historic center · Florianópolis, SC
Mercado Público de Florianópolis
A historic downtown building full of fresh fish stalls, bars and traditional restaurants. It's a must-stop for a shrimp pastel (fried pastry) and a draft beer in the late afternoon.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mercado Público de Florianópolis
The Mercado Público takes up an entire block of Florianópolis's historic center. The city's first market opened in 1851, and the current building was inaugurated on February 5, 1899. The second wing, for meat and fish, was built in 1931 on land reclaimed from the sea, and the complex took its present shape. In the 1930s, it got cold-storage rooms, which operated until 1988. Until the landfills of the 1970s, the Mercado stood at the water's edge, and boats unloaded fish almost at the door.
There are two long wings, in eclectic style, with yellow facades, white ornaments and corner towers. Between them runs a central passage, linked by overhead walkways and covered by a white canvas roof. The building is a municipal historic landmark. In 2005, a fire destroyed the interior of the north wing, which was rebuilt.
There are about a hundred stalls. There are fishmongers, butchers, fruit and vegetables, grains, spices, crafts, bobbin lace and souvenirs. The bars and restaurants are in the central passage and serve mainly fish and seafood: shrimp and mussel pastéis, portions of shrimp and fried fish, salt cod fritters and fresh oysters, with draft beer. Upstairs there's an art gallery, and in the wings people still buy fish the way the city always has.
The Mercado is the natural starting point for exploring downtown on foot. The Casa da Alfândega (old customs house) is next door, and Praça XV de Novembro is a few blocks away. From the front of the building you can see the Ponte Hercílio Luz.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
An hour to walk around; longer if you're having lunch.
Best time
In the morning, to see the fish stalls with the catch of the day. At lunch and in the late afternoon, the central passage fills up. On Sundays hours are reduced: check beforehand.
How to get there
It's downtown, between Rua Conselheiro Mafra and Rua Jerônimo Coelho, a few minutes' walk from the Downtown Integration Terminal (TICEN) and the Rita Maria Terminal. By car, there are paid parking lots around downtown.
Tip
To take home fresh fish or shrimp, go early and ask for it to be packed with ice. The bobbin lace shops are in the wings, away from the central passage.
Official website
A look at the place
Mercado Público de Florianópolis in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mercado Público de Florianópolis
When was the Mercado Público built?
The current building was inaugurated on February 5, 1899. The second wing was built in 1931, on land reclaimed from the sea.
What can I eat at the Mercado?
Mainly fish and seafood: shrimp and mussel pastéis, portions of shrimp and fried fish, salt cod fritters and fresh oysters. The bars and restaurants are in the central passage.
Is the Mercado open on Sundays?
Partly. On Sundays hours are reduced and many shops don't open. Check before you go.
Can I walk there from downtown?
Yes. The Mercado is in the historic center, a few minutes' walk from the bus terminals and Praça XV de Novembro.