By Anton Constantinou
Modern day food shopping in London is not what it used to be. Gone are the days when people relied solely on weekly trips to big supermarkets for all their essentials. Bulk buying has given way to last minute purchases at convenience stores, and a rise in online shopping means you need never leave your home to buy a snack or a pint of milk.
Globalisation, in conjunction with changes to taste and technology, have made Londoners a right old worldly bunch. We seek organic produce, gluten-free bread and artisan meats, along with complex marinades and sauces - the sort of stuff that tends only to feature in a few select aisles in the usual stores. In short, our palettes have become intrinsically more cosmopolitan.
International business travellers arriving to the city have a diverse range of restaurants, bars, clubs and cultural attractions to choose from, but hunting down a food store which stocks your favourite items from back home is a different matter altogether.
At SilverDoor, we know a thing or two about diversity. Our multicultural workforce collectively speaks more than ten languages, which puts us in a great position to promote supermarkets selling non-British food products. Below is a list of recommendations on where to go for everything from knäckebröd (crispbread) to mishit doi (sweet curd).
Japan Centre
The go-to place for all things Japanese, consisting of a food hall, supermarket, bookstore, bakery, fishmonger and butcher. Expect high quality sushi and hot souzai food, along with hard to find desserts.
Best for: Melon Pan - Otherwise known as Melon bread, this much-loved bakery treat is fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside and can be enjoyed at any time of day.
Location: 19 Shaftesbury Ave, Soho, London W1D 7ED.
Order online available: Yes
Website: https://www.japancentre.com
Brindisa
Borrowing its name from the Spanish word, "brindis", meaning “to raise one’s glass in a toast”, this luxury food shop finds a home in Borough Market. Customers can pick up high quality cheeses, oils, olives and vinegars, and a member of staff is always on hand to offer some help.
Best for: Jamón ibérico: a form of cured ham produced in Portugal and Spain and made from iberico pigs.
Location: The Floral Hall, Borough Market, Stoney St, London SE1 9AF.
Order online available: Yes
Website: http://www.brindisa.com/borough-market-spanish-food-shop/borough-market-spanish-food-shop/
TotallySwedish
A mini Sweden in London, packed with local delicacies like black caviar, knäckebröd (crispbread) and pickled herring. Also included in the shop are home and design wear, children’s books and delicatessen items.
Best for: Gingerbread biscuits - an essential for a Swedish Christmas, but just as tasty all year round.
Location: 32 Crawford Street, Marylebone, W1H 1LS.
Order online available: Yes
Website: http://www.totallyswedish.com/
German Deli
At the German Deli, it’s strictly authentic all the way. Mustards, preserves, traditional sweets, cooked meats - you name it, they can all be found under one roof. Currently for sale are a variety of Christmas hampers, containing gift items like Bahlsen biscuits and morello cherries in white syrup.
Best for: Preserved vegetables.
Location: Unit 4, Hamlet Industrial Estate, 96 White Post Lane, London, E9 5EN.
Order online available: Yes
Website: http://germandeli.co.uk/
Athenian Grocery
With a quaint blue and white striped awning out-front, the Athenian Grocery is as Greek as they come. Close proximity to Greek Orthodox Church, St Sophia's Cathedral, ensures locals regularly flock there for their olives, honey and vine leaves. For those ordering online, delivery is free if you spend £50 or more.
Best for: Olive oil.
Location: 16a Moscow Road, Bayswater, London,W2 4BT
Order online available: Yes
Website: http://www.atheniangrocery.co.uk/
Casa Brasil Londres
Self-proclaimed “Your Brazilian in the UK”, Casa Brasil Londres specialises in popular import items such as food, toiletries, magazines and newspapers. Think Camil Black Beans and Guarana syrup. DVDs, gift boxes and clothes can also be purchased on-site.
Best For: Pilão Roasted and Ground Coffee.
Location: 23-25 Queensway, London W2 4QJ.
Order online available: Yes
Website: http://www.casabrasillondres.co.uk/en/
Mleczko
Traditional polish food is what Mleczko does best. With over ten stores in London, it’s best placed to reach the city’s bustling Eastern European community and is open seven days a week. The popular chain also includes a butchers and bakers.
Best For: Dairy products.
Address: 360 Uxbridge Rd, White City, London W12 7LL
Order online available: No
Website: http://www.mleczkodelikatesy.com/
Scandinavian Kitchen
The UK’s largest Scandinavian café and grocery store is a one-stop shop for Nordic cuisine, with a prime location just off Oxford Street. Customers from near and far arrive for crispbread, sandwich spreads, cheese and deli items. The Kitchen also provides wholesale services for businesses promoting Scandinavian brands in the UK.
Best for: Pickled Herring.
Address: 61 Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7PP.
Order online available: Yes
Website: http://www.scandikitchen.co.uk/
American Food Store
Where do you go for Iced Tea, Hershey’s chocolate and Pop Tarts? Simple - this supermarket in Ladbroke Grove. Formerly a family-owned Post Office, its shelves are stacked high with more than 1000 imported treasures. All the major brands can be found, from Welch’s to Cheetos.
Best For: American cereals.
Address: 2 Ladbroke Grove, London W11 3BG.
Order online available: Yes
Website: https://www.usafoodstore.co.uk/
Sources
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/oct/06/supermarkets-modern-shopping-habits-industry-chief
http://www.mycustomer.com/selling/ecommerce/supermarkets-how-have-consumer-shopping-habits-changed
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33155628
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11244170/Dont-blame-a-change-in-shopping-habits-Britains-supermarkets-just-got-it-so-wrong.html
http://www.igd.com/Research/Retail/UK-food-and-grocery-evolution-2014---2019/
http://www.girlinlondon.com/the-best-specialty-grocery-stores-in-london/
