Two grocery stores on this list share the exact same name, and both sit in California. That tells you a lot about where the pricey produce lives in America.
I find this topic oddly fun. One store on the list stays open until 11 PM, so you can splurge on organic snacks long after dinner.
Another serves up live music and food events right alongside the vegetables.
Fancy markets have become more than places to grab milk and eggs. They sell housemade pasta, sushi, smoothies, artisanal cheeses, and prepared meals that look ready for a magazine cover.
Your receipt usually reflects that.
I love that these stores span both coasts, plus spots in Texas, Arizona, Illinois, and Maryland. So which one would empty your wallet the fastest, and which one would you secretly love to try anyway?
Erewhon, Los Angeles, CA
Some grocery stores sell food, and this one sells a whole lifestyle with a side of sticker shock. The Santa Monica Boulevard location has become a symbol of luxury shopping in Los Angeles.
You’ll find organic, local, and sustainable groceries lining the shelves here. The store also leans hard into prepared fare, so lunch can be grabbed and eaten without any cooking at all.
The produce section gets plenty of praise for its quality. Still, you should expect prices that feel like they’re reaching for the stars.
A bakery counter adds another temptation to your trip. Fair warning, it’s easy to walk out with more pastries than you planned.
Timing matters if you hate crowds, or rather, if you’d prefer a calmer aisle. Weekend afternoons get packed, while Sunday nights are the quietest stretch.
Hours run from 7 AM to 11 PM daily, which helps late shoppers. Delivery and in-store pickup are both options when you’d rather skip the trip.
Think of this place as a treat rather than your weekly stock-up spot in California. Your budget will thank you for that plan.
Address: 4121 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 106, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Citarella Gourmet Market – Upper East Side, New York, NY
New Yorkers expect to pay more for groceries, and this Third Avenue market happily meets that expectation. Its long history on the Upper East Side earns it a reputation as an enduring neighborhood outpost.
Seafood is a big draw, along with high quality meats. The store also makes its own pasta, which makes weeknight dinners feel a bit fancier.
Baked goods, flowers, and organic products round out the shelves. You’ll also find fancy cheeses for when crackers need some company.
Plan to grab prepared foods if your schedule is packed. The selection makes it simple to pick up dinner on the way home.
Weekday mornings and afternoons are usually busiest. If you want room to browse, Sunday morning is the calmest window.
Hours run 7:30 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are a little shorter, from 8 AM to 8 PM.
One practical note may save you an awkward moment. The store doesn’t have a public restroom, so plan ahead before a long shopping session.
Address: 1313 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021
Bi-Rite Market, San Francisco, CA
Fifty cents doesn’t sound like much until it shows up on your bread, your milk, and your yogurt. Everyday staples at this San Francisco favorite often cost a bit more than at stores a couple blocks away.
So why do people keep coming back? The market is celebrated for locally sourced groceries and housemade fare.
The selection of high end products is a big part of the appeal. Fresh flowers and organic items fill out the space too.
Produce gets strong marks for quality. You may pay extra, but the fruit and veggies are the star of the show.
Here’s a quick tip for smart shoppers. Mornings are the quietest, while weekend afternoons and some evenings get busy.
The store is open from 8 AM to 9 PM every day of the week. Free Wi-Fi and a restroom make a longer visit easier.
Free street parking is available nearby, which is a small miracle in this city. The market is also known as an LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safe space.
Address: 3639 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Metropolitan Market Queen Anne (Uptown), Seattle, WA
Early birds and night owls both get a fair shot at this Seattle grocery. Doors open at 6 AM and stay open until 11 PM daily.
The store belongs to a local chain of upscale supermarkets. You’ll pay a premium price, but the selection tends to cover what you came for.
Produce is known for being fresh and impressive. The meat counter also earns high praise as some of the best in a Seattle grocery store.
Hungry right now? A salad bar and prepared meals make quick dinners much easier.
The store also has a bakery, a flower section, and a pharmacy. That means you can pick up a cake, a bouquet, and a prescription in one stop.
Parking is unusually flexible for a city store. Options include a free garage, a free lot, and street parking.
Afternoons into evenings stay busy throughout the week. Late nights are the quietest time to browse in peace.
Curbside pickup and delivery are also available. Those options help when the rain makes a store run feel less appealing.
Address: 100 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
AJ’s Fine Foods, Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale does fancy well, and its groceries are no exception. This gourmet chain location on Lincoln Drive brings butcher and seafood counters to the desert.
Regular grocery items here usually cost more than at standard markets. The gourmet items and helpful staff are what many shoppers come for.
A bakery and coffee bar give you a reason to linger. Cheese and market-fresh produce add even more reasons to fill a cart.
Prepared foods and a salad bar cover quick lunches. Some of the to-go dishes get mixed reactions, so it pays to try a few before picking favorites.
