Organic Markets — Oaxaca City, Oaxaca
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For aficionados of organic and natural food, the two best markets in town are Xiguela, a small corner grocer in the Barrio de Jalatlaco, open daily except for Sundays, and El Pochote, an open air market with two locations, one in the Barrio de Xochimilco, open Fridays and Saturdays only, and the other four blocks southeast of the Zócalo, open daily except for Sundays.
For the reviews of all the markets and grocery stores in the city listed in this guide, not just the ones specializing in organic and natural food, read the articles Markets — Oaxaca City, Oaxaca and Grocery Stores — Oaxaca City, Oaxaca. Also worth mentioning here, there are several vegetarian (or vegetarian friendly) restaurants in the city. For the reviews, read the article Vegetarian Restaurants — Oaxaca City, Oaxaca.
Xiguela • Grocery Store, Organic • (X)
This small corner store has, hands down, the best selection of organic and natural food in town. Indeed, if you have been looking for some special organic or natural product in the city and have not been able to find it, this place is your best bet. Across the street, the owner also runs Café Xiguela, a small corner café serving excellent coffee and espresso, as well as light, healthy snacks and sandwiches for vegetarians and carnivores.
- Southwest corner Hidalgo and Cinco de Mayo; Barrio de Jalatlaco, Centro Histórico; Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; phone 951-132-9121.
El Pochote Market • Market, Organic • $-$$ • (P)
With two locations in town, El Pochote Market is the best place in the city to buy fresh organic produce directly from local growers. In addition to produce, a lot of the vendors sell packaged organic products, including even mezcal. One of the Pochotes materializes every Friday and Saturday at 8:30 in the morning in the courtyard of the Templo de Santo Tomás, in the Barrio de Xochimilco, and runs until around 3:30 in the afternoon, while the other other one, which runs daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for Sundays, operates out of a brick-and-mortar building four blocks southeast of the Zócalo. Be sure to bring along a sturdy tote bag for your spoils.
- Benito Juárez, between De Progreso and Porfirio Díaz, one block north of Niños Heroes; Barrio de Xochimilco; Fri & Sat 8:30 am - 3:30 pm.
- Rayon 411, between Melchor Ocampo and Xicoténcatl, four blocks southeast of Zócalo; South of Independencia, Centro Histórico; Mon - Sat 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Closed Sun.