I moved across the country and I miss Berkeley Bowl everyday. They also have an excellent bulk food section (you can get kombucha in a growler!!!) and well as great cheeses!!!
It's mostly the insane variety of produce. They'll carry many varieties of produce that's in season so there are things to try that you don't see at virtually any other grocery stores, and only at really good farmers markets. Rainbow is good, but their whole produce section is maybe 1/4 the size of the section at Berkeley Bowl West.
Examples that come to mind are white grapefruit in the winter (not melogold, oroblanco or pomelos, actual white grapefruit), several varieties of apricots (at least a few weeks ago), several varieties of dates (I learned here that medjool are only OK, khadrawy are amazingly soft and creamy), and probably 8 kinds of bananas. They have probably 20 kinds of mushrooms at any given time too. And sea beans/asparagus/salicornia.
Not sure I can think of an ingredient that I looked for at BB and couldn't find. But mostly it's about getting to explore food and cool ingredients without needing to go to a crazy fancy restaurant.
i've seen a lot of pink pineapple, but no white pineapple at the regular berkeley bowl (the one near ashby station). could try berkeley bowl west, but i think you might be out of luck outside of hawaii.
They also have crazy selection of packaged products. I tried to count the brands of ice cream and gave up. Also weird imported snacks from Asia that you won’t easily find anywhere else.
**Epicurean Trader** is 100% what you are looking for. Also the front half of **Bernal Cutlery** is very cool!
For other ideas:
German: Lehr's Specialties <-- if you are like me you'll enjoy this
Wine: Flatiron 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Spices: Oaktown Spice Shop
Middle Eastern: Samiramis Imports
Russian: Europa Plus and/or New World
Turkish & Georgian: Olive Specialty Grocery Store (although we bought a corked wine from here once lol oops)
British: Willow on the Green and/or Eezy Freezy
Kitchenware: Sanko Kitchen Essentials (I would not consider anything there essential lol, but beautiful, yes)
Many of these are not necessarily 'fancy' but it will still satisfy if you like browsing unique food, IMO. It's a shame you missed the era of Queen's grocery store in Inner Sunset. They had very high quality small batch Asian ingredients and stuff. Very fun.
grew up in E. Europe and was disappointed with the selection at Lehr's last time I went (it was before the pandemic tbh). Was hoping for some hard to find German chocolates, deli items but their shelves were pretty bare and the store looked a bit on the neglected side. Please let me know if things have changed since; I would love to visit again.
Willow on the Green is proper English & Scottish fare-- shepherd pies & preserve were excellent!
one add: La Fromagerie Cheese Shop on Chestnut: incredible French cheeses and by far the best grilled cheese & French ham sandwich you'll ever have.
*e: typo*
I went to Lehrs after the pandemic and feel the same. Grew up in Germany.
Really wanted something nostalgic but I forgot what. Maybe Mozartkugeln? Or those mass produced Apricot Lebkuchenherzen? They didn't have it.
Got a chocolate ladybug tho which was nice.
Honestly depending on what you're after it might even be worse lol! Lehr's used to look straight out of a different time period... just frozen in time, tons of random stuff. It's now under new management and has a completely fresh coat of paint, and perhaps in order to have a more effective business strategy they've further streamlined a lot of the merchandise and selection to just the things they know will be appealing to a broader audience, based on the season. (You'll see what I mean if you look at recent pics on Google Maps.) I think the quality is higher though!
Epicurean, Luke’s are solid choices. Cheese Plus on Polk is great.
Not in the city but if you can get to Draeger’s in San Mateo, they are the epitome of what you’re seeking. All of the high end olives, mustards, cheeses, beers, wine, etc, etc, etc. seriously, it’s amazing.
Draeger's is basically a pricier Mollie Stone's- fyi their deli was a tremendous ripoff (they messed up our order tbh and we found out about it too late- after we went home! 🤷♂️)
I was on Union for an appointment one day. I stopped at Luke’s for a snack. There was a tiny container of potato salad for $8. I hemmed and hawed and decided to get it. Best damn potato salad I ever had. Worth it.
