I am - and have always been - a hungry traveller.  I'm a sucker for shady street food stalls; Michelin-star restaurants; local specialities whether it's foie gras in France or pata negra jamon de belotta in Spain; exotic delicacies - lamb head in Marrakech (see our Top 10 Things to Experience in Marrakech, Morocco) or snake soup in Hong Kong are two examples that come to mind; and I absolutely adore markets.

After feasting in San Sebastian, Spain, where my husband and I unapologetically dined at Arzak, Mugaritz, Asador Extebarri, and Martin Berasategui in only three days, we were ready for dining experiences without all the pomp and circumstance.  So we made our way to Madrid by train.  

Get more on travel & food from TripAtlas.com.  Love a good donut? The Best Donuts in the World.  Foodie family vacations?  How I Ate Through Virginia Beach in 48 Hours.  Best ham in the world? Hamming it up in Barcelona at Jamonisimo.

The majestic Westin Palace Madrid

Soon enough, we found our exhausted selves at the doorstep of the Westin Palace Madrid, a Great Hotel of the World (www.ghotw.com/westin-palace-madrid).  With the magnificence of having been built by King Alfonso XIII in 1912, we quickly fell in love with the Palace and our upgraded executive suite (after a quick mention that it was our honeymoon).

Happily rested from sleeping in a Westin Hotel's signature Heavenly Bed, the next day began with a grandiose breakfast buffet.  Under the stunning stained-glass dome of the Palace, where many politicians, A-List celebrities, artists, and Spanish royalty have conversed; we plotted our day's itinerary.  

We began at at Plaza Mayor and continued westward to the Royal Palace - but quickly stopped short.  

That's when I saw it: giant specimens of fish, lobsters the size of my head, crabs, clams, and oysters being packed down with ice on display behind the window of an iron-framed windowed building.  "A market!" I squealed in delight.  

Mercado de San Miguel: A hungry traveller's favourite find!

It was Mercado de San Miguel: the oldest covered market in Madrid just recently re-opened in July 2009 after renovations on the original 1916 building.  Off the radar to most tourists (and their travel guides), we stepped inside and excitedly perused the 33 vendor shops amongst locals picking up their groceries or grabbing a cafe con leche. 

Tables and stools are found throughout for quick bite amongst the wooden carts filled with round breads, baguettes, loafs, danishes, and more.  Creative candy makers, coffee roasters, and pastry shops line the west end of the market - apple danishes line up next to bite-sized cakes.

Amongst the vendors, you'll find meat, seafood, and cheese purveyors next to stalls serving up Madrid's sweetest oysters, shucked to order; cava and wine tasting bars; jamon maestros; and spots serving up hot and cold tapas made with the freshest market ingredients.  

The modern-meets-traditional-market style of Mercado San Miguel is absolutely charming - and just the kind of down-to-earth food experience we'd been craving.  Great for a quick stop or hours of people-watching over a glass of cava - the Mercado San Miguel is a definite treat and this hungry traveller's favourite find in Madrid, Spain.

Mercado de San Miguel is open from 10am-12am on Monday-Wednesday; and 10am-2am on Thursday-Saturday.  Go to: www.mercadodesanmiguel.es for more.

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