Mercado de San Miguel

Wow. I challenge anyone to come here, sample any of the food and drinks and not give it five stars.

A must visit for anyone, anywhere in Madrid.

very nicely decorated old market in the centre. well worth a visit but you dont need to stop and buy in my views - its all rather expensive and on the posh side.

BUT its great to watch people, enjoy the atmosphere and get the distinct feel that the crisis in Spain cant be that bad if so many people still go there to eat oysters and dring champagne....

This must be one of the most interesting food courts in Europe. An old covered market, originally constructed in 1916, beautifully refurbished in glass to provide a base for some 30 individual stalls selling all kinds of food and drink. It's not so much a market (although you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and cheeses as well as bread) as a huge glass food court full of Madrilenos standing and talking over tapas, oysters and other delicacies while drinking wines and finos from proper glasses . It has a wonderful atmosphere and superb lighting, making it the prime destination around the Plaza Mayor in the centre of town.

Beautiful place to visit if you love food and want to try different new delicacies in an informal easy setting, or just look around and learn about Spanish food. A "must do" stop for lunch for all food lovers! I agree with Alice's reviews, you can end up spending a lot of money if not careful, but you can also have an excellent lunch and some good "fino" for very reasonable money!

Of all the places we visited in Old Madrid, the Mercado de San Miguel was the most friendly, unique and enjoyable. Probably because both my boyfriend and I are a couple of shameless foodies. Situated in the Plaza San Miguel, just off the Calle Mayor, this market is a wonderful place to visit if you’re looking to get the feel of the city for the first time.

Inside, you’ll find stalls selling ready-to-eat cured ham, cheese, olives, oysters and tapas as well as dried pulses, fresh fish and fruit and veg. The idea is that you head to one of the wine counters and purchase a glass of wine to wander around with (yes, a wine GLASS, not a plastic beaker like you get everywhere in England) then amble leisurely from counter to counter sampling all the delights on offer – from cheese tapas to the famous jamon iberico.

A word of warning though: it would be very easy to spend a LOT of money in here. Especially if you find yourself up the champagne and oyster end of things. If, like us, you find yourself content with a €2 glass of Rioja and a plate of cheese then you’ll be absolutely fine.