Discover the gastronomic days of Cambrils

Strolling through Cambrils means enveloping yourself in an unmistakable fragrance that blends the salt air of the Mediterranean with the aroma of sofrito escaping from the stoves of its seaside neighbourhood. Here, cooking is not a service, it is a ritual. Being the Gastronomic Capital of the Costa Dorada is not just a title; it is a responsibility to keep alive a tradition where the sea and the land come together in every dish. 

With the arrival of the gastronomic season, the town is transformed. It is not just about sitting down to eat, but about participating in a circular ecosystem where respect for the product is the top priority. Under the new BOCA label, Cambrils invites us to rediscover its roots, connecting the wisdom of the Fishermen's Guild with the expertise of its restaurateurs and the richness of its Agricultural Cooperative. 

You can travel to Cambrils from towns such as Salou, Reus, Vila-seca and Tarragona. Check all timetables on our website. Furthermore, if you want to enjoy the Cambrils gastronomic days and your flight arrives at Barcelona Airport, you can purchase official tickets online on our website for your transfer from Barcelona Airport to the Costa Dorada, as we are the official airport transport provider.  

La Galera: The essence of the sea in every bite 

When the cold sets in, the port comes alive with the arrival of the galera. For decades, this crustacean was the humble treasure of fishermen, a secret reserved for adding depth to seafood broths. Today, it is the undisputed queen. Its flavour is a concentrated explosion of the sea, a delicacy that demands to be treated with respect. 

During these special days, the streets of Cambrils take on a festive atmosphere. The Tastum sets the weekly pace, allowing visitors to explore different offerings in the form of small creations. But the heart of this celebration beats in the port with the Galerada Popular, where the steam from the large cauldrons of noodles with mantis shrimp mixes with the sea breeze, creating a scene that seems frozen in time. It is a moment when haute cuisine and popular tradition merge, demonstrating that excellence lies in the simplicity of the finest ingredients. 

Artichokes and Liquid Gold: The Awakening of the Earth 

As spring approaches, the Cambrils landscape undergoes a chromatic metamorphosis and is tinged with an intense and vibrant green. It is the turn of the artichoke, the jewel of the local vegetable garden, carefully cultivated in the fertile lands that surround the municipality. What makes this product exceptional is not only the climate, but also its strategic location: the proximity of the sea deposits a subtle salinity in the soil which, filtered by the roots, gives the Cambrils artichoke an almost buttery tenderness and an unrivalled sweetness that surprises even the most accustomed palates. 

The ‘Encarxofa't’ festival is an absolute ode to this seasonal vegetable. During these weeks, Cambrils' cuisine becomes a laboratory of textures and flavours where local chefs demonstrate their mastery by transforming the product into authentic works of art. You can taste them confit at low temperatures to preserve their heart intact, in crunchy textures that enhance their toasted flavour, or as part of creamy rice dishes where the artichoke blends with the flavour of the sea, creating that ‘sea and mountain’ combination so characteristic of our identity. Strolling along the Rambla de Cambrils during the popular tastings is to witness how agricultural tradition takes to the streets to meet the people, in a festive atmosphere where the aroma of the embers and the live cooking invite you to stay.

However, this immersion in the land would not be complete without the common thread running through all our cuisine: Mestral Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This internationally award-winning product is much more than an ingredient; it is the lifeblood of the town's recipes. Taking an OleoTour means delving into the living history of the region and its Agricultural Cooperative, understanding that every drop of this ‘liquid gold’ is the result of a privileged climate, the sea breeze and age-old care passed down from generation to generation. 

Through guided tastings, pairings that challenge the senses and silent walks among centuries-old olive trees, visitors discover the secrets of the Arbequina variety, whose smoothness and balance are the secret to the success of the region's finest dishes. It is an immersion that reminds us that, in Cambrils, nothing is left to chance: each ingredient has a name, a surname and a land where it was born. 

Culture at the table: Art Napkins 

The gastronomic immersion in Cambrils goes beyond the palate; it also reaches the mind. The Art Napkins project turns the act of eating into a cultural experience. While you wait for your meal, humble restaurant napkins are revealed as canvases of contemporary art, telling stories about the identity of the region and its infinite creativity. It is a detail that reminds us that here, gastronomy is culture, and culture is enjoyed with all five senses. 

In short, Cambrils' gastronomic events are much more than just a series of dates on the calendar; they are the ultimate expression of the identity of a town that loves its land and its sea. From the intense flavour of mantis shrimp in winter to the delicacy of artichokes in spring, each event is an opportunity to rediscover why this town is the gastronomic beacon of the Mediterranean. 

Check all the timetables for travelling to Cambrils from Salou, La Pineda, Vila-seca, Tarragona or Reus on our website. Also, if you are arriving at Barcelona Airport, remember that BusPlana is the official airport transport service and you can purchase your official tickets online for the transfer from Barcelona Airport to the Costa Dorada.