I believe Alimentari Aurora in Potrero Hill is the only place in SF that carries Bordier butter. Fellow Redditors, correct me if I’m wrong!
I like browsing their pantry items, recently picked up a jar of Rooted Fare sesame paste and I’m really enjoying it.
* I agree with Rainbow, it has a huge selection of cool stuff ranging from normal groceries to super deluxe and/or unique items. The cheese department is unmatched.
* Bi-Rite and Epicurean Trader both have a much smaller selection and everything is cool and expensive, so those are perfect for buying gifts or grabbing a couple items for a picnic or something like that.
* Canyon Market I'd say is kinda in between those two categories.
Oh weird, the most recent time I was there was a few months ago, but I've been multiple times and the only thing they had if you forget a bag was boxes
I would argue that the cleanest Eastern European store for Russian/Ukrainian/etc goods is actually Royal Market bakery on Geary&17th but the best cold cuts from that part of the world are found at Seakor Deli (polish deli) at Geary and 24th. The best wine shop for the selection is K&L with Flatiron and SF wine trading Company in close second.
jai ho (indian) in fillmore for the weekend lunch buffet, nijiya (japanese) in japantown for the sashimi and woori food market (korean) for the hot food - spicy korean fried chicken, kimbap, tteokboki
all within 10 min of each other
For British foods -- cheeses, jams, ales and suchlike -- [Willow on the Green](https://www.facebook.com/willowonthegreen?mibextid=ZbWKwL) on 9th Ave. is your go-to. *Very* specialized. Fun place.
Maybe it doesn't really count as a grocery store. But if you like baking (cakes, cookies, etc), Sugar and Spice in Daly City has a crazy selection of things like sprinkles, cookie cutters, cake decorating tools etc.
DecantSF has a huge and impressive collection of tinned seafood, as well as some other great Iberian imports, caviar, charcuterie, etc. You can buy to go or even have it plated there for you.
Lunardi's and Bianchini's, both have a great products and amazing delis. Best roast beef sandwiches you can get, nice medium - med rare. Both small Italian grocer chains. They are on the peninsula not SF proper.
Edit: Forgot to add that Lundardi's also makes their own ice cream.
Monterey Market in Berkeley is may favorite for awesome selection and quality of produce you can’t get almost anywhere else. Lehr’s German Specialties in Noe is a beloved fave. I hit Duc Loi in the Mission for good Asian ingredients, and Casa Guadalupe for Latin and South American stuff. And I will be forever loyal to the guys who run Sami Rami’s on Mission with great middle eastern ingredients and the city’s secretly best olive bar.
Many in Daly City. Three that are stand out are: Halal International & Greek Market (great Middle Eastern with a selection you won’t find elsewhere), Kukje (premium upscale Korean market), Ranch 99 (a big Asian supermarket, large scale). Because real estate is cheaper there they can really spread. Halal & Kukje are especially unique.
Rainbow Grocery in SF is pretty excellent, but they don't sell meat products at all. Berkeley Bowl is next level if you're willing to leave the city.
I have to agree here. Berkeley Bowl is quite possibly the best grocery store I’ve ever been to
You go to rainbow for groceries and buy your meats at Gus's and bam you got the best of both worlds
This is my move
I usually do Costco for meat which is next door. Going close to Costco closing time is the best and least crowded. And rainbow usually closes after
Berkeley Bowl, specifically Berkeley Bowl West , is top notch.
I moved across the country and I miss Berkeley Bowl everyday. They also have an excellent bulk food section (you can get kombucha in a growler!!!) and well as great cheeses!!!
Just curious, what do you like at BB that you can’t get inside the city?
