Mercado Tlacoquemecatl

The Mercado Tlacoquemecatl is exactly the type of fresh, neighborhood market many out-of-town visitors are looking for.  Especially in concentrated, densely populated urban areas, fresh healthy food can be hard to find. Of course, we don’t mean the new salad franchises and places selling imported greens at a steep markup.

Instead, inside you’ll find a couple of good fondas. (See here for more on Fonda Eating.) One specializes in seafood. There are also your usual spread of places specializing in flautas, and of course, tacos.  And like always remember, the public markets with a good social media presence are going to be particularly happy to see you!

Mexico City public markets are famous for selling prepared fresh food, every day. Not just pristine fruits and vegetables, though you can get those too, but the public market offers real Mexican food that’s hand prepared for a local and discerning clientele. Hand pressed tortillas? You’re out of luck, unless you’re at the market.

The Mercado Tlacoquemecatl serves the Del Valle neighborhood of the same name. It’s roughly halfway between the two parks, Parque Tlacoquemecatl and the Parque San Lorenzo. Even though it’s already a pretty posh neighborhood, it’s not an entirely posh market. Lunches are reasonably priced, and there’s simply no better option for eating fresh, while still supporting smaller, independent, and human-owned businesses, as well as the more distant farmers supplying them.

Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.