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A Gastronomic Experience at Mercado de San Miguel Madrid

Food markets are always a joy to visit. It’s a great way to get a sense of the local culture and food. Mercado de San Miguel is one of Madrid’s top attractions and a favorite among tourists and locals. We were in Madrid five years ago and couldn’t get enough of this market. We ate there everyday during our stay. During our brief return a couple of weeks ago, we had to make another stop and soak in the food, drinks and everything else this wonderful place had to offer. Warning: some of the upcoming photos will make you hungry!

Mercado de San Miguel sign

The market was named for the 13th century church that was once located here – Iglesia de San Miguel de los Octoes.The church was demolished in 1809 after the building was declared unsafe. It became a fish market and finally a covered market with an iron frame and wood roof in 1916.

This is Madrid’s last iron covered market and offered plenty of history and charm. One of its main draws is that it is centrally located and near attractions like Plaza Mayor and the El Palacio Real. It was revitalized in 2009 to modernize it and bring it into the 21st century. Floor to ceiling glass windows give it a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

Mercado de San Miguel

The 33 vendors inside the building sell a variety of items that range from fresh produce, desserts, seafood and meat. There are also small shops selling so many delicious prepared food from Spanish staples to international cuisine. There’s no shortage of bars and coffee places here too.

Mercado de San Miguel paella

It’s very lively here though it does feel a bit touristy sometimes especially during the lunch hour. Prices are also a bit more expensive than some of the local eateries nearby. But, everyone seems so happy eating, drinking and socializing. We’ve never gone here late at night (the kids do have a bedtime curfew even on vacation) so I can just imagine the energy radiating from this place until the wee hours of the morning.

Mercado de San Miguel interior

This is such a great place to walk around especially if you’re hungry. It’s probably best to stroll through the whole market and scope out all the vendors before settling on the first vendor you see. We did that during our first visit and quickly regretted it.

The open atmosphere with tables and chairs scattered around is very inviting. It does get pretty crowded and makes it difficult to find a place to hang out. We have never sat down here and always took advantage of their take away/to-go items and ate elsewhere.

Mercado de San Miguel interior

Ham or jamon (ha-mon) is a Spanish cuisine staple. Traditions and the curing process that date back to thousands of years make dried and cured ham a revered food here and it is delicious. One of the most popular vendors in the market is, of course, the one with all the ham legs hanging. It’s actually quite a sight to see.

Mercado de San Miguel jamon

The two types of Spanish cured ham are jamón serrano or “mountain ham,” and jamón ibérico or “Iberian ham.” The Serrano ham is made from various white pig breeds which consume cereals. The ham is cured for 7-16 months. On the other hand, the Iberian ham comes only from the black Ibérico pig bred in southwest Spain and southeast Portugal. The pig mostly eats acorns but the curing process takes between 14 to 36 months. Patience comes with a steeper price tag too.

Madrid Mercado de San Miguel jamon

The ham comes in various forms. The packaged ones are very popular along with sandwiches. We like the paper cone versions that make it easy to eat while strolling.

Mercado de San Miguel jamon

Madrid may be inland but there were quite some delectable seafood selections here including oysters, fish and urchins. There was even a sushi vendor too. It was a quite surprising to find that big fish head there on display. I’m not sure if they cook the food for you or if this is more for the locals to shop at.

Mercado de San Miguel seafood

I love seeing fruits and vegetables from all over the world. It’s always interesting to see the fresh, local produce and see how much they cost. It was a bit of a sticker shock to see some of the prices with the Euro to dollar conversion. It’s easy to take for granted living in Southern California with our affordable fruits and vegetables. I had to do a double take on that Pitahaya or Dragon Fruit price. Yikes!

Mercado de San Miguel fruits

Tapas or Spanish snacks and appetizers were one of the biggest enticements at Mercado de San Miguel. Walking around here with its diverse selection was like being in an eternal buffet line offering so many choices. The good thing about these little plates was one can sample quite a variety of food and make it an entire meal.

Mercado de San Miguel tapas

Anyone craving some cheese? I wish I could have taken some of these home.

Mercado de San Miguel cheese

If you’re thirsty or need something to go with all the food, there are plenty of vendors selling beer, wine and sangria.

Mercado de San Miguel wine

We even found this stand selling these refreshing fruit drinks. Mojitos de frutas, anyone?

Mercado Mojitos de frutas

My daughter and I are big sweets and chocolate fans and this place was heaven for us. There were some options but our favorite is Horno de San Onofre (HSO). We spent a lot of time here trying to decide what to buy.

HSO Desserts Mercado de San Miguel

The counters were filled with so many delicious treats. There were some familiar ones and some local favorites that we simply had to try.

Mercado de San Miguel strawberry tartaleta

My daughter loved practicing her Spanish while ordering items. Who says markets can’t be fun and educational for kids?

