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11+ Grocery Stores in London from French to Italian Food

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A local’s guide to the best grocery stores in London, from French to Italian, Polish and Moroccan specialties – the best spots and supermarkets for groceries!

While grocery shopping in London can feel a bit tough at the beginning, given the often high prices, the multitude of cuisines available there make it, still, fun.

I love going to the supermarket, especially when I don’t need anything specific.

That’s the shopaholic in me, I guess – but what I love the most is, whenever I move to a new city, discovering the food shops, the supermarkets and the markets.

I love reading the labels, understanding the food culture of a city/country, and my having been exposed to two food-centric cultures all my life (I am French/Moroccan), I love good food.

Going grocery shopping in London is a blast, because of just how much of a melting pot the city is, and whether you’re traveling here or planning to live in London, this guide will very much come in handy.

11+ Grocery Stores in London from French to Italian Food

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I have decided to split this guide into several parts that will make you find the information you need faster:

  • Cheap grocery shops in London
  • Mid-range and higher quality food shops
  • French, Moroccan, Italian, Polish and Asian Food Shops

Now, why the last part?

Because, again, London is such a melting pot that you will find countless cultures there.

This is what drove me to write itineraries like Italy in London, or Paris in London, and I will keep going with more as time goes by, to cover as many cultures as possible.

In the meantime, and since the food shops I visited the most in London were mostly Italian, Polish, Asian, French and Moroccan, these are the ones I’ll mention in this guide.

Cheap Grocery Shopping in London

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Iceland, Lidl, Aldi & Morrisons – Various Locations

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If you’re looking for places with cheap food items, London is the perfect city; I’ve found more affordable supermarkets here than anywhere else I’ve lived.

For instance, while Iceland might not be your go-to for meal deals or fresh sandwiches, it’s great for biscuits, huge bottles of soft drinks, ready meals, and frozen veggies.

I also love doing my bulk shopping at Morrisons near the Wood Green Shopping Center.

They’ve got a lot of unique items, including British foods I hadn’t seen elsewhere, and the store itself is quite spacious.

But some of the best spots for grocery shopping around London are Lidl and Aldi, especially if you’re outside central London in areas like Tottenham or Camden Town.

If you’re already a regular Lidl shopper, even in other countries, you’ll know about their amazing pastry corner.

They offer incredible French croissants, pains au chocolat, and even gorgeous Apple turnovers and Danish pastries for less than a pound!

Read: How to Eat in London on a Budget

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Poundland, B&M and Home Bargains

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Whenever I need a quick snack, I love popping by Poundland, Home Bargains, and B&M.

They have loads of crisps, chocolates, and biscuits, plus popcorn that’s perfect for a sweet ending to, say, a Harry Potter movie night.

There are tons of other budget shops in London too, in lesser-known neighborhoods, which are not necessarily franchises you can check out.

Still, the Poundland in Camden Town is a great spot; it’s one of the biggest Poundland shops in London, and has everything for snacks (even ready meals in some shops!).

Nearby, there’s a big TK Maxx where you can sometimes find sweet treats from all over, like Italy and France… and of course, scented candles, makeup and stationery to treat yourself!

Read: How to Live in London on a Budget

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Tesco and Co-Op, Various Locations

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When I first moved to London, there was a Co-op store nearby, and it quickly became my go-to spot for shopping.

With Tesco and Co-op, I started upping my food budget a bit, but their meal deals, priced around £3 to £3.50, were great for a quick lunch while wandering around the city.

However, I’m not a huge fan of shopping for fresh veggies at Tesco and Co-op because they’re often wrapped in plastic, which I hardly ever saw in France.

It just feels like you can do fresh grocery shopping in London for much less and without all the plastic waste.

One thing you absolutely have to try if you shop at Co-op is their name-brand cupcakes.

Their red velvet cupcakes made me fall in love with that type of pastry, even though I’d never really cared for them before… And particularly tasty after a full day of walking around!

Read: My Must-Visit Shops in Central London

Mid-Range and Higher Quality Grocery Shopping in London

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Amazon Fresh

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In terms of mid- to high-range budgets, you’ll also find plenty of cool places to go grocery shopping in the city.

For instance, there’s Amazon Fresh, with branches in Wembley Park near the London Designer Outlet and another close to Camden Passage.

It’s on the pricier side, but it’s super efficient and great for food if you’re short on time.

You’ll also find stores like Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and Marks & Spencer.

