[photo by Alfredo Aguilar]
The Mercado de San Agustin is Granada’s principal central food market near the Cathedral. Like a lot of such markets, it has suffered (sadly) a decline in its core business, but has recently begun to re-invent itself. The original 1970s market building (before that San Agustín was an outdoor street market) has been given a major facelift, and a new gourmet section with a number of bars – run by San Agustín Gourmet – have been added to the traditional food stalls.
Unlike many similar places that have opened around Spain, calling themselves markets when they are actually gourmet food courts, San Agustín still functions as a provisions market. In some cases you can purchase fresh items from a stall and have them prepared at one of the new bars, which we did, ordering 300 grams of secreto Ibérico from Conchita the butcher (3€) and for another 3€ Tendido Gourmet grilled it and brought it to our table. But speaking of “tables” this is probably the main negative about the new set up, as there aren’t many places to sit. We were there early on a Wednesday afternoon and had no trouble finding a tall table – handily just outside the Vinoteca – but one of us had to stay there to guard our spot while another went out in search of food. I imagine it would get a bit frustrating trying to do this when the place is packed and the bars and food stalls are all busy. If you just want fried fish and seafood, Bajo de Guía has its own small bar area, though it’s standing room only. For the rest, it’s all take-away and then take your chance finding somewhere to eat either inside the market or outside on the terrace. But overall, a pleasant space to either shop or stop for a beer and a snack.
Plaza San Agustín
Granada
Tel 958 278 279
Mercado San Agustín Website
€ € € €
Food 7 | Wine 8 | Service 6 | Ambiance 7
cones of camarones
takeaway paella
pinchos
puntillitas (baby squid)
tortillita de camarones
croquetas de puchero
grilled secreto Ibérico
cooking our secreto at Tendido
carabineros
conchas finas
bar area
complimentary fried hake
complimentary seafood croquetas
complimentary gambas from Motril
hola!
fish and seafood display
the bar
dining area
jamón serrano
complimentary blue cheese paté
squid ink croquetas (complimentary)
complimentary jamón croquetas
grilled pork belly (complimentary)
complimentary mini tortillas
complimentary menudo (tripe stew)
oxtail burger with havarti cheese and au jus mayo
Alfonso cutting jamón
avocado on toast, butifarra
tomatoes with olive oil, sausage
Mencal from Granada
carne mechada with sundried tomatoes
the menu
the bar
chalkboard menu
complimentary tortilla (4 people)
complimentary serrano (4 people)
complimentary rice (2 people)
flamenquín de la casa
stewed pork (complimentary)
complimentary beans with jamón (2 people)
spicy gambas pilpil
complimentary cheese (4 people)
pan-fried níscalos with raw egg yolk
breaded chocos with olive oil mayo
30 eggs & 5 kilos of potatoes in each one
slice of tortilla with beer
salmorejo topped with chopped egg and jamón
the menu
amuse-bouche (can’t remember what it was…)
porra Antequera with jamón & chopped egg
smoked eel terrine with Williams pear compote
José Pariente verdejo
crispy cooked mixed veg with a velouté of creamy jamón
line-caught hake in salsa verde with clams and confit potatoes
monkfish wrapped in cured pork cheek with crab cream and artichokes
octopus & rabbit smoked rice
cochinillo with crispy skin and apple confit
Galician beef tartare prepared at our table, served with crispy veg & chips
squab with carrot purée and toasts topped with its livers
octopus, olive and hot pepper gilda
butter fish with pickled seaweed
grilled presa Ibérica with grainy mustard sauce
octopus mayo salad
grilled pork with potatoes and padrón potatoes
