15 Best Gourmet Grocery Stores In Los Angeles

Going grocery shopping is often viewed as a mundane task that is nothing more than a necessary part of adulthood. However, Los Angeles has managed to take something as simple as grocery shopping and turn it into a gourmet excursion. In addition to standard staples like Trader Joe's and Vons, the City of Angels is also home to several upscale markets that allow you to bring home gourmet goods from all over the globe. From French markets that double as delicious bistros to charming cheese shops in the heart of Santa Monica, these specialty stores make weekly shopping all the more special.

Despite the fact that most of these shops are definitely on the expensive side of the aisle, shoppers are also able to find higher-quality meats, produce, and seafood. Many of the markets work directly with local farmers and butchers, ensuring that you have a better idea of where your food is coming from. We've rounded up some of the best gourmet grocery stores in LA so that you can fill your fridge with the best of the best.

For many shoppers, trendy grocer Erewhon represents the epitome of elite Los Angeles food culture. After all, it is the health food store of all health food stores. Surprisingly, the store's first location was a stall in Boston that sold macrobiotic and organic foods, but it didn't take long for founders Michio and Aveline Kushi to hit the West Coast. In the 50 years since its founding, Erewhon has expanded to eight different locations across Los Angeles County, offering a conscientiously curated selection of meat, seafood, snacks, supplements, and everything in between. That said, there's no denying that it is one of the most expensive grocery stores in all of LA, and potentially California.

It has also racked up Organic Retailer and B Corp certifications, meeting high standards of organic sourcing and supply chain ethics. Its produce section is not to be missed. All of its products are organic and sourced with the health of people and the planet in mind. From its famous buffalo cauliflower to Hailey Bieber's $17 smoothie order, the grocery's prepared food section has cultivated a cult following. Locals have also professed their adoration for the breakfast burrito, General Tso's chicken, and Brussels sprout salad.

Since 2010, McCall's Meat & Fish Co. has offered an unbeatable selection of the highest quality fish, meat, produce, pastries, cheese, and snacks. With two locations — one in Santa Monica and another in Los Feliz — the grocer brings unbeatable ingredients to customers across Los Angeles. McCall's Santa Monica location even hosts a one-day-a-week deli called Mondays at McCall's. The weekly pop-up is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on, you guessed it, Mondays.

However, its menu is pretty extensive. It serves up sandwiches that are made to order, with hits like egg and cheese and a breakfast sandwich of the day. Its soups and stews aren't to be missed, either — flavors include spring chicken and veg, lamb chili, carrot bisque, and ginger mineral broth. If you're craving something cooler, you can opt for one of its salads or something sweet like its purple pudding treat. Monday at McCall's means baked goods, like the vegetable hand pies and granola. If you're not able to make it on a Monday, though, stop by any other day of the week for some of the best meats, seafood, and farmer's market-fresh produce.

Since the opening of its first shop in Turin in 2007, Eataly has brought high-quality food, wine, produce, and more to its 35 stores around the world. Founder Oscar Farinetti sought to celebrate Italian cuisine by gathering high-quality, reasonably-priced dishes and ingredients in one central shopping space while offering opportunities for shoppers to enjoy and learn about Italy's iconic food.

Its sprawling, multi-story Los Angeles location might seem overwhelming at first, but if you take the time to peruse the grocer's shelves, snag a scoop of gelato, or enjoy a meal at one of its several restaurants, its thoughtful curation and delicious products are sure to draw you into the Eataly ethos. This unique grocery experience is best enjoyed over the course of several hours. Spend an afternoon at one of Eataly's cooking classes, chat with one of its sommeliers about its selection of wines, or grab a seat at one of its restaurants, cafes, or dining counters to refuel and take in the ambiance.

Bay Cities Deli and Bakery is the definition of classic Italian. This iconic Los Angeles deli has been slinging sandwiches since 1925, and this near-century of culinary wisdom has produced some of the best ones in the city. The grocer offers cold sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salads, sides, sliced cheeses, and sliced meats. It stocks enough ingredients to cook up essentially any sandwich that you can dream of, but the real reason that Angelenos flock to Bay Cities is its signature sandwich, the Godmother.

The famed dish is made with prosciutto, ham, capicola, mortadella, genoa salami, and provolone cheese. The Bay Cities staff recommends ordering it with The Works, and we do too! The Italian dressing, lettuce, mayo, mustard, onions, pickles, and tomatoes cohere to create a scrumptious sandwich symphony. If you're looking for other sandwiches to compliment the Godmother, the Caprese is another crowd-pleaser that is stuffed with mozzarella, onion, tomato, basil, and oregano, and finished with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Farmshop is dedicated to showcasing California-inspired fare in all of its forms. It hosts a restaurant that serves up locally sourced ingredients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Farmshop also includes a bakery that offers house-made croissants, muffins, and cookies. The Santa Monica staple also includes a market, which features a curation of Californian chocolate, cheese, charcuterie, produce, and prepared foods perfect for a meal on the go. The grocer also offers a fine selection of wine, beer, and other beverages that pair perfectly with its bevy of foods.

Farmshop is the ideal spot to shop for picnic goods. Its selection of produce is gorgeous, its homemade margarita mix is the perfect afternoon refreshment, and the bakery churns out ideal picnic staples like baguettes, loaves of sourdough, and gooey cookies. Shoppers can even choose from a selection of fresh sandwiches. And, for an idyllic Sunday morning, pick up a pack of Farmshop Bakery's frozen butter croissants, pain au chocolat, or coffee cake (or splurge on all three).

Canyon Grocer by Kurt & Whey is the creation of a long line of cheesemongers. Its founder, Kurt Gurdal, was raised in Boston by Ihsan and Valerie Gurdal, who owned a famous cheese shop called Formaggio Kitchen. He continued his cheese education at London's Neal's Yard Dairy, and eventually hit the West Coast to expand the family legacy.

The staff at Kurt & Whey has leveraged its cheese expertise to curate a selection of customizable gift boxes, cheese platters that can be customized to accommodate a party of any size, and grazing tables that are both beautifully displayed and unforgettably delicious. Canyon Grocer also hosts a series of guided cheese pairings and classes where guests will learn the ins and outs of pairing cheese with wine, beer, spirits, chocolate, and more. Kurt Gurdal also specializes in partnering with wedding planners, businesses, wineries, and more to cultivate the perfect selection of cheeses for any occasion. He even acts as a consultant for new and upcoming cheese shops that want to bolster business.

When it comes to the Japanese market, Marukai Market has it all. With locations in West LA and Little Tokyo, locals are able to enjoy a true taste of Japan after a solid shop. In fact, the Marukai Market in West LA carries the largest selection of Japanese goods in the country. From ready-made sushi and bento boxes to savory and sweet snacks, you can easily spend an entire afternoon exploring the shelves and stations at Marukai Market. You can even pick up your favorite sake or Japanese whisky.

Some other must-try items include the frozen dumplings, sashimi-grade fish, frozen fish cakes, and one of the many ramen noodle packages. Whether you're a fan of sushi and sakura mochi or you're hosting a special Japanese dinner party, Marukai Market is the ideal one-stop shop for those looking to enjoy an authentic and traditional spread from the comfort of their own home.