This Charming Mexican Town Is a Food Lover’s Dream, with Markets You Can’t Miss
Oaxaca is known for many things. It’s one of the most ethnically diverse states in Mexico, home to some of the best food and mezcal in the country, stunning natural landscapes and beaches, and the colorful Oaxaca markets.
The mercados in Oaxaca City are ideal for souvenir shopping but also a place to get an affordable meal and hang out where the locals go. In short, exploring the local markets is a must on your Oaxaca itinerary.
Besides the permanent mercados in Oaxaca, there are tianguis (pronounced tee-ang-geez). These temporary open-air bazaar markets are held only on certain days of the week, like the popular Tlacolula Sunday Market.
In both types, you can find a variety of prepared foods, fresh produce and artisan mezcals made on local farms. You can also shop colorful textiles, locally-made handicrafts and more at the Oaxaca mercados.
Ready to dive into this list of ultimate guides to the best Oaxaca markets? Let’s get to it!
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1. Mercado Benito Juarez: Best Oaxaca Market for Shopping
One of the best things to do in Oaxaca City is stroll the city’s mercados. Of the most-visited, there’s Benito Juarez Market Oaxaca, perfect for shopping and sampling traditional Oaxacan foods and drinks, like aguas casildas.
If you’re looking for a place to buy inexpensive Oaxaca souvenirs, this is it.
Here, you’ll find traditional Oaxacan garments, huarache shoes, floral headbands, artesanias (artisan handicrafts), colorful embroidered purses, leather goods, and much more.
2. Mercado 20 de Noviembre: Best Oaxaca Market for Eating
Much like Benito Juarez Market, this traditional Oaxaca market has large selections for fresh fruits and veggies, arts and crafts vendors, and a food hall.
It’s a popular market with many different stalls so you can try a variety of foods.
💨 Pasillo de Humo (Smoke Alley)
Located inside the Mercado 20 de Noviembre Market, you’ll find Pasillo de Humo AKA Oaxaca Meat Hall or Meat Market Oaxaca. In English, pasillo de humo actually means smoke hall or smoke alley.
Here, there are rows of vendors selling meats and veggies a la carte that you can buy and have cooked al carbon (over charcoal). The smoke imparts a delicious flavor, and the aroma in the air is intoxicating.
If this will be your first visit to the Oaxaca Pasillo de Humo, it can be intimidating — especially if you don’t speak Spanish.
You may want to consider the Eating with a Local at the Markets tour, or watching this YouTube video about the market.
🍞 Comedor María Teresa
Even beyond the Pasillo de Humo, you have plenty of Oaxaca food options in Mercado 20 de Noviembre.
Comedor Maria Teresa is a locals’ favorite, especially for a traditional Oaxacan breakfast to try the pan de yema (egg yolk bread).
3. Mercado Central de Abastos: Largest Market in Oaxaca
Located on the outskirts of town, Mercado Central de Abastos is one of oldest and largest markets in Oaxaca. If you’re looking for anything, you’ll probably find it here, as the market spans more than 800 acres (3.25 km²).
Besides shopping for the best Oaxaca souvenirs, and just enjoying a glimpse into local life, many also visit to try the famous memelas, one of the best Oaxaca foods, and salsa morita handmade by Doña Vale.
Memelas doña Vale (As seen on Netflix)
In Somebody Feed Phil, the host tours the giant Central de Abastos Market. Along with local expert, Omar Alonso AKA Oaxaking, they head straight for Memelas Doña Vale to try her famous memelas.
Memelas are slightly thicker than a tortilla and pinched while being cooked to create divots that hold scrumptious toppings.
What makes Dona Vale memelas particularly special is her secret morita chili sauce, which is deliciously mouthwatering. You can find Memelas Doña Vale here.
4. La Casa de las Artesanias de Oaxaca: Best Oaxaca Market for Artisan Goods
La Casa de las Artesanías de Oaxaca is one of the best Oaxacan markets for souvenirs and handicrafts. It has several interconnected rooms with handmade and high-quality artesanías from all over Oaxaca.
Located in the heart of Oaxaca City, this artisan market is owned by a cooperative of 57 indigenous members. They sell goods from all the different regions within the state of Oaxaca, including pottery, textiles, jewelry and alebrijes.
Wondering, What is an alebrije? Head to this blog post, What Are Alebrijes: A Guide to Oaxaca’s Colorful Art, to learn more. Or, just check out the
La Casa de las Artesanías Sunday Market Oaxaca to buy some.
🇲🇽 Fair trade products & LOCALLY-MADE GOODS
When buying anything from this market, 100% of the proceeds go right into the hands of artisan groups and communities. The store is a one-stop shop for Oaxacan handicrafts that offers variety, all at a fair price.
La Casa de las Artesanías Oaxaca accepts cash and credit cards — which is rare at most markets in the city of Oaxaca, as they are cash only.
