Great venue!!! Live music and wide variety of food, gifts and good prices!!! The locals are so friendly and kind!!! read more

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Touristy recreation of a Mexican market full of overpriced trinkets. But thoroughly fun! Most of the shops sell overpriced touristy trinkets- think of lowest common denominator stereotypes of Mexico turned into tourist items- from wrestling masks to shot glasses and everything else imaginable. A few shops sell more authentic items- the old ball-and-cup toys in one shop reminded me of childhood trips to Mexico long ago. Even though not an authentic market, it's a must see for visitors to San Antonio. read more

El Mercado - Flea Markets Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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I really think that El Mercado is consistently underrated. It has quite a few shops selling Mexican artesanal items and traditional goods. They are on the pricey side, based on what one is looking for, but there are also some not to be missed bargains. As an example, I purchased vanilla extract in one shop, that was more affordable than the grocery store option. And they also had some very interesting items, such as an adorable Frida Kahlo keychain. I do think some of the sellers take advantage with pricing because it is a tourist spot. I looked at aguas frescas selling for over $10 dollars in one stand. Yet, the saddest thing for me, was that I visited in the heart of summer and the place was empty. It is so such an interesting place, I was upset at how lonely it seemed. In my opinion, if prices were more competitive, it would be 5 stars for sure, especially because it has a huge inventory of amazing Mexican artesanías. read more

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My friend found this place close to our hotel and we went on a saturday morning , we loved it so much, it was just beautiful and so much to see and eat. They have outside vendors and inside malls all very clean and many shopping options. We had a great michelada and explored the whole mercado. It felt very authentic just like being in the middle of mexico city. The food and store vendors were extremely sweet and friendly, we really enjoyed this part of our trip. read more

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El Mercado restaurant is the best Mexican restaurant l have eaten at. Food was great. Beautiful atmosphere & of course the beautiful young lady's. read more

When I travel and take on the persona of tourist, I do things I would not normally do in my typical day-to-day life...like browse through souvenir shops. I do not like to collect anything and only purchase items that have a purpose. So this shopping setup goes against everything I usually gravitate toward. However, when on vacation I do like to get a taste of the local fare and perhaps grab a little something to remember my visit. Near where we were staying is the Market Square-an indoor/outdoor market boasting brightly colored, cheaply made and mostly imported items. There are lots of people, upbeat music and an energy that lures you in. Here, you can find a variety of articles of clothing, hats and shot glasses. I was looking for something that I could take to my son-something practical-ish that I wouldn't mind seeing around the house. We visited three separate times (it was a stop on our tour bus), but each time I left empty handed. The hours are a bit limited-they open at ten (or a bit after, really) and close at 4pm. There are restaurants sprinkled throughout, which might draw more people than the actual market. I would have liked to see some more high-quality, artisan made items rather than so many cheap things that were mass produced. Or more "consumable" items such as soaps, candles, candies, etc. But if you're looking for a souvenir without having to spend a lot of money, you just may find something here. read more

If you're looking for a tourist spot to go to in SA then come here. El Mercado is a staple, it hasn't really changed over the years other than prices. I don't recommend buying their overpriced Mexican merchandise as they know they hype those prices WAY more than what they get it for in Mexico...but I highly recommend the food, especially Pan Dulce from Mi Tierra. The street food is good. Music is good. It's just a nice spot to get out when visiting San Antonio. read more

El Mercado - Flea Markets Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

We were here on Tuesday and most everything was closed and the shops were crazy expensive for trinket type items. It seemed pretty deserted in the middle of the day. We visit from Austin several times a year and it was unusual to see so many shops closed and so few people. This COVID has really seemed to hit the area hard. Mi Tierras is still great and ample area parking. Come visit and bring San Antonio back!! read more

I have the privilege of visiting San Antonio at least once a year. This has become a destination I MUST visit each time I come. I love the culture, beautiful colors, restaurants, and experience of this shopping complex. If you ever come this way, the El Mercado is a must! read more