Mercado de San Miguel sweets

Churros con chocolate is an essential part of a Spanish meal and normally eaten during breakfast. Those golden beauties, also known as a Spanish doughnut, are dunked into a cup of rich, hot, melted chocolate for some mouth watering goodness. If you’ve got chocolate leftover, it’s perfectly acceptable to drink it. My kids cannot get enough of this dish.

Churros con chocolate

Mercado de San Miguel is a wonderful place to visit, hang out and shop. There is something there for all ages with varied palates. It will satisfy everyone from the the foodie to the picky eaters. Whether you’re looking for dessert, fruits or your next meal, it’s a must visit in Madrid. Don’t forget to put this on your itinerary when you’re in the Spanish capital.

 

Visiting Mercado de San Miguel Tips and Basics

  • Mercado de San Miguel is located within a block from Plaza Mayor in the Plaza de San Miguel square.
  • Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday: 10 AM – midnight; Thursday to Saturday: 10 AM – 2 AM
  • Go around the market to see what each vendor offers before settling on the stalls by the entrance. You never know what you’ll find.
  • If you’re set on eating here, have someone in your group save a table and chair while someone gets and orders the food.

Have you visited Mercado de San Miguel? Where are your favorite food markets?

Mercado de San Miguel Madrid

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22 thoughts on “A Gastronomic Experience at Mercado de San Miguel Madrid”

  1. I still proceeded on despite your warning and you were absolutely right, Mary! Now, I’m hungry! I would love to have one of those paper cones of ham to take with me on my drive to work – yummy :) And I’m with you on wanting to take some of that cheese. I love cheese! I hope all of you have a great day and weekend!! :)

  2. This is great. I love visiting markets with kids. you can snag samples, everyone can find something they want to eat, and no waiting for wait staff. I would totally hit this market in Madrid.

  3. I’m so jealous! We were there in the summer of 2009! We couldn’t get enough of the jamon iberico! We were there everyday for a week, everything we ate was ridiculously good. I had my first serving of Percebes there, can’t wait to go back!! Thanks these great pictures and taking us there again.

  4. You’re right! I’m hungry! I could eat a paper cone filled with jamon iberico for lunch everyday of my life and die happy – especially if I were having churros con chocolate for dessert. Love this post and all the great photos.

  5. Love Mercado de San Miguel! I ate here several times when I was in Madrid. I gravitated to the cheese, and there was also a dish with smoked salmon that was lovely. I also remember finding a wine bar in there that became a favorite. Like your kids, I don’t go out late when I travel, so I have no idea what it would be like here in the late evening. I am guessing it would be quite lively! Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday

  6. We loved this market too! We visited it when our girls were about the same age as your kids, and it was a real hit.
    Our girls have a bedtime limit when on holidays too, but because of late dinnertimes in Spain, we adjusted our body clocks a few hours less than usual. It meant for an easier transition with jet lag, and more restaurant choices at night!

  7. Oh yes, isn’t this market just the best? During my last trip to Madrid I’d go there in the afternoon when it was just too hot outside. I absolutely loved it. I don’t have kids, but can just imagine how it would be lovely for them too!

  8. Oh you’re just taunting me with the pictures of the pastries and desserts! I have SUCH a huge sweetooth, but I’m trying to cut down (I’m not that young anymore, lol). Everything looks so good. I love Spanish jamon and tapas, and I can’t wait to eat them in Spain someday!

  9. It’s right before lunchtime and I’m absolutely drooling. I would love to walk around with a cone of meat. Yum yum!

  10. Okay you succeeded in making me hungry, Mary. It has been more than a decade since I last visited this mercado. It’s looks a lot more modern now but it’s good to see that it still offers a wide array of mouth watering delicacies. I don’t eat meat, but I’m always fascinated with the sight of the hanging jamons. Your photos all look pretty and delectable. I felt I gained few pounds just looking at them.

  11. I have a sweet tooth too Mary and those churros and other desserts look just amazing! When I last went to both Madrid and Barcelona, it was many years ago before I’d really discovered my love of world foods so I really missed out on exploring all these markets etc – I would love to go back! It’s great to see different fruits across the worldd and comparing prices and produce!

  12. Oh wow, you weren’t kidding. Scrolling down through your food photos definitely left me hungry and so jealous. I’m dying to try those ham in paper cups, they look so delectable. How much should we set for a budget when it comes to a food trip vacation in Madrid?

    1. You were warned :) I think your budget depends on where you stay and for how long. Although, hotels in Madrid tend to be cheaper than other European cities. Food is generally cheaper in Madrid. The jamon sandwiches are less than 3 euro.

  13. I haven’t been to Madrid, but your photos remind me of the Boqueria in Barcelona, and that’s making me hungry. Tapas may be my favorite way to eat. Mediterranean markets are wonderful places. I always comment that it must be illegal to sell anything other than a perfectly ripe tomato. Beautiful pictures, Mary.

  14. I love Mercado de san Miguel and, as it happened, I was these last week end! I got there at a busy time and ended up not stopping but I remember from previous visits, the food is amazing and even just the smell from the different stalls so inviting!

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