The 5 best food markets and gastronomic spaces in Madrid
Who doesn't love going out for a drink with friends on a Friday afternoon after work? That's right, Madrid is a city that offers everything we can imagine: streets full of history, wonderful museums, all kinds of leisure spots, and even places to head to at sunset to taste the most typical and select gastronomy in good company.Today we want to tell you about these wonderful places no lover of culinary arts, culture and fun can resist visiting: the 5 best food markets and gastronomic spaces in Madrid.
1. Mercado de San Miguel
Number 1 on this list — as it had to be — goes to the first gastronomic market that appeared in Madrid: the Mercado de San Miguel.
Originally opened as a food market back in 1916 on the plot where the old church of San Miguel de los Octoes once stood, this old neighborhood market was reconverted in 2009 into a real gastronomic temple where Madrid tradition coexists with international avant-garde, and where you can find anything from the most typical churros to artisan mozzarella, crêpes for every taste, and even sushi and norimaki.
2. Mercado de San Antón
Right in the heart of the Chueca neighborhood sits this market, originally built in 1945. Its interior is divided into three floors: a first floor dedicated to selling perishable products; a second floor dominated by ten show cooking stalls where we can taste delicacies of all kinds — from Greek and Japanese specialties to smoothies and juices, plus a tavern-wine bar.
Finally, on the top floor sits the restaurant La Cocina de San Antón, where we can not only come and enjoy its menu of the day and its menu of fresh and natural products, but we can also come and cook the products previously bought on the first floor and enjoy a delicious meal with wonderful views. What more could you ask for?!
3. Mercado de Antón Martín
Located in the central Lavapiés neighborhood, between the Cine Doré and the Spanish Filmoteca, this market has gone through multiple evolutions over time, both gastronomic and commercial, but always respecting to the maximum the modernity-classicism culinary duality.
Today, this market's space is dominated by more than 60 stalls — both for product sales and gastrotaverns based on the gastronomy of various places in the world, from Mexico to the universe of croquetas, as well as fusion cuisine combining, for example, Italy and Colombia.
4. Mercado de San Ildefonso
For those who love the city's most alternative atmosphere, right at the crossroads between Malasaña and Chueca sits this space inspired by the Street food markets of cities like London, New York and Singapore.
The Mercado de San Ildefonso defines itself as a place to go to socialize and enjoy the most exclusive gastronomic products after a hard day's work, but at a price accessible for everyone. And its culinary offering doesn't disappoint! Some of its star products are the free-range eggs broken over potatoes and tuna tartare from Granja Malasaña, the Mahou craft beer, and the croquetas from La Croquetería — all wrapped in a great atmosphere of fun.
Without a doubt, quite an experience!
5. Gourmet Experience Gran Vía
Finally, though no less important, the gastronomic space with the best views in all of Madrid deserves a mention. Located on the top floor of El Corte Inglés in Callao, this magical place offers ten venues with products of every kind, suitable for all tastes, that we can savor with views of one of the most beautiful panoramas of Madrid: Gran Vía.
Among all the alternatives presented here, we can highlight Hamburguesa Nostra, with up to 30 varieties of beef, pork or lamb; La Central Mexicana, with the most distinctive tequilas and cocktails; or Amorino, with their well-known artisan ice creams. In conclusion, a real festival for all the senses!
If you've still got hunger for more, we encourage you to join any of our FREE TOURS, like Magical Madrid, Legendary Taverns or Hundred-Year-Old Shops, where you'll get to taste even more of Madrid!