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“Crisis? In Mercado de San Miguel, the crisis is far, far away”. I smiled. I knew exactly what she meant. I stood there, at the seafood tapas bar with my new friends, two MadrileΓ±as. We clutched glasses of vino in our hands and we’d emptied two plates of spicy mussels. I looked around and she was absolutely right. The market was bustling with couples, families, groups of friends, business people and tourists. They stood at the tapas bars or at the larger tables, crowded around glasses of wine or cocktails and plates of delicious tapas. Everyone was having a fabulous time chatting and laughing. As for me, I started sporting a big smile on my face the minute I walked in. This place, in the heart of Madrid, is one big, happy Mercado!

A big smile and a glass of vino to start!
A big smile and a glass of vino to start!

Experiencing Mercado de San Miguel

Mercado de San Miguel (map), located a stone’s throw from the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, is not a market in the strict sense of the word. It is, in fact, more like a big deli with numerous tapas and dessert bars, and wine sellers. A large collection of tapas bars and stalls sell all sorts of meats, cheeses, seafood, cakes, desserts, wines, coffees and teas.

Mercado de San Miguel
Mercado de San Miguel
Locals and tourists mingle
Locals and tourists mingle

It can be quite overwhelming when you enter the Mercado as it quite literally sends your senses into overdrive. I got myself a glass of wine and sat on one of the bar stools and watched the many happy faces around me. After a few minutes, I went on a stroll, glass of wine in hand, to check out the many stalls. I started with a small cone of JamΓ³n Iberico (Iberico ham). After that first bite of the flavourful ham, I knew it – I was going to have a terrific afternoon! I met my new friends at the seafood bar and we spent the rest of the afternoon going from one bar to the other, tasting spicy mussels, tender pulpo (octopus), bite-sized hot-dogs, more ham and little desserts. Everything tasted absolutely divine.

Fabulous food at Mercado de San Miguel

seafood-tapas-photo
Seafood tapas at Mercado de San Miguel
Crisps and hams served in cones.
Crisps, sausages and hams served in cones.
Cheese platter
Cheese platter
Bite-sized hotdogs
Mini hotdogs
Cocktails!
Cocktails!
Cakes, desserts and more smiles!
Cakes, desserts and more smiles!

It was an unforgettable afternoon. I went back two more times, and each time, I met another local and was introduced to yet another type of ham, specially-prepared seafood or a different wine. There are many things to do and see in Madrid but the Mercado de San Miguel is a must-visit – at least in my book! It’s a fantastic foodie experience and a great place to mingle with the locals. I’m quite sure you’ll leave feeling pretty happy, like I did! πŸ™‚

17 Responses

  • […] capitals is its unique flair. Stroll around the compact city centre, indulge yourself at the Mercado de San Miguel (one of my favourite markets in the world!) and sit at one of the many plazas, and you’ll […]

  • […] One big happy Mercado […]

  • […] about my visit to Mercado de San Miguel and other things to do in […]

  • […] the fashionable Salamanca district – top-notch charcuterie and wines). My favourite is the Mercado de San Miguel. Not really a market in the strict sense of the word, it’s more like one big deli and tapas […]

  • Thank you Connie. Gosh, I’m ready to go back too! πŸ™‚

  • Just returned from another trip to Madrid and several trips to the Mercado. This place is special even in Madrid which has lots of “special.” We love to walk around with a glass of wine and tasting a little here, a little there. Absolutely fabulous and thanks for posting these wonderful photos. I’m ready to go back!

  • Me encantan las tapas y vinos de Mercade San Miquel, es muy, muy divertido tambiΓ©n!

  • Loved it there! One of my favorites in Madrid. We had a great time sampling from all the stalls when we weren’t up for a late meal.

  • You have no idea how much I enjoy visiting food markets. These cocktails look awesome. Guess they would go well with mini hot-dogs hihihi πŸ™‚

  • Great pics, Madrid is one of my favorite destinations although it’s been a couple of years since I was there.

  • Looks fantastic indeed!
    Why do I always read posts on food when i’m hungry?:)

  • Oh I love the Mercado San Miguel! I may have taken photos of myself posing with food, grinning ear to ear too πŸ™‚

  • Fantastic place.. and if I were there, I’d be beaming from ear to ear too! πŸ™‚

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