Point of interest
Mercado de San Miguel
in Madrid, Spain
An iron-and-glass gourmet market by Plaza Mayor, perfect for grazing tapas and a drink.
Where it is
The market hall stands on Plaza de San Miguel, just a few steps west of the Plaza Mayor in the historic centre.
Address: Plaza de San Miguel, 28005 Madrid
What it is
Today the Mercado de San Miguel is one of the world's best-known gourmet markets: more than twenty stalls of tapas, oysters, Iberian ham, cheese and wine under an elegant glass roof. It is touristy and not cheap, but atmospheric and perfect for a first culinary wander.
History
The cast-iron hall opened in 1916 as a food market, on the site of the church of San Miguel de los Octoes, demolished in 1809. Bought by private investors in 2003, it reopened in 2009, after renovation, as a gourmet market.