Puebla is one of the best cities in Mexico for craft shopping, and unlike many tourist destinations the goods are the real thing: Talavera pottery made in workshops that have operated for centuries, traditional sweets from family confectioneries, antiques in a dedicated neighbourhood market.
Talavera pottery is the flagship purchase. Workshops are concentrated on Calle 18 Poniente, northwest of the historic centre, where half a dozen operations — from small family studios to large factory-showrooms with guided tours — can be visited in an afternoon. Prices reflect genuine quality: authentic Talavera carries a certification seal, uses tin-oxide glaze, and is hand-painted by artisans. Cheaper imitations sold at market stalls are usually mass-produced in other regions.
El Parián is the craft market on the northeast corner of the Zócalo, housed in a 19th-century arcaded building. It sells pottery, textiles, leather goods, and souvenirs. Quality varies widely; the Talavera sold here is mostly tourist grade, but it's a good place to browse for smaller gifts and compare prices.
6 Oriente (the street running east from the cathedral) is lined with traditional sweet shops selling Puebla's signature confections: camotes (sweet potato paste rolled in sugar), rompope (a rich egg-and-cinnamon liqueur sold by the bottle), muéganos (fried dough with piloncillo), and candied fruits. Buy from the small family shops rather than the chain operations.
Barrio de los Sapos (Frog Quarter), a short walk south of the Zócalo, is the antiques district. Permanent shops sell colonial furniture, vintage silver, ceramics, and art; outdoor stalls fill the Plazuela de los Sapos on weekends. Sunday morning is the best time to visit.