The popularity of markets as gastronomic settings has a start date and location. Ten years ago the markets of Madrid were places doomed to disappear: the supermarket and the facilities derived from it pushed the markets to a contingency position. The bet at the beginning of the decade on the San Miguel Market was the renovation with gastronomy as the backbone. From then on, San Miguel became a temple benchmark of the tourist tapas but it marked a path to follow.
The Vallehermoso, the Antón Martín, the San Fernando and many others have established themselves as the guarantors or thermometers of the gastronomic state of the city. Markets are divided between restaurants and spaces that maintain tradition and utility. There is also a fusion among the restaurants: traditional cuisine alternates with more risky bets. And here is a good proof of it: restaurants with awards of all kinds, traditional restaurants, of all nationalities and, of course, for all budgets.
1. Doppelgänger
Little can be said about Doppelgänger that we haven’t already said. One of the best openings in 2020 and a reason in itself to visit the Antón Martín Market. Its main peculiarity is that the chef, Sammy Ali, got tired of the Michelin star world and set up his restaurant in the market. But that’s just an anecdote. It is preferable to go and try (literally) their entire menu: there is no other way to understand Doppelgänger.
Around 35€ per person
Antón Martín Market
2. Tripea
If the popularity of an Instagram account is measured by its followers, that of a restaurant may well be measured by how much it costs to book. It would be delusional to think of Tripea for lunch on a Saturday and believe that it can be booked on a Friday. We have already contemplated it among our favorite tasting menus: Tripea offers a seven-course sharing menu and only works with seasonal products.
Around 40€ per person
Vallehermoso Market
3. Hiwakaya
The word clandestine is one of the words that best suits Hiwakaya: that is how the newspaper El Mundo referred to his post three years ago and that is the spirit that they continue to preserve after the hardest moments of the coronavirus. A Nikkei restaurant that bets heavily on tiraditos, ceviches and of course sushi with more fantasy than orthodoxy.
Around 20€ per person
Guindalera Market
4. Sincio
There is no Spanish word in widespread use throughout the peninsula that sums up what sincio is. And there is no word (in general) that serves better as a self-fulfilling prophecy. A day after eating at Sincio, one has Sincio’s Sincio. Leisure is a lot of desire to do something (mainly referred to food) and in Sincio is Cantabrian food market leading market.
About 30€ per person
Antón Martín Market
5. Kitchen 154
Anyone who likes spicy food knows what we are talking about when we talk about Kitchen154: one of the gastronomic stalls of reference in the Vallehermoso and Chamberí markets. Since 2015, its managers have been committed to street food in their own terms: “rogue, complex in flavors, high quality and accessible to all budgets”. His unique style when it comes to reinterpreting dishes (whether exotic or traditional) ensures that each one is an adventure for the palate.
Around 20€ per person
Markets of Vallehermoso and Chamberí
6. Akma Korean Kitchen
Lovers of traditional Korean food have a special place in the San Ildefonso Market. Akma, with its Japanese and Korean fusion cuisine, is -for quality and taste- one of the restaurants to try. On the menu you can find from the famous takoyakis to rice dishes, pasta, noodles or marinated beef (bulgogi). Not to mention its unparalleled Korean-style fried chicken (dak), in any of its versions. You will repeat.
Around 20€ per person
San Ildefonso Market
7. Yokaloka
This is not the first time we talk about Yokaloka, nor will it be the last. It is one of the most veteran Stalls/Stands in Antón Martín, but not only its age is a degree: the quality of its gastronomic offer makes it one of the best in the area best places to eat sushi in the capital or one of its celebrated ramen. And, in general, to enjoy the best Japanese food without leaving Madrid.
Around 20€ per person
Antón Martín Market
8. Arzábal
The Mercado de San Miguel has become one of the great gastronomic centers of Madrid, especially for tourists. That is why it is so important that the offer is competitive enough to leave the flag “high”. And if the goal is to eat well, then you have to stop by Arzábal, which has a wide variety of skewers in which the quality of the product stands out.
About 20 € per person
San Miguel Market
9.Prrimital
Another must of the San Miguel Market is Prrimital. A true temple of the flesh where the rotisserie plays a major role. The raw material is the other great protagonist of this proposal that offers the best meats. An opportunity to eat beef or old cow meat in the center of Madrid. Although if you are daring, you can order the duck or beef rib burgers. They are not wasted.
Around 40€ per person
San Miguel Market
10. Twelve Chiles
Mexican food is a religion that is constantly gaining followers, but many of them are unaware of the existence of the comal, a type of gr iddle used to cook the best tacos. An invention that many compare in importance to Gutenberg’s own printing press, and it has its logic. Thanks to the comal, the Twelve Chiles prepares delicious tortillas. His letter is brief, but intense. Just like their homemade stews, which will make you travel through the flavor to the deepest part of the American country.
Around 20€
Peace Market
11. Cutzamala
On the first floor of the Antón Martín Market is another point of pilgrimage for all lovers of Mexican gastronomy. If you don’t know him yet, write him down in the notes app on your phone or put a thumbtack on the fridge with his name on it. You will thank us. It is a place that does not fail in price, quality or service, which is no small thing. A home kitchen – the real kind – that prepares 100% of its dishes and sauces in the same space where the food is served. On top of that, if you are looking for something special, there are new specialties every day.
About 10€
Antón Martín Market
12. Matteo Cucina Italiana
Image courtesy of Matteo Cucina Italiana
Among the immense culinary offerings of the Mercado de la Paz, and with permission of the tortillas de la Paz, and with permission of the tortillas of Dani House this corner, which has become an open secret among Italians living in Madrid, stands out. Its owners, Matteo de Filippo (at the helm of the kitchen) and Chiara Guberti, run this restaurant specialized in the cuisine of their country of origin, which also serves as a gourmet products store.
Hailing from Parma, Matteo focuses on traditional Italian recipes without neglecting a creative touch of avant-garde in dishes such as pesce in crosta, vitello tonnato, polpettone napoletano or the impeccable tiramisu.
Around 30€
Peace Market
13. Bendito Wines and Vinyls
Image courtesy of Bendito Vinos y Vinilos
This corner of the Embajadores street market exudes frankness, solidity and originality in equal parts. Specializing in natural wines, Bendito Vinos y Vinilos has been winning over its loyal customers for 8 years thanks to an impeccable and affordable selection of bottles, the unassuming friendliness of José González, its owner, always willing to share his wine knowledge, and the exquisiteness of the food.
Brief and carefully selected, its menu features a good selection of cheeses, Salamanca cured meats, bocartes and Portuguese preserves. And why vinyls? Here they have adopted an essential role: they are the tables where the appetizers are presented.
Around 20€
San Fernando Market
14. Juancho’s BBQ
Image courtesy of Juancho’s BBQ
Blame it all on his burger, considered the best in Spain (small word). It all started in 2018, at its location in the Chamberí Market where his acclaimed Bacon Juancheeseburger and La Trufada, his burger with raclette cheese, brandy sauce and, of course, fresh truffle, have become known. And now it also preaches with its delicacies in the newly opened space of the Mercado de San Antón.
Juancho, the soul of Juancho’s BBQ, is passionate about beef and shows it with the love he puts into the elaboration of his specialty, which is accompanied with premium ingredients and a brioche banana brioche that is a dream. Their hamburgers are also served at home.
Around 20€
Chamberí Market and San Antón Market