"Tripea is a high-end tasting menu stall (yes, we get the oxymoron) in the Mercado de Vallehermoso, and a one-of-a-kind Madrid dining experience. Its tagline is “come y flipa,” meaning eat and flip out, which you’ll do by savoring grilled artichokes with mani, beef cheeks stewed in laurel, and tom yum with hoisin roasted pears as you watch people barter for fresh produce, families dig into gelato, and college students sip beer—just everyday market happenings. The seasonal, eight-dish menu is €60, though adding on some of the day’s additional specials is worth the extra €5-€15. Make a reservation, admire the chefs making these specialized dishes in the minuscule open kitchen, and pay attention to Tripea’s little touches: The water jugs are shaped like fish, and you’ll know where to sit at the shared table thanks to your name place card, held with a scorpion-shaped holder." - lori zaino
