A San Miguel de Allende Shopping Guide: Favorite Shops
San Miguel de Allende is a dangerous place for anyone who likes beautiful things.
San Miguel de Allende is a dangerous place for anyone who likes beautiful things.
There are shops tucked into courtyards, behind unassuming doors and along cobbled streets where you can walk in looking for one thing and leave with something entirely different. Handmade textiles, Mexican ceramics, silver jewelry, embroidered clothing, beautiful things for the home, and things you didn't know you needed until you saw them.
This is my personal list of the shops I love in San Miguel. I'll keep adding to it as I discover new places, and my friend Phoebe is helping me along the way. So think of this as a work in progress, rather than a definitive shopping guide.
WEAR · COLLECT · GIFT · EAT
The places we return to, the ones we tell friends about, and the little discoveries that make wandering San Miguel even more fun.
WEAR
Recreo San Miguel- Clothing | Jewelry
There are shops you go into because you need something, and then there are shops that make you stop in the doorway and look around.
Recreo San Miguel is the latter.
The shop has recently moved to 24 Correo, just steps from the Jardín, into a beautiful historic building that feels like exactly the sort of place you hope to stumble upon in San Miguel. It is elegant and the clothes seem completely at home among the old stone, colonial details and high ceilings.
Recreo is the creation of Lisa Coleman, an American who came to San Miguel with her husband, Michael, in 2010. The story of how the brand began is almost as good as the clothes themselves.
After arriving in San Miguel, Lisa and Michael discovered the city's long history of producing fine textiles and serapes. They found a book describing San Miguel's textile heritage and began wondering what would happen if the traditional Latin American serape were reimagined in luxurious fabrics with a contemporary eye. About a year and a half later, their first collection was launched.
That idea has grown into much more than serapes. Today Recreo makes wraps, capes, jackets, kaftans, dresses, skirts, blouses and other pieces that borrow from traditional forms without looking remotely like costumes. Silk, linen, wool and cashmere turn familiar Mexican shapes into clothes that feel sophisticated, wearable and decidedly modern. The pieces are designed with a global customer in mind but are handmade by artisans in Mexico.
And Lisa seems to be as much a part of the Recreo experience as the clothes. She is welcoming and loves sharing SM tips; she provides clients with her SM go-to list upon request.
I also love that there is a genuine connection between the beautiful things in this shop and the place where they are made. Recreo works with local artisans and has built relationships with the women who make the garments by hand, rather than simply putting a Mexican-inspired label on something manufactured elsewhere.
The new location feels like a fitting next chapter. 24 Correo is right in the middle of Centro, only a few steps from the Jardín. They also have beautiful jewelry by local artisans.
Recreo San Miguel - Calle Correo 24
Xinu | Perfume
Xinu is one of those places I always make time for when I'm in San Miguel. Their fragrances are inspired by Mexican botanicals and native ingredients, and the scents feel sophisticated without losing their connection to Mexico. They have three stores in Mexico City, which I have written about here.
Their new San Miguel location is inside Recreo San Miguel at 24 Correo Street, making it an easy stop when you're wandering this part of town.
24 Correo Street
Remigio Mestas | Traditional Clothing & Textiles
Remigio Mestas is not simply a shop selling Mexican clothing. Remigio Mestas Revilla is a Zapotec textile master who has spent decades working to preserve and elevate the extraordinary textile traditions of Oaxaca. His project began in the 1990s, researching and recovering traditional techniques, fibers and natural dyes from communities throughout the state. Oaxaca
Inside the little shop at Portal de Guadalupe 10, you'll find beautifully made clothing and textiles from Oaxaca: woven cotton and wool pieces, huipiles, blouses, ponchos, scarves and blankets. The work is rooted in Indigenous traditions, but the pieces are very wearable. Wanderlog
I particularly love the colors and the textiles themselves. There is something wonderful about buying a piece here knowing that you are looking at techniques and craftsmanship that have been passed down through generations, rather than mass-produced “Mexican” clothing made for tourists.
Remigio Mestas Portal de Guadalupe 10
Velia Sierra Design | Linen Clothes For Men & Women
If you love linen, don't miss Velia Sierra.
This Mexican family-run fashion house has been making linen clothing in Mexico for more than four decades, using beautiful Italian linen. The San Miguel shops carry clothing for both women and men, with that wonderfully easy, elegant look that makes linen Womenrfect for life here.
They are simple, beautifully cut pieces that you can actually live in. And there is something very right about buying linen in San Miguel, where the climate practically demands it.
The flagship and men's boutique are at Relox 4 & 10, with another women's and men's location on Hernández Macías.
Velia Sierra Design - Relox 4 & 10, Centro
https://veliasierra.com/en/pages
Suki Palomina | Hats
Suki Palomina has put the Mexican cowboy hat on the map.
Since launching in San Miguel de Allende in 2020, Suki has become something of a San Miguel institution, turning the traditional Mexican cowboy hat into a fashion statement that has attracted attention well beyond the city. Her hats have been featured in major press and worn by people who would never have considered themselves cowboy-hat people before.
