I really think the easiest and fastest way to get heart of a culture, their traditions and every day life is stepping into their markets. Mexico is not the exception, in fact, even in a sprawling metropolis like Mexico City, markets are still one of the most unique reflections of our daily life.
Markets have been central to Mexican culture since long before the Spanish arrived. Back then, they were known as tiānquiz(tli), a Nahuatl word that eventually evolved into tianguis, still used today to describe informal, pop-up street markets.
These venues weren’t just where trade happened. They were lively hubs where producers, farmers, and travelers exchanged goods, stories, and sometimes even languages. The market was (and still is) a living social network, completely tied to our identity.
Today, Mexico City is home to a wide variety of markets, each serving a specific purpose depending sometimes on the neighborhood and others on the ingredients you’re looking for. I can be confusing at times but here’s a quick breakdown.
Types of Markets in Mexico City
Mercados.
Permanent, often government-regulated markets housed in buildings of brick and mortar.
These are spaces with assigned stalls, that may as well be considered as a “one stop shop” offering everything from meat & poultry, to spice and chile vendors, juice stands, to food courts, flowers, plants and sometimes even witchcraft mixed with medicinal teas and herbs.
There are more than 300 public markets across Mexico City, basically one in every neighborhood. They vary dramatically in size, from tiny 10×10 meter corners to entire city blocks that sometimes even end up merging into the nearby streets creating entire zones dedicated to commerce, like we see around Merced Market.
Most markets are open between 9am and 5pm , with very few exceptions, and some vendors might take Sunday off, which makes it easier for housewives and homemakers timings, but a bit harder for people who work standard office hours.
Tianguis.
These temporary markets pop up on specific days of the week, often taking over a few blocks of a street. They’re perfect for scoring seasonal produce, street food, and the occasional unexpected gem.
Because they’re only around for a few hours, neighbors look forward to the day their local tianguis appears; it’s a chance to get fresh ingredients without commuting far. It’s also where you can build a real connection with your vendor. Ask for “one avocado for today and another for the weekend,” and you’ll walk away with two perfectly chosen specimens.
Set-up usually begins around 7 AM, with each vendor arriving and quickly building their stall from metal tubes and colorful tarps. By 6 PM, it’s as if nothing ever happened—the street returns to its everyday self, like magic
Here’s a quick guide of some of the main tianguis & mercados in Mexico City.
Be sure to carry cash with you when visiting as credit cards are mostly not accepted, and keep in mind we don’t tend to haggle but sometime you might get a little extra apple or flower from the vendors.
Mercado Medellín
Its location in the heart of Roma along with its manageable size, makes this market a perfect option for solo travelers. Aside from the usual sections, here you’ll find some stalls selling South American ingredientes and produce which cannot be found elsewhere.
On weekends, don’t miss the butcher at the very end of the meat section, he serves up some of the best carnitas tacos around. Totally worth a stop.
Mercado Jamaica
This isn’t just one of my favorite markets in the city, it’s also home to the largest flower market in the country, located right behind the main building.
What sets it apart from other markets is its layout: two very different buildings. One dates back to the late 1950s and follows the classic market format, with all the usual sections. The newer, much larger building, is something else completely. It’s where over 5,000 varieties of flowers are sold daily, and it also serves as a central hub for one of Mexico’s most iconic celebrations: Día de Muertos.
As the holiday approaches, flower trucks arrive from the farms packed to the brim with blooms. Marigolds ( which are indigenous to Mexico, by the way) are tightly stacked in the backs of trucks, their scent blending beautifully with the nearby vendors selling copal and incense.
And don’t worry if you can’t make it during this magical season. This market is also home to some of my absolute favorite bites in Mexico City. They’re so good, I’ve brought TV crews and chefs from around the world to try them. (Read more about who, here).
You can join too, just sign up for my “Good Morning CDMX” tour and I’ll happily show you around.
Mercado San Juan
This is what I like to call our “gourmet market” one of the most well-known and tourist-friendly spots in the city. Think of it as Mexico’s version of Whole Foods. It may not look fancy at first but if you know what to look for, you’ll spot some truly exceptional finds.
