Even as a young thing, I've always enjoyed visiting the grocery. Eventually I realized that it's a dear ambition of mine to not only buy as much groceries as I want, but also to visit famous grocery stores.
If you're like me, you'll be happy to know that there are actually a lot of grocery stores out there that are worth taking the trip for, even just for the experience. I picked out my favorites to share with you — and here's to hoping that you and I get to visit them all within this lifetime!
1. Muji Hotel Ginza (Tokyo, Japan)
A hotel by a lifestyle store?? Okay, hear me out. Ever since I watched the BuzzFeed Bring Me video that featured Muji Hotel, I've been wanting to visit this place.
Imagine my joy when I found out that this hotel actually sells their own fresh groceries! Craving for a bento box but you don't want to leave your hotel? No problem, you can just pop downstairs and buy it from their grocery store.
By the looks of it, Muji Hotel gives its customers a whole new experience. Aside from the rooms, the hotel also has its own diner, bakery, bar, retail store, and library. I mean...wow. I'm sold!
2. Markthal (Rotterdam, the Netherlands)
Markthal ("market hall" in English) is a horseshoe-shaped market square that features an eye-catching ceiling designed with a colorful mural. It's 11 stories tall and has nearly a hundred food stalls you can shop and eat from.
But this is only half of the reason why Markthal is one of my picks. The other reason is because I aspire to become one of the residents that live above the market hall.
That's right — Markthal also houses hundreds of apartments whose residents are lucky enough to have a grocery store right underneath their home. What a convenience!
3. Eliseevsky (Moscow, Russia)
This grocery store exudes opulence all over. Eliseevsky is definitely not your usual supermarket. The goods they sell are priced higher, but since the building itself is more than a century old, I think it's definitely worth a visit.
Unfortunately, as of 2021, Eliseevsky market is reportedly closing its doors to shoppers and visitors for good. I really hope the city preserves this architectural beauty. It's a shame to see it close down, especially since I never got the chance to visit personally.
Though I lean more towards the minimalist style, even I can't help but admire the luxurious Neo-Baroque style of this place. It's definitely the dream grocery store!
4. Eataly NYC Flatiron (New York City, USA)
Eataly is a massive store with branches in different locations. Inside you'll find a grocery, a cooking school, a bookstore, a homeware section, a wine bar, and lots of restaurants.
But personally, what I'm looking forward to visiting here is their seasonal rooftop restaurant, SERRA by Birreria. The name means "greenhouse" in Italian.
What's cool about this restaurant is it changes its theme regularly depending on the season. Ten points to Gryffindor for this Instagram-worthy ambience!
5. Cru Markt (Overijse, Belgium)
There are several things I really like about this grocery store. First is its cottage-like architecture. For some reason, just looking at Cru Markt's façade brings me warmth and comfort. Who knows, maybe it's designed to serve that exact purpose.
Second, you can self-scan your purchases because each shopping cart is equipped with its own scanner. Lastly, they regularly host a food festival at their mini open courtyard that looks so inviting, especially on a beautiful sunny day.
6. The Social Space (Singapore)
Singapore holds a special place in my heart, so I was very thrilled to discover their sustainable grocery stores, particularly The Social Space.
Here they promote fair trade retail. They even have a Refillery, where you can purchase refills for your personal care, pet care, and household products — all made from natural ingredients. Just make sure to bring your own reusable containers.
Within their store there's also the Tea Bar & Café, a pop-up boutique, and a nail salon. And if you want to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle, you can start your journey by attending their workshops.
If I was living in Singapore, you'd definitely find me hanging out here!
Would you add your local grocery store to this list?
Feel free to leave me a message and let me know your grocery store recommendations. I'd be happy to read about them and hopefully, visit them all!
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