Whenever I live in London, Sainsbury’s is my go-to for muffins and delicious meal deals, as their recipes are quite different from Tesco’s.

Marks & Spencer, though, is one of my absolute favorites in London. Their food is amazing, and there are a few must-tries: their variety of crisps, pizzas, and fresh fruits and herbs sold in pots like basil and parsley.

Their toffees with Devon butter or chocolate are fantastic and not even that pricey. Plus, you can find blue eggs and duck eggs there, which are pretty rare in London grocery stores.

Marks & Spencer also has great makeup brands like Autograph, cool greeting cards, homeware, and classic clothing.

Waitrose, on the other hand, is arguably one of the most expensive spots for grocery shopping in London, but they offer high-quality products.

I particularly love their cakes and biscuits—they’re properly British—as well as their fresh produce.

Read: Where to Buy Cheap Clothes in London

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Food Markets

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London has so many fresh produce and street food markets that it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you’re visiting for the first time.

But if you’re moving to London and looking for markets to get fresh fruit, bread, or savory treats, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for.

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For example, Borough Market and Portobello Road Market are quite famous for their street food options.

If I had to choose between the two, I’d often go to Borough Market for fresh cheeses, British tomatoes, and strawberries.

For something even cheaper, though, my go-to is the Roman Road Market in East London.

On the other hand, I usually visit Portobello Road Market when I want to check out antiques and vintage stuff.

These three markets are great, but it really depends on what you’re in the mood for!

Read: The Best Places to Go Shopping in Camden

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Gail’s Bakery for Bread

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There are quite a few French pastry shops and bakeries around London. Most of them are located in South Kensington, which is historically a French area of the city.

As a French person, whenever I want a good baguette or a tasty nutty bread, I head to a Gail’s Bakery branch.

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Two of my favorites are the one in Notting Hill on Portobello Road—perfect if you’re already going to the market or hanging around West London—and the one just outside of Old Spitalfields Market.

Gail’s Bakery is not only great for bread, but I also love their burgers, and their cinnamon buns are some of the best I’ve ever tried in London.

For specific food items like whole seed baguettes, I sometimes get them from Lidl – they’re actually not too bad.

However, I avoid getting fresh bread from places like Co-op, Sainsbury’s, or Tesco because it just doesn’t compare to French bread.

Read: Where to Buy Amazing Scented Candles in London

French, Moroccan, Italian, Polish and Asian Food Shops

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Loon Fung, Chinatown

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Every time I tell a friend that Chinatown isn’t just about the restaurants and that you can actually do some food shopping there, they’re always surprised.

But let me tell you, one of my absolute favorite spots for Asian food in Chinatown is Loon Fung. They’ve also got another branch in Stratford.

At Loon Fung, I grab oyster mushrooms, Japanese drinks, crackers, ramen noodles—you name it!

The supermarket is pretty big, and while you wouldn’t necessarily think so from the entrance, it’s a treasure trove once you step inside.

And here’s a tip: Grab a few snacks from Loon Fung and pair them with a fluffy cake from Chinatown Bakery.

It’s the perfect way to have an Asian-style snack moment!

Read: The Most Unique Shops in London

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Le Coq Épicier, Camden Passage

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Camden Passage in Angel is a spot I always recommend you visit at least once.

It’s one of those hidden gems in London, full of charm and history.

You’ll find some great bakeries and coffee shops there—like Buns from Home, which has amazing cinnamon buns with all kinds of toppings.

Plus, there’s the French food shop Le Coq Epicier.

No matter where you’re from, a visit to Le Coq Epicier should be on your must-do list for a taste of France in London.

They’ve got everything: sardines, macarons, jams, mustard, all kinds of sauces, and of course, fresh bread.

Sure, it’s a bit on the pricier side, but if you’re a French cheese lover or an expat missing home, it’s definitely worth popping by.

Other French Food Shops in London:

  • L’eau à la Bouche: 35-37 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH
  • The French Market, Whetstone
  • Le Péché Mignon: 6 Ronalds Rd, London N5 1XH
  • Maille Boutique: 2 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1Y 6NH
  • L’Epicerie 56: Chatsworth 56, London E5 OLS
  • Pascalou: 355 Fulham Rd, London SW10 9TW
  • EuropaFood: 35 Craven Rd, London W2 3BX
  • La Cave à Fromage: 24-25 Cromwell Place, London SW2 2LD

Read: The Prettiest Bookshops in London

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Eataly, Liverpool Street

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Eataly right outside Liverpool Street station is a spot I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited.

