Mexican Market San Antonio
Since San Antonio is touted as the birthplace of Tex-Mex cuisine, you may want to visit El Mercado or Market Square, the largest Mexican marketplace in the U.S., and reputedly the site wherein the early 1900s,
The Mexican Market also known as Market Square or El Mercado, along with the Farmer’s Market, is the largest Mexican market in the state of Texas. As a matter of fact, it is the largest in the entire United States of America.
From vibrant art to homemade crafts, you can find a treasure trove of beautiful Mexican-inspired products at the Mexican Market. This market offers something special that cannot be found anywhere else; it provides customers with an opportunity to explore one of the oldest cultural traditions in Texas while honoring its historical roots. With over 100 vendors selling everything from traditional clothing and jewelry to fresh produce, there’s no shortage of incredible items to discover here. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs or just browsing around, you’ll be sure to leave with something truly special from this remarkable and vibrant marketplace.
San Antonio’s rich culture abounds in Market Square’s plazas. Market Square is the biggest Mexican market in the U.S., a three-block outdoor plaza lined with restaurants, bars, and produce stands near San Antonio’s city center. It is, according to Frommer’s, one of the top-ten outdoor markets in America. Dozens of shops sell everything from hand-embroidered dresses to leather belts. Market Square’s working artists, musicians, dancers, and major cultural events give it a rich and lively cultural atmosphere.
Sample Delicious Cuisine
A variety of shops and gourmet joints are placed in the pedestrian plaza within the market square. Pharmacies, famous bakeries, cafes, and much more are all found here. The famous Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery is a very old Cafe and witnesses a number of visitors every day.
The famed Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery is located on the square, and no one should leave San Antonio without trying Mi Tierra’s famed green chile hot sauce. Mi Tierra is open around the clock. There are dozens of shops on the square and 80 more shops and stores in the adjacent Farmers Market. And you’ll find excellent Tex-Mex cuisine in almost every neighborhood in the city. LeReve, a tiny 38-seat restaurant downtown near the River Walk, recently earned the accolade of “Best French Restaurant in Texas” from The New York Times for its French-accented cuisine using familiar Texas ingredients.
This market is located along with two city blocks of West Commerce Street, near downtown San Antonio. The address ranges from 514 West Commerce to 612 West Commerce.
Enjoy the Festive Atmosphere
At El Mercado, guests walk through 32 supermarkets, and at the Farmers Market Plaza, 80 niche shops. The Mexican Market in San Antonio is the perfect place to experience a true festive atmosphere. Located in the heart of downtown, this lively open-air market offers a diverse range of activities and entertainment. The hustle and bustle of the market fill the air with an infectious energy that will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on your day.
Explore dozens of stalls laden with delicious food, colorful handcrafted goods, and beautiful pieces of art from local vendors inspired by Mexico’s rich culture. You can also listen to traditional music while enjoying freshly-made dishes or sip on a refreshing drink as you people-watch in one of the many seating areas located throughout the market. Whatever activity you choose, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience!
Shop for Handcrafted Souvenirs
If you’re looking for a unique and exciting shopping experience, then a visit to the Mexican Market in San Antonio is an absolute must! Located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, this bustling outdoor market has been providing locals and tourists alike with an unforgettable shopping experience for over 30 years.
The market square includes a large indoor area along the main perambulator walkways and 32 shops called El Mercado. Travelers can engage in a range of activities here and they can shop in this square for hours. Enjoy the tasty Mexican food and listen to Mexican music with margaritas in your hand.
Many of the shops here sell pinatas, Mexican dresses, curios, jewelry, and fine art. There are also farmer markets in the square where the farmers bring their fresh fruits and vegetables to attract more tourists. You will see the great influence of Texas and Mexico in food habits, dressing, and culture in San Antonio.
Shopping is so much fun here. You can buy just about anything made in Mexico at this huge indoor market. Clothes, games, firewood, handmade leather purses, handmade blankets, meats, produce, and so much more.
Buy beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry at the Mexican Mercado. Handmade earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, belts, buckles, scarves, pottery, etc., all crafted in Mexico are for sale here. Buy all of your souvenirs from Mexico right here for all of your friends and family back home. How about an authentic traditional Mexican dress or a man’s shirt? You can find them here.
You can find unique handmade toys and try out Mexican candies. They are very different than American candies.
A great souvenir to take home from El Mercado is a pinata to keep or to use at your next party. Fill it with wrapped candy and let the kids take turns hitting it with a bat or a stick. When it breaks, the candy pours out and everyone gets a treat!
Pinatas are beautifully handcrafted replicas of almost anything from stars and Santas to popular cartoon characters and animals.
Oil paintings on black flocked canvas are a big seller at El Mercado. Blown-glass figurines are also popular items.
You and your family will have a blast pretending that you are shopping in old Mexico. Buy a poncho or a colorful Mexican blanket made in bright colors with fringe. Find the finest in Mexican goods right in the heart of San Antonio at Market Square.
Admire the Traditional Decor
The traditional decor at the Mexican Market in San Antonio is a sight to behold. With its vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and beautiful art, this market has something special that sets it apart. Whether you’re looking for a souvenir from your trip to Texas or a unique piece of artwork to hang on your wall, this charming market will have something for everyone.
For an authentic experience, be sure to check out the hand-crafted items made by local artisans. From jewelry to pottery and textiles, visitors can find one-of-a-kind treasures at every turn. There are also plenty of bright decorations that bring life into any home and make perfect gifts for family and friends back home. No matter what type of item you’re looking for, you’ll definitely find something special at the Mexican Market in San Antonio!
Explore Local Artisans’ Work
Explore the vibrant Mexican art culture of San Antonio with a visit to the local artisan markets. Located in various locations throughout the city, these vibrant and bustling stalls showcase unique works from talented local artists. Here you can find intricate handicrafts, colorful paintings, and other one-of-a-kind pieces that are sure to make your home’s décor stand out from the crowd.
With an abundance of choices available, visitors have access to an array of different styles and prices – allowing travelers on any budget to find something special for themselves or as a gift for someone else. Whether it be a beautiful piece of pottery or a handmade necklace, each item is crafted using traditional methods passed down through generations as well as modern techniques. This makes every single piece unique in its own way – ensuring that every purchase has its own story behind it!
Participate in Local Events
Market Square is also the site of many Hispanic festivals where, along with Guadalajara lights, food and drinks stalls pop up as the sounds of mariachi music mix with the thrill of Mexican dances.
Mexican women cooked tamales and chili on pushcarts and sold them to passersby, thus combining the two cuisines. It is also claimed that a Mexican restaurant owner in San Antonio actually invented Tex-Mex in the 1930s when he combined various items from his menu onto a single plate and doused it all with chili. Whether either of these stories is true, El Mercado is well worth visiting.
The city’s vibrant atmosphere and cultural diversity are evident when attending any one of these events. From religious festivals to street fairs and music concerts, the Mexican market San Antonio provides something for everyone. All events have something unique and special to offer, enabling visitors to gain an insight into true Mexican culture.
Not only do these events provide entertainment and fun, they also allow visitors an opportunity to interact with locals while trying out traditional food, beverages, souvenirs and more! Participating in local events is a great way to explore San Antonio’s rich heritage as well as learn about its history.
El Mercado-Market Square
514 W. Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: (210) 207-8600
Fax: (210) 207-4287
www.marketsquaresa.com
San Antonio Market Square Hours:
Summer hours:
June – August: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Winter hours:
September – May: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.