What makes Suki Palomina special is the way she has taken something deeply rooted in Mexican culture and given it a completely modern point of view. The hats are beautifully made, distinctive and full of personality, with everything from classic shapes to unexpected colors and finishes.
This isn't a souvenir-shop sombrero. These are serious hats, and Suki has built a brand around making them feel covetable, fashionable and unmistakably Mexican.
Díez de Sollano 20
BOKOBÁ | Mens Wear
For well-made Mexican menswear, BOKOBÁ is worth a look. This small boutique on Correo specialises in traditional guayaberas, men's footwear and leather goods, making it a good stop for finding something a little different, whether a classic linen shirt or a leather accessory. A useful address to know when shopping in San Miguel.
Correo 15, Centro
COLLECT
TAO Studio Gallery | Home | Jewellery, art and design
TAO Studio is one of San Miguel de Allende's more interesting design galleries, bringing together contemporary jewellery, sculptural lighting, furniture, ceramics and art in a beautifully curated space.
It's particularly good for jewellery, with pieces by independent designers that feel more like wearable art than everyday accessories. I had fun walking around the gallery and meeting one of the jewellery designers, Teresa de Cortabitarte, who works with crystal beads.
Beyond jewellery, look out for the lighting, sculptural objects and art for the home. TAO is the kind of place where you might arrive looking for a pair of earrings and leave thinking about a lamp, a sculpture or something entirely unexpected.
Find it: Diez de Sollano y Dávalos 28, Centro, San Miguel de Allende.
Explore: TAO Studio Gallery
Mica | Ceramics
The shop is filled with pieces that feel both distinctly Mexican and completely at home in a modern house. I love the colors, the shapes and the fact that these are things you actually want to use, not just admire on a shelf.
And if you like Mica, be sure to visit its sister store, Loom, for more beautiful, collectible pieces. They make a natural pair, and I rarely walk past either one without going in for a look.
GIFT
Botica de Santa Teresita | Pharmacy
Go inside the Botica de Santa Teresita even if you don't need a thing.
This is a working pharmacy, and one of the oldest in San Miguel. Dating back to 1852, the family-run botica has been passed down through seven generations and still makes many of its traditional preparations by hand.
But it is the building that first stops you. Inside, you'll find the old apothecary cabinets, glass and porcelain jars, bottles and drawers, all still part of a functioning pharmacy. It feels wonderfully frozen in time.
They make and sell traditional preparations including creams, soaps, oils and botanical remedies, and I always buy the Agua de Rosas. It's become one of my San Miguel staples.
Botica de Santa Teresita Relox 28, Centro
Mixta | Gifts | Jewelry | Clothes
There are shops you wander into for a quick look and emerge from an hour later, having discovered all sorts of things you didn't know you needed. Mixta, tucked inside a beautiful old colonial house in the heart of San Miguel de Allende, is one of them. Founded by Australian-born Anna Sinclair, it's a wonderfully eclectic collection of finds gathered from her travels around the world, alongside beautiful work by Mexican artisans and designers. Anna is something of a curator of nice things, bringing together an irresistible mix of jewellery, textiles, ceramics, clothing, homewares and unexpected little treasures.
It's a fun shop to poke around in, with something interesting tucked into every corner. Nothing feels too predictable, and there's a lovely sense that each piece has been chosen because someone, somewhere, made it with care or because Anna simply couldn't resist it. Whether you're looking for a gift, something special for your home or just a little inspiration, Mixta is well worth a wander. Just don't be surprised if you leave with more than you intended.
Pila Seca 3, Centro
Miguel Bautista | Handwoven textiles, linens and rugs
Tucked away on Mesones, Miguel Bautista is a wonderful find for handwoven wool rugs and traditional textiles, with a huge collection of table linens, napkins, pillowcases and rugs in a range of colours, patterns and sizes.
The prices are particularly good value compared with other shops selling similar pieces in San Miguel. I always pick up stacks of beautiful napkins and linens to take back to New Zealand as gifts. They're practical, beautifully made and feel far more special than something you'd find in an ordinary homewares shop.
If you're looking for thoughtful gifts or something lovely for your own home, this is well worth a visit.
Find it: Mesones 57, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.
Mercado de Artesanías | Artisan stalls
The Mercado de Artesanías runs for several blocks just beside Mercado Ignacio Ramírez, and it's one of those places where you really need to wander rather than shop with a plan.
You'll find all sorts of Mexican handicrafts: brass and copper pieces, ceramics, textiles, wool, jewelry, papier-mâché, woven goods and plenty of things that make very good gifts. The brass work is particularly associated with San Miguel, including the stars, mirrors and punched-metal pieces that you see all over the city. Cultura
There are treasures mixed in with the touristy stuff, and part of the fun is finding them.
It is also a good place to remember that San Miguel's artisan tradition isn't just something put on for visitors. Local families have been passing down metalwork, textiles and other crafts for generations, and those traditions remain an important part of the city's identity.
