Mexico City Shopping

  1. El Cigarrito

    According to convivial owner Carlos, this is the only cigar store in Mexico City - indeed Mexico! - that carries such a wide range of puros, imported from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and Cuba, plus local Mexican stock.

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  2. El Palacio De Hierro

    This is the city's smartest chain with all the standard departments, including cosmetics and perfumes, men's and women's fashion, shoes, accessories and homewares at prices that shouldn't blow your budget.

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  3. El Taller Del Mueble

    Despite the name, this shop sells far more than just furniture - which may not fit in your hand luggage. There are some unusual pottery and ceramic pieces, including folksy painted plates and cups, Aztec sculpture copies, wall hangings and unusual masks. Prices are fair.

    Read more about El Taller Del Mueble

  4. Elfos

    If you believe in fairies (it happens!), this shop will delight. There are shelves and shelves of models crafted in Alicante, Spain. They are fabulously made and up to 41cm high, choose from Dagowill (protector of children), Gaer (good for your love life), Dagda (for wealth and health) and many more for those seeking total ethereal coverage.

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  5. Entenaya Plata

    Seven talented local jewelry designers have their work on display here. Silver is combined with coral, turquoise, seeds and semiprecious stones and each piece has a detailed explanation. Credit cards are accepted, so come prepared to spend.

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  7. Esrawe

    This local Mexican designer goes for the minimalist look, with his futon-style modular furniture in lime green and chocolate brown. The retro-style cabinets have hidden drawers, while the imported Naninarquina rugs from Spain give a whole new meaning to 'shag' rugs, with their incredible texture finishes in the shape of leaves and flowers.

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  8. Floricentro

    Mexicans love their vibrantly-colored artificial flowers. You may not be of the same persuasion but this place is superbly kitsch, with a display that includes fake fruit that you would never be tempted to bite into.

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  9. Fonart

    Probably the biggest and best handicrafts store in the city is the government-run National Fund for the Promotion of Handicrafts. This outlet stocks beautiful wares from around the country, ranging from Olinalá lacquered boxes to Oaxacan alebrijes (papier-maché monsters), blankets from Teotitlán del Valle, as well as plenty of pottery and glassware. Prices are fixed and fair.

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  10. Fonart, Juárez

    The well-known government-run handicrafts shop displays beautiful wares from around the country, ranging from Olinalá lacquered boxes to Oaxacan alebrijes and blankets from Teotitlán del Valle. Prices are fixed and higher than you pay in the Ciudadela market around the corner, but the quality is undeniably up there as well.

    Read more about Fonart, Juárez

  11. Gandhi

    This is your best overall bet for both English language and Spanish books with a well laid-out selection. They also sell magazines, journals, greeting cards and have a fairly extensive DVD selection. There are several other smaller branches around town; check the website for the exact location.

    Read more about Gandhi

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  13. Global Book

    A rare all-English-language bookshop with a solid collection of literature, bonkbusters, bestsellers, coffee-table tomes on art and design, children's books and travel guides, including Lonely Planet; includes a cafeteria.

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  14. Green Corner

    This natural food store stocks everything you could possibly shake a carrot stick at, including organic juices, tofu, nuts and dried fruits, whole-wheat pasta (a rarity here), organic spreads, jams and herbal teas. There's a restaurant, too.

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  15. Headquarters

    An artful store with a black ceiling and warehouse look selling the retro-chic fashion look, with Mexican brands like Reme Ritas and Sweet & Dandy cashing in on NaCo's success with their slogan-style T-shirts. The back of the store is a surprising flip into baby pink Japanese-style accessories by Guadalajara company Tatéi (www.tatei.com).

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  16. Kuss Kuss

    A funky small space selling NaCo T-shirts and sweatshirts, and shiny lacquered floral bags and flat pumps made by Mexican designers like Mauricio Eduardo and García Gutierrez, plus the classic Jelly shoes from Brazil.

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  17. La Bodeguita Del Habano

    An old-fashioned cigar shop run by an old-fashioned lady. One Cuban cigar will cost you around $70 , a handsome box of 25, more like around $500 . All the big puffers are here, including Montecristo and Quintero.

    Read more about La Bodeguita Del Habano

  19. La Divina

    Enter the revolving door to be confronted by shelf upon shelf of more than 200 different brands of tequila, plus everything else guaranteed to put hair on your chest. There are fancy gift packs available and, if the garish signs are to be believed, everything is permanently cut price.

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  20. La Europea

    Your friends won't respect you if you come home from Mexico with anything less than a suitcase full of tequila. Luckily, La Europea has a big selection of reasonably priced tequilas and Mexican wines to help you get loco .

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  21. La Torre De Papel

    There are a handful of souvenir books here, plus maps, but of more interest to most news-hungry folk will be the English-language newspapers, including the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and Daily Telegraph (the latter photocopied). You can also buy stamps, another bonus.

    Read more about La Torre De Papel

  22. La Truffe

    Lots of imported and local gourmet goodies, including cheese, wine, pasta, mustards, pickles, jams, dried chilies, organic marmalades and jams. La Truffe also organizes wine tasting events.

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  23. La Villa De Madrid

    An institution in these parts, this is where homesick Spaniards come to stock up on their Manchego cheese and Marques de Cáceres vintages. You can also buy imported fino (sherry) here, plus a wide range of tequilas and liquors.

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  25. La Vina Del Sol

    There are 100-plus tequilas to select from here, including grand reserves, gift packs with glasses and the more pedestrian plonk. Take a tequila maestro along, if you can, to help you make your selection, or ask the assistant nicely in your best Spanish.

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  26. Las Artesanías

    A large showroom of local crafts, including lacquer ware, woven textiles, leather items and silver jewelry at only marginally higher prices than elsewhere (given the location).

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  27. Las Fábricas De Mexico

    The name says it all, except what is so great about these fabrics is that they are 100% cotton. Tablecloths, blankets and, yes, all-cotton underwear can be purchased here, as well as a range of super soft babygros.

    Read more about Las Fábricas De Mexico

  28. Le Parfum

    Essential aromatherapy oils, natural flower essences, various soaps (including one for insomnia), and chemical-free cosmetics are sold here, along with imitations of big-name perfumes from Givenchy, Dior and Lancôme.

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  29. Lemur

    This funky store sells original toys, clothes and accessories by brands like Insight and Modern Amusement, plus a streetwise range of slogan T-shirts, shiny bags, and made to stand out (and on) shoes and boots.

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