Journey Through La Merced

This was AN AMAZING TOUR! I recommend this to anyone visiting if you want a real picture of Mexico and an authentic food experience. Our tour guide Hector was amazing, knowledgeable so friendly. We ended up being the only folks who joined the tour (me and my partner) so it also ended up being a very nice, intimate experience.

The tour:
- Was very raw, and really showcased the realness of Mexico city, beyond the curated, gentrified areas. I wouldn't have been able to explore this area given its chaos, and vastness, if not for this tour.
- Made me VERY full with such unique and delectable food. I tried both delicious, authentic and eccentric food! I also tried the best suadero tacos I'll never forget
- While in a rather different area never made me feel unsafe

Hector, our guide:
- Was so accommodating and cared for us throughout. He'd point out any cracks on the floor so we wouldn't trip, recommended when we could and could not take pics (to be sensitive to the area and locals), made sure we crossed the streets safely, and never left us behind.
- Knew A LOT about the area (as a local), the food (as a chef who buys his ingredients in La Merced) and the people (as a friend of the vendors). He knew about the good and bad, past and present, ins and outs. He shared the plight of the vendors, the history of the different markets beyond the places we visited, the stories of the people we met, and the real real about all the food we ate!

Going to recommend this tour to anyone that visits!

Wonderful tour through Merced market in Mexico City with Clara. We tasted so much wonderful food, learned so much about Mexican cuisine and everyday life of people in Mexico. I would highly recommend taking the tour & ask for Clara!

Hector was our guide for the La Merced market and food tour.
He is a wealth of knowledge! He is also very personable and great at conversation!
The food was delicious!! What an amazing cultural experience the market is. I highly recommend!

We enjoyed experiencing this market as a part of Mexico City that is not easily accessible to tourists without a guide. There are many markets in the city, and one could walk through La Merced independently (and get lost), but Yimnah was very knowledgeable about the history and social context of this huge food market, which was interesting to learn about. She was greeted by many of the vendors, which made the experience feel friendly and welcoming. The stops at different stalls were a mixture of small restaurant stalls (don't eat a big breakfast before) and specialty food and other endors. Yimnah answered all of our questions patiently and knowledgeably. The absolute highlight was the sampling of many different types of mole at a specialty mole stand (we bought some mole to bring home). After the tour, we received a follow-up email that listed the stalls where we stopped, as a reference. P.S. We didn't feel unsafe in the neighborhood--though obviously don't bring a flashy designer purse. The meeting point was a nearby cafe from which we walked to the market.

Yimnah was a wonderful guide. She tailored the food tour to meet our tastes and interests. We learned a lot and we enjoyed her company as well.

Our tour of La Merced was wonderful and delicious! Our guides Clara and Adrian were so knowledgeable and really made the experience - navigating it on our own just wouldn't have been possible. Also, all the vendors they chose were lovely and everything they served was so delicious! Glad we came hungry. We learned a lot about the market, the food and other items available there and about Mexico City. Definitely recommend and appreciate that our guides made a good tour great!

I think it'd be really really hard to have a bad meal in CDMX over all - there are SO many great options. Our tour guide was Hector, who has a background in culinary arts, gave some historical (it's over 700 years old and many vendors are nth generation owners), personal (getting lost when he was a kid at LaMerced with his mom), and culinary education (the many types of dried chiles, which i regret not buying; mole, etc) for us. I would never try to navigate my own way through Merced for many reasons, namely the many many stands that exist in that place. The tour really knows their vendors and i felt completely safe the entire time.
If you are questioning whether or not you want to visit LaMerced and you are an adventurous eater, i'd say pull the trigger and book this tour. I ate in places that i normally would never have tried on my own. Will definitely book one of their other tours, too, the next time i return!

Adrian was a gracious guide with a comprehensive culinary background. His knowledge of the market and vendors allowed us to taste the very best. Highly recommend!

Later that night… nonstop explosive diarrhea for my entire family. The next day, the diarrhea worsened. Holiday is ruined. We are all stuck to the toilet in our hotel. No amount of Pepto can help us.

This was definitely one of the highlights of my first visit to Mexico City. Our guide, Fernando, was so friendly and knowledgable about the intersection between food, culture and history. Would definitely recommend for anybody who loves trying new foods and learning from the locals. Thanks for the great time!

Nico was so fun and knowledgeable - he shared so much of his culture through food. I had some of the best food I’ve ever eaten - definitely the best tamale and taco of my life (and it’s all you can eat, so keep ordering the stuff you love!). I can’t wait to go back for the Day of the Dead flower market tour next time.

Our Eat Mexico Culinary Tour through La Merced Market was an incredible experience, and our guide, Hector, made it truly special. His deep knowledge of Mexican food and culture added so much to the tour, making every stop more than just a tasting—it was a learning experience.

The food was outstanding, with some real highlights: all the tacos (each one better than the last), the chance to try insects (surprisingly delicious and an important part of Mexican cuisine), and the rich, complex mole that was absolutely unforgettable. Hector guided us through the bustling market, explaining everything in a way that was both informative and engaging.

If you love food and want an authentic deep dive into Mexico City’s culinary scene, this tour is a must. Exploring La Merced Market with Hector was an experience we’ll always remember. Highly recommended!

Adrian was really knowledgeable - great selection of foods. A place I definitely wouldn’t have been able to navigate on my own. So very happy we did this tour. Learned a lot about Mexican culinary history as well. We had a great time!

With the help of our friendly, knowledgeable tour guide Yimnah, we managed to eat our way through La Merced market. It was a great and memorable experience, and we loved sampling many Mexican delicacies, including ants and grasshoppers (though the tacos were our favorites). La Merced is huge, but Yimnah knew all the best places and guided us around with ease. We highly recommend this tour to all adventurous eaters visiting Mexico City!

We had a fantastic tour of La Merced with Adrian. Deeply knowledgeable about food and history, spending 2+ hours with Adrian was an incredible introduction to Mexico City. Our family of four included two children and a vegetarian and Adrian made sure that there were options for all of us.

Highly recommend this tour and our guide Yimnah who was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. We learned and saw many things while eating a lot of good food from multiple vendors. The market is very large, so having a guide to navigate it in a small group seemed essential.

Toti & Clara were great ambassadors for Mexico City and showing us the vibrant community of the markets. There is so much to see and experience you will need a guide and our guide was well prepared as we made the rounds to taste delicious fruit, tacos, & beverages. Thank you Eatmexico