Mercado de Artesanías- Andador Lucas Balderas
Saturday Morning at TOSMA Market | Gifts & Food
Saturday mornings are for TOSMA, San Miguel's wonderful weekly organic and artisan market (Tianguis Orgánico). Set in a leafy courtyard at Ancha de San Antonio 123, near Instituto Allende, it's a lovely place to spend a few hours browsing the stalls, picking up gifts and sampling some very good food. I have a number of favourite stalls, including the mole lady, who makes delicious Mexican mole and packs it into travel-friendly containers that keep for up to nine months. It's one of my favourite things to bring home from Mexico.
Alongside the food producers, you'll find all sorts of lovely things: handmade jewellery, pottery, textiles, natural beauty products, ceramics and little treasures from local makers. There are plenty of delicious things to eat, too, from fresh breakfasts and Mexican specialities to baked goods, cheeses and coffee. Add some live music, a relaxed crowd and a rather lovely atmosphere, and it's a very good way to spend a Saturday morning. Come hungry and leave yourself time to poke around.
Ancha de San Antonio 123,
EAT
JOHFREJ Chocolate
I have a weakness for dark chocolate, so finding JOHFREJ in the middle of Centro was never going to end well for me.
This little chocolatería has been making chocolate since 1920, using 100% Mexican cacao from Tabasco and Chiapas. Their chocolates are handmade, and the selection ranges from truffles and pralines to bars and chocolate drinks.
But I go for the truffles. The 80% cocoa are my favorite. They are a little springy, and taste like a cross between a truffle and a Tootsie Roll.
There are some wonderfully grown-up flavors, including extra-dark chocolate, dark chocolate with cacao nibs, cinnamon, chile and other combinations. They also make boxes of assorted dark chocolates, which, frankly, makes it very difficult to exercise any restraint.
JOHFREJ C&V Jesús 2 A, Centro
La Colmena- Panadería
Even if you don't buy a single pastry, go inside La Colmena.
This old-fashioned San Miguel panadería has been here since 1901, and there is something wonderfully eccentric about it. La Colmena means the beehive, and the name is very literal. There are bees. Inside the bakery.
You may see them buzzing around the windows and the pastries, going about their business while everyone carries on buying pan dulce.
It is not a polished, Instagram-perfect bakery, and that's exactly why I love it. Grab a metal tray and a pair of tongs and wander through the rows of traditional Mexican breads and pastries. But honestly, even if you don't buy anything, go just to see the bees.
It is one of those wonderfully odd little San Miguel experiences that you'll remember.
La Colmena Panadería - Relox 21, Centro
City Market | Supermarket
City Market may be one of the most incredible supermarkets I have ever been to.
And yes, I said supermarket.
Walking into City Market in San Miguel feels more like walking into a very glamorous food hall than somewhere you come to buy milk. The produce is beautiful, the selection is enormous, and there are aisles of Mexican specialties alongside imported foods from around the world.
There is an impressive cheese counter, beautiful meats and seafood, an enormous selection of wine and spirits, specialty ingredients, pastries, chocolates and enough things you didn't know existed to keep you wandering for far longer than you intended.
It is the kind of place where you go in for a few groceries and suddenly find yourself examining bottles of olive oil, admiring the cheese counter and wondering whether you really do need that jar of something you've never heard of before.
If you are staying in San Miguel for more than a few days, go.
Part supermarket, part gourmet food shop, part entertainment, City Market is one of those places that reminds you that grocery shopping can actually be fun.
Salida a Celaya 82, La Lejona
La Lonja Carnicería
This is Noah's go-to butcher in Centro.
La Lonja has been around since 1953, and it is exactly the kind of everyday San Miguel shop I love discovering. It is a proper working carnicería, but importantly, it is clean and well organized, with a good selection of fresh meat, poultry, seafood and sausages.
Noah buys his meat here, and that is really the reason it made my list. When you're living somewhere rather than simply visiting, you want to know where the locals go for the basics.
It is also right across from Mercado Ignacio Ramírez, so it is an easy stop if you're already wandering through the market and surrounding streets.
La Lonja Carnicería Mesones 33 / Colegio 21, Centro
Mercado Ignacio Ramírez
I come here for flowers, fruit, and vegetables, and I love having a place where I can buy beautiful, fresh produce right in the heart of Centro. If you are in town, it is definitely worth a stroll through.
The original Mercado Ignacio Ramírez was built in the late 1800s by Zeferino Gutiérrez, one of San Miguel's most important builders. The beautiful market became a central part of daily life in the city, with farmers, butchers, fruit and vegetable sellers, food stalls and all the things people needed to feed their families. Cloudezapp
That original building was demolished in 1968, and the market moved into the building you see today, which opened in 1970.
It’s crowded, chaotic and wonderfully overwhelming, with stall after stall spilling into the walkway. And once you’ve had your fill, wander into the adjoining Mercado de Artesanías. Even if you’re not looking for anything, it’s worth a stroll.
Mercado Ignacio Ramírez Colegio, Centro