El Mercado - The Pina drank!!! - Flea Markets Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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When someone asks me if Market Square downtown is worth visiting I always indelible refer back, "Which one?" There is the one by Mi Tierra, which gets crazy packed with tourists and the one closer to the highway, which also gets crazy packed with tourists. Both spots are unique and different in the sense that they have the potential to highlight our city. However, in terms of fun and sheer enjoyment I prefer El Mercado. El Mercado is basically a big souvenir shop, no doubt for tourists who have never trekked further south, and want to take a piece of Texas back east, west or north wherever their point of destination is. There are many shops that sell really cool but: pricey Mexican Curios, mirrors, jewelry, items of Texas lore, glassware and neat stuff with San Antonio-isms. There is a spot that sells funny shirts for example where you can score the ones that say, "Drunk One-Drunk Two" or "Chit Happens." But by and large my favorite part is the food court area. The food court has small kiosks that sell mainly Tex-Mex fare. There is an open area with tables where you can eat and drink. My personal routine is to grab a craft beer from Angie's Cafe and sit at a table and just people watch. I like to observe all the colorful characters that seem to inhabit this space. You see couples with snuck in drinks. A table overflowing with friends, giant boot shaped glasses and nachos turns into an impromptu family reunion. A group of tourists(I can usually spot them a mile away) wander the place like a lost herd with a GPS tracker in tow; trying to figure out where exactly the Alamo is. It is a cross section of the city that segues before the higher brow fare downtown. In addition there is a small stage in the middle of the place that has cool entertainment for the whole family. Typically on weekends they have Flamenco Dancers, musical acts and I have seen a Michael Jackson impersonator on their heavy rotation of entertainers. My only critique is that they would benefit from more tables, especially on weekends when this place is bumping. As far as parking is concerned you can situate yourself underneath the highway, for a nominal fee. If you go this route may I suggest you make a day of it and visit Market Square across the street as well. Another thing that may dissuade people from coming here are their restroom facilities which are abominable. They seem like they haven't seen any improvements or cleaning, for that matter since Jimmy Carter was president. I wish they would take their cues from the Marketplace across the street as those are more nicer and making the necessary aesthetic adjustments. Still I really like El Mercado. You can do all your souvenir shopping, eat, drink and share good times with all your friends in one destination. Depending on the time of day or week it is as dead as a door knob and you feel like you have the whole place to yourself. But on the weekend it really picks up and is bustling with the sounds of music and people having fun. It offers a brief window into the vibe of our city and that vibe is all about "the party." Plus the Mexican Elvis that comes here is well worth your time. PS. I miss the marimba player.(rip) read more

When visiting San Antonio, the Mercado (Market Square) is one of those must see areas, along with the Riverwalk and the Alamo. Located on the west end of downtown San Antonio, the Mercado, or Market Square as it's known in English, has been a gathering place for street vendors since the early 1800's. In modern times, the street vendors are still present and you also have a myriad of shops to choose from selling T-shirts, hats, clothes and other tourist knickknacks. There are, however, other shops that sell exquisite jewelry, Mexican art work, and beautifully decorated home furnishings. There are also street vendors selling various foods. I love getting a couple of puffy tacos, a beer and 'un vaso de elote' - a cup of corn. They cut the corn off of the cob, put it in a cup and mix in butter, cream, paprika, lemon pepper and chili powder. It is DELICIOUS. For those craving something sweet, head over to Mi Tierra. They serve some of the best Mexican pastries you will find anywhere. Wonderful Mexican sweet breads and sweet empanadas. Next door is the haunted Milam Square. http://darkhaunts.com/TexasGhostStories/TheDevilsofMilamSquare.html I love San Antonio because there is always something going on here. read more

