If there’s one thing that seems to capture our attention when travelling in a foreign country, it’s the markets. For some reason, it’s just fun to wander the different kinds of markets and see the different food and general goods that are on offer. Well, it’s no different when it comes to the bigger food markets, and Madrid has many on offer to cover all your food market needs!
From fresh produce to ready-to-eat dishes, clothes and household goods, you can pick up pretty much anything, and also have a lot of fun exploring the Madrid food markets.
Mercado de San Anton
This expansive market is hidden among the quieter backstreets of Madrid’s centre. Mercado de San Anton is a modern, vibrant market that offers a one stop shop for all food needs!
With 3 floors to explore, you can pick up fresh produce to cook at home on the ground floor, street food style stalls on the second floor or a proper restaurant experience on the top floor. The street food stalls are on the more expensive side, but still affordable and with a huge range of option available. Plus, there’s a bar!
Where: C. de Augusto Figueroa, 24, just a short walk from Gran Via or Chueca metro station.
Mercado de San Miguel
Possibly the most well-known market in Madrid, the building for San Miguel market is just as attractive as the actual market held inside. The glass structure reminds visitors of the Crystal Palace in Parque de el Retiro, and once inside there’s a real hustle and bustle as people squeeze past each other to check out the different stalls.
This is a market you’ll want to visit if you’re looking for food ready to eat, and there’s a wide variety of seafood plates as well as empanadas, fruit and pastries. Prices reflect the tourist attraction to this place, but given its proximity to Plaza Mayor you’d expect nothing less. If you can find a place at one of the central tables, this is a great place to enjoy some food.
Where: Pl. de San Miguel, just a few minutes from Plaza Mayor
If you’re a foodie, there are guided food tours that start at Mercado de San Miguel and end with tapas and hot chocolate!
Mercado Anton Martin
Recommended to me by a local, Mercado Anton Martin is spread across two floors. While there are plenty of stalls offering the standard market fare of raw and cooked meats, cheese and drinks, there are also a number of places to enjoy a meal here, both inside the market building but also in the stalls surrounding it on the street.
The ready to eat food stalls are small and charming, often having just a few tables at each one. As Anton Martin market isn’t close to many tourist hotspots, the prices are reasonable, it’s not hugely busy and there’s a much more authentic Spanish feel to it.
Where: C. de Sta. Isabel
Mercado de la Paz
Take a wander through the upmarket shopping area of Salamanca and you’ll stumble across Mercado de la Paz. A decent size market built in 1882, this place has a wide variety of stalls and places to stop and grab some food or drinks.
Even though I visited in holiday season with many stalls closed, there were still plenty of people milling around doing a bit of shopping at the open stalls, or taking a break to enjoy some food at the cafes. Just outside the market you’ll find a number of cafes, perfect for a post-perusing coffee.
Where: Cl. de Ayala, Salamanca Barrio
El Rastro
Ok, so it’s not strictly in the ‘Madrid food market’ category, but El Rastro should make every market list!
A weekly flea market held on Sundays, there is so much to look at that you could easily spend hours exploring the stalls. Head to Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores for the main strip of stalls, but you’ll likely hit the market before you make it to that street as it spreads out into neighbouring streets and squares.
It gets really busy, so be careful of your bag and pockets, but have fun perusing the many, many different stalls offering a huge range of, well, everything! Don’t be afraid to shop around, as you’ll find that some stalls offer the same thing but at different prices.
Where: Head for Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores, but the market covers many streets so enjoy exploring!
Mercado de San Fernando
Located in the Lavapies neighbourhood, there’s a great, diverse vibe in this lesser explored neighbourhood. The market itself is off the traditional tourist trail of the city, which often leads to a more authentic market experience.
Where: Calle de Embajadores
Mercado de San Ildefonso
Hidden away in plain sight, Mercado de San Ildefonso has a very modest entrance that you could easily walk past. With three floors to explore, there are a number of different street food stalls on offer and a couple of terraces to enjoy the food on.
Described by Google as ‘hip’ and ‘happening’, San Illdefonso market is actually a trendy place that could also be described as more of a food court, but offers good food just a short walk from Sol and Gran Via. There’s a lively atmosphere that offers a great vibe for drinks with friends, though the prices might reflect the popularity of the place.
Where: Calle de Fuencarral
Mercado de la Cebada
A huge market in the La Latina neighbourhood, this place has everything you could need from a market. Spread out over two floors, I visited this market during August when most local people head off on holidays. Although many of the stalls were closed, the market still had a lively vibe with the number of locals enjoying fresh seafood.
Where: Pl. de la Cebada
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