Amidst the sweltering summer heat, an indoor mall can provide a welcome respite from the bustling city streets. Mercado Little Spain, located inside the Hudson Yards luxury shopping mall in Manhattan, offers a unique opportunity to savor the culinary delights of regional Spanish cuisine without venturing too far from home.
Upon its opening in 2019, Mercado Little Spain was ranked among the ten best new eateries in New York by Peter Wells, the recently retired restaurant critic of The New York Times.
Despite the abundance of food choices in New York City, Mercado Little Spain has retained its authenticity and novelty since then, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers. Both the variety and quality of food offerings remain impressive.
The Roots of Mercado Little Spain
Chef Jose Andres at the Hudson Yards grand opening party
Renowned celebrity chef, restaurateur, and philanthropist Jose Andres collaborated with family, friends, and fellow Spanish chefs Albert and Ferran Adria to bring to life the innovative concept of Mercado Little Spain.
The cheerful and bountiful Spanish food markets (mercados) that thrive across Spain—like La Boqueria in Barcelona, the Mercado de la Ribera in Bilbao, and Mercado San Miguel in Madrid—are also cultural and social hubs for many Spaniards.
Once in decline due to the growing popularity of modern supermarkets, these traditional markets have experienced a revival in recent years. Their unique appeal to chefs, residents, and tourists who seek to preserve Spain’s culinary and cultural heritage has driven this resurgence.
Mercado Little Spain hopes to achieve the same goal. Its website aptly notes that this eatery and market is a “veritable love letter to Spain” from Chef Andres and his dedicated team.
Visiting the Restaurants at Mercardo LIttle Spain
Lena Dining Room at Mercado Little Spain
The sprawling market, which has its main entrance at the corner of 10th Avenue and 30th Street, is 35,000 square feet. It’s vibrant and lively, filled with appealing wall murals and eye-catching graphics in every direction. Lines form at the bustling kiosks, some with bar stools at the counter, and the restaurants offer ample, comfortably spaced seating.
Designed as a series of interconnected “streets,” the market boasts 3 full-service restaurants, 9 kiosks, and 2 bars. Each decorative element reflects the spirit of Spain, from the Cosentino surface materials to the captivating graphic designs by Lo Siento Studio and the architectural vision of Capella Garcia. Even the furniture, light fixtures, and artwork are Spanish imports, carefully selected to create an authentic experience.
Lena, La Barra, and The Spanish Diner are the three casual restaurants, each occupying their own alcove in Mercado Little Spain.
During my first visit to Lena in Hudson Yards, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the ingredients, preparation, and presentation, which surpassed my expectations of “food court fare.” The food lived up to Mr. Well’s standards.
Lena’s menu offers grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables. One of the best deals in the city is their four-course fixed-price lunch at $35, available Monday through Friday from 12 PM to 4 PM. The lunch menu includes choices of starters, main dishes, shared vegetables, and desserts.
At this restaurant, the Alcachofas con Romesco, grilled artichoke hearts from Catalonia served with romesco sauce, had a buttery flavor and tender texture. The Filete de Lubina a la Donostiarra, a mild and moist fish prepared in the Basque style, was cooked to perfection, bursting with flavor. Not to be outdone, the Tarta de Queso, a burnt Basque-style cheesecake, was presented in a visually stunning parchment liner. Our server added a touch of flair by opening a bamboo box and plating it tableside, before topping it with honey, salt, and olive oil, creating a picture-perfect masterpiece.
The staff’s training was impeccable. Our waiter, who doubled as a food educator, provided detailed insights into the Spanish recipes, ingredients, and their sourcing. The attentive Head Chef Marc Sanchez, a native of Barcelona, made several appearances throughout the afternoon, ensuring that diners were enjoying their meals and answering any questions with enthusiasm.
La Barra specializes in tapas, small plates, that are great for sharing and fostering a sense of community at a table. Some of the larger plates, like the Arroz de Bogavane (lobster chunks with creamy rice) from Alicante are not to be missed and can serve 3-4 people.
Set beside the High Line, the Spanish Diner is a large space with floor-to-ceiling glass garage windows that transform the indoor space into an outdoor one when the weather is temperate. It serves the types of food, Spanish families eat at home with an extensive all-day menu almost as long as any NYC diner. The choices include regional favorites like deep-fried empanadillas, Padron peppers, chilled Andalucian gazpacho, Serrano ham, Iberico pork sausage, and Catalan beef stew.
The Marketplace Of Spanish Flavors
Jambon y Queso Kiosk
It’s hard to leave Mercado Little Spain without browsing the market area filled with inviting kiosks. These offer drinks (including Sangria and bubbly Cava), sandwiches and other lunches to go, savory snacks, and decadent desserts to take home. Sangria Hour is from 4 to 8 PM. Even if you have already had a full meal, it’s tempting to try the Tortilla de Patatas.
Little ones will be mesmerized by the woman operating a machine churning out freshly fried churros and the hard-to-resist chocolate, soft-serve ice cream served in a pastry cone. The Crema Catalana calls you to take it home.
Food enthusiasts will discover an exciting array of imported Spanish products to enrich their pantries. From tinned seafood and anchovies to olives, olive oil, various vinegars, preserved fruits and vegetables, rice, spices, and more, these products can bring a taste of Spain to one’s own kitchen.
A Unique Destination in New York
Burnt Basque Cheesecake
Mercado Little Spain is often compared to the Italian superstore Eataly, which also features eateries and a food market. However, beyond the distinctly different culinary offerings, the ambiance of Mercado Little Spain sets it apart.
A visit to Mercado Little Spain is a truly immersive experience that transports visitors’ taste buds across the ocean introducing foods and preparations that are otherwise hard to find in New York City.
From its décor to its ambiance, the vibrant atmosphere of Mercado Little Spain as interpreted by Chef Andres envelops the senses and captures the genuine warmth and congeniality of the Spanish mercado.
IF YOU GO
- It’s best to make restaurant reservations on Open Table before your visit (especially on weekends) so you won’t be disappointed.
- Mercado Little Spain is the perfect place for a meal before or after a visit to Edge New York, the highest indoor deck in the Western Hemisphere, also located at Hudson Yards.