Hotels near Mercado de la Merced

Mercado de la Merced occupies an entire city block east of the Historic Centre and is the largest traditional market in Mexico City. Thousands of stalls sell produce, dried chillies, mole pastes, fresh tortillas, flowers, pirated goods, and household items. The food section alone can occupy a full morning - vendors serve barbacoa (slow-cooked lamb), quesadillas stuffed with huitlacoche (corn fungus), blue-corn tlacoyos, and fresh-squeezed juices in every tropical flavour. Prices are significantly lower than in tourist-oriented markets like Mercado Roma.

The market traces its history back to pre-Hispanic tianguis (open-air trading posts). The current building dates to 1957, though fire damage in 2013 led to partial reconstruction. A plate of barbacoa with consomme costs 60 to 80 MXN (about 3 to 4 EUR). Go early - the freshest ingredients and the best food stalls are active from 07:00 to 12:00. Admission is free.

> Pro Tip: Keep your phone in a front pocket and carry only the cash you plan to spend. The market is safe but crowded, and opportunistic pickpocketing does occur. Arrive before 09:00 for the best selection and thinnest crowds.