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Spend a half-day in Condesa learning the foundations of Mexican cooking: market tour, hands-on preparation of tamales, mole and tortillas, then a rooftop feast. Ideal for food lovers who want technique, context and a creative rooftop setting.
Spend a half-day in Condesa learning the foundations of Mexican cooking: market tour, hands-on preparation of tamales, mole and tortillas, then a rooftop feast. Ideal for food lovers who want technique, context and a creative rooftop setting.
Book with Martaja
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Martaja · Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México
In the heart of Condesa, Ciudad de México, Un Poco De Todo: Market Tour & Cooking Class @ Martaja Rooftop turns a half-day into an edible field study of Mexican cuisine. Start with a 60‑minute guided walk through an iconic local market, where bright chiles, nixtamalized corn, epazote and cacao sit beside stalls that trace a route from ancient Mesoamerica through colonial trade. That context feeds directly into a hands‑on afternoon: you’ll grind, fold and steam tamales, build a layered mole, brighten dishes with freshly made salsas and press corn tortillas by hand. The cooking portion takes place at a choice of intimate venues, the most memorable of which is the MARTAJA ROOFTOP on top of Lugar de Huida gallery. Guests pass through a working sculptor’s studio before climbing a series of steep staircases to a terrace planted with greenery, a striking mural, and an eclectic display that includes discarded busts of former Mexican presidents. During jacaranda season those purple canopies across the street frame the rooftop, and every plate feels framed by the neighborhood’s creative energy. What makes this experience stand out for visitors is the pairing of market immersion, culinary technique and local art—more than a class, it’s a cultural primer delivered by bilingual guides (English/Spanish) who explain ingredient histories, regional traditions and the practical chemistry behind mole sauce. Groups cap at about 12 people, keeping instruction individualized while providing the conviviality of a shared feast. Drinks—Mexican alcoholic options and soft beverages—are included; dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice. Practical details matter: the full program runs about six hours, beginning with the market tour and ending with a sit‑down meal and dessert on local linens. The rooftop is accessed via several steep staircases, and classes may be moved in the June–August rainy season, so wear stable shoes and check the schedule. Pricing is typically higher on Sundays, Mondays and evening time slots; if you can, book a weekday morning to save. This is an ideal booking for food‑minded travelers staying in Ciudad de México who want a concentrated, hands‑on lesson in why Mexican food is both ancient and alive. It’s not just a recipe session—it’s a map of flavor, place and process, set against one of Condesa’s most vivid community art spaces. Expect a mix of demonstration and hands‑on work; instructors outline technique before you try, so even beginners leave confident pressing nixtamal dough and lifting a finished tamal from its husk. Optional upgrades—private experiences, rooftop seating, tasting‑room venues, agave spirit packages and souvenirs—are available for groups that want to extend the memory. Communicate dietary restrictions at booking, and remember that the tight stair access makes this a less suitable choice for travelers with limited mobility.
The full program runs about six hours: a 60-minute market tour followed by the hands-on cooking session and a sit-down meal.
Yes—Mexican alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are provided during the meal.
Yes. Please advise of allergies or dietary needs when booking so the team can adapt recipes.
Groups are limited to about 12 people to keep instruction personal and interactive.
The rooftop is reached by several steep staircases and may be unsuitable for those with limited mobility; inquire for alternative venues.
Live guides operate in English and Spanish.
Martaja is a Mexico City cooking studio and experiential host based in Ciudad de México. The business specializes in hands-on Mexican cooking classes and guided market tours that focus on traditional techniques and regional recipes. Martaja offers multiple venues—including a scenic rooftop, an Art Deco home filled with Mexican treasures, and a historic Agave location—where guests learn to prepare authentic moles, tamales, salsas, tortillas, and accompanying dishes. Each experience emphasizes practical skills and cultural context. Classes guide participants from market selection through ingredient preparation to the finished plate, teaching how to balance spices, prepare and toast chiles, craft masa for tamales, and form fresh tortillas. Signature offerings include rooftop mole workshops where guests create two moles from scratch and dine on locally-made dinnerware; tamales classes that cover green and fresh-corn varieties paired with smoky salsas; and combined market tour and cooking classes that pair a lively market visit with a communal feast. Martaja highlights regional specialties such as manchamanteles with pineapple, fruity red and sweet pineapple moles, and vibrant green moles with spinach and herbs. Sessions typically conclude with a shared meal, drinks, storytelling, and hands-on plating or table setting. Located in Ciudad de México and operating across rooftop, home, and historic settings, Martaja provides activity-driven culinary experiences for visitors seeking authentic technique-driven classes. The business’s focus on market-sourced ingredients, hands-on instruction, and clearly described class formats offers reliable options for travelers wanting to learn traditional mole and tamal recipes in Mexico City.
Book with Martaja