Empordà olives, lamb with prunes and almonds from the Baix Empordà, or seasonal vegetables with aromatic spices. Every tagine is a symphony of flavours.

Royal couscous: A celebratory dish, made with fine semolina of the highest quality, seven seasonal vegetables and a selection of meats.

Pastilla: A crispy layer of filo pastry hiding a filling of chicken or seafood, with a sweet-and-sour contrast that intrigues and fascinates.

Salads and starters: Zaalouk, fresh tabbouleh, carrot salad with cumin and lemon, homemade hummus...

Traditional pastries: Gazelle horns, chebakia, baklava with Garriguella honey and local dried fruits.

DO Empordà wine tasting: A selection of the finest wines from the cellars of Capmany and the DO Empordà.

Moroccan cooking workshops: Learn the secrets of the oven

Beyond meals, we offer Moroccan cooking workshops where participants can learn first-hand the secrets of our cuisine:

• Prepare and measure the basic spices: cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, ras el hanout...
• Make a tagine from scratch, from preparing the ingredients to cooking in the wood-fired oven.
• Bake artisan bread in the Moroccan oven.
• Prepare traditional salads and starters.

Private catering: A chef at your service

For groups who prefer to enjoy the gastronomic experience without participating in the preparation, we offer a private catering service with a chef specialising in Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine.

An experience for the senses and for the memory

A gastronomic retreat at El Riad de l'Empordà is much more than a meal. It is a sensory journey that begins with the scent of spices and the smoke of the oven, continues with the sound of conversation around the table and ends with the taste of dishes you will not easily forget. Come and discover the taste of authenticity.