As the holiday season approaches so do the dinner parties and gift obligations that come along with the festivities. Whether you’re hosting a dinner, attending a party or going home for the holidays, chances are you’ll need to bring a gift. Luckily, Madrid is home to loads of amazing shops, boutiques and galleries. And our favorite type of shop in Madrid? The gourmet one!
We’ve never been a big fan of the word gourmet (it sounds a bit stuffy doesn’t it?) so we’re using it here to mean absolutely delicious, high-quality food and drink.
Any of these gourmet shops in Madrid will be able to provide you with a lovely (and edible) gift (for yourself or for others!) and have definitely helped make my holiday shopping much easier!
1. Cacao Sampaka
For: Chocolates
Why? Cacao Sampaka is undoubtedly one of the city’s best chocolate shops. Offering only the best quality chocolates, everything here uses authentic cocoa and no preservatives. Visit their shop for one of their melt-in-your-mouth truffles (try fun flavors like saffron or violet!), or take home a whole box for the perfect gift.
Where: Calle Orellana, 4
2. Casa Gonzalez
For: Wine and cheese
Why? Casa Gonzalez is arguably the prettiest deli in all of Spain (and that’s why it’s a stop on our Huertas Neighborhood Food and Market Tour!). The cozy shop sells excellent, lesser known wines from all over Spain, and a small selection of top quality cheeses. They can whip you up a cheese platter in no time, and pair it with a wine or two (this will quickly make you the most popular dinner guest in town so watch out!).
Where: Calle León, 12
3. Spicy Yuli
For: Exotic spices and teas
Why? True gourmands in Madrid know all about Spicy Yuli. This tiny shop hidden away on Calle Valverde specializes in spices and teas, and the owner, Yuli, knows her stuff! Whether you’re looking to spice up the holidays with a Jamaican curry, or cure your winter cold with a hot cup of green tea, Yuli will take care of you and her prices are great.
Where: Calle Valverde, 42
4. Bodega Santa Cecilia
For: Wonderful Spanish cava at all price ranges
Why? Get ready to fall in love with some of Spain’s best sparkling wines. The team at Bodega Santa Cecilia is extremely passionate about cava, and will be happy to let you sample some for yourself, or give you as many details as you need to make a decision.
5. Dónde Sánchez
For: Lesser known wines and craft beers, craft beers, Spanish cheeses, and more!
Photo by our lovely social media intern (and blogger/photographer) Courtney Likkel
Why? Located on the bottom floor of the constantly evolving Mercado Antón Martín, Dónde Sánchez is one of the city’s best shops for a selection of locally produced Spanish products. Wines, cheeses, patés, jams and much more grace the shelves of owner Paz’s display. This is another stop on our Huertas tour, so make sure to sign up for the full experience!
Where: Mercado Antón Martín, Calle Santa Isabel, 5
6. Torrons Vicens
For: Classic and modern styles of Spanish turrón
Why? Nothing says the holidays in Spain quite like turrón— Spanish candy bars. Torrons Vicens sells the delicious bars all year long, specializing in both the classics (such as hard turrón with hazelnut and soft turrón with almond) and also in more modern versions. They even have a line designed by one of Spain’s most famous chefs, Albert Adria! His turrón is to die for. And don’t even get me started on the creamy liquor de turrón! You can sample classic turrones and liquor on our Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Tour.
Where: Calle Mayor, 43
These are only some of my favorite gourmet shops in Madrid– it seems each week something new opens! Have you visited anything worthwhile? Leave it in the comments and we’ll include it in our next round up!
Photo credits: Chocolates photo by Ippei Suzuki on Flickr CC
Don’t have any more room in your suitcase for actual food? Good news: a Devour Tours gift certificate won’t take up any space. If you’re still not sold, consider the fact that they never expire, and you get it instantly. Plus, the look on your food-loving friend’s face when they see that you’ve essentially gifted them a bespoke gastronomic experience in Europe will say it all.
Great article, just came back from Madrid a couple of weeks ago and wish I’d seen this before I went!
It would be a pleasure for us to welcome you in our beautiful shop from 1931 in Madrid. Since then we work hard to offer the best wines and gourmet products in the centre of the Barrio de Salamanca in Madrid.
Thank you! Can’t wait to visit!
Wonderful article, Turron Vicens looks very delicious. Thanks for this post, this would serve as our guide when we visit Madrid. Good job on this.