Mercado Central São José, Public market in central Teresina, Brazil.

Mercado Central São José is a public market on Praça da Bandeira in the historic centre of Teresina, also called Mercado Velho. Its structure dates from the building begun in 1854 and inaugurated in 1860, with later exterior additions and interior reforms. A popular restaurant serving regional dishes was added in 2006, and a restoration completed in December 2017 upgraded the electrical and plumbing systems and accessibility.

The market opened in 1860 when Piauí's capital relocated to Teresina, making it a central trading hub for the newly developing city. The structure has been updated over time but retains its foundational architecture from the city's founding period.

The market specialises in artesanato from Piauí and also from neighbouring Maranhão, sold in the craft sector that was upgraded during the restoration completed in December 2017. The 2017 works also improved accessibility in that sector, so the stalls are easier to reach for visitors with reduced mobility.

Structural improvements were made in 2017 to the building, including upgrades to electrical and water systems plus better access features for all visitors. These updates make navigating and spending time there more comfortable than before.

A popular restaurant was added to the market in 2006, serving typical dishes of the regional cuisine. The 2017 restoration also improved accessibility in the craft sector, with about R$3 million invested, R$1.8 million from Teresina's city government and the rest from the federal government.