El Mercado - Flea Markets Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

If you want a real taste of Mexico when in San Antone, El Mercado should definitely be of your list of places to visit! Huge variety of booths and stands offering items heche in Mexico, clothing, pottery, toys, jewelry...you name it - great variety - lots to look at! There are the outside vendors and also two large buildings that surround the market that are AC (very welcoming in the hotter months) and house several small shops. Most carry the same or similar items. Prices from one booth to the next can range from the difference of a few bucks to double the price - so beware. Shop around until you buy - just try to remember where you saw the item at the right price. As a general rule, outside vendors tend to be a little less expensive and are more likely to give you a cash discount. There are also several various food stands that offer gorditas, chicharon tacos, and lots of other goodies! If you never have before, be sure to get a cup of roasted corn "Mexican style" with mayo, butter, Cotija cheese, and chili powder. Really really good! Trust me! Oh, and if you'd like, grab a cold beer from one of the outside stores and feel free to walk about and enjoy. In addition to the food stands, there are a few restaurants at the market, including the very popular (always going to be a wait) Mi Tierra (open 24 hours a day. 365 days a year). On weekends the outside market is often filled with live Tejano music, dancers, the occasional "Mexican Elvis" spotting, and always great people watching! TIP: If you're not walking from a hotel, there's a $5 parking lot across the street or $7 in the garage. read more

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As always a fun place to shop at during your vacation to San Antonio. The hours during covid are 10-6. They have limited open doors for access. This time some stores that had openings to the market were open. They were well stocked and the shopping fun still applied. Minimum crowd (no crowds!) made it strange, but it was a nice occurrence. Masks ARE required to walk around the market (outdoors) and inside the market. Signs everywhere to wear masks and social distance. I didn't see any hand sanitizing stations but there were very little people. Always a must see during your visit! Creative and fun! read more

This was one of a the funny little shops we stopped by after our Tacos UYE. Another reviewer called it "Artisan junk" and I wholeheartedly agree. Its garage sale style fare that you might end up buying and then getting rid of a few years later in a purge. The only draw for me personally was that it was "Texas" themed. Why this is a 4 star over a 3 is that I found the fact they had x-rated cigarette trays hilarious. Seriously, they were funny as heck. 4 stars for making me laugh Mercado. 4 stars. read more

My wife loves walking around and looking at everything...and I do mean everything, can't get her to walk with me but bring her to a place like this and let the marathon/games begin...I was limping by days end and she was still going strong...okay...i'm exaggerating, but only slightly. We bought some stuff we didn't need and some that will come in handy, the people were very helpful and friendly. read more

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Great marketplace! All of the vendors are very friendly. There are a couple different buildings and an outdoor area as well. Definitely add this to your list of things to do when in San Antonio! read more

It was colorful and had lots of shops. Went on a hot day so didn't spend much time in the outside shops but did visit all the interior shops. Bought a few unique items. Great experience when it's not 100 degrees out read more

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Not sure this is a must-see spot for visitors to San Antonio, but if you have a car, don't mind paying $10 for parking, and are heading to Mi Tierra Bakery, then El Mercado at Market Square is a famous shopping experience to check off your bucket list. It's billed as the largest Mexican Market in the U.S. and is filled with vendors selling over-priced gifts to tourists like leather belts and embroidered dresses. After about 5-minutes, it feels like every space is selling basically the same things. The people working at most of the booths and stores are friendly and have just one rule: Don't Take Pictures With The Hats! Put. That Sombrero. Down. Sombrero's for closers only. read more

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Visited this area while in town thinking it would the same layout as what Wayne and I found when we were young, but what came disappointment by the lack of "Mexican feel" to it. It was just any ole flea market with a few vendors. Most vendors were selling clothing, and games that had that sense of cheap material with a huge price tag on it. Also, most of the vendors seemed like the same ones you spot when you are at the county fair. read more

