Mercado de San Miguel – Food From The Spanish Culture

By Nancy Todd

Smells of freshly baked bread, sizzling razor clams, stuffed mussels, and fresh peaches tantalize.    Want to munch away with locals while absorbing the Spanish culture? A must-go-to market in Madrid is the noisy Mercado de San Miguel.  If you are one of The Spain Scoop’s many fans, you know by now how much Regina and I love food, especially that of the Spanish culture.  Every time we are in Madrid, we say to hell with counting calories when we eat here.

Food In The Spanish Culture

With over 30 vendors, this noisy market has several bars for sandwiches, champagne and oysters, and grilled shrimp.  Spanish wines are jammed into ice filled bowls ready to pour.

Mercado de San Miguel

In addition to the  food bars, individual vendors specialize in artisanal cheeses with dozens of varieties.  Pork vendors delicately slice paper- thin pieces of that expensive, acorn fed,  Iberic ham.  The chocolate store has most helpful salespeople, as if I needed much help.

A book store is in back of the market complete with travel books in English.  Hey, books, good food and wine under one roof?    I could stay all day.

Built in 1916, the Belle Epoch market fell into disrepair and was recently renovated retaining it’s soaring wood and iron ceiling.   Like to take photos?  The ornate exterior and food will keep you busy.    Being green conscious, there is no air conditioning but tiny droplets of water that are sprayed into the air for those hot Madrid summers.   Hot or cold outside, I will be inside Mercado de San Miguel every visit I make to Madrid.

For more way cool restaurants in Madrid, check out the Chueca neighborhood. Let The Scoopettes know  your favorite Spanish foods.

Near Plaza del Sol.  Hours: Monday-Friday, 10-10. Saturday, 10-2.  And some open at 8.