Food Markets in Madrid

Visiting the local food markets on one of our food tours in Madrid is a chance to experience an authentic side to the Spanish lifestyle. After all, it’s also an opportunity to shop with the local residents as well as a fantastic way to explore the city.

International foodies arrive from all over the world to enjoy the famous Spanish cuisine such as tapas, paella, and freshly prepared octopus. However, nowadays it’s not just about a fine-dining experience in a popular restaurant.

As the food markets in Madrid are thriving with both tourists and locals alike, providing an alternative to a traditional food tour. Likewise, food halls are another wonderful way to discover the flavours of Spain, with various eateries all under the one roof.

The Best Food Markets in Madrid

During a food tour in Madrid, your tour guide will show you some of the best places to eat and drink within the Spanish capital. As such, here are 5 of the best food markets to look out for:

Mercado de la Paz

We start with a marketplace that provides food for the local restaurants and the local neighbourhood shops. If you do visit Mercado de la Paz, make time for a stop at Casa Dani for their famous slice of tortilla. However, lunchtimes get very busy, so we recommend a visit late afternoon if you wish to avoid the crowds.

Mercado de San Miguel

This market can be found next door to the Plaza Mayor and is known as Madrid’s gastronomic hotspot. It is a very busy market and also a famous tourist attraction. The locals come to the market in droves to enjoy the spicy tapas. The market has 33 stalls all offering food and drinks that are maybe more expensive than other markets, but the bustling atmosphere makes up for that!

Mercado Anton Martin

This is a traditional market situated in the Huertas neighbourhood. It actually opened in 1941 and has 63 stalls offering a good variety of fresh food products at affordable prices. Many of the food vendors will serve up free samples, to help you decide what to eat.

The market contains an impressive three floors to choose from. Whereby traditional food stalls are mixed in with restaurants offering street food and international cuisine. The top floor, however, is home to the famous ‘Amor de Dios’ Spanish dance school.

Mercado San Anton

This very trendy food market and food hall that can be found in the buzzing Chueca neighbourhood.  An area of the capital well- known for its many shops, restaurants and eateries. The ground floor and the first floor houses the supermarket and also the fresh food decadent market. The upper floors are home to tapas menus and a restaurant.

Platea Madrid

This amazing food hall can be found in Madrid’s more up-market and affluent area. Platea Madrid is a superb, modern, and retro place. Jazzy music fills the air, making the atmosphere just electric! There is a very good selection of tapas, drinks, and all sorts of international cuisines. You can enjoy the famous Michelin-rated restaurant cuisine in the upper floor, or relax over a few beers and tapas on the ground floor.

Food and Drink Experiences in Madrid

Why not take a look at our food tours in Madrid, where you can discover some of the local markets first hand? Alternatively, we also have tapas tours, wine tours and cooking classes in Madrid. All of which are available to book online, delivering real food, with real people.

5 Tapas Tours in Madrid

While food tours in Madrid are always a good way to discover the local culture and cuisine, Spanish tapas naturally lends itself to a tasting session - read this article for the 5 Tapas Tours in Madrid