Madrid's best-established gourmet shop opened in 1931 as an outlet selling a pastry called ensaimada, and this is still one of the store's most famous products. Tempting arrays of cheeses, canapés, roasted and marinated meats, sausages, and about a dozen kinds of pâté accompany a spread of tiny pastries, tarts, and chocolates. Don't overlook the displays of Spanish wines and brandies. A stand-up tapas bar is always clogged with clients three deep, busy sampling the wares before they buy larger portions to take home. Tapas cost from .90€ to 2.40€ ($1.05-$2.75) per ración (portion). Open daily from 9:30am to 9:30pm.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Madrid, 3rd Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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