Food, Drink shopping in Europe
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Louis Patisserie
One of London's oldest coffee and cake shops, Louis Patisserie was started by Hungarian immigrant Louis Permayer in 1963 and it hasn't changed a bit since. Eclairs, almond pretzels, marzipan cookies, cream slices and macaroons wink at you from the window, and they're packed in a pretty striped box for you to take away. You can also sit down in the breathtaking little tearoom, best on Sundays when Hampstead's old-skool Eastern European ladies and gentlemen come here for coffee and cake.
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Antica Caciara Trasteverina
The fresh ricotta is a prized possession at this century-old deli, and usually snapped up by lunch. If you're too late, take solace in other creamy specialities such as burrata pugliese (a creamy cheese from the Puglia region), or simply drool over the fragrant hams, bread, baccalà (salted cod), cheeses, peppers, Sicilian anchovies and local wines.
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Vín Búð
Alcohol is prohibitively pricey in all bars and restaurants. The only shop licensed to sell alcohol is the government-owned liquor store Vín Búð, which has six branches across Reykjavík including this one, the Austurstræti branch (562 6511) and one in Smáralind Shopping Centre (544 2112).
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Pegna
A good selection of Tuscan and regional Italian specialities such as pâté, cheese, coffees, preserves and other stuff too good to be called just groceries can be found in this mini-supermarket.
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Manuel Tavares
For a lingering taste of Lisbon, nip into this wood-fronted store, tempting locals since 1860 with pata negra (cured ham), pungent cheeses, ginjinha, port and other Portuguese treats.
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Comptoir de la Gastronomie
This elegant épicerie fine (specialist grocer) stocks a scrumptious array of gourmet goods to take away; it adjoins a striking art nouveau dining room dating to 1894.
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Bottle Shop
Not your typical off-licence - this shop goes to town with copious quantities of beer, jenever (gin) and mineral waters, all displayed in slick surroundings.
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Paxton & Whitfield
You can smell this place long before you see it - a gourmet cheese shop selling everything from Cheddar cheddar to Cornish brie and French camembert.
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Peveril Shop
Near the bus stop, this place sells food and groceries and does sandwiches to take away, ideal for a day on the hills or a long bus ride.
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Bónus
There are two cut-price Bónus supermarkets, one of which is behind the youth hostel.
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De Biertempel
Beer specialist shop where you can even pick up a well-priced bottle of Westvleteren.
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Migros
Self-caterers can buy up big at Migros.
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Delhaize
Supermarket in St Andries.
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Aperto
A central supermarket
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Coop Supermarket
For self-caterers.
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Antonio Mattei
Practically every tourist shop in Florence sells them; they are dunked in Vin Santo as sweet dolci world-wide and have become synonymous with Tuscany at large. Yet it is in Prato that these rock-hard, seriously crunchy rusk-like biscuits studded with almonds were cooked up. Known around the world, sure, but the Real McCoy only comes in a thick paper, cobalt-blue bag, tied with string and embossed with the mark of its maker: Antonio Mattei. Created by the artisan biscuit maker in 1858, biscotti di Prato or cantucci (as they are also known) are still baked up on the very spot where they were born.
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Nave De Oro
Wine is as important to life for Venetians as water and a fine take-home tradition persists in Venice for tipplers unable or unwilling to spend on big labels. These wine-stores are crammed with huge glass damigiane (demijohns). From these monsters, each containing a sea of modest Veneto table wine, you make a choice and have it poured into whatever you bring - used wine or mineral-water bottles, it's up to you. You will be charged per litre. There are many branches of this chain around.
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Eataly
Adjacent to the congress centre is the Slow Food Movement’s ‘supermarket’, Eataly. This vast converted factory now houses a staggering array of Slow Food–affiliated food and beverages, with a separate area for each, including cheeses, breads, meats, fish, pasta, chocolate and much more. The best time to visit is around 12.30pm to 2.30pm, when each area has its own little restaurant serving lunch. There’s also a high-end restaurant here, for which you’ll need to book ahead.
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Tierenteyn-Verlent
Ghent's traditional mustard-maker, the 1790-established Tierenteyn-Verlent, has occupied this heritage-listed shop since 1860, and it retains its original interior of tall glass cabinets of apothecary and spice jars behind varnished timber counters. Mustard is still made using original techniques and only natural ingredients: vinegar, salt and ground mustard seeds. Each jar comes with its own little wooden spoon (plastic spoons can also be used, but not metal, as it separates the vinegar).
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Cantina del Canton
Wine is as important to life for Venetians as water and a fine take-home tradition persists in Venice for tipplers unable or unwilling to spend on big labels. These wine-stores are crammed with huge glass damigiane (demijohns). From these monsters, each containing a sea of modest Veneto table wine, you make a choice and have it poured into whatever you bring - used wine or mineral-water bottles, it's up to you. You will be charged, on average, around €2 per litre.
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2be
Occupying a 15th-century Gothic mansion, this sleek emporium stocks a tantalising array of artisan chocolates, wines, jenevers, conserves, sweets, biscuits and other 100% Belgian goodies including a superb selection of beers, such as the local Brugse Zot, which you can try at the canalside café. Ask staff to fill you in on the escapades of the resident ghost of Perez de Malvenda, the former Spanish mayor whose house this mansion once was.
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Hédiard
This famous luxury food shop established in 1854 consists of two adjacent sections selling prepared dishes, teas, coffees, jams, wines, pastries, fruits, vegetables and so on, as well as a restaurant, where tea is served from 3pm to 6pm.
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Systembolaget
The state-owned alcohol monopoly is the only place to buy real booze to take away. A complete listing is given online; the following are some handy central branches: Klarabergsgatan (21 47 44; Klarabergsgatan 62; 10:00-20:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-15:00 Sat); Lilla Nygatan (411 65 06; Lilla Nygatan 11; 10:00-18:00 Mon-Wed, to 19:00 Thu & Fri, 10:00-15:00 Sat); Regeringsgatan (796 98 10; Regeringsgatan 44; 10:00-19:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-15:00 Sat)
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Pâtisserie Sadaharu Aoki
‘Exquisite’ fails to describe the creations of one of Paris’ top pastry chefs, Tokyo-born Sadaharu Aoki. His gourmet works include boxes of 72 different flavoured macaroons and green-tea chocolate.
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Augusta Perusia Cioccolato e Gelateria
Giordano worked for Perugina for 25 years. In 2000, he opened his own shop, Augusta Perusia Cioccolato e Gelateria, creating delectables from the old tradition, including baci (hazelnut ‘kisses’ covered in chocolate) from the original Perugian recipe. Delicious handmade chocolate bars come in boxes with old paintings of Perugia – great for gifts – or pick up some of the city’s best gelato for yourself.
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