Markets and independent shops in Mexico City

647 markets, bookshops, record shops and makers in Mexico City.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 647.

Photo: veronica_v, CC BY-SA 2.0 (licence)

BuyCentro
Sanborns
Casa de los Azulejos
This department store and restaurant is housed in the former residency of the Counts of the Valley of Orizaba. Revolutionist Emiliano Zapata had breakfast here during his entrance to Mexico City in September 1916. This was the first store of the Mexican Sanborns chain, founded by the Sanborn brothers, American immigrants in Mexico City and later sold to Walgreens in 1946 and then to Grupo Carso in 1985. There are more than 100 Sanborns stores in the country today.
Daily
BuyCondesa and Roma
Mercado Roma
Large fun marketplace that specializes in food stands (grab-n-go, mix-n-match meals). Artesanal beers, gourmet coffees, a large variety of tacos...you name it.
Daily 10:00 - 22:30 (until 01:30 Fri-Sat)
BuyMarketCentro
Mercado de la Merced
La Merced Market
One of the largest and most famous markets in Mexico, La Merced was built in 1860 and covers several blocks with tianguis style vendors lining nearby streets. The market mainly sells food and household items; if you're looking to cook for yourself or just want to wander aisles of stalls selling cheap limes or huitlacoche, this is the place to go. Many vendors offer tastings. Foreigners will stick out a bit, but not excessively. Vendors are honest, at least for Spanish speakers, and may accommodate some bargaining although prices are fair. Local tour guides offer half-day tours of the market (yes, it's that big!). Vendors with the best food usually have the longest lines.
Daily 06:00-18:00
BuyCentro
Barrio Chino
Chinatown
Two pedestrian-only blocks of this street, where much of the city's Chinese community lived in the early 1900s, are full of Chinese restaurants and stores.
BuyMarketCentro
Mercado de Sonora
Witches' Market
One of the more interesting markets, this specializes in traditional medicines, as well as paraphernalia for Santa Muerte and voodoo. Endangered animals are also sold here, and the market is regularly raided by the police. The area is not as safe as the higher-class neighborhoods to the west; exercise caution.
Daily 08:00-17:00
BuyCentro
Pasteleria Madrid
This is a very old and typical bakery, they will usually have fresh bread twice a day, but if there are a lot of customers they will bake as many as four times a day. Also serves breakfast platters, pastries and pan dulce.
Mon-Sat 07:30-21:00, Sun 08:00 - 20:00Wheelchair accessible
BuyBookshopCondesa and Roma
Under the Volcano
English-speaking travelers might want to check out this bookstore which is the only one in Mexico City to specialize in English-language books. They also sell used books and will accept your already-read discards for partial store credit.
Daily 11:00 - 18:00
BuyBookshopCondesa and Roma
El Hallazgo
Eclectic used bookstore with a wide variety of books on various subjects on many languages of the world. Very well organized with helpful staff who know how to find anything of interest. Also buys used books.
Daily 10ː00 - 21ː00
BuyMarketCentro
Tianguis Cultural del Chopo
El Chopo
Huge outdoor flea market. Focuses on alternative music including grunge, heavy metal, punk and ska. Bands play at one end of the park.
Sat
BuyBookshopCondesa and Roma
Casa Bosques
Stylish modernist bookstore with bright naturally lit interior and an eclectic selection of books and magazines in both Spanish and English. The best selection is books on architecture, art, and literature. If the door is locked, press the bell to get buzzed in. The store is on the second level.
BuyZona Rosa
Jardín del Arte
Colorful market on Sundays with more than 100 artists exhibiting and selling their paintings and sculptures.
BuyMarketCentro
Mercado de San Juan
This market specializing in gourmet foods, and is frequented by many of Mexico City's top chefs. On offer are many foods imported from Europe and elsewhere, including such specialties as European cheeses, Spanish and Italian sausage, pre-Hispanic foods and exotic meats.
