Mercado Álamos

What it is. The public market of Colonia Álamos, in Benito Juárez: a neighbourhood market of the ordinary kind —fruit and vegetables, butchers, a fishmonger, a tortillería, flowers, household goods and a row of craft stalls, with a cooked-food section that fills at lunchtime.

Why it is worth a stop. Markets like this are where the city actually shops, and they are the cheapest and best way to eat in a residential colonia: ask for the fondas and order the comida corrida —soup, a main course and agua fresca for the price of a coffee elsewhere. Álamos sits between Narvarte and Portales, so it combines easily with a longer walk through the central-southern colonias.

Practical notes. Simón Bolívar #623, open daily 08:00–19:00; mornings are the freshest. Bring small cash, as few stalls take cards. There is no metro at the door —Villa de Cortés and Nativitas on Line 2 are the nearest stations, both a short walk or local bus away. A larger version of the same thing is the Mercado Portales, a few minutes south.