Mercado de San Juan

The Centro's gourmet and exotic-foods market — the place chefs shop for rare produce, imported cheese, and seafood, and where tourists come to gawk at crocodile, wild boar, and edible insects. The Spanish-style tapas counters with free wine pours are a fun lunch. Honest caveat: exotic-meat stalls charge tourist prices, and some of it is more spectacle than good eating.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What makes Mercado de San Juan different from other Mexico City markets?

It's the city's specialty gourmet market — chefs and restaurateurs source rare ingredients here, from imported jamón and cheeses to exotic game and unusual produce. It's smaller and calmer than La Merced, with a foodie-boutique feel unusual for a public market.

What are the market's hours?

Roughly 7am to 5pm daily, with weekdays starting even earlier for the wholesale trade. Go before 3pm — some counters wind down as the afternoon fades. Mornings are when the seafood and produce are at their best.

What's the deal with the tapas counters and free wine?

A handful of deli counters — La Jersey is the famous one — sell baguettes and cheese-and-charcuterie boards, traditionally pouring small cups of wine while you wait. It's a beloved, slightly surreal lunch ritual: Spanish deli culture in the middle of a Mexican market.

Is the area around the market safe?

The immediate blocks are fine during market hours, busy with shoppers and workers. As with the broader Centro, stay aware of your bag in crowds and don't wander deserted side streets after dark. Daytime visits are no problem.

Is Mercado de San Juan expensive?

By market standards, yes — this is the gourmet market, and imported goods and exotic meats carry gourmet prices. A cheese board lunch is still reasonable (a couple hundred pesos), but don't expect La Merced pricing. Regular produce and everyday goods are fairly priced.

Is it worth visiting if I'm not going to eat bugs?

Yes — go for the seafood displays, the cheese counters, the produce you won't see elsewhere, and the people-watching of chefs doing their morning rounds. The insects are a sideshow, not the point. Skip it only if markets in general bore you.

Can I really eat crocodile and insects at Mercado de San Juan?

Yes — vendors sell crocodile, wild boar, venison, and snacks like chapulines (grasshoppers), scorpions, and ant larvae. Fair warning: exotic proteins are priced for curiosity-seekers, and novelty doesn't always equal delicious. Chapulines are the safest genuinely tasty bet.

How do I get to Mercado de San Juan?

It's at Ernesto Pugibet 21 in the Centro, about five minutes from Metro San Juan de Letrán (Line 8) or Salto del Agua (Lines 1 and 8). Easy to combine with the Ciudadela craft market, a ten-minute walk away.

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• El Huequito (Original, Ayuntamiento)Restaurant0.38 km · 5 min walk
• BósforoBar0.47 km · 6 min walk
• Cantina El Tío PepeBar0.48 km · 6 min walk