Daily
BuyBookshopPolanco
El Pendulo
Eclectic bookstore with a widr-ranging selection of (mostly Spanish language) books with an integrated coffee shop serving hot and cold coffee beverages along with light food.
Daily 08:00 - 23:00
BuyPolanco
Un Lugar de La Mancha
Eclectic independent bookstore in a restored mansion with an outdoor garden and terrace where you can sit and have coffee with light breakfast and lunch food. Classy background music and friendly staff make it a hidden gem for CDMX book lovers.
Daily 08:00 - 21:30
BuyFarmers marketCoyoacán
Mercado de Coyoacán
A traditional Mexican market with a large selection of produce and food items as well as other goods; Frida Kahlo used to shop herself. There are also a number of food stalls here, making this a good place to stop for lunch.
Daily 07:00-17:00
BuyCraft shopPolanco
Tienda MAP
Museum store
Sells authentic Mexican folk art including eclectic trinkets that are not only visually appealing but an authentic piece of culture, often showing a humorous perspective on poverty, death, or other misfortune. The shop in Polanco is an extension of the official museum shop of the Museo de Arte Popular (MAP).
Daily 10ː00 - 18ː00
BuyFlea marketCentro
Mercado de la Ciudadela
Ciudadela Market
Tourist-oriented handicrafts market with over 350 vendors from all over Mexico, first established for the 1968 Olympics. Cleaner and more expensive than the other markets in the city.
Mon-Sat 10:00-19:00, Sun 10:00-18:00
BuyCraft shopDel Valle
FONART
Government-operated store that is part of the Ministry of Culture. FONART promotes traditional craftsmen creating Mexican artesanias that preserve historical and cultural traditions. Every item in the stores is certified authentic (no Chinese plastic junk here!) FONART pays craftsmen a fair, sustainable price so don't expect bargains. The store is a gallery of some of Mexico's most outstanding works of folk art.
Mon-Fri 11:00 - 19:00, Sat-Sun 11:00 - 17:00
BuyMarketCentro
Mercado Lagunilla
La Lagunilla
This huge street market features antiques and other new goods such as clothing, crafts, food, jewelry and toys. It is considered safe to stroll in this street market, but try to remain in the streets near Francisco Bocanegra and Comonfor, because beyond that the market eventually blends into Tepito, another market which is a lot less safe.
Sun 10:00-16:00
BuyCentro
El Palacio de Hierro
The Iron Palace
This department store was established in 1891. The store was named when it was the first iron and steel building in the city.
BuyAntiquesZona Rosa
Plaza del Ángel
This complex houses several antique shops and on Saturdays and Sundays, there are more informal dealers selling vintage stuff. Arrive early as dealers close around 16:00.
BuyCondesa and Roma
Cafebreria El Péndulo
Bookstore with a wide selection of books (almost all in Spanish, but a few English titles) and an on-site coffee shop. Many books on art and architecture.
Daily 08:00 - 23:00
BuyBookshopCondesa and Roma
Librería Rosario Castellanos del Fondo de Cultura Económica (FCE)
One of the biggest bookstores in Latin America. Worth the stop just to see the gorgeous interior. You can spend hours just browsing through the shelves.
Daily 09:00 - 22:00
BuyCentro
Pastelería Ideal
Established in 1927. This is a good place for traditional bread, pastries and desserts. Ask for Danes de Chocolate, the place's delicacy. There is another branch at Av 16 de Septiembre 18 which makes cakes on commission.
Daily 06:30-21:30
Buy
Centro Historico
The city's oldest shopping district, you can find almost anything here. The old department stores are clustered around 20 de Noviembre St.
Buy
Polanco
Upscale shopping and dining district centered around Presidente Masaryk and Campos Eliseos streets. It also has several shopping malls.
BuyCentro
Forum Buenavista
The largest shopping mall close to the centro. Includes a large supermarket, a Sears department store, and a Cinepolis cinema complex. This mall is inside the Buenavista train station, which has frequent train service provided by Ferrocarril Suburbano as well as three Metro subway lines and numerous Metrobus connections.
