But the hidden gems don\u2019t end there. Plenty of foodies head to the Salamanca district bound for one of Europe\u2019s most celebrated Michelin star Mexican restaurants, Punto MX<\/a>. What many don\u2019t realize is that it\u2019s a mere five-minute walk from the centennial Mercado de la Paz<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Madrid local government introduced the centennial plaques<\/a> in 2006 to honor businesses that have withstood the test of time in Spain\u2019s capital city. In a city as dynamic and modern as Madrid, it’s important to celebrate the small businesses that have historically defined commerce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently there are more than 170 establishments which have been awarded centennial plaques by the city hall. With so many options and a limited itinerary, here is a list of seven must-visit businesses that have defined the city of Madrid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Click to expand<\/a> or embed<\/a> this image on your site<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re serious about experiencing the food scene in any European city, a visit to a local market is a must. And out of the 46 municipal markets in Madrid<\/a>, there\u2019s no better place to see the incredible variety of products available in Madrid than by visiting the centennial Mercado de la Cebada<\/a> in the central La Latina neighborhood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To my chagrin, a substantial number of visitors to the capital prioritize visiting the San Miguel Market. Although beautiful and centrally located, there is very little local or authentic about it. Seldom do visitors know that a mere 10-minute walk will bring them to Mercado de la Cebada, a truly local market with more than 100 years of history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inaugurated in 1875, it is one of Madrid\u2019s largest markets with more than 80 vendors. From butchers and fishmongers to shoe repair and sushi stalls, Mercado de la Cebada is an important part of the La Latina social fabric, where relationships between vendors and clientele can stretch back generations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Local tip: <\/strong>Stop by on Saturdays, when the market comes to life as the fishmongers break out griddles and cook their products to order along with very affordable wine and beer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just a stone\u2019s throw from Plaza Mayor, you\u2019ll find Calzados Lobo<\/a>, inevitably with a line of locals waiting to buy alpargatas<\/em> or espadrilles for around \u20ac9 (depending on the model). <\/p>\n\n\n\n These traditional Spanish summer shoes make perfect gifts given their simplicity and cultural relevance. And there\u2019s no better place to get it than at Calzados Lobo, which opened in 1892 and to this day only carries products made in Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madrid\u2019s oldest pastry shop, La Antigua Pasteler\u00eda del Pozo<\/a>, is conveniently located near the busy Puerta del Sol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Originally opened in 1830, it\u2019s known for its traditional method of baking Madrid\u2019s most classic pastries. From their palmera de chocolate<\/em>\u2014pastry dough covered in chocolate\u2014to their bayonesas<\/em>\u2014pastry dough filled with candied pumpkin called cabello de \u00e1ngel\u2014<\/em>all of their products are made in-house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are fortunate to be in Madrid around the Christmas season, buy some marzipan and Spanish turr\u00f3n,<\/em> a traditional Christmas season sweet made from almonds and other local nuts. It makes for a great gastronomic present for foodie friends and family back home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A heavily debated culinary subject in Madrid is where to find the best tortilla<\/em><\/a>, or Spanish omelette. I would never want to weigh in and name my favorite here, but it\u2019s widely recognized that Bodegas La Ardosa<\/a> belongs on any list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first bars in Madrid to import foreign beers such as Guiness and Pilsner Urquell, Bodegas La Ardosa dates back to the year 1892, when Rafael Fernandez Bagena opened a tavern with the goal of selling wines from his hometown in Toledo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n From the tile work to the tortilla<\/em>, everything here is what you need in a classic Madrid tavern. When the bar is full, patrons are invited to pass underneath the bar to a back room next to the kitchen. The vermouth is fantastic, as are their sherry wines paired with mojama, <\/em>a type of salt-cured tuna served with marcona almonds and olive oil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once again breaking away from Madrid\u2019s culinary offerings, a must visit is the emblematic Casa de Diego<\/a> located in the heart of the Puerta del Sol square. Since 1823, they have been making and selling abanicos<\/em>, the classic Spanish fans, as well as umbrellas, canes, and the famous mantones<\/em><\/a>, or shawls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it\u2019s located in the epicenter of tourism in Madrid, walk in and you’ll find yourself amongst locals as if time has stood still. The shopkeepers behind the counter fetch your product with an attention to detail uncharacteristic of most other businesses in Puerta del Sol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s true that you can buy plastic cheap abanicos <\/em>throughout the city, but go ahead and spend the extra \u20acfive or so at Casa Diego\u2014it\u2019s well worth it and the experience of shopping here is truly unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a fantastic mix of history and the preservation of Madrid\u2019s gastronomic tradition, Casa Labra<\/a> is a must visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Originally opened in 1860, little has changed here in nearly 160 years. From the original family recipe for the tajada de bacalao <\/em>and croquetas de bacalao<\/em> (salt cod fritters and croquettes, respectively), to the tile work and two-line system where patrons have to line up first to order food and then their drink, much of what makes Casa Labra great has stayed the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As if this weren\u2019t reason enough to exalt Casa Labra, take a glance at the dilapidated plaque<\/a> to the left above the entrance proclaiming Casa Labra to be where the Spanish SOE (Socialist Party) was founded in 1879. It was originally a clandestine political party formed behind Casa Labra’s closed doors by workers calling for basic rights such as the right to strike and the prohibition of child labor. Now called the PSOE, it\u2019s risen to being the party most voted in the 2019 Spanish general elections<\/a>. For history lovers and foodies alike, Casa Labra is a must for a ca\u00f1a <\/em>and a tajada de bacalao.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once again located in the central Sol district, shoppers looking for a classic wine shop with over 100 years of history need look no further than Mariano Madrue\u00f1o<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Founded in 1895 by Mariano Madrue\u00f1o, the grandfather of the current owner, this family-run wine shop originally specialized in their own wines, vermouths, and spirits produced outside the city, but began to carry important national wines following the Civil War. Nowadays, it\u2019s a reference wine shop in Madrid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For an interesting gift to take home, pick up a bottle of their own wine, Apnea<\/a>, made in honor of the owner\u2019s daughter, Laura Madrue\u00f1o. You\u2019ll be taking home a piece of Madrid history for less than \u20ac6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Centennial](\"https:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gold-plaque-100-years-1.jpg\")
![\"Forget](\"https:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/madrid-centennial-infographic-FINAL-WEB.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Mercado de la Cebada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Mercado](\"https:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/centennial-businesses-madrid-mercado-de-la-cebada.jpg\")
2. Calzados Lobo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Antigua Pasteler\u00eda del Pozo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Turr\u00f3n](\"https:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/turron-foodie.jpg\")
4. La Ardosa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Bodegas](\"https:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/centennial-businesses-madrid-bodegas-la-ardosa.jpg\")
5. Casa Diego<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Casa Labra<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Casa](\"https:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/centennial-businesses-madrid-casa-labra.jpg\")
7. Mariano Madrue\u00f1o<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Forget](\"https:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/centennial-businesses-madrid.png\")
<\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"