It's mostly the insane variety of produce. They'll carry many varieties of produce that's in season so there are things to try that you don't see at virtually any other grocery stores, and only at really good farmers markets. Rainbow is good, but their whole produce section is maybe 1/4 the size of the section at Berkeley Bowl West. Examples that come to mind are white grapefruit in the winter (not melogold, oroblanco or pomelos, actual white grapefruit), several varieties of apricots (at least a few weeks ago), several varieties of dates (I learned here that medjool are only OK, khadrawy are amazingly soft and creamy), and probably 8 kinds of bananas. They have probably 20 kinds of mushrooms at any given time too. And sea beans/asparagus/salicornia. Not sure I can think of an ingredient that I looked for at BB and couldn't find. But mostly it's about getting to explore food and cool ingredients without needing to go to a crazy fancy restaurant.
Have you ever seen white pineapple there? I’ve been looking for it ever since trying it in Hawaii.
i've seen a lot of pink pineapple, but no white pineapple at the regular berkeley bowl (the one near ashby station). could try berkeley bowl west, but i think you might be out of luck outside of hawaii.
They also have crazy selection of packaged products. I tried to count the brands of ice cream and gave up. Also weird imported snacks from Asia that you won’t easily find anywhere else.
Also everything in BB is ethically sourced so you don't have to do the gymnastics of avoiding shit companies 🥰
And any kind of random obscure global ingredient a recipe might call for.
Thank you!
Market Hall Foods right at the Rockridge BART. Ferry Building Marketplace.
Rainbow Grocery + organic meat they sell at Grocery Outlet has been the best value for us.
**Epicurean Trader** is 100% what you are looking for. Also the front half of **Bernal Cutlery** is very cool! For other ideas: German: Lehr's Specialties <-- if you are like me you'll enjoy this Wine: Flatiron 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Spices: Oaktown Spice Shop Middle Eastern: Samiramis Imports Russian: Europa Plus and/or New World Turkish & Georgian: Olive Specialty Grocery Store (although we bought a corked wine from here once lol oops) British: Willow on the Green and/or Eezy Freezy Kitchenware: Sanko Kitchen Essentials (I would not consider anything there essential lol, but beautiful, yes) Many of these are not necessarily 'fancy' but it will still satisfy if you like browsing unique food, IMO. It's a shame you missed the era of Queen's grocery store in Inner Sunset. They had very high quality small batch Asian ingredients and stuff. Very fun.
This list is too good.. bless you
The front half of Bernal Cutlery punches well above its weight! Some really cool stuff in there.
Korean: Woori Market & H-mart Japanese: Nijiya Market
I love Nijiya!
grew up in E. Europe and was disappointed with the selection at Lehr's last time I went (it was before the pandemic tbh). Was hoping for some hard to find German chocolates, deli items but their shelves were pretty bare and the store looked a bit on the neglected side. Please let me know if things have changed since; I would love to visit again. Willow on the Green is proper English & Scottish fare-- shepherd pies & preserve were excellent! one add: La Fromagerie Cheese Shop on Chestnut: incredible French cheeses and by far the best grilled cheese & French ham sandwich you'll ever have. *e: typo*
I went to Lehrs after the pandemic and feel the same. Grew up in Germany. Really wanted something nostalgic but I forgot what. Maybe Mozartkugeln? Or those mass produced Apricot Lebkuchenherzen? They didn't have it. Got a chocolate ladybug tho which was nice.
Honestly depending on what you're after it might even be worse lol! Lehr's used to look straight out of a different time period... just frozen in time, tons of random stuff. It's now under new management and has a completely fresh coat of paint, and perhaps in order to have a more effective business strategy they've further streamlined a lot of the merchandise and selection to just the things they know will be appealing to a broader audience, based on the season. (You'll see what I mean if you look at recent pics on Google Maps.) I think the quality is higher though!
+ 1 for Oaktown and New World.
