3 reasons to visit the Municipal Market of São Paulo

The Municipal Market of São Paulo , or Mercadão, as it is also known, charms any visitor at first glance. This is one of the main tourist and meeting points for those who visit the land of drizzle. Located in the historic center of the city, it receives hundreds of people every day.

A place full of delicacies to try and stories to tell. Ideal for those who want to visit a place with countless product options or meet up to chat while eating one of the most famous delicacies, the mortadella sandwich.

The Market has become a must-see meeting point, not only for São Paulo residents, but also for tourists from Brazil and around the world who pass through São Paulo. As a result, weekends are usually very busy, making this icon of São Paulo tourism the largest retail market in the city.

Let's dive a little into the Mercadão Municipal de São Paulo and see what special things this place has in store for us? So, write down these tips in your notebook so you don't forget what to do in this charming place.

History of the Municipal Market of São Paulo

Before we talk about what you will find at the Mercadão Municipal, we need to know a little about its history. Construction of the Municipal Market of São Paulo began in the mid-1920s, but it was only completed and opened in 1933. At the time, it was used to store weapons used during the Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932.

Its building was designed by engineer Felisberto Ranzini, who worked with Francisco de Paula Ramos de Azevedo , also an architect and responsible for major works of the time, such as the Municipal Theater and the Pinacoteca. The market has an eclectic style and was inspired by the Central Market of Berlin (Germany), with its central roof and side towers and concrete and brick masonry structure.

It has great beauty and grandeur in its architecture, with its Greek-style columns, which give a charm to the enormous building. Despite its historical importance and its magnitude, it was almost demolished in 1960, after the food trade was transferred to Ceasa.

Thanks to the merchants, who registered it with the State Council for the Defense of Historical, Archaeological, Artistic and Tourist Heritage (Condephaat), it was possible to obtain resources to restore it and keep it functioning.

1 - Architecture

Continuing with the story, we will reveal the first reason to visit the Municipal Market of São Paulo : the architecture . The Mercadão has a gigantic structure spread over 12,600 square meters of built area, with two floors and 30 meters high. It has 32 panels and 72 stained glass windows, which give the place a unique natural lighting and, in addition, enchant the eyes of those who visit the space.

Fifty-five of these stained glass windows are located on the sides of the Market and were made by Russian artist Conrado Sorgenicht Filho, and depict scenes of farming, food production and livestock raising. The artist also created works in the Sé Cathedral and in 300 other churches in Brazil. The columns, pumpkins and stained glass windows are real scenes and postcards in the middle of the Municipal Market.

In 2004, the site underwent renovations, revitalizing the stained glass windows and expanding the interior space. The Market then gained a mezzanine, allowing the opening of new restaurants and gastronomic spaces, becoming an important tourist attraction .

A food court with tables and benches was created on site, which encouraged more people to visit the space, choosing the Market as an option for Sunday lunches .

2 - Product diversity

There are almost 300 shelves with a variety of products , including fruits, vegetables, spices, meats, and so many others that it is hard to know where to start. In addition, there are several restaurant options, great for those who want to have a gastronomic experience.

3 - Gastronomy

And since we're talking about gastronomy , I guarantee that it won't be easy to decide which restaurant or snack bar to choose to try the countless options of dishes and snacks that the place offers. If you find long lines on the ground floor, don't be alarmed, they are to try the delicious and famous delicacies that they sell there.

The mortadella sandwiches, dumplings and codfish pastries are the tourists' favorites. The fillings are so generous that they are equivalent to a full meal. But if you are looking for peace and quiet, there is the mezzanine upstairs, an area dedicated to specialized cuisine, with Northeastern, Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese and other dishes. This is a good place to sit, order a draft beer and enjoy the beautiful colorful view from the stands and stained glass windows.

4- National and international products

If São Paulo is a multicultural city, the Municipal Market is no different. There, you can find a variety of products from all regions of Brazil and even the world. From other Brazilian states, tourists can enjoy cashew nuts, palm oil, or dulce de leche from Minas Gerais.

But for those who want to enjoy products from other countries, how about chestnuts coming straight from Portugal, saffron from Spain, or pistachios from Iran?

What to buy?

With so many food options, it can be hard to decide what to buy. Put fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, olive oils, fish, cheeses, wines, spices and many other endless products in your grocery bag. Oh, and remember that prices can be a little high, so choose some of the items we have listed and don't go without.

mortadella sandwich

This is, without a doubt, the first item you should try when you arrive at the Municipal Market of São Paulo. All tourists who pass by the Mercadão de São Paulo always try the famous mortadella sandwich, which has been around since the opening of the place and was brought by Portuguese immigrants Horácio Gabriel and Maria de Deus Ferreira, owners of the Hocca Bar.

Over the years, the sandwich has undergone a few changes until it reached its current form, which includes thinly sliced ​​mortadella, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and oregano. The sandwich is generously served, just as Brazilians like it, and is enough for two people to eat comfortably.

Cheeses

For those who love cheese, I guarantee that you will be impressed by the huge variety that you can find at Mercadão de São Paulo . The favorites are parmesan, provolone and brie, but there are also options for those who prefer the finest cheeses, such as Gouda Rembrandt, Parmesan Calcar Uruguaio and Parmesan Scala Premium.

Minas Gerais products are also present on the list of cheeses that you can't miss, such as Brinco de Ouro and Parmesan Mineiro cured. There is no shortage of options for all budgets and tastes.

Seasonings and spices

Without a doubt, the stands that sell spices are the ones that will win you over the most. For those who can't do without the aroma of spices, we can say that the Municipal Market of São Paulo is a true paradise. The options range from the traditional ones, such as cumin, saffron, rosemary, basil, to some rarer ones, such as tandoori, mustard seeds or Spanish saffron.

Since the products are natural, there is a low amount of sodium compared to the seasonings sold in supermarkets. Therefore, it is a great option for those who want products without preservatives.

Fish

The variety of fish at the Municipal Market of São Paulo is also impressive. All the products sold there are fresh and of excellent quality. Among the options you can find fish such as dogfish, croaker , salmon, as well as shrimp, oysters and other crustaceans.

Crystallized fruits

If you like candied fruit, then Mercadão de São Paulo is the place to go. The variety of products is huge. The sugar-coated sweets are irresistible and mouth-watering, especially those made with banana, pineapple, fig, papaya and orange. But, of course, there are other options for all budgets and tastes. The sweets are great to eat on their own or combined with breads and cakes.

Japanese food

The Japanese food at the Market is also mouth-watering. With affordable prices and exquisite dishes, you can taste countless options, such as shimeji in butter, ceviche, monkfish, temaki, as well as salmon, shrimp, among other varieties.

Coffee and ice cream

And how about ending this gastronomic tour by enjoying a good old coffee or a delicious ice cream? Well, you should know that at the Municipal Market of São Paulo you will come across mouth-watering desserts. In one of the stalls, you can find more than 2,500 food items, both national and imported, all of high quality.

Have you ever tried coffee with dried fruit? Have you ever imagined a little piece of apricot instead of a conventional biscuit? If you have never tried it, then I am sure you will approve of this incredible combination.

And what about the ice creams sold at Mercadão? There are countless flavors, each more delicious than the last. Some are made with tropical fruits, others with yogurt, chocolate topping, pistachios, dried fruits, fruit syrups, and a combination of Brazilian ingredients and even ingredients from other countries. A true explosion of flavors that you can't miss.

So, are you interested in visiting the Municipal Market of São Paulo? For these and other tips, read more articles on our website . You will have access to a lot of content about food and nutrition , it is worth checking out.