Spanish Flavors: Eating Madrid!
Hello #TravelTaste and hello Madrid!
After a long stay so far in Barcelona, it was about time that we get to know Madrid, right? I know, it took longer than we thought but here we are now!
Totally welcomed into this amazing and multicultural city since the very 1st moment, I was introduced at first through my sense of taste. Probably the best way in my opinion to get to know a place!
It all started when I recently met Lauren Aloise from Spanish Sabores at TBU Porto. Having had some nice chats and getting to talk further, we found out we were heading in the same direction after the event: that’s right, Madrid! She was going back home, I was going to finally visit the place . “How come!” you should be thinking. I know…
Oh sweet summer endings and Madrid here we are!
With taste buds ready to enjoy our very first experience courtesy of Lauren, who is in charge of the Madrid Food Tours and who kindly offered us to join in the experience. So we did.
With an exceptional selection of spots around town, we started the journey over a sunny morning at the well known Plaza Mayor. Let me take you into a small virtual tour in order to share the experience, but don’t get confused. This tour is definitely something to be sensed personally and in situ.
First stop: Chocolatería San Ginés
Just one word: CHURROS! The best I have tried so far around the country and I really mean this. Perfect little hidden spot for a morning breakfast. Open 24/7 to my surprise, I was able to repeat this experience later on during my visit to Madrid. Could not avoid it!
Let this picture talk by itself.
I know you are having watery mouth right now…who doesn’t!
Next: Corpus Christi Monastery
Just one door away from the most unusual buying-cookies experience. There was this place around the corner, after crossing a hallway into a small wooden and “giratoria” door, where you could buy a box of handcrafted cookies through an anonymous transaction, with no faces, just voices: “Choose the box and flavor you like, take it and leave the money in its place” we heard a harsh low voice from the other side. So we did, we took a box, payed for it and just walked away. Nothing else needed. Quite an interesting buy! Where? Plaza del Conde de Miranda #3. Just knock and wait, you’ll find it!
Secret window for buying cookies at a monastery downtown in Madrid. Interesting experience!
Now ready for a market experience? San Miguel Market
I could have lunch here every day and never get tired of anything. Is definitely a very good choice on a budget to try several little tapas, along a beautiful updated building but keeping the antique old structure and feeling in every corner. Please, help yourself and go grab some exquisite bites at San Miguel Market in Madrid. Once again, just a few images to get your watery mouth in mode ON.
Montadito style…a perfect bite.
The taste of tradition.
Spanish croquetas are a must!
Time for some sweets! La Mallorquina is the place.
Totally locally produced pastries of all kinds, you can just go crazy into a visual sugar rush. Oh what a place. Choose for a coffee at the bar or grab a table upstairs, just enjoy both your sight and taste along this magical exposure of sweet pastisserie. And if you just want to grab a bite with no coffee, just don’t forget to ask for a glass of water…you’ll need it afterwards! Loved it.
Sweet bite of sugar, please come to me. And a glass of water too please! Mmmm.
Next stop: Anton Martí Market
Another interesting market around town, with a more local feeling away from the fancy style and the touristy rush. Definitely a place for fresh meats, spanish “embutidos” and best of all: Olives. Lesson learned? Not the most expensive will be the best one, even more regarding Serrano Ham and all those. That for sure!
Dive freely into the green!
Feel the smell of fresh meat? At Anton Martí Market you can certainly find EVERY single part of the cow. Get creative!
Now what? A little snack and a friendly spirit around noon at Casa Toni
Delight your palate with a taste of Moscatel liquor before delighting over some spanish tapas. An interesting flavor getting your digestive system ready to enjoy what comes next. Have you ever tried or heard about it? Moscatel is a liquor made from a special variety of grape, that can go between white-color and almost black grapes. Is a table wine with a sweet and floral flavor, ideal as an aperitif or just for having a toast on special occasions.
And here I give you: MOSCATEL!
A grape selection looking good.
Finally time for lunch with the big stuff! At Casa Granada
Definitely an off-the-beaten-path spot. Up on a covered roof terrace, narrow as a table-line only and tasty as in “taking me to heaven”! Time for a deserved lunch after tasting all Madrid around, between sweets and olives, between tapas and liquors. Yes, my stomach was still available for some more. With a generous selection of fish in different presentations, serrano ham “montaditos” and a few more dishes, we had our nap time ready to join in.
Come on! Of course we had to do nap time after all these. And believe me…we did. Into a happily ever after having a tasteful day with Madrid Food Tours.
Casa Granada is waiting for you into a nice terrace lunch!
Not a tour to be missed if you’re a foodie, traveler or just a curious one about tastes around the world. Make yourself a favor and contact Lauren right away!
**Thank you to Spanish Sabores and Madrid Food Tours for an outstanding selection for the senses around this intense spanish city.
**About-the-Tour Tips: The tour lasts around 4 hours, starting at an easy reachable meeting point downtown, always in small groups, never more than 6-7 attendees. It goes with a steady pace and informative talk all the way, historical facts, clue spots and more to get you familiar with the city. You can also ask for a special customized tour if wanted and Lauren will make sure you get what you need.
For some more Travel Foodie info, take a sip around these posts:
Amazing photos, except for the cow nose one!
Lol! It’s all about the senses, right? ;) Thanks on your comment Andrea!
Oh my, I seem to have missed all that yummy food when we were in Madrid. Time to head back there again!
Thanks you Mariana and Federico for such a lovely post about our tours! It was a pleasure to have you guys come out with us, and we hope that anyone reading this will get in touch when coming to Madrid!
Yum. Great shots and good food. I missed a lot of this when IN Madrid. Time to go back!
You had me at the secret cookie window. How cool is that?
The weirdest thing! And they were soooo good :P
Man, the photos here were making me really hungry Mariana… until I got to the cow’s nose! ;-) Wow!
hahaha! Interesting all the way right? Thanx on your comment Sarah!
Looks like you ate very well in Madrid! I do love the food in Spain.
Sorry I missed the Chocolateria San Gines when I was there. It was before I was on the chocolate trail and somehow the opportunity never came up. Will have to go back and try those churros!
Hi Doreen! Thanks on your comment. I like your page and the chocolate focus! I am definitely a chocolate lover all the way. Makes my life simply better. You won’t regret visiting San Ginés when you go back to Madrid, I promise! Cheers.