Market Hopping in Madrid

So we've all heard of bar hopping, club hopping and even movie hopping (you know, where you pay for one movie ticket but sneak into other movies the rest of the day....), but I've come to develop a new hobby here in Madrid: market hopping.

Madrid is known as a gastronomic city, something that I had easily come to realize by my second week here. It's home to traditional Spanish tapas restaraunts, home-cooked style cafeterías, trendy cafés and up-and-coming gastro bars. From fried calamari to gourmet hamburgers, Madrid has it.

One of my favorite things I've discovered about Madrid though in just these past few months are its markets. A Madrid market isn't just a food market, but a fun and bustling place for friends to meet for drinks, experiment with new foods, and even meet new people in a casual environment. You can sit at a wine bar, walk around with a beer and tapa in your hand, sit at a table with platters spread in front of you, or walk along food stands and take your taste buds for a spin.

And the nice thing is, the markets are mostly indoor and provide outdoor heating on the patios. Although, it would be a lie to say I'm not looking foward to the warmer weather when the markets' doors and windows are opened and patios are for the taking!

Below are my three favorite markets in Madrid. So far...

Mercado de San Antón

Barrio de Chueca

I call this the 3-in-1 market because it literally combines all different types of markets into one location. On the very bottom floor there is a supermarket for the regular grocery-shopping days. But its first through third floors are what you come for.

Floor 1: Food market-veggies, fruits, pastries, fish, meats, varieties of nuts, anything you can think of.

Floor 2: Food & drink. One night, my friends and I sat at a wine bar on this floor and the atmosphere was awesome! We split tapas and a bottle of wine while people stood and sat all around us, while others were walking to different places to eat and drink. It can get crowded, but that's the point!

Floor 3: Restaraunt. One of the best parts about the restaraunt is the view of the entire market from above, since it's wall-size windows border the restaraunt for easy-visibility. There is an option on the menu where you can go down to the 1st floor market, choose your meats/fish and bring it to the waiter to tell them how you'd like it cooked. Something I've got to try! After dinner, you can mosey your way over to the outdoor bar, plop your full self on a comfy sofa and order a drink.

Mercado de San Miguel

El centro (Sol)

If you've heard anything about the markets or even food in general in Madrid, you've heard about the Mercado de San Miguel. Right in the center of Madrid, there's no way you can miss it, and no way you'd want to. It already look alluring enough from the outside, and the food on the inside doesn't disappoint. It's full of regular market items from fruits and fish to nice olive oils and spices. But it's not a Madrid market without the ability to walk around with a glass of wine in hand and try new foods or your all-time favorite desserts. From day to night, this place is a must-go.

Mercado de San Ildefonso

Barrio de Malasana

This is the market you come to when you want the real deal: no tourists and fun, fun, fun. Like the Mercado de San Antón, it also it comprised of different parts, but doesn't necessarily constitute as a food market where you can pick up vegetables and bread. Instead, it is bordered with food stands, unique to their own "theme": sushi, shrimp, croquetas, paella, hamburgers, burritos, meats/cheeses, crépes, etc. Once you get your food, it's a scramble game for a table or even an open space to stand with your friends, and then the night begins. Upstairs, there is a nicer bar and also outdoor seating on spacious patios. The market has a trendy and upbeat atmosphere: perfect for the weekends!

These are only a few of the hidden market gems in Madrid. So I plan to be a professional market hopper by the time I leave this city.

#fooddrink