The “Mercado de San Miguel” is one of the oldest covered markets in Madrid. It was recently refurbished and now offers and whole new concept of market. You can actually go and buy good fruits, cheese (more than 100 different varieties) and fish among others things… you can also have oysters with a glass of wine while reading a book bought in the library recently opened inside the place.

Its 33 shops offer a great variety of the best delicatessen delicatessen products in a magnificent setting. It can be called the market of this century even though the Market is almost one hundred years old (it was constructed in 1916).

Mercado de San Miguel has recently gained a new appearance, but you can recognize the metal structure of its original construction (the only one surviving in Madrid). Located near “la Plaza Mayor“, it has certainly become the soul of the square!

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Mercado de San Miguel | Shopping, Snacks
Plaza San Miguel | Lavapies & Latina
Sun – Wed 10:00 – 22:00, Thu – Sat 10:00 – 02:00

This is one of these lovely places in Madrid that combines books with drinks, magic with a great atmosphere. Nostalgia and vanguard in the same room, full of antiques on the walls. Images from the first Holy Communion, pictures in black and white, old furniture… There is a careful selection of champagnes that you can mix with fruits, sweets and other surprises.

And of course, always something new going on in María Pandora. And they are even on Facebook!

It’s also possible to celebrate your birthday party or even your wedding because they know how to arrange all details. There are exhibitions, cultural events and good music. From Portuguese fado to chançon francaise (from the 50´s), or blues.

Don´t miss their funny menu, where you can find what they call “cosquillas” (“tickling”) with cava, liquor, tenderness…Or just try any of their non alcoholic drinks and you will enjoy the sugar on top of the glass.

This mixture of coffee shop- champagne shop – book shop (three in one) was created in 1995. Inspired in the fantasy of the theatre, it has a relaxed atmosphere, full of good vibrations. It is definitely a wonderful way to start the evening by candlelight.

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María Pandora | Bars | Cocktail € 6.00
Plaza de Gabriel Miró, 1 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913640039
19:00 – 02:00 (or later) daily

Aula 11 is one of my favourite places in Madrid. I do not think there is anything similar as it offers a combination of cultural events and personal growth.

Three brave partners thought about the idea during the summer of 2006 and now this unique place is located in the heart of the city, in Plaza Tirso de Molina; so it is easy to find.

Apart from the regular agenda that varies every week on their website, there are several interesting seminars that you can try. There are yoga or belly dance courses, you can try your skills in the theatre or performance, or learn about body language, positive attitude and coaching.

Concerts are mostly during weekends. Last time I went to Aula 11, there was a very relaxing Jam Session on a Friday night. The atmosphere was different from any other place. The light, the location, the staff… Trust me, you can feel like at home, sitting down on the wooden floor, enjoying your drink. Do not miss this place, try once and you will get addicted! And do not forget to experience a Hindu concert!

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Aula 11 | Art & culture, Music, Relaxing | Free
Plaza Tirso de Molina 8 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913691127
Check the website for opening times

La taberneria is a great place for starting the night out in Madrid with some traditional tostas.

Inspired by the decoration of the beginning of the last century, it has a good selection of wines from different regions in Spain. Tapas and beers are a good combination, but I would highly recommend the “tostas” here – it’s one of the best places to taste them.

La taberneria is a very small bar, with just a few seats and it gets more crowded in the weekends. If you order a beer, they always bring you some cheese or olives.

Do not miss their “empanadillas” and their “salmorejo” either!!!

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La taberneria | Bars | Tostas € 3
Calle Bailén 35 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913665107
Mon – Thu 19:30 – 00:30, Fri – Sun 10:00 – 16:30 & 19:00 – 02:30

The name of this tavern comes from an almond tree that Rodrigo de Vargas (a descendant of Saint Isidro, Madrid´s patron saint) used to have in his gardens. When the street was built, the tree was left in the middle. And they cut it in 1742.

This tavern is owned by a guy from Cadiz and he knows how to prepare a good meal. Oh, Gosh!! Sundays are the best days for having a stroll around La Latina and hang out for “tapas y cañas”. Taberna El Almendro is one of my favourite places during the late lunch time. It is a fantastic place for a beer or a glass of white wine (here there´re no red wines or rose wines) with green olives.

It´s normally really crowded, more than usual. But I find it part of its magic, as every time you go, you have to figure out how to take a seat or a spot for your meal. So first you check if there is room for you, and then you order your meal. They will shout your name when it will be ready. For the drinks, you just ask the bar tender and pay straight away.

Don´t miss their famous “patatas con huevos estrellados” (potatoes with fried eggs) and their “roscas” (bread rolls filled with Iberian ham, sobrasada or liver morcilla… Mmmmmm… delicious!!