El Mercado is a great spot to spend an afternoon immersed in San Antonio culture. It's on my "must do" list for out-of-town guests, and is always a big hit. Whether you are a local or just in the city for a visit, I highly recommend you visit El Mercado *at least* once. While in El Mercado, you will feel transported across the border to a traditional Mexican plaza. Throughout the square (both in the open-air area and the indoor mall area), there are many shops selling Mexican art, jewelry, toys, pottery, clothing, and miscellaneous souvenirs. Inside the indoor "mall" portion, there are more shops and a food court. Along the way, there are vendors selling corn-in-a-cup, fruit cups, tacos, aguas frescas and horchata, as well as adult beverages. Because this is an area mostly frequented by tourists, you will pay a premium for these items. If you are looking for a proper sit-down meal instead of just a snack, Mi Tierra Restaurant is adjoining El Mercado and is a favorite for many out-of-town visitors, offering good food and a fun atmosphere. For art aficionados - check out The Educational & Cultural Arts Center Museum at El Mercado (free admission) while you're exploring the square. It's an excellent place to view the work of local artists and attend art-related events and lectures. I recommend planning your visit on the weekend, when you will more-than-likely find live music, folk dancers, and perhaps an appearance by the Locally Famous Mexican Elvis! Park across the street for easy access (parking is cash only!). Many shops and vendors prefer cash, also (and some give cash discounts) so definitely stop at an ATM before your visit. read more

In a word: touristy "artisan" junk. Overpriced goods hawked by street vendors to be used as souvenirs. Half of it is mass produced in the USA, the other half is legitimately from Mexico. I'd opt for the higher-end imports while here, as the rest can be found in the airport. The jewelry (especially anything with turquoise) and decorative crosses in particular are beautiful. It's a pedestrian-friendly area to kill some time, especially if it's not in the dead heat of summer. You can browse and delude yourself that you're getting some "local culture", if you want. Make the experience more enjoyable by grabbing a margarita at Mi Tierra around the corner. Be careful in the smaller shops with pottery- you break, you buy. And don't be that jerk that tries on all of the Mexican dresses, sombreros, and accessories to snap a photo for social media without making any purchases. read more

Heck yes! Ice cold draft beer at $2, fun entertainment on the center stage, colorful treasures to bring home? What an awesomely fun time at El Mercado. I have seen a harpist play along side a flamenco dancer, teenage break dancers getting down to Michael Jackson and tiny tots in authentic costumes wowing the crowd with a saucy group number. I have purchased a few fun items for my home including wall art and light switch covers. Shop around, some of the stores have similar items but competitive prices. Yes, there is a lot of crap here - can I say trashy t-shirts? But there are also some great items, see my photos! While shopping around you can enjoy street food like roasted corn on the cob. Oh, and parking on the rooftop is just $6, not too bad at all. This is definitely a place to check out on a lazy Saturday or better yet a great place to bring an out of town visitor or two. Hey, you can even treat them to some pretty cheap beers. Don't forget the beers! read more

El Mercado - Purchased at the Mercado! - Flea Markets Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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This is where you go to find all things Tex-Mex that you want to bring home to prove that you were in San Antonio. So much stuff, so little time. Many shops sell similar items, but they all have different styles of their stuff. Some of it is very cool, but some of it is made in China and a sticker is slapped on it to make it look Texan. I enjoyed my walk through here and had some good conversations with shop owners, and brought home a few things for the kids. I came early enough in the day, during the week, so there wasn't a lot of traffic. I can imagine that this place gets wicked busy on the weekends. Definitely worth the trip down here just once during your trip to San Antonio, but buy what you need and need what you buy. read more

There are actually two seperate buildings dedicated to the whole of El Mercado. One is a brown building that when facing Mi Tierra, sits to the left complete with a parking area on top of it. And the other building (sort of an aqua color) is directly behind Mi Tierra. In both you'll find a bajillion shops with jewelry, traditional Mexican clothes like China Poblanas and peasant blouses, souvenirs and food. The items here are really beautiful and at times really unique. It's worth the time to take a stroll and see what's here. But mind the signs from the owners asking you not to put their hats on in order to take a picture! ;P read more

Save yourself the trouble of going. Everything in there is absolute JUNK. Not even souvenir type stuff. I'm talking old ass used toy soldiers junk. Everything inside is covered in dust. Bunch of nacho libre type masks and a ton of clothes that look really cheap. Everything there is overpriced compared to the souvenir shops downtown. A "come and take it" mug was $7.99 at the crappy Mercado but only $4.99 at the five and dime general store in downtown ( which is awesome btw). All the jewelry looked crappy and already tarnished. Don't bother. If I could give it 0 stars, I would. All the stores have these abrasive signs everywhere like "don't try on the hats!" And "you break you buy" how the F are u supposed to buy a hat if you don't try it on?? They act as though this stuff is high quality valuable but it's all garbage. read more