You can show up as early as 6 AM. The store closes at 9 PM daily.
Weekday mornings and afternoons draw the biggest crowds. Evening trips may feel more relaxed if you want time at the counters.
Curbside pickup and delivery come in handy on scorching Arizona days. Nobody wants ice cream melting in a hot parking lot.
Free Wi-Fi and a restroom are available inside. On-site parking keeps the trip simple.
Address: 7141 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Balducci’s, Bethesda, MD
Lox lovers, take note. This Bethesda grocery gets praise for its smoked salmon, along with its cheeses and prepared foods.
The store calls itself an upscale gourmet grocery, and the shelves back that up. Premium produce and artisanal cheeses take center stage.
Fresh prepared meals are a big draw for busy families. You can grab dinner without turning on the stove.
A bakery and flower section also help when you need a last-minute gift. A loaf of bread and a bouquet make a solid host present.
Of course, all this polish comes at a cost. This is high-end grocery shopping in suburban Maryland, so budget accordingly.
Hours run from 7 AM to 10 PM each day. Afternoons are typically busiest, while nights are the calmest.
Curbside pickup and no-contact delivery are both offered. Those options make it easy to shop without leaving the car.
Free parking is available in the lot and on the street. The store is also known for being LGBTQ+ friendly.
Address: 10323 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814
Central Market, Austin, TX
Live music and grocery shopping don’t usually go together. On North Lamar in Austin, they absolutely do.
This store fills a vast space with gourmet veggies and quality meats. It also hosts food events, so shopping can turn into an outing.
An in-house cafe lets you take a break between aisles. A bakery and salad bar add even more ways to snack.
The huge selection of specialty and organic foods is the real trap. You could spend your whole paycheck here without much effort.
Produce is a highlight, and the variety can feel endless. It’s a fun place to find an ingredient you’ve never cooked before.
Hours run from 8 AM to 10 PM daily. Weekend afternoons and Friday evenings are the busiest stretches.
Want a calmer visit? Try going on a weeknight when the crowds thin out.
Free parking makes the trip easy in this busy Texas city. Curbside pickup and delivery are there when you’d rather stay home.
Address: 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
Bristol Farms, Santa Monica, CA
Carefully selected is the key phrase at this Wilshire Boulevard market. The meat, seafood, produce, and cheese all aim for top quality.
The store sits in the heart of Santa Monica. That location fits its upscale personality perfectly.
Imported goods add a global twist to your cart. You might find snacks and pantry items you won’t spot at a regular supermarket.
A bakery, flowers, and a salad bar are part of the mix. Prepared foods help when you need a meal fast.
Expect premium prices on high-end specialty items. It’s the kind of place where browsing is half the fun.
Hours stretch from 6 AM to 11 PM daily. Late nights are the quietest time, while weekday afternoons can get busy.
On-site parking makes things easier near the beach. Delivery and in-store pickup are also options.
Another California entry, and probably not the last. The state clearly loves a fancy grocery run.
Address: 3105 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Eataly, Chicago, IL
A Nutella bar inside a grocery store sounds like a dream, and Chicago has one. It’s part of a sprawling Italian marketplace on East Ohio Street.
This spot works as a market, cafe, bakery, and restaurant all at once. Shopping here can feel like strolling through an Italian plaza.
The shelves are packed with cheeses, cured meats, pasta, sauces, and breads. Chocolates and imported items add even more temptation.
Fresh pasta is a highlight, and the trattoria serves Neapolitan pizza. The Tagliatella Ai Funghi is a menu standout worth a look.
Gourmet ingredients come with gourmet prices. Your shopping basket can climb fast if you aren’t careful.
Hours start at 7 AM daily for coffee lovers. The store stays open until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Saturday afternoons and evenings get crowded. Weekday mornings are quieter if you’d like space to browse.
The restaurant accepts reservations, which helps on busy nights. Changing tables and free Wi-Fi are also available.
Address: 43 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611
Erewhon Manhattan Beach, Manhattan Beach, CA
Yes, the famously pricey grocery shows up twice on this list. This South Bay location proves the brand’s appeal reaches beyond Hollywood.
The store is spacious, which makes browsing feel easy. It’s known for premium prepared foods, smoothies, and sushi.
Food here is organic and higher priced. Even so, the aisles are well organized and the staff are friendly.
Produce earns high marks for quality. A bakery and flower section add extra treats to your trip.
Want a mellow visit? The hour before closing tends to feel calm and relaxed.
Hours run from 7 AM to 10 PM daily. Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
Curbside pickup and no-contact delivery are available. Those make it simple to grab a smoothie fix without parking.
Speaking of parking, the store offers both free and paid lot options. That’s a nice perk in a busy beach town.
So is it worth the splurge? In California, plenty of shoppers clearly think so, and one sushi box might convince you too.
Address: 1700 Rosecrans Ave C, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
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