BuyZona Rosa
Mercado Insurgentes
Marketplace specializing in Mexican artesanias with a few vendors selling regional Mexican cuisine. Good place to shop for meaningful souvenirs.
Closed · opens 11 am
BuyMarketCondesa and Roma
Mercado Medellin
Fruit and vegetable market with a wide selection of unusual products used in Mexican regional recipes as well as cuisines from throughout Latin America. Many specialty vendors, some selling only chiles, others selling only coffees from Oaxaca, or food from Colombia. Street food fans will find regional dishes and inexpensive gourmet foods.
Closed · opens 8 am
BuyMarketChapultepec
Mercado el Chorrito
Large public market, lots of food vendors. Local vibe, not tourist oriented.
Daily 08:00 - 18:00
BuyMarketDel Valle
Mi Mercado 24 de Agosto
Large traditional marketplace with extensive selections of produce, meats and seafood. A huge number of fonditas cook regional dishes and some of the tastiest food in Mexico City can be found here at very low prices. A budget traveler can find a delicious lunch for as little as M$40. The market is known for having a large flower market. Another large section is devoted to non-food items and services, including hair stylists and locksmiths. On the streets adjacent to the market are similar businesses, such as bakeries and tortillerias.
Daily 08:00 - 18:00
Buy
Bazar del Sábado
In San Angel. Every Saturday, artists show and sell their paintings in a beautiful, cobblestoned zone of the city. There are also stores where they sell handcrafts.
Buy
Tianguis Cultural del Chopo
The main flea market for the counterculture in Mexico City. Along Aldama Street between Sol and Luna. Metro Station Buenavista.
BuySan Angel
Bazar Sabado
While always scenic, Bazar Sabado is the reason to head to the square, in front of a 16th-century church. It is one of the best crafts markets in town, where you can find original and high-quality art of all different regional styles, both traditional and more modern, and in all different price ranges. This is the best place to shop, people-watch, and just be happy.
Sat 10:00-19:00
BuySanta Fe
Centro Santa Fe
This is the country's largest shopping center with more than 500 stores and a movie theater. Buy the unimaginable, from a t-shirt to a yacht. Anchor stores include Liverpool, El Palacio de Hierro, Sears and the first Saks Fifth Avenue in Mexico. Other remarkable stores include French Connection, Mango, Zara, Massimo Dutti, Armani, Hugo Boss, Tous, Scappino, and Chanel.
Sun-Fri 11:00-20:00, Sat 11:00-21:00; individual store hours vary
BuyPolanco
Libreria Gandhi
Mainstream bookstore with a good selection of Spanish language books, an excellent selection for kids, and a small section of English language books.
Daily 09:00 - 21:00
BuyCentro
Liverpool
originally El Puerto de Liverpool
This department store is housed in an Art-Deco building that was built in the late 1920s.
Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00, Sun 11:00-20:30
BuyPolanco
Liverpool Polanco
Huge classic department store where you can buy clothing, household items and an array of gourmet food and drinks.
Daily 11:00 - 21:00
BuyCentro
Mercado de Artesanías de San Juan
San Juan Arts and Crafts Market
Vendors here sell a full range of Mexican handicrafts from across the country, including pottery, textiles, carving, leatherwork, and jewelry.
Daily 10:00-16:00
BuySan Angel
Mercado del Carmen
It's a traditional Mexican marketplace, but one adapted to the more Bohemian artsy lifestyle of San Angel. Whereas most marketplaces in the city open around 6am, the artsy crowd is just going to bed then, and they certainly won't be ready to go to a market until the sun is warm. The market opens at noon, but stays open later in the evening. The food hall is a star attraction, and while there are some traditional food stands serving regional cuisine, there are also trendy food stands serving up nouveau Mexican cuisine with very non-traditional recipes and ingredients.
Daily 12ː00 - 20ː00

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Mexico City (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.