When in San Antonio, do as San Anton-ians do! When starting off your day, hit up "El Mercado". Essentially a Mexican Market square, you'll find textiles, costumes, authentic souvenirs, food, drinks, snacks, music & entertainment, and everything else in between these festive street parties!!! There' the Main Market strip and two major indoor Markets right along side the strip... and don't forget to stop at the world renown restaurant "Mi Tierra"!! This place is usually happening early on. Hit this market square party early on THEN make your way towards the River Walk where it gets happening later on in the day. read more

El Mercado - Where you should start your day! - Flea Markets Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Many get El Mercado mixed up with Market Square. El Mercado is the old market place - indoors, there are only shops - no food or drink. However, if you step outside, you will find food and drink. Walk just a bit further to Market Square, and you will find indoor shops, food, and drink. The two locations are so close, I consider them to be the same. As far as reviews go, all I can say is that they are both geared toward tourists, but they are far better than other tourist locations - River Center Mall for example. read more

El Mercado is definitely worth a walk-through. A lot of the shops can get repetitive, but the prices are usually really low, and you'll probably find something cool in there. There's this one shirt shop, wish I could remember what it was called, but they sold custom printed T-shirts. I got this funny one that said "Tu eres un pendejo" and then right under that, in parentheses, "You are my friend." read more

An authentic huge market like the ones you find if you were to drive 200 South to the border. Find here Mexican curios and clothing along with items you will only find South of the border. If yo visit San Antonio and need some inexpensive souvenirs to take home, this is the place to come. read more

El Mercado - Fiesta! - Flea Markets Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Went to the indoor el mercado and the outdoor part on the other side. Super kitschy stuff. I'm sure some of it was authentic mixed in with the fake. All of it- overpriced. Fun to eat at the food stalls outside but def over priced. Bring cash. Many don't accept cards. There's a lot of dancing in the indoor part which is fun! It's fine to kill some time esp on Sunday when the meters are free. However, I wouldn't go out of ur way to go. read more

One of my favorite destinations in San Antonio. I saw some articles about this market being the biggest market outside of Mexico and I told my bf we had to go. We came here on Sunday morning around 11am, found parking around the park across the street and made our way into this fun little market. There's a big market inside and also some stalls and shops outside. We went to get food first and actually went into Viva la villa which had the best Taco in San Antonio that we had. We loved all the little decor outside, and all the great snacks at this location. I suggest coming here to explore and see what you can find. Plenty of great souvineir and would suggest trying to find some here. read more

Fun indoor/outdoor market filled with stall after stall of Mexican imports. From wrestling masks to worry dolls, pottery to blankets, it feels like walking through any shopping area in Mexico. My favorite spots were two outdoor tents where older gentleman sold their beautiful paintings and you could hear musicians performing on an outdoor stage while drinking a margarita. If you've got an hour and want to take in the colorful sights and sounds of Mexican culture, stroll through El Mercado. read more

I highly recommend visiting market square. Such a great ambiance with live music. There are a few parking lots near the market and you can easily find parking for $5-$10. We did not get a chance to eat at Mi Tierra, but we did try various snacks(good but a little pricey) being sold throughout the market. Must try are the Mexican corn, gorditas, grilled sausage, fresh juices were all so delicious. But the star of the show, were the Churros. They were being sold near the entrance of La Margarita Restaurant. They were the best churros I have ever had- perfectly light, perfectly crispy, with perfect amount of sugar and just enough cinnamon. They even have 4-5 kinds of dipping sauces. We opted for Mexican caramel chocolate sauce and it was divine. We spent about 2 hours there and if we didn't have to be somewhere, I would have easily spent another hour just exploring the market. A must do while in San Antonio. read more

