It’s lunchtime in Madrid and as I stroll through the Barceló Market, with its array of food stalls, incredible aromas collide, pulling me in all sorts of different directions.

Quality, sustainability, and accessibility are the focus of everything at the Barceló Market, and while you can go shopping for all of your classic market favorites here, it’s also a fantastic place to stop for a bite to eat. There are tons of places to choose from to satisfy your appetite. Whatever you fancy, from Ramen to Korean to hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza, you can find it here. However, one word caught my eye and I knew exactly what I wanted. Arepa.

Latino Arepa serves up this famous Venezuelan favourite made of ground maize dough and stuffed with every filling you can imagine. If you are craving meat, cheese, or vegetables, you can find it in an arepa at Latino Arepa. They also have empanadas and cachapas! I went for the “Mixta” arepa, a combination of seasoned beef and chicken topped with cheese and fried plantain. The savoury meat was cooked perfectly and the fried plantain added just the right amount of sweetness. I like mine with hot sauce, which added a nice kick. The portion was very generous and I left happy and full.

I love that you can get great Latin American food in Madrid. Whether you come here during your weekly shop or for a casual lunch with friends, Latino Arepa will not disappoint.