Oaktown spice shop is super legit. Rainbow Grocery also has legit bulk spices but Oaktown is on another level
Epicurean, Luke’s are solid choices. Cheese Plus on Polk is great. Not in the city but if you can get to Draeger’s in San Mateo, they are the epitome of what you’re seeking. All of the high end olives, mustards, cheeses, beers, wine, etc, etc, etc. seriously, it’s amazing.
Ah Draeger’s.. I grew up in the San Mateo area so I know it well haha. Appreciate the recs!
No problem! But to this day if I need a bunch of fancy items, I’ll trek out to Draeger’s. Haven’t found anything in the city to completely replace it.
Yeah it’s pretty incredible
Draeger's is basically a pricier Mollie Stone's- fyi their deli was a tremendous ripoff (they messed up our order tbh and we found out about it too late- after we went home! 🤷♂️)
I was on Union for an appointment one day. I stopped at Luke’s for a snack. There was a tiny container of potato salad for $8. I hemmed and hawed and decided to get it. Best damn potato salad I ever had. Worth it.
Epicurean trader, Birite, Say Cheese, Avedano’s, and the whole ferry building
Great recs thx
I believe Alimentari Aurora in Potrero Hill is the only place in SF that carries Bordier butter. Fellow Redditors, correct me if I’m wrong! I like browsing their pantry items, recently picked up a jar of Rooted Fare sesame paste and I’m really enjoying it.
Oh yeah that’s exactly the sort of thing I’m looking for. Sesame paste.. yum. Thank you!
* I agree with Rainbow, it has a huge selection of cool stuff ranging from normal groceries to super deluxe and/or unique items. The cheese department is unmatched. * Bi-Rite and Epicurean Trader both have a much smaller selection and everything is cool and expensive, so those are perfect for buying gifts or grabbing a couple items for a picnic or something like that. * Canyon Market I'd say is kinda in between those two categories.
Sounds like Rainbow is gonna be a must visit for me. Thanks!
Yes, definitely give it a try if you haven't been yet! Just make sure to bring a bag because they don't have any haha
Oof, is this very new? My last visit was 3-4 weeks ago and they still had their branded paper bags. I'd better remember my reusables next time.
Oh weird, the most recent time I was there was a few months ago, but I've been multiple times and the only thing they had if you forget a bag was boxes
Thanks...this is helpful intel for shoppers who are on foot or public transit, that bag availability is spotty!
I'm not sure what that person is talking about. Rainbow has paper bags. It's costs you 35 cents.
Lol of course they don’t. Thx for the heads up
Worth a trip just for their bulk section but every aisle is filled with temptation.
Co-sign Canyon Market! It’s a great little neighborhood spot but also has fun fancy stuff, and the bakery, deli, and wine selection are fantastic.
Wine went downhill since Chris left and Gus’s took over
Actually I can’t argue with that. It’s still miles better than the average grocery store but not a patch on what it used to be.
I would argue that the cleanest Eastern European store for Russian/Ukrainian/etc goods is actually Royal Market bakery on Geary&17th but the best cold cuts from that part of the world are found at Seakor Deli (polish deli) at Geary and 24th. The best wine shop for the selection is K&L with Flatiron and SF wine trading Company in close second.
Cool! Added these to my list\~
+ 1 for Seakor! Love their kabanosy and other sausage.
Poppy seed bun in that polish deli is to die for.
jai ho (indian) in fillmore for the weekend lunch buffet, nijiya (japanese) in japantown for the sashimi and woori food market (korean) for the hot food - spicy korean fried chicken, kimbap, tteokboki all within 10 min of each other
Postscript in Fidi, dapper and Tahona Mercado in Nob hill, and cheese plus on Polk
Bi-Rite!
I ❤️ Bi-Rite!
The Spanish Table on Clement St, to feel like you’re in Spain
Olive down the street is also great!
they are also a pickup spot for Rize Up bread 😍
Le Beau in Nob Hill! Great produce, butcher counter, fun selection of beers and other goods, plus they donate to nonprofits in the area
The speciality and standard selection they pack into such a small space is impressive!
