6 Spanish Products I Always Bring Back from Madrid
6 Spanish Products to Buy in Madrid (That I Always Bring Back)
Every time I go to Madrid, I leave extra room in my suitcase. Over time, I’ve narrowed it down to a short list of Spanish products to buy in Madrid—things I always bring back. Some are impossible to find in the US. Others are just better made—and usually cheaper—in Spain.
Most of them come from Doña Tomasa, a small chain that specializes in products from Cantabria: anchovies, tinned fish, vermouth, and a few good pantry staples. I usually stop by the Salamanca location.
1. Premium Spanish Anchovies
These anchovies are nothing like the ones you find in Caesar salad kits. They come from Cantabria, where anchovies are fished in spring—April and May—when the quality is highest. After they’re caught, they’re hand-cleaned and cured in salt barrels for at least a year.
That aging process softens the texture and concentrates the flavor. The anchovies are packed in sunflower oil, not heavily salted, which lets the fish actually taste like fish. I usually drain the tin and add a good Spanish olive oil before serving.
2. Sabaos – Cantabrian Sponge Cakes
These look like basic sponge cakes but taste closer to pound cake. They’re made with a lot of butter—about 25%—so they’re dense, rich, and not too sweet. You’ll usually find them individually wrapped, which makes them easy to pack (and ration).
A Good Weirdo Snack
Sabaos aren’t usually used in savory dishes, but they work surprisingly well as a base. Add a smear of blue cheese and an anchovy on top. Salty, sweet, rich—better than it sounds. Great canapé to try before eating a recipe from one of my favorite Spanish cookbooks.
3. Piquillo Pepper Jam
Piquillo peppers are a small red variety from northern Spain. The real ones—those with protected origin status—are roasted over beechwood fires and peeled by hand. The result is smoky and just slightly spicy.
This jam version softens the flavor with sugar and vinegar. It’s good on toast with olive oil or paired with Manchego. I use it like chutney—with cheese, cured meats, or anything that needs some acidity.
4. Mussels in Escabeche
These are marinated in a mix of vinegar, olive oil, bay leaf, and peppercorn. You can eat them straight from the tin. In Spain, they’re cheap and easy to find. In the US, they’re expensive and hit-or-miss.
I usually buy several tins. They’re good on their own or as part of a larger spread—jamón, olives, bread, vermouth. They’re one of the best-value Spanish products to buy in Madrid if you’re building a travel pantry.
5. St. Petroni White Vermouth
Most Spanish vermouth you’ll find in the US is red. White is harder to come by, but worth seeking out. St. Petroni makes theirs in Galicia using Albariño grapes, which gives it a softer, fruitier flavor.
It’s slightly herbal and just sweet enough. I serve it over ice with a lemon twist, or mixed with sparkling water (Topo Chico is ideal) for a low-effort spritz.
If you can’t find St. Petroni, Lustau makes a good white vermouth that’s easier to source in the States.
6. Isdin Skincare (European Versions)
One non-food pick. Isdin is a Spanish pharmacy brand that’s starting to show up in the US, but the formulas are often different. The European versions tend to have better UVA protection and more lightweight textures.
I bring back the gel cream for body—it’s light, not greasy, and smells good without being too fragranced. For face, the Fusion Water sunscreen absorbs quickly and works well under makeup.
Why These Spanish Products from Madrid Are Worth Bringing Home
These six items help me hold onto Madrid a little longer after I’m home. They’re either unavailable in the US or just fundamentally better in Spain. And if you’re making a list of Spanish products to buy in Madrid, this is where I’d start.
I’m heading back next month and already planning my stop at Doña Tomasa. There’s always something new to try, but these are the things I keep coming back to.
Curious what other people stock up on when they travel—always looking for ideas.
