A guide to Mexico City’s best markets

11.01.2025 - 09:47 / lonelyplanet.com

Jan 10, 2025 • 9 min read

The 400 or so public markets in Mexico City are where the city’s fabled food culture comes to life, where culinary traditions get disseminated and find new expression.

Indeed, these crucial social and economic spaces are where millions of people eat, work, shop and network daily – in a manner that has remained relatively unchanged over the city’s 700-year history, as it evolved from Mexica-ruled Tenochtitlan to Spanish colonial capital to modern metropolis of more than 22 million people. 

Complementing its public markets are CDMX’ countless tianguis, temporary markets at which vendors take over designated streets on a specific day of the week to sell produce, prepared food, housewares and various other goods. (The term comes from the Nahuatl word tiankistli, meaning “market.”) Almost every neighborhood in Mexico City has a tianguis day, which provides locals with quality ingredients and affordable food options alongside the permanent public markets.

There might be no better way to plunge into the culture and local life in North America’s largest city than by taking in its varied and vibrant, raucous and essential markets. Here’s how.

Cash is king. In Mexico City markets, paying with cards is almost impossible, so come prepared with plenty of pesos, ideally in small denominations. 

Don’t barter. Haggling is not acceptable in Mexico. If you disagree with the price, move on. 

Bring your own bags. Since 2019, Mexico City has banned single-use plastic bags. Bring your own tote to do your shopping. 

Don’t touch. Only handle the fruits and vegetables you plan on buying. 

No need to rush in the morning. Public markets are usually up and running by 9am. Tianguis start a bit later, around 10am, since vendors drive into each neighborhood and take time to set up their stands. 

Located in Colonia Roma and open every day, this enclosed public market (officially known as Melchor Ocampo but referred to by everyone as Medellín) has resisted the neighborhood’s rapid gentrification. Vibrant and colorful, the market is renowned for delicious produce (including fruits, vegetables, flowers and meats), plus pantry staples and housewares. Thanks to vendors who stock products from throughout South America, Mercado Medellín draws members of the Venezuelan and Colombian communities as well as locals.

El Yucateco desde 1968 – run by Carlos Palma Estrada (“el Yucateco” himself) for almost 60 years – is a legendary stand dedicated to products and ingredients from the Yucatán. Stock up on achiote paste, fresh habanero chiles, cookies, candies, hot sauces, honey and more. 

Almost every public market in Mexico City has an aisle with fondas, mom-and-pop eateries that offer daily menus for a fixed (and reasonable) price –