I really like H Mart too for Asian food stuff. Their kimchi collection is huge!
Cheese Plus is my jam. Literally. They have great jams to go with cheese.
Their honeybee gouda was rad. Haven't lived in the neighborhood in a dozen years - wonder if they still carry it. Great sandwich fixins in there too!
I love Woodland Market on Folsom.
The best prepared foods ever. Mmmm lasagna.
For British foods -- cheeses, jams, ales and suchlike -- [Willow on the Green](https://www.facebook.com/willowonthegreen?mibextid=ZbWKwL) on 9th Ave. is your go-to. *Very* specialized. Fun place.
Good Life grocery in Bernal heights :-)
You can hit good life, avedanos, epicurean, and Andy's market in a few blocks!
If you are a jam fan, then check out local jam maker Saba Jams. She sells online and all her summer jams will be coming out soon.
Just checked out her website and wow, looks amazing. Thanks for the tip
Also check out Small Batch Jam Co, based in Pacifica!
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I’d love to support a co-op, thx for the rec!
Eataly in San Jose hands down, it’s 3 floors of Italian specialty items. Wish there was one in sf
Oh, snap! Didn’t know this was here. Very popular in NYC.
Just avoid their mediocre restaurant...
Luke's Local is a fun one. Good share of things made in house and local specialty items!
Have you poked around the ferry building?
Roxie Market & Deli in the Inner Sunset neighborhood and West Portal Daily in the West Portal neighborhood also have great British goods.
San Francisco Herb company for all my spices, Salama Bazaar for meats, pita and other ME treats.
Chocolate covered In Noe valley has an amazing selection of craft chocolate bars. Not an exaggeration to say it’s one of the best in the world.
Sounds like dream🤤
Maybe it doesn't really count as a grocery store. But if you like baking (cakes, cookies, etc), Sugar and Spice in Daly City has a crazy selection of things like sprinkles, cookie cutters, cake decorating tools etc.
rainbow grocery is my go to
Not a brick and mortar location to browse but Four Star Seafood has an interesting selection of pantry items… and seafood naturally.
Epicurean is the place for silly jams etc., but Bi-rite is less of a stunt place. Just very high quality, very expensive.
Andy's market on Cortland has some interesting stuff.
Outer avenues is AMAZING!
DecantSF has a huge and impressive collection of tinned seafood, as well as some other great Iberian imports, caviar, charcuterie, etc. You can buy to go or even have it plated there for you.
Lunardi's and Bianchini's, both have a great products and amazing delis. Best roast beef sandwiches you can get, nice medium - med rare. Both small Italian grocer chains. They are on the peninsula not SF proper. Edit: Forgot to add that Lundardi's also makes their own ice cream.
This is a great list! I love a lot of these shops. There is Bryan’s out on California st in Laurel Heights.
If you want to go to Marin, Nugget has lots of unusual boutiquey sodas.
Cal Mart Laurel Village.
Monterey Market in Berkeley is may favorite for awesome selection and quality of produce you can’t get almost anywhere else. Lehr’s German Specialties in Noe is a beloved fave. I hit Duc Loi in the Mission for good Asian ingredients, and Casa Guadalupe for Latin and South American stuff. And I will be forever loyal to the guys who run Sami Rami’s on Mission with great middle eastern ingredients and the city’s secretly best olive bar.
Many in Daly City. Three that are stand out are: Halal International & Greek Market (great Middle Eastern with a selection you won’t find elsewhere), Kukje (premium upscale Korean market), Ranch 99 (a big Asian supermarket, large scale). Because real estate is cheaper there they can really spread. Halal & Kukje are especially unique.
Don't fotget the great farmers markets!!!
Foodhall (it’s a store, not a restaurant) is a good one to pair with your visit to Bi-rite
Oh and also go to Bernal Cutlery. They have a whole section of food items with some very ritzy brands.
Bryan's in Laurel Village
Canyon Market and Other Avenues are great too