As a person who loves moving from country to country and actually quite often, I usually catch my self seeking for neighbourhoods keen on internationalism. Such neighbourhoods give you the feeling that you’re not the only “foreigner” or let’s better say “expat” living far from home; everyone is welcome and the feeling of community you get while exploring them is massive. Such a neighbourhood is the barrio of Lavapies in Madrid, the cradle of Madrid's multiculturalism.
This barrio represents the fusion of people and cultures that Madrid has experimented within recent years. Indian restaurants stand alongside typical Madrid taverns, and immigrants make up the social fibre that holds Lavapiés together. 88 different nationalities are said to be hosted in the diverse neighbourhood of Lavapies.
Lavapies, Madrid
Lavapiés, 28012 Madrid, SpainAs you can already understand, a mix of cultures automatically brings to mind a variety of gastronomical options! And here comes Tapapies, the annual event of celebrating this gastronomical multiculturalism!
Tapapiés
Every autumn, the neighbourhood of Lavapies is buzzing since it’s hosting #Tapapiés — la ruta multicultural de la tapa y la música — an one-week celebration where you can taste delicious bites from around the world and enjoy music and theatrical performances! Lavapies’ palate travels to all corners of the country, as well as through Mexico, Lebanon, Japan, France, Senegal, Brazil, India, Italy ... The great triumph is of course its economic price…A tapa plus an Estrella Damm beer (mini-bottle or caña) will cost you just 2.50€. As you walk around the neighborhood, you’ll be able to easily spot the bars taking part in the event.
© Photo: Tapapies
In the first Tapapiés, there were only 24 local bars in the neighbourhood offering local delicacies to their visitors. Edition after edition, even more bars have joined this cultural and gastronomical celebration; nowadays, more than 100 bars and restaurants, as well as popular food markets, such as the mercado de San Fernando and Antón Martín, participate in the annual event which this year takes place from the 18th to the 28th of October. Right, it’s already ON! In addition, 66 musical performances, theatre plays, circuses and activities for kids of all ages will be taking place in the streets of Lavapies, during those two unique weekends!
© Photo: RossHelen
Mercado de San Fernando, Madrid
Calle de Embajadores, 41, 28012 Madrid, ΙσπανίαMercado Antón Martín
Calle de Santa Isabel, 5, 28012 Madrid, ΙσπανίαTapapiés 2018, the Multicultural Festival of Tapas and Music in Lavapiés, reaches its 8th edition this year. A total of 130 bars, restaurants and stalls in the neighbourhood markets will participate in this great celebration of tapas that will take place from Thursday 18 to Sunday 28 October. In total 130 proposals, of which 40 are vegan and 39 gluten-free. And all great!
© Tapapiés
Interesting towns related to this story
The author
Chrisa Lepida
Are you ready to experience this story yourself?