Food shopping in Manhattan is one of the borough’s underappreciated pleasures and one of its genuine logistical challenges. The borough has some of the best specialty food stores in the world — cheese shops, fish markets, butchers, wine merchants — alongside the full range from corner bodegas to major supermarket chains. Knowing which store to use for which purpose, and which neighborhoods have the best options, saves time and money and produces better meals.
Upper West Side: The Gold Standard
The Upper West Side has the best concentration of specialty food shopping in Manhattan. Zabar’s at 80th Street and Broadway is the anchor — a gourmet food shop operating since 1934 with an extraordinary smoked fish counter, cheese department, prepared foods section, and kitchen equipment floor. The nova salmon and the whitefish salad are the essential purchases. The prices are fair for the quality.
Fairway Market at 74th Street (multiple Manhattan locations) is the full-service option with excellent produce, fish, meat, and cheese sections at prices that are reasonable for Manhattan. The bulk section and the olive bar are both excellent.
Citarella on Broadway at 75th Street is the Upper West Side’s premium fish and specialty food market — the fish counter is exceptional, the prepared foods are above average, and the prices reflect the quality. For the best fish in the neighborhood, this is the destination.
Lower East Side and Chinatown: Produce and Specialty
The Lower East Side and Chinatown have some of the best specialty food shopping in the borough. Russ & Daughters at 179 East Houston Street has been selling smoked fish, caviar, and Jewish delicacies since 1914 — the sable and the nova are the best available in the city. Economy Candy on Rivington Street has been selling bulk candy, dried fruit, nuts, and specialty sweets since 1937.
Chinatown’s produce markets along Canal Street and Mott Street offer some of the best-priced fresh produce in Manhattan. The seafood markets on Mulberry and Mott Streets sell live fish and shellfish at prices far below what you’d pay uptown.
Chelsea Market and the Meatpacking District
Chelsea Market at 75 Ninth Avenue is a food hall in a converted Nabisco factory that contains some of Manhattan’s best specialty food vendors. The Lobster Place has the best seafood retail counter in Manhattan. Dickson’s Farmstand sells excellent humanely raised meat and charcuterie. Amy’s Bread supplies bread to many of the city’s best restaurants and sells it directly here. The market is worth a dedicated visit for food shopping rather than just a casual food hall stop.
Murray Hill: Kalustyan’s and Curry Hill
Kalustyan’s at 123 Lexington Avenue is indispensable for spices, specialty ingredients from South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Over 3,000 products, excellent staff knowledge, and a deli counter with prepared foods. Chefs from across the city shop here. The spice selection alone justifies making the trip from any neighborhood.
Union Square Greenmarket
The Union Square Greenmarket at 14th Street and Broadway operates Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 6pm. It’s the premier farmers market in Manhattan — the produce, meat, dairy, and specialty foods from regional farms are consistently excellent, and several of the vendors have been there for decades. The greenmarket in the fall (September through November) is particularly good: apples, squash, root vegetables, and the full range of Northeast fall produce.
Specialty Stores Worth Knowing Across the Borough
Murray’s Cheese on Bleecker Street in the West Village is the best cheese shop in Manhattan — the staff are knowledgeable, the selection is excellent, and the cheese counter will cut anything to order. Eataly at 200 Fifth Avenue is the Italian food market with a strong produce section, good meat and fish counters, and a wine shop — it gets crowded but the quality is real. Di Palo Fine Foods on Grand Street in Little Italy is a fourth-generation Italian specialty shop with excellent fresh mozzarella, imported Italian products, and a deli counter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Manhattan Food Shopping
What is the best grocery store in Manhattan?
Depends on the neighborhood. Zabar’s on the Upper West Side for specialty foods. Fairway for full-service shopping. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s for everyday staples at multiple locations.
Where is the best fish market in Manhattan?
The Lobster Place in Chelsea Market for retail fish. Citarella on the Upper West Side. Seafood markets in Chinatown for the best prices on live fish and shellfish.
What is the Union Square Greenmarket?
A farmers market at 14th Street and Broadway operating Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 6pm. Regional farms sell produce, meat, dairy, and specialty foods directly.
Where can I buy specialty spices in Manhattan?
Kalustyan’s at 123 Lexington Avenue in Murray Hill — over 3,000 specialty ingredients from South Asia, the Middle East, and worldwide.
Also see: Our cheap eats guide
