Australia has a pretty limited marketplace with regards to food shopping, but this locally owned…read moregrocer seems to be bringing something to the table. It has a bit of a warehouse feel, and some clearance sales lying around, but also a fairly respectable selection, including things that aren't all that easy to find; some nice vegetarian specialty items and a decent international section. They have ample fresh fruits and vegetables and a lot of dried beans and grains, so we're not talking unhealthy food either. The location is reasonably convenient, near the hospital with ample bus access and a train station on the other side of the hospital. Some of the sale items will understandably be a tad sketch, buy you can certainly find some deals here.

As you'll see in my review of the Gabba Fruit Market, I'm a little bit attached to it. However, I…read morewas driving past Mother of All Fruits the other day and decided to check it out. I've gotta say, I was pretty impressed with the range and presentation of fruit and veg. Tucked just inside a Spar-owned shopping centre, Mother of All Fruits occupies a huge floor space. Most of this is taken up by rows of fresh produce, but there's also a section for packaged and frozen goods. The range of fruit and veg is great and their herbs come in huge bunches for around $2.95 each. There are also lots of "bucket" specials to be had where you get a reduced price for buying a large amount. For $30, I filled a green bag and walked out with a tray of 20 bowen mangoes. Pretty good value, especially the $10 tray of mangoes. Whilst extremely well organised and well presented, the only thing I don't like about this produce store is that it feels a little too much like a supermarket. I remain faithful to the Gabba Fruit Market, which has a more local feel to it and has a less hectic carpark.

Thanks to refurbishment following the devastating Brisbane floods this shopping centre boasts the…read morebest Coles Supermarket I have seen on the southside. Wide aisles, extensive f&v, bakery and meat sections set this Coles apart. And if you're not into shopping at this member of the Australian supermarket duopoly there's a well presented independent f&v right next door supported by an array of other retailers you'd expect to find at a small to medium sized neighbourhood shopping centre. Entry and exit access could be tricky if you're an infrequent visitor to Fairfield but shouldn't deter you. Parking availability is reasonable and mostly shaded, which is a bonus.

My Sunday isn't complete without a trip to the Gabba Fruit Market. It's a little bit out of the way…read morefor me, so I like to make one trip and stock up on all my fruit and veg for the week, so as to avoid shopping at Coles and Woolworths. The produce at the Gabba Fruit Market is fresher and often much cheaper than that sold in the supermarkets and if you shop according to what's in season, you can fill a couple of green bags for around $30. They also have a great sales rack, selling produce that's nearing its expiry. I hate to think how much the supermarket giants must throw out just so that they can have display shelves full of "perfect" or under-ripe produce, but it's so nice to see places like the Gabba offering its old produce to customers who are happy to slice off the mushy bits and, of course, get a bargain. The Gabba Fruit Market also sells a small range of packaged, canned and other goods such as dairy products and bread. They often have great specials on staples like canned lentils and dried pasta. Make this part of your weekly ritual too!

With a respectable collection of dry goods, dairy and, of course, all the fruit and veg you could…read morewant, this top-shelf greengrocer really is a practical alternative to the supermarket. You'll find reasonable quality fruit and veg at very cheap rices: eg. * Watermelon @ 69c/kg * 3 avocados for $2.50 * 1kg bag of red onions for $1.99 * 5 ruby grapefruits for $2 * Jap pumpkin $1.29/kg And the list goes on. The specials no doubt change but you can rely on finding a bargain here. Last I went there were some pretty good specials on dry goods, like two boxes of cous cous for $3 and jars of olives for $2 each. The counter staff are pretty nice, just watch out you don't get bowled over by one of the burly guys wheeling around stock in trolleys.

Everyone needs that little convenience store on the corner to run to in the mornings when there's…read moreno milk or bread in the house. The only difference with the St Lucia Supermarket is that it's not little and I run to it when I run out of fruit, vegetables, meat and spices. You could easily do a week's worth of grocery shopping here, however the small shopping baskets sort of prevent that from happening (unless you are the Incredible Hulk/can survive off lettuce for every meal). This place houses everything from heavy duty household cleaning products, to cat food, personal hygiene goods, juices, baking goodies and a variety of frozen Asian food products. They often have specials on particular products (there's often cheap pumpkins advertised out the front) and have an assortment of banana bread, muffins and slices at the counter, which sometimes act as a necessary source of comfort food. So if you're in the area and are running low on literally anything/everything in your house; you can be sure to replenish your depleted stocks here.

