Why Do Markets Have Saint Names?

I love to travel. Everywhere.  And I don’t mind coming back to the same place. So I’ve been to Madrid before moving here.

As a tourist I followed the travel guides. One of the “must see” locations was “Mercado San Miguel” (Saint Miguel Market).

Open the doors and enter wonderland

Back then, I said to myself: I know the west Europeans are crazy with healthy, fresh food…but come on, do I need to go to the market for that? I am staying in a fancy hotel. What do you want me do to? Just go and have a look? Cause buying is not an option since I don’t think the chef would be interested in me doing the shopping for his kitchen. So I said no way I am going to the market.

Then, when I moved to Madrid I got a “Let’s have dinner in Mercado San Miguel” invitation. Well…I don’t know how to describe my first reaction to that. Eating in the market?!?! I think I was horrified just because I saw before my eyes the markets in my home town. It’s like in a country side fair…nobody eats there, you can only see vegetable full of soil and the sellers. But what the hell….if not now, when?

I said yes, let’s take a look. Ok, we entered and it took us exactly 12 seconds to get out.  Not because something stinky was announcing its presence but because it was FULL.

We are all a big, happy family

Yes, unfortunately in Madrid people love to feel really close to each other (literally speaking). And it appeared that was the place to be, a sacred place for the people of Madrid!

I got more determined:  I have to eat there!  So I went again, got stepped on, hit, pushed, but somehow I managed to survive this semi-suicidal intention of eating in San Miguel in the weekend.

And I discovered it’s not just a place where you can buy groceries. It a building made of glass with little Boutique-bars that serve a lot of goodies. There are also tables and chairs: P

After this experience I became smarter. Why the hell should I go there in the weekend? So please, for the sake of your personal sanity….try to enjoy the experience in a weekday. Otherwise you won’t be able to see what I immortalized just for you. And only after eating here you can fully understand why this market was called after a Saint: because it looks like a paradise!

Olives…with everything

Yes sir, we love cheese

TAPAS…More Tapas

TAPAS…More Tapas

Our King – El Jamon

Our King – El Jamon

For the light food lovers

Life is better with wine

But you can use the pictures as a menu 🙂 So… Bon appetite and don’t miss out Mercado San Miguel. It’s an incredible experience if you allow yourself a little bit of time (and place) to enjoy it.