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Taberna El Almendro | Bars | Main meal € 15.00
Calle Almendro 13 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913654252
Mon – Fri 13:00 – 16:00 & 19:30 – 00:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 17:00 & 20:00 – 01:00

It´s not a certain street what I would like to recommend here. It is not a bar or a particular coffee shop. It is La Latina itself on a Sunday morning. People sitting on the floor sunbathing with a beer in their hand; people playing the guitar or just chatting. The neighbourhood changes completely and it is full of activity. A combination of tapas, sun, drinks and a late breakfast. Everybody is sleepy on a Sunday morning…

I personally enjoy Sundays here. It does not matter if it is summer or winter. It is another way of feeling the flavour of the city. Everywhere you go, there is always the same positive mood, exactly the same type of vibration.

There is no exact spot I can recommend, as every corner has a different and fantastic touch. It is my plan after the Rastro, the traditional open air market. And definitely it seems to be everybody’s plan to spend the sunny weekend time in the street.

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La Latina | Bars | Free
Every single corner | Lavapies & Latina
Sun 12:00 – 00:00

There is not a big tradition of flower markets in Madrid. Flowers are usually expensive, compared to other European cities.

Nevertheless, for those who like to have fresh and colourful flowers at home, there are a few options. One of them is El Mecado de las Flores, located in the heart of the city, in Plaza Tirso de Molina.

Plaza Tirso de Molina has been recently renovated and now it is full of cultural activity. It is actually a nice area to walk around the flower stands or just take part in any of the Festivals that are scheduled.

The stands were designed by the famous studio Galán/Lubascher Arquitectos, exclusively for the city. Here you can find daisies, tulips, roses, Spanish carnations, or even orchids. They also sell bouquets of flowers from those ones you choose.

This Plaza is quite unusual because it is full of wholesale shops. So just check it out!

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Mercado de las Flores | Shopping
Plaza Tirso de Molina | Lavapies & Latina
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 20:30, Sat 10:00 – 14:00

OK so I haven’t exactly been here to get my haircut. This is a barbers shop and that’s not where ladies tend to get their haircut. Coincidentally I go to a fantastic salon in Chueca, but more about that another time.

For the time being I’d like to draw the attention of all those image conscious men out there to this gem of a barbers. The tiling of the shop front speaks for itself. Actually this barbers opened in 1908 and the decorative ceramic dates from the 1914 and has been preserved to date. So what are you waiting for? Hurry up and get your very authentic Madrileño haircut or moustache trim!

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Vallejo | Relaxing, Shopping | Haircut € 10
Calle Santa Isabel, 22 | Lavapies & Latina | +34915274448
Sun – Fri 09:00 – 14: 00 & 16:30 – 20:30, Sat 09:00 – 14:00

This has got to be the most popular film lovers hangout. The Spanish Filmoteca is housed in the historical Cine Dore. You can pick up and study the monthly programme line-up flyer whilst you sip your café con leche in the coffee shop.

If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t worry all films here are original version so if you’re in luck you’ll find your pick in English, Swedish or even Bengali. There are several themes and seasons chosen each month.

You may stumble across a selection of Portuguese cinema, to a Truffaut season and a space is also importantly kept for documentaries. In the summer months there even is an outdoor screen, so you can enjoy your favourite ‘peli’ under the starlit Madrileño sky.

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Cine Dore | Cinemas, Coffee & tea | Ticket € 2.50
Calle Santa Isabel, 3 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913691125
Tue – Sun from 16:15

A great bar in the heart of Lavapiés, really close to the popular Calle Argumosa. The owner is an ardent photographer and you’ll find some great photos displayed on the walls lining the bar. Apparently when he bought the bar the wallpaper was so distasteful he just had to do something about it! Luckily he stumbled over some old photos he’d taken and decided to make a more interesting wallpaper creation. Most are in black and white and well worth having a closer look at.

The drinks are cheap and although the tapas on offer few they are good and home-made. I recommend you try the chicken (Pollo Hortelano) and the potatoes (Papas Arrugas) with the sauces (Mojo and Mojo Picante).

Every 1st Thursday of the month there are poetry readings. Every 2nd Thursday of every month short story readings. Both start around 21:30 but check at the bar as all is subject to change. Oh and don’t worry if you find the place empty – it fills up quick and there’s charm in just chatting to the staff.

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Tapas y Fotos | Art & culture, Bars | Tapas from € 4.50
Calle Doctor Piga, 7 | Lavapies & Latina
Mon – Fri 19:00 – 02:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 02:00