The Spanish capital boasts some of the finest culinary offerings in the country, making the food markets in Madrid must-visit spots for any avid foodie. Those who’ve joined any of my Madrid food tours have likely heard me raving about the mix of contemporary and traditional markets peppered across the city.
While you certainly shouldn’t miss the best restaurants in Madrid during your visit, I highly recommend setting aside some time to explore the many informal gourmet and gastronomic spaces Madrid has to offer. Below, you’ll find some of my favorites!
Why You Must Visit Madrid’s Food Markets
Visiting the food markets in Madrid isn’t your typical foodie experience. The more traditional bazaars center around fresh produce from local providers, including savory Iberian ham or premium seafood, while others serve beloved Spanish dishes and delectable street food snacks.
Not only can you sample quality fare, but you’ll also be supporting talented chefs who utilize time-honored cooking techniques and recipes. If you fancy doing some shopping after feasting on some tapas or paella, you’ll often spot rows of stalls retailing handmade goods crafted by local artisans.
Top Food Markets in Madrid
Mercado de San Miguel
Photo credit: Mercado de San Miguel
Let’s start with arguably the most famous food market in Madrid, Mercado de San Miguel. This buzzing location has been feeding tourists and locals for over 100 years. With upwards of 20 stands, it’s set in the Madrid de los Austrias neighborhood, next to the Plaza Mayor. There’s a good chance you’ll come across it when out sightseeing.
Out of all the vendors, the Arzábal-branded croquette cart wins it for me; I found it impossible to order just one. The Iberian ham croquettes were to die for; the crunch from the shell blended with the subtle smoky sweetness was a pure delight.
Mercado de San Miguel – 28005 Madrid – Open every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 12:00 am and every Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 am.
Mercado de la Paz
Photo credit: Mercado de la Paz
Mercado de la Paz is the shining star of the gastronomic scene in the Salamanca district. It has been around since 1879 and hosts just under 60 booths offering a range of different cuisines, not just Spanish, meaning there’s a little something for every palate. Just be aware there are three entrances, so don’t get confused.
After seeing it on the Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, I came here to see if the tortilla de patata at Casa Dani stall lived up to the hype. And I can confirm it did. From the oozing cheese to the starchy chopped potatoes, you won’t want to miss this.
Mercado de la Paz – 28001 Madrid – Open every Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, closed every Sunday.
Mercado San Anton
Photo credit: Mercado San Anton
Make sure Mercado San Anton is on your list of markets to visit in Madrid. Filled with local favorites and international hidden gems, you’ll find this pick in Chueca. It’s spread across three floors and has a new innovative, sustainable design after getting remodeled in 2021. One of the coolest features was the floor, which was made strictly from molten basalt.
One place that I couldn’t get enough of at Mercado San Anton was a Vietnamese counter named Nem Nem. I urge you to try their chicken gyozas; all I can say is wow. The flavor profile consisted of hints of umami from the soy sauce and a slight earthiness thanks to the veggies.
Mercado San Anton – 28004 Madrid – Open every day from 9:30 am to 12:00 am.
Mercado de San Fernando
Photo credit: Mercado de San Fernando
Set in the Embajadores district, Mercado de San Fernando is a mix between a hipster and a modern market. Having been established in 1944, it has now become the biggest open-air market in all of Europe.
If you end up coming by here, pay a visit to the guys at position 44 in Sanlucar Winery. They do some amazing tapas and wine tastings. Since I had plans later in the day, I stuck to the tapas and ordered the shrimp cakes, which were nicely sweetened and had a delightful brininess.
Mercado de San Fernando – 28012 Madrid – Open every Monday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm and from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, and every Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Antón Martín Market
Photo credit: Antón Martín Market
Antón Martín Market is within Madrid’s historic center. Having persevered through Spain’s disastrous situation during the 1980s, it managed to survive and has had a total rejuvenation more recently.
One of my favorite eats I had when I visited the Antón Martín Market was at Yapa Empanadas. They had a whopping 18 different empanada flavors, but I couldn’t resist the ham and cheese version. The creamy and salty flavors from the mix were divine, as was the crispness of the dough.
Antón Martín Market – 28012 Madrid – Open every Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, closed every Sunday.
Mercado Ildefonso
Photo credit: Mercado Ildefonso
Mercado Ildefonso stands out when it comes to market history and architecture. Famous for being the first-ever street food market in Spain, there are 20 wonderful stalls at their location on Fuencarral Street, serving all kinds of delicious plates.
After seeing someone sit down with a tray of meat from the Iberian Grill counter, I had my mind made up. It was the sausage that I went for, and it was delicious: succulent, lightly smoked, and a melt-in-your-mouth kind of texture.
Mercado Ildefonso – 28004 Madrid – Open every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 12:00 am and every Friday and Saturday from 1:00 pm to 1:00 am.
Traditional vs. Gourmet Markets in Madrid – Where to Go?
Photo credit: MAD Gourmets Galería Canalejas
Old-school and upscale markets exist side-by-side in Madrid, and both are worth your time. Spots like Mercado de los Mostenses stock some top-tier produce and offer a more authentic experience. Here, you won’t find too many eateries. Instead, you’ll be surrounded by fruit, veggies, cheese, meats, and fresh catches.
If you don’t plan on cooking during your stay and have your sights set on sit-down meals and tasting sessions, you might prefer the likes of MAD Gourmets Galería Canalejas. This gourmet food court has tapas restaurants and wine bars that could rival Michelin-star establishments.
In truth, visiting both styles of food markets in Madrid is a must for me, as I’ve enjoyed the rustic bazaars just as much as the high-end alternatives!
Tips for Visiting Madrid’s Food Markets Like a Local
- Similar to when choosing a restaurant, the best stalls to go to are usually filled with locals rather than other tourists, helping you to avoid underwhelming tourist traps.
- Many vendors accept card payments, but it’s always best to bring some cash with you, particularly at markets selling produce rather than cooked dishes.
- If possible, visit the food markets in Madrid during the week, rather than the weekend, as Saturdays and Sundays tend to draw the biggest crowds.
- It’s a good idea to learn some basic phrases before your trip, such as ‘¿Cuánto cuesta?’ (How much?) and ‘Quisiera ____, por favor’ (I would like _____, please).
Sources:
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Madrid food tour: A complete guide to eating in Madrid. Eating Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/madrid/
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Best restaurants in Madrid: A food lover’s guide. Eating Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/best-restaurants-in-madrid/
Mercado de San Miguel. (n.d.). Home. Mercado de San Miguel. https://mercadodesanmiguel.es/en/
Mercado de la Paz. (n.d.). Home. Mercado de la Paz. https://www.mercadodelapaz.com/
Mercado de San Antón. (n.d.). Home. Mercado de San Antón. https://www.mercadosananton.com/
Mercado de San Fernando. (n.d.). Home. Mercado de San Fernando. https://mercadodesanfernando.es/
Mercado de Anton Martín. (n.d.). Home. Mercado de Anton Martín. https://www.mercadoantonmartin.com/
Mercado de San Ildefonso. (n.d.). Home. Mercado de San Ildefonso. https://mercadodesanildefonso.com/
Mercado de los Mostenses. (n.d.). Home. Mercado de los Mostenses. https://mercadolosmostenses.com/
Mad Gourmets. (n.d.). Home. Mad Gourmets. https://madgourmets.com/
- Daily
- 3.5 Hours
- Small Group
