Mercado Bazaar. Mercado Central Market. A short walk in downtown

Food markets in Madrid have long moved from the status of just markets to real centers of gastronomic culture, where you can not only buy fresh and high-quality products, try traditional cuisine, relax in a cozy cafe or restaurant, but also visit a food festival, culinary seminars, admire the unique architecture building.

Mercado San Miguel is one of the most famous markets in Madrid.

The San Miguel market in Madrid is a real center of culinary culture, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The market first opened its doors to visitors on May 13, 1916.

Mercado San Miguel boasts not only good cuisine and fresh products, which we will discuss below, but also a good location. The market is located in the heart of Madrid, not far from the Plaza Mayor and the main square Puerta del Sol. Separately, it is worth mentioning the Mercado San Miguel building, which is the only architectural monument in the city made of iron. So, in addition to the gastronomic market, it is also of cultural interest.

In the market you can find many delicious products, there are ready-made traditional snacks, fresh vegetables, fruits and sweets, meat products. Separately, it is worth mentioning a large selection of fish and seafood - the counters are simply bursting with such an abundance.

On the territory of the market there are many bars and small restaurants that offer visitors to enjoy traditional dishes: paella, all kinds of tapas, croquettes and traditional patatas bravas. The menu is updated every day.

Be prepared for the fact that the market is always full of visitors, it is popular with tourists and locals alike.

Address: Plaza de San Miguel, s/n, 28005 Madrid.

Mercado San Antón - a market where you can cook a product you just bought

Mercado San Anton is a place with a rich history, it was originally a street market, which later grew and became so famous that it was mentioned in the book "Fortunata and Jacinta" by the Spanish writer and representative of critical realism Benito Pérez Galdós.

The San Anton Market in Madrid has retained its original concept: the first floor of the building is a classic market with many trading floors where you can choose and buy fresh vegetables, fruits, greens, as well as meat products, fish, cheeses and smoked meats, delicious desserts and traditional sweets, spices and much more.

On the second floor of the building there is a food court, where everyone can order traditional cuisine, accompanying lunch with a glass of fine wine or a traditional wine drink - sangria.

The third floor of the market is a terrace, where an open-air restaurant is located, offering its visitors to treat themselves to delicious dishes from the chef. The concept of the restaurant is very interesting, in addition to dishes from the menu, visitors can choose any product they like on the counter, and the chefs of the establishment will prepare it to your taste with the addition of top quality garnish and sauces. This service is called “Cooking de la cocina de San Antón”.

When visiting Madrid's San Anton food market, check out a special place called Murua Oleoteca, which has the best olive oils you can find in the city at good prices.

Address: Calle de Augusto Figueroa, 24, 28004 Madrid.

Mercado de la Cebada - one of the oldest markets in Madrid

At the end of the 18th century, the rapid growth of the population in Madrid created a market that could provide the citizens with fresh products. So, on June 11, 1875, by order of King Alfonso II, the Mercado de la Cebada food market was created, which until the 20th century was one of the most important shopping areas in Madrid.

On the vast territory of the market there are fish and butcher shops, shops with fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as cafeterias and bars for every taste. In total there are about 200 outlets.

The Mercado de la Cebada hosts many exciting gastronomic events. Valid on certain dates Special offers and discounts in restaurants and bars of the market.

Address: Plaza de la Cebada, s/n, 28005 Madrid.

Mercado San Ildefonso - for connoisseurs of simple and tasty dishes and snacks

Mercado San Ildefonso in Madrid is distinguished by the unique and colorful atmosphere of a street market with small grocery stores that sell freshly prepared delicacies.

On each of the three floors of the market there is a bar where you can relax in a pleasant atmosphere, there are also two terraces on the territory with a magnificent view of the city.

The San Ildefonso market is a real paradise for lovers of delicious and varied food! It is pleasantly surprising that the menu is often updated, so every time you can discover more and more new dishes.

A place called Mi Taco is very popular, where everyone can taste traditional Mexican cuisine. Delicious tacos are served here! For a light snack, you can go to Strip Papas and try potatoes cooked according to the original recipe with various sauces to your taste.

Enjoy a traditional Spanish breakfast at Granja Malasaña, which serves excellent egg dishes. We advise you to try the tortilla or soft-boiled eggs with potato garnish and tartar sauce.