It’s definitely one of the priciest food shops in London… But it’s worth every penny.

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Think Chinotto, Lurisia lemonade, proper focaccia, fresh pasta, cheeses galore, 1936 crisps, pistachio cream, Baci chocolate spread—you name it, they’ve got it.

If you’re hunting for that perfect Taleggio cheese or premium olive oil, this is the place to go.

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Plus, there’s a terrace overlooking Liverpool Street and the Bishopsgate area that I love spending a moment at while sipping on my Chinotto – especially when it’s summer in London!

Read: Where to Buy Second Hand Books in London

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Lo Sfizio, Kentish Town

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I stumbled upon Lo Sfizio in Kentish Town while wandering around the area one day.

I was checking out Kelly Street and Bonnie Street—two colorful streets you wouldn’t expect to find in the area. As I crossed the threshold of Lo Sfizio, I knew I’d discovered a hidden gem.

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You’ll find not only fresh fruits and veggies but also a whole array of pasta varieties, various pestos and sauces, tuna from the Rio Mare brand, Esthathé ice tea, coffee, Grisbi biscuits, and all those products that simply make you feel like you’re food shopping in Rome.

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It’s a tad cheaper than Eataly, but it still very much feels like stumbling upon a little slice of Italy right here in London!

Other Italian Food Shops in London:

  • Lina Stores, Soho
  • Prezzemolo & Vitale, Borough

Read: My Must-Visit Perfume Shops in London

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Phoenicia Kentish Town

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Photo: Phoenicia Food Hall

If you’re Algerian, Tunisian, or Moroccan and having trouble finding the right supermarket, there are a few areas that can help you out.

When I first moved to London, I had a tough time finding classic Moroccan items I was used to, like msemen or gunpowder for mint tea.

If you’re looking for North African shops or areas, check out Golborne Road in West London, close to Portobello Road Market, and Finsbury Park in North London.

When I lived in Mile End, I often visited La Bonne Boucherie on Burdett Road to get my meats, olives, Moroccan bread, and all kinds of semolina that I grew up with.

Another great spot, especially if you hang around Camden Town, is Phoenicia Food Hall on Kentish Town Road.

They have everything from Mediterranean and Moroccan specialties to Middle Eastern items—basically, everything you’d need to recreate the soulful tagines, couscous or falafel you might be used to.

Other Algerian and Moroccan Food Shops in London:

  • LeMaroc: 94 Golborne Rd, London W10 5PS
  • Le Marrakech: 64 Golborne Rd, London W1
  • Maghreb Food Store: 222 Hoe St, London E17 3AY
  • First Choice Produce: New Covent Garden Market, London SW8 5JJ
  • Shamland Supermarket: 330 Uxbridge Rd, London W12 7LL
  • Al Bahia: 5 Blackstock Rd, Finsbury Park, London N4 2JF
  • La Bonne Boucherie: 49 Burdett Rd, Bow, London E3 4TN

Where to Go Grocery Shopping in London: Szampion, Tottenham

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Photo: Szampion

I’ve never really had any trouble grocery shopping in London, no matter which neighborhood I was in.

Whether I lived in West Hampstead, Tottenham, Edmonton, or Bethnal Green, I always managed to adapt and find great food.

Take Tottenham, for instance. When I moved there, I discovered some amazing Turkish and Polish shops, like Szampion on the High Road.

I’m a huge fan of Polish food, so living in Tottenham was a dream – I got my fill of pierogi of all kinds, both sweet and savory.

And I have to admit, I drank more Tymbark juice than I probably should have (but it’s properly Polish, and this brand is crazy good).

The sales assistants in these shops were mostly Polish, and nearly everything in the store was a Polish product, with a few Albanian items and some of my favorite Romanian specialties, like salată cu icre and chicken pâté.

Other Polish Food Shops in London:

  • Bracia
  • Gratka
  • Ziarenka Polskie Delikatesy
  • Polka Polish Deli

Read: The Best Shopping Areas in London

11+ Grocery Stores in London from French to Italian Food

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There you have it, my complete overview of the best places to go grocery shopping in London.

Living in North London, you will find more Polish and Turkish food shops.

In East London, I have found more Italian cafes, restaurants in grocery shops than in any other neighborhood.

And if you’re staying around Central London, many fresh produce and street food markets await…

There’s always, always a way to try something new to eat in London!