Mercado Moctezuma

The Mercado Moctezuma is part of the center of the giant Moctezuma neighborhood. It’s just about a 20-minute walk from Metro Terminal Aérea, on the southwest end of the Benito Juárez International Airport. For those on longer layovers, it’s not a bad option.

The market shares its sprawling block with a primary school, a middle school, and a small sports complex. There’s also a giant pediatric hospital directly behind the main market.

The Mercado Moctezuma is home to a massive 525 regular vendors (according to a 2017 UAM study). But the pedestrian-only section of Calle Nte. 25, at the north of the market, is frequently lined with many more. Some of them will set up shop on both ends of the block, too. It’s a busy area.

Among all these permanent and some-time vendors, a good number are serving sit-down meals. No monopoly-capitalist genetically-engineered cheese sticks are on offer either. This is as fresh as possible, and plenty of places will offer daily vegetarian options. At 20-minutes walk from the airport, it’s night and day different.

You get the freshest possible food and pay next to nothing. If you’re nervous about it, check the Fonda Food Guide. The public markets of Mexico City are one of the greatest reasons to visit. And this one is big and beautiful. Perhaps it’s most famous for the fruit-punch dealer outside. (Doña Elvia serves about 20 different kinds on most days.) But there’s really something for everyone.

Hours: Daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.