The concept of Boqueat croqueteria is interesting (croquettes are deep-fried round or oval crispy balls of thick bechamel sauce with various fillings), where everyone can buy a box of croquettes with different fillings and individual sauces.

Every year, the Mercado San Ildefonso market in Madrid hosts the Street Food Fest, where you can try dishes from different cities around the world. Between the end of May and June, the festival hosts weeks dedicated to the cuisine of one of the cities.

Address: Calle de Fuencarral, 57, 28004 Madrid.

Mercado San Fernando - organic products

In addition to events of a gastronomic nature, various seminars are held in the market premises, recreational activities, concerts and shows .

On the territory of the market you can take coffee in one of the coffee houses. And in the evening - drink a glass of wine or taste local beers in bars located on the territory of the gastronomic market of Madrid. Local restaurants serve dishes from various cuisines of the world: traditional Mediterranean, Greek, Japanese and many others.

Address: Calle de Embajadores, 41, 28012 Madrid.

Mercado de la Paz - a market with a unique atmosphere

One of the oldest markets in Madrid, which was founded back in 1882, has been offering its visitors a wide range of products of the highest quality for many centuries.

A true paradise for croquet lovers! On the territory of the Mercado de la Paz market, there is a famous and beloved by all tourists and locals croqueteria Le Croquette, where you can try real homemade croquettes cooked according to a traditional recipe.

Satisfy your hunger by tasting a delicious and juicy hamburger at Hamburguesa Nostra. The restaurant offers a choice of 30 variations of burger patties made from natural products High Quality.

Address: Centro Comercial La Paz, Calle de Ayala, 28, 28001 Madrid.

Mercado de Platea - a place for real gourmets

The Mercado de Platea market is a real gastronomic shopping center, where on 6000 sq. m there are many gourmet shops and fresh products, as well as bars and restaurants. This is a real paradise for gourmets and gourmets.

On the territory of the market there are many restaurants that offer their visitors high quality service, dishes of various cuisines of the world, from traditional Mediterranean cuisine to Japanese, Chinese and Peruvian.

If you have a sweet tooth, we advise you to visit Mama Framboise, an exquisite pastry shop with a large selection of pastries, cakes, chocolates and other gourmet products from maestro Alejandro Montes, who prepares author's sweets from high-quality products with the addition of secret ingredient- love.

In the Mercado de Platea, you can try dishes from famous chefs. For example, the Arriba restaurant serves dishes from Ramon Freich, who received two stars from the Michelin, as well as three suns from the Spanish guide Repsol.

The capital city of Santo Domingo is also a shopping destination. You will discover the unique "Mercado Modelo" market, founded in 1942 by the dictator Trujillo. The model market is located in the center of Santo Domingo next to de El Conde, on the way to Avenida Mella. It is housed in an aging two-story building north of Zona Colonial Square, next to a neighborhood of Chinese restaurants and shops. This square is not only historical monuments, but also markets and shops within a short drive.

It is impossible to say that the bazaar has an exemplary system, but based on the considerations that it is possible to buy anything you want here, Mercado Modelo justifies its name.

Paradise for a shopaholic

This frenetic trading location is the largest craft market in the capital. It is surrounded by food stalls that cater to local shoppers and was once a popular local market. Today, its goods and prices are geared towards tourists, although Dominicans also come here to buy some things. The Mercado Modelo in Santo Domingo consists of several dozen similar shops selling typical art, local paintings (many of them Haitian), CDs, Dominican and Cuban cigars, liquors, souvenirs and decorations, Mamajuana (a bottle filled with roots and spices that used for seasonal rum), faceless dolls that represent a mixture of Dominican cultural backgrounds. Along with souvenirs, you will find household items, fruits and vegetables, as well as typical culinary ingredients such as vanilla, spices. Meat and fish stalls are located on the ground floor. If you are looking for something special to hang on the walls of your home then this is the perfect place to find it. There is a wide variety of arts and crafts to choose from. Woodcarving is also a popular specialty in Dominican culture.

While many goods may seem mass-produced, the market hosts artists such as Giovanni Infante, who created his original painting in the market's narrow corridor over 20 years ago.

