[Rail Paul]

The NY Times has a nice article on this restored food market in downtown Madrid. After a lengthy restoration, it's become a magnet for shoppers.

“It’s a traditional market for the 21st century,” said Ana Martín, a publicist for the 33 vendors loosely linked side-by-side under a soaring wood-and-iron roof. By day the Mercado woos residents and visitors alike, with purveyors hawking everything from produce to fish, fresh pastas to pastries, cookbooks to cooking utensils. After hours, the crowd shifts focus to beers and tapas; the frutería closes; a wine bar draws a genial mob.

Reminiscent of Les Halles

[Orik]

That's good to know, it's been under renovation forever and ever. The markets in Madrid are ok, but generally haven't enjoy the same renovations that those in Barcelona have seen. Will report from there soon.

[rohandaft]

That's good to know, it's been under renovation forever and ever. The markets in Madrid are ok, but generally haven't enjoy the same renovations that those in Barcelona have seen. Will report from there soon.

San Miguel was being renovated when I last passed by a couple of years ago. I hope it works - Santa Caterina and Barceloneta markets in Barcelona have lost some atmosphere and - worse - some traders with their renovations. Biggest loss for me was the beef butcher at Santa Caterina - not easy to buy good beef in Barcelona.

[Wilfrid1]

I was amazed at the modernized Barceloneta market, but there didn't seem to be a heck of a lot of stalls. I haven't been to Santa Caterina since the renovation.

[Orik]

I'm not sure it's the ideal place for everyday shopping, but it sure is an extraordinary food court.


The concept is very different from the Boqueria, where you sit down at one of the bars to eat - here you can either do that but you can also pick your food from several places and the wine from others and just sit down anywhere.

You could get, for example, some salpicon de mariscos:



From 100% Galician, sustainable, day boat vendor Lonxanet, where the decoration is also food:



Or Daniel Sorlut oysters:



Or maybe some jamon:



And have it with wine from Pinkleton, who'll pour anything from 2 Euro whites to 29 Euro glasses of Vega Sicilia. Their decor is convincing:



There's also another wine vendor who'll sell you CVNE Imperial Reserva for 12 Euro for a half bottle, and many other options.


Open continuously from 10am to Midnight (2am on weekends) and a huge, if soulless success.

[balex]

I was here a month or two ago and found it too crowded and noisy and couldn't get the food I wanted, or find anywhere to sit or even rest a glass -- so we had a few oysters and legged it.
We were there about 9:30 or so -- maybe earlier would be better.

[Orik]

At 3pm it was very lively but not insane.

[beachfan]

If I'm there at midnight, on the late nights, are most of the food options available? I'm thinking a Thursday night.