You’ll come across top-quality fish you won’t find anywhere else in the city, along with meats like rabbit, crocodile, venison, ostrich, and baby goat (just a heads-up, you might catch them skinning it right on the spot). And for the more adventurous eaters, there’s a whole selection of edible insects: agave worms, ant larvae, and my personal favorite—crispy, delicious grasshoppers.
.Get some fresh fruit from the stand El Paraíso and enjoy the coffee and incredible hospitality by Pablo at Triana Cafe.
Central de Abastos
Central de Abastos isn’t just Mexico City’s largest market, it’s the largest wholesale market in the whole world. Spanning approximately 327 hectares (about 808 acres) in the Iztapalapa district, this enormous hub moves over 30,000 tons of goods every day and sees more than 300,000 visitors daily.
It’s like a city within a city, complete with its own police force, multiple banks, rest areas for drivers, and even daycare services for working mothers. There’s even a toll at the entrance, with pricing based on the size of your vehicle.
Virtually everything sold in Mexico City passes through this market at some point, making it a key player in the country’s food system. It’s even considered the second most economically active place in Mexico, right after the stock market. And despite its scale, the market still runs mostly on cash, giving it a raw, authentic energy that’s rare to find at this scale.
If you can find the Tortas de la basura please stand in line to get them they are the tastiest bite. And if too overwhelmed to go on your own, I’d be happy to take you around.
Mercado Merced
La Merced, as it’s known, is a sprawling complex made up of several sections, including the Nave Mayor, Nave Menor, the candy aisle, Banquetón, Merced 2000, and the area known as Los Fierros. Its easy access via the subway makes it a go-to spot for chefs and restaurants sourcing fresh, specialty ingredients daily.
That said, the surrounding neighborhood is known for daytime prostitutions and petty crime, (pickpocketing and scams are definitely not uncommon) so it’s important to stay aware if you’re exploring solo.
If you manage to find your way to the Banquetón section, do yourself a favor and track down the McTeo taco stand. Their carne enchilada tacos served with French fries and grilles spring onions? Absolute magic
Tianguis de la Lagunilla
One of the largest and most iconic tianguis in the city sets up every Sunday at the intersection of three otherwise ordinary streets.
By 10 AM, vendors are fully set up, offering everything from 1960s memorabilia, vinyl records, and vintage movie posters to fur coats, mid-century furniture and an almost absurd number of antique door knobs (for some reason still unknown to me).
And of course, no tianguis in Mexico would be complete without its fair share of street food. This one is packed with hidden gems, but the real must is grabbing a michelada served in a one-liter cup, rimmed with tamarind paste and candied sesame seeds. Trust me, it’s non-negotiable.
If you are a savvy tianguis connoisseur find the bacalao tortas. If not, come with me on the Sunday at Lagunilla Tour.
Tianguis de la Condesa
Want to experience everyday life at a local tianguis? Head to Campeche Street in Condesa every Friday. You’ll find everything from gardening tools and clothing to cheese, chicken vendors, perfectly ripe fruits, fresh-cut flowers, and lush plants. And of course, food stalls are scattered all along the way.
Be sure to stop by the quesadilla stand for fresh masa delights, especially the tlacoyos stuffed with fava beans and their blue corn gorditas stuffed with chicharron, simple, satisfying, and full of flavor
Mercado el Cien
Even though it’s technically a pop-up market, this one is referred to as a mercado, and for good reason. It was the first major farmer’s market in Mexico City and has since become a go-to spot for locals and chefs searching for the freshest organic produce.
Its name comes from the concept that everything sold here is grown, raised, or produced within a 100-mile radius. That may not always hold true today, but it’s still one of the best places to connect directly with the people growing your food.
Showing up in your hippest outfit and carrying your trendiest tote isn’t required, but it’s definitely encouraged.
This is also where I discovered (and instantly fell in love with) Simbiotica kombucha, so make sure to grab a bottle while you’re there.