5. Oaxaca Mercado de la Merced
Specializing in prepared foods, Mercado de la Merced (AKA Mercado Democracia) is the place for Oaxaca foodies. This is the one Oaxacan market you shouldn’t miss if you’re looking for an affordable yet tasty traditional Oaxacan dish.
Although one of the smaller Oaxaca City markets, Mercado de la Merced is a traditional market offering a large selection of fresh fruits and vegetables and clothing and household goods, making ideal Oaxaca souvenirs.
It is also the perfect place to try some traditional Oaxaca foods, like mole, empanadas, memelas, tlayudas, tamales, and tejate, the famous chocolate and corn drink. In short: Make sure to come hungry!
Sundays are the Día de Plaza, where even more vendors fill the market to offer a larger variety of products you won’t find any other day of the week. If you’re looking for things to do in Oaxaca on Sunday, this is it.
6. Tlacolula Sunday Market
Tlacolula Market is the oldest continuously-run local market in Oaxaca — as it has been around for several centuries.
Nowadays, you can buy everything from fresh produce and prepared foods, to locally-made mezcal and handicrafts here.
Every Sunday, thousands of vendors, tourists and locals head to the Tianguis de Domingo Tlacolula, AKA the famous Sunday Tlacolula Market.
🤔 What is a Tianguis?
In Mexico, there are mercados, which are permanent markets, and there are also tianguis (pronounced tee-ang-geez), or temporary markets that come and go.
The indoor mercados are brick and mortar buildings, whereas a tianguis is a temporary market, usually set up only one day per week. The tianguis temporary markets date back to pre-hispanic times.
While there are many Oaxaca tianguis options, nothing beats the outdoor tianguis at Tlacolula Sunday Market.
7. Mercado Sanchez Pascuas
Small but mighty, Mercado Sanchez Pascuas is one of the least-touristy Oaxacan markets. While it may not be as famous as Mercado Benito Juarez, it is less crowded, and chock full of different food stalls and mini-restaurants
However, if you’re looking for local souvenirs from Oaxaca, this isn’t the place for you. (That would be the La Casa de las Artesanias de Oaxaca, #4 on this list.)
Now, if you want to pick up fresh local ingredients or try some authentic Oaxaca food — Mercado Sanchez Pascuas is one of the top markets for that. There are flower vendors here, but this market mainly specializes in food.
Come hungry and try local dishes like empanadas de flor de calabaza (pumpkin flower empanadas). This traditional Oaxacan market is located near the popular Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, and worth a visit.
8. Oaxaca Mercado IV Centenario
Oaxaca Mercado IV Centenario, located close to Jardinera IV Centenario, is another Oaxacan market known for its food offerings. The market also has some non-food-related stalls with vendors selling locally made crafts.
However, the main draw here is the food. At this mercado, visitors can explore several food stalls selling local ingredients and food, including vegetables, fruits, cheese, chaiulines (grasshoppers), meats and flowers.
If you’re feeling peckish, the market also has mini-restaurant stalls selling traditional Oaxacan foods and drinks, like atole. Make sure to stop by on Sundays when some stalls will be selling carne asada (grilled meats).
9. Oaxaca Mercado Hidalgo
Opened in 1980, Oaxaca Mercado Hidalgo, is home to generations of merchants selling various practical and gastronomic products. It is located in the upscale Reforma neighborhood, one of the best neighborhoods in Oaxaca.
At Mercado Hidalgo, local vendors specialize in locally-made, fresh foods, including fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheese, and a variety of meats. The market is also known for its seasonal products and overall cleanliness.
As you wander through the aisles, you’ll also find rows of spices, grains, seeds, and bouquets of flowers. (Note: Fresh flowers are perfect if you’re looking to quickly spruce up your Oaxaca hotel accommodation.)
If you’re hungry, head to the north entrance of the market. There, you can find a buffet-style cocina economica that’s popular with locals. Cocina economica means “economical kitchen,” and it’s ideal for a tasty but cheap meal.
10. Mercado Organico Rayon Pochote
As the name states, Mercado Organico is all about organic produce. Located in Centro Historico (Downtown Oaxaca City), this market opened in 2016 and has become one of the best places to shop organic in downtown.
Mercado Organico Rayon Pochote is a collective that only sells foods from local producers. For those who are mindful of supporting local and practicing ethical tourism in Mexico, you can’t go wrong here.
If you’re craving healthy food in Oaxaca, including juices, meals, and organic produce, this is the place. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a sizable selection for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone looking for gluten-free options.
Final Thoughts: Best Oaxaca Markets
The markets in Oaxaca Mexico are essential to the overall Oaxaca travel experience. They will give you a glimpse into local life and local culture, as mercados are where Oaxaca locals actually shop.
I hope this list was extensive enough that you’re able to plan some epic Oaxaca market days. If you were looking to try local foods and find the best shopping in Oaxaca City, I think it will.