Start your culinary crawl at the top of the street in this two-floor maze of bite after bite. A sentinel of the neighborhood's transformation, the market is a busy ecosystem where traditional vendors and modern kiosks coexist. Be sure to wander every aisle of both levels to take in the full range of Madrid's market culture.

Located on the lower level of the Mercado de Antón Martín, this award-winning pan-Asian street food stall is a favorite among Madrid’s international crowd and Spanish regulars alike. It offers a rich, spicy contrast to the traditional tapas nearby.

Tucked into the northeast corner of the market’s top floor, this delightful stall blends Colombian and Italian culinary traditions. It is one of the many hidden gems within the market’s grid, offering a unique, friendly stop for those looking for something a bit different before heading back out onto the main stretch of Santa Isabel.

Located just off the main stretch on a quiet side street, Lamiak is an always-on modern tavern. The move here is to crowd the table with as many mismatched plates as possible, from artichokes and smoked pork to moussaka and preserved leeks. It’s a high-energy spot that captures the evolution of the neighborhood into a tapas stretch.

A relaxed all-day barrio bar that feels like a pure 1960s time capsule, complete with brown paneling, Formica tables, and globe lamps. It is famous for its lomito bocadillo, a beef-filled baguette that is worth the stop alone. For the full experience, grab a seat right at the metal bar and soak up the vintage charm.

This lively tapas bar specializes in pintxos, the toothpick-skewered snacks native to the Basque Country. Also spelled "La Muxa," the bar is named after the muse of Romantic poet José de Espronceda, who once lived in the building. It offers a creative array of small snacks fixed atop bread.

Standing right next door to La Muxa, this tall, dark, and handsome wine bar is where dusty bottles line the upper walls and the wine list runs deep. It provides a sophisticated, slightly more hushed atmosphere compared to the rowdier tapas bars nearby, making it a calmer place to explore regional Spanish labels.

In a city where rice dishes like paella can often be a tourist trap, this tasca delivers the real thing. Their arroz dishes are slow-cooked to form a crisp socarrat bottom layer, served in a bright, modern interior with floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s an unpretentious spot that honors the fierce guarding of Mediterranean rice recipes.

This taberna somehow captures the spirit of the entire street: traditional but relaxed, bustling but welcoming. There’s always room to squeeze in for hearty Spanish cooking like crisp croquetas, tender squid, and ropa vieja. It’s a high-energy establishment that pairs its heavy hitters with an eclectic mix of wines and cocktails.

A soaring, cathedral-like "restobar" located inside the Reina Sofía Museum complex. While it feels unmistakably cosmopolitan – you might even spot a local politician or filmmaker here – it remains a neighborhood fixture. It’s a dramatic spot to walk off your tapas with a cocktail in a truly grand architectural setting.

Since 1961, this no-frills institution has been the essential stop for anyone passing through the nearby train station. Start with a cold caña at the bar, then order the house specialty: the bocadillo de calamares. Shouted to the kitchen and served in less than a minute, this fried squid sandwich is the definitive end to a Madrid night.