It truly counts as the ultimate shopping stop for all your souvenir shopping and needs. Here you will find excellent amber jewelry and a zesty liquor that is supposed to have seductive qualities. It is also worth visiting the shops that sell impressive carnival masks.
Since the market is built for tourists who will pay the highest price, sellers are known to be eager to get more money what their product is worth. The listed prices are noticeably higher in the Mercado Modelo market than in other bazaars, but they are negotiable. Sellers can be pushy and should not be trusted to accept most offers for the sake of selling goods. The problem is that this market is a magnet for tourists and the vendors are constantly beckoning visitors. The best thing to do is to get through it quickly and get to the other end of the market where you will immerse yourself in the real Dominican lifestyle among the many stalls with tropical fruits and cabbage chopping machines, it's a real feast of flavors and colors.

What's around?

The area around the Mercado Modelo is not the best in Santo Domingo, so it's best to take a taxi to the market, although walking during daylight hours is considered safe.

Older Dominicans remember the market as a place to shop for groceries, cooked meals, and other essentials, and while no longer a true city market, the bazaar remains a good shopping stop on a Dominican vacation. Even if the market is large and a bit overwhelming, it is still considered a place to buy gifts for friends and family.

Outside the market are local vendors selling drinks and snacks for bazaar lovers and passers-by. Be careful as this place is one of the more vibrant areas of the city and is full of hustle and bustle and is also home to pickpockets.

While shopping at the Mercado Modelo market, you may want to visit nearby shops such as La Sirena, Munecas Elisa souvenir shop, Libreria Pichardo bookstore.

Working hours

The Mercado Modelo market is open Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 12.30 pm and from 2.30 pm to 7 pm.

How to get there

The bazaar is located in close proximity to Independence Park, on the famous Malecón Avenue, which stretches along the coast for 15 kilometers.

In this article, you will learn not only where to buy fresh produce, but you will discover the taste and history of the best Spanish markets, which have long been favorite attractions for many tourists.

1 Boquería (Mercado de la Boquería), Barcelona

They say that people come to this market not only for shopping, but also to eat, gossip and enjoy the feeling of kinship and unity. This is a classic municipal market, opened in 1840 on the Ramblas in Barcelona. Recently, the market began to be visited by a huge number of tourists. Boqueria covers 2.583 square meters, more than 300 outlets offer a huge variety of local and exotic products, both for private buyers and for restaurants in the city. This is the largest and most popular market in Catalonia with the most diverse offer of food products.

2 Mercado de la Paz, Madrid

Opened in 1878 in the Salamanca district of Madrid, this market was the last municipal market built in the capital in the 19th century. It is made in the style of modernism, in the 40s the facade was updated, and in the 80s the iron structures and the frame were restored.
The main idea of this market is “global purchases”. That is, it offers customers a huge selection of products and services: fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, gourmet shops, hairdressers, watchmakers, dry cleaners, pharmacies ... This allows you to make all the necessary purchases without leaving the market.
Despite many changes, the De La Paz Market remains the oldest functioning market in Madrid.

3 Mercado de La Esperanza, Santander

A real architectural jewel of Cantabria, designed by Eduardo Reynals and Juan Moya in 1897, a rare example of 19th century architecture.
The food market was completely renovated in 2010 and consists of 2 floors, where there are more than 160 stalls mainly with meat and fish. It is the largest market in Cantabria and was declared a historical and cultural monument in 1977.

4 Central Market (Mercado Central), Valencia

The Valencian Central Market was opened on January 23, 1928 and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Now this is not just a place where you can buy fresh products, it is a huge cultural and tourist center, both for city guests and for its residents.
The market occupies 8.160 meters and is divided into zones: the first has an irregular shape, its area is 6.760 square meters, and the second, octagonal, is intended for fish shops and occupies 1.400 square meters. The basement of 7.690 square meters is used as a parking lot.
With about 1,219 outlets, the market is considered Europe's largest fresh vegetable sales center and is the world's first home delivery market.

5 Santiago Food Market (Mercado de Abastos de Santiago), Galicia

The food market of Santiago is one of the five most important markets in Spain and the second most visited tourist attraction in the city after the cathedral.
The modern market was built in 1941 on the site of the old market built in 1870. In addition to standard shops and shops, the market has jewelry and haberdashery stores, shoe repair shops, gift shops and two restaurants. In one of them, dishes are prepared from products that visitors buy at the market and bring with them.

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