Auckland has specialty fruit and vegetable stores, butchers and fish shops in almost every neighbourhood – and far too many to list. If you’re looking for foreign or gourmet foods, here are a few of the city’s best-known options:
Martha’s Backyard – http://www.marthasbackyard.co.nz
Where: 114 Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington, Auckland
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-4pm
About: Eclectic selection of American packaged goods including snacks, candy, condiments and breakfast cereal, along with American clothing and gift items.
Sabato – http://www.sabato.co.nz
Where: 57 Normanby Road, Mt Eden
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm
About: Artisan-quality groceries and fresh foods from Europe with an emphasis on French, Italian and Basque cuisine.
Zarbo – http://www.zarbo.co.nz/
Where: 24 Morrow Street, Newmarket, or, 116 Parnell Road, Parnell
Hours: Newmarket – Mon-Fri 6.30am-6pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 8am-4pm, Public Hols 9am-4pm
Hours: Parnell – Mon-Fri 7am–6pm, Sat, Sun and Public Hols – Closed
About: A mixture of coffee shop, bar and delicatessen with amazing fresh foods and quality gourmet products.
Jone’s the Grocer – http://jonesthegrocer.com/
Where: 134 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket
Hours: Mon 7am – 4:30pm, Tues-Fri 7am – 6pm, Sat-Sun 8am – 5pm
About: Cafe, delicatessen, fromagerie, grocery store and the most amazing fudge and gourmet foods from around the World.
La Cigale – http://www.lacigale.co.nz
Where: 69 St George’s Bay Rd, Parnell
Hours: Mon, Tues, Fri 9am-5.30pm, Wed & Thurs 9am – Late, Sat 8am-3pm, Sun 9am-2pm
About: Described as “a mini-department store with a very French emphasis,” featuring everything from food and wine to furniture and home décor. Farmer’s markets Wednesday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday.
Nosh Food Market – http://www.noshgourmet.com
Where: 133-135 Apirana Ave, St Johns, or
254 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, or
422 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, or
136 Greenlane East, Greenlane, or,
2 Matakana Valley Rd, Matakana
Hours: Hours vary by store. Check the website for information on your closest store.
About: Gourmet supermarket with a wide selection of imported and local groceries, gourmet meats and cheeses and deli items and fresh produce.
Farro Fresh Food – http://www.farrofresh.co.nz
Where: 80 Lunn Avenue, Mt Wellington, or 70 Parkway Drive, Mairangi Bay
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6:30pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-6pm
About: Large gourmet “concept store” specializing in fresh food including produce, meats, fresh baked bread and artisan cheeses.
Ashore Fine Food and Wine – http://www.ashore.co.nz/
Where: 13 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead (North Shore)
Hours: Mon-Thu 9.30am-6pm, Fri 9.30am-7pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm
About: Italian, French, British, Dutch, Greek, and other countries’ foods, wine and beer; as well as loads of great NZ products.
Dutch Delight – http://www.dutchdelight.co.nz
Where: 3-5 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead, or 20-24 Greenhithe Road, Greenhithe
Hours: Birkenhead – Mon Closed, Tue-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 9am-9pm
Hours: Greenhithe – Mon-Sun 8.30am-late
About: Started in Birkenhead as a restaurant, Dutch Delight set out to serve authentic Dutch food. They have since expanded, opening a new restaurant, bar and shop in Greenhithe and adding a shop to the Birkenhead restaurant as well. Great place to stock up on your Frikendel and Frit Saus.
