From Custom Cowboy Boots to Mexican Market Tours: A Local’s Guide to Shopping San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende, a colonial-era city in Mexico’s Guanajuato region, is known for its baroque Spanish architecture, thriving arts scene and cultural festivals.
We’ve spoken to locals and curated the best of the best when it comes to folk art, Mexican fashion and more.
Homewares & Lifestyle
Jarcieria San Jose – A charming old store. Go for hand carved wooden bowls, and traditional Mexican cooking utensils.
Sollano 40 – A small shop selling traditional woven fabric products like pillow cases, shawls, coasters and napkins. Prices are higher than the market but so is the quality.
Casa Michoacana – An impressive selection of folk art and ceramics from Michoacan and across Mexico.
Mixta – A design store with a great selection of stylish gifts, clothing and jewellery. It’s owned by a lovely Aussie who has made San Miguel home.
Clothing
Talula de la Lune – Beautiful locally made boots, fashionable enough for the city or country. They also make custom orders if you’re looking for something truly special.
Recreo San Miguel – Sophisticated serapes (a long blanket-like shawl/cloak) and clothing using European fabrics inspired by Mexican design. Beautiful investment pieces. Be sure to check out their selection of jewellery by local brand ‘Chic AF’ there as well.
Agua de Coco – The vibe at this store is Bohemian. A great place to pick up beach cover ups, summer dresses and accessories.
Art and Antiques
La Calaca – Antique Mexican objects and textiles. The owner has some of the best, most interesting items in town. She is also lovely and worth having a chat to!
Fábrica La Aurora – A former muslin factory filled with shops and art galleries. We recommend stopping by Cantadora Antiques, La Bottega di Casa and Skot Foreman Gallery. Peep the old black and white photography down the central hall of the arcade to get a glimpse at what the factory was like in its production heyday.
Galeria Atotonilco – For those specifically interested in Mexican folk art, arguably the best place in town is Galeria Totonilco, it has a shop at the Aurora, as well as a larger gallery outside of the historic centre.
The Mercado
A central part of any Mexican town, it deserves its own page. The main town market stretches several blocks and is the community hub for all things food, flowers, local crafts and clothes.
For a more in-depth tour of the market we recommend booking a market tour and cooking class with local chef Paco Cádenas. He walks you around the market teaching you about the different foods before you spend a delicious afternoon cooking with him. We highly recommend. Book in advance through his bakery — El Petit Four — as he’s quite popular!