This place was alright. There's actually 2 parts to this market. Both across the street from each other. We first went into the biggest one. To me it was just a bunch of different stores selling the same things over and over again. We came across a print making shop. Nice young lady folding shirts. Racked up on the clearance rack. My friend got 2 shirts made there with images and San Antonio written or imaged on there. Some stores stood out and sold things that can hand and small glass wares. But most were selling the same bottle of vanilla extract for 3 different prices. Funny really. Across the street was no different. Didn't eat anything when there's a great spot across the street. It was a rainy day as well. I guess if you're a bargaining kinda person and take great enthusiasm with your travel momentos, El Mercado awaits you. read more

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Who wants to travel all the way to Mexico and maybe get kidnapped or shot full of holes? Not me so San Antonio's El Mercado is the next best thing. TONS of stuff from "Hecho en Mexico" in the numerous booths located in this huge enclosure. I love to walk around with a tall margarita while we stroll the shops. I especially love the shows by folklorico dancers and love listening to local mariachi groups. The "Market Place" has it all. read more

Took a day trip to San Antonio and this place made my trip, absolutely no regrets. Definitely a spot to check out if you're in the area, felt like mini Mexico. The food here can be a bit pricey but the quesadilla and elote I had was worth it! Can't wait to come back!! read more

As a San Diegoan and habitual tourist to Mexico, this wasn't particularly exciting for me. Its a huge selection of Mexican brick a brack for sale. Lucky for me I was on a quest for the PERFECT corn husk flower crown, so it make my visit more entertaining. I am a sucker for Mexican brick a brack in general and enjoyed my time here, Outside is the Market Square, providing street food and streent entertainment. Inside, you will find anything you might find in the swap meets of TJ or Rosarito. Prices are affordable and colors are bright. Entertaining, but nothing special unless you haven't been to Mexico in the last couple of years! read more

I am reviewing El Mercado and Market Square together, as to me I don't go to one without visiting the other. El Mercado basically consists of two main 'malls' that have a vast number of specialized shops, quite a few all offering the same types of tchotchke. It's is a blatant tourist draw, but I give it four stars because of how large the market is, and the convenience of finding everything I want all in one area. When I was on a hunt for souvenirs to take home, I was able to find almost everything I was looking for here, and enjoy a couple of beautiful afternoons as well. Their website (http://www.sanantonio.gov/marketsquare) offers a comprehensive overview of events, shopping, etc. On the weekends, and especially during holidays or events, the music and live entertainment offer a fun atmosphere to enjoy while having an agua fresca. My favorite part of the Mercado is the vendor booths in the block between the buildings, where sometimes you can find real art and talent. My favorite food vendor is Rudy's tamales, I think they are the best around. If you want to eat in the area, I would recommend Mi Tierra for the food and reasonable prices. BONUS TIP: If you're in the area, check out Mariachi Bar, which is attached to Mi Tierra. They only serve appetizers and drinks, but the bar is beautiful and worth seeing. There is plenty of parking within walking distance, but it fills up quickly. The parking garage across the street costs $6 for the day, and across the other way is a Goodwill parking lot that charges $5 for all day parking. Just a couple blocks west, you can park under the freeway for $2.50 if you don't mind walking 2 extra blocks. read more

Definitely a huge tourist trap, and it's a lot more fun for the kids than the adults. Billed as the biggest Mexican market in the United States, it's an entire block of shops full of kitschy tacky souvenirs. But hey, what is one's personal junk is another's personal treasure. It pays to shop around to get the best prices, if you're interested in buying something. In fact, the exact peasant blouse I got from a store on Alamo Plaza was several dollars cheaper than any store here. The weekends are definitely better than the weekdays...there are a lot more outside vendors and activities. The first Saturday of the month always has special activities. They are open daily until 8 PM from June to August and until 6 PM from September to May. Personally, I think those are silly hours for a tourist trap...with everything going on in the area, they should keep open until much later. But after I had dinner at Mi Tierra, I noticed that some of the stores with additional fronts to the inside square had re-opened for the many tourists still mingling about. Stop and see it if you're a tourist. Don't if you claim to be from San Antonio. read more

If you cannot find it here, you can't find it anywhere on this side of the border. Always one of my favorite places to visit in San Antonio, especially during Fiesta every April! read more