I never really even paid attention to the name of St Lucia Supermarket until I had to write this…read morereview. Up until now, I always referred to it as the little Asian Supermarket on Fred Schonell. I have a warm spot in my heart for this grocery store. It was my local one for so long and I felt as if I visited it on almost a daily basis to pick up my milk and bread. It was flooded out earlier in the year but luckily has made a full comeback. This is not your average supermarket. They sell slices of homemade banana bread or cakes on the front counter, and you always see the same staff who are kind and friendly. They have a great fresh food section. While it does not have a huge selection of vegetables you will find whatever they do stock is often of great quality and in season. They also stock a lot of Asian vegetables and packaged foods here that aren't easily available elsewhere. If you wonder down the very tight aisles to the back you will find a tower of two minute noodles, bread, bags of rice and a wall full of spices. They have freezers full of pork buns and dim sums. They also stock all your other basic foods and needs like toilet paper, pencils, batteries etc. While not good for a big shop (you couldn't fit a trolley down those aisles if you tried), it is the perfect spot to pick up those few missing ingredients for your next meal.

Meat Your Lifestyle is right next door to Coles. It's easy to go to Coles and buy all of your…read moregroceries there, but if you're anything like me, you'll buy your meat from the place next door, because they've got a better selection (no kangaroo here though, sorry) and they're cheaper. And you're supporting small local business. Win! Their platter of rich, red, iron laden meats just makes me salivate. They've got all of your standard cuts: eye fillet ($29.99 kg), scotch fillet, T-bones, rump, as well as diced meat, and two versions of mince. Then there's ossu buco cuts, and $2 bags of lamb off cuts, and $2.50 bags of neck chops (good for stocks, soup, or delicate treats for your dog). Chicken and pig can be found in various manifestations in the other fridge. The major drawcard for me is the varieties of sausage they sell there (all priced at $7.99). Worchestershire sauce sausage? Herb and garlic? Spanish chorizo sausage that isn't actually chorizo sausage (it's a bit of an odd one, I know)? How about sun dried tomato sausage? Your barbeque will be the most flavourful in town if you shop here, I promise. The service is quick and no nonsense, and you can't argue with the prices. Do yourself and small business a favour, and get your meat goods at Meat Your Lifestyle.

There's nothing I love more than buying my meat from a butcher and negating all the nasty packaging…read morethat comes with supermarket-bought meat. Meat Your Lifestyle has a great range of beef, pork, lamb and chicken, and gives its neighbour, Coles, a run for its money. Whilst not on display, they also have specialty meats written up on their chalk board, like peking duck, so be sure to ask if what you're looking for isn't in the cabinet. My favourites are their osso bucco for only $6.50/kg (great for tenderising in a slow cooker) and their free-range eggs, the cheapest I've come across in Brisbane. I also like their whole free-range chickens, costing around $7/kg. They come with their innards removed, making it quick and easy to stick them in the oven. The only downside is that they don't seem to sell free-range chicken breasts and the chicken breasts they do sell are so big, you have to wonder about the steroid content. Service is mixed, depending on who you get. Some employees there can be a bit abrupt, others really friendly. Either way, it beats Coles!

MASSIVE food and vegetable marketplace in Brisbane on a Saturday for the public. $2 entry adults,…read morefree admission for kids. There is everything you can think of here. Popcorn, fresh fish, meat, flowers, all kinds of produce, wool, ton of food trucks, live music. My friend got the Japanese pancakes and I had a bite. Very fluffy and a touch of sweetness. I had a hankering for eggs so I found a truck called Mum's Crepes mmmm mm I got a nice piping hot cheese and mushroom omelette $8 plus 1.50 per extra topping. Very neat marketplace experience. The produce is cheaper than the supermarkets.

I wish all farmers markets were like this one! I went to this market when I was in Brisbane I was…read morevisiting my boyfriend and his family took us here. Mind you we all love food so this was the perfect spot. There were so many tents lined up and so many different vendors to choose from. It was like super farmer's market compared to what I'm used to at home in Hawai'i. We walked around for bit just eyeing out all the different food. There is definitely something for everyone here. Also, a great place to buy produce and meat. Probably for a cheaper price than you would find in a grocery store. Because we couldn't decide on one food stand we decided to get food from multiple ones lol. We got out drinks from a tea stand. We got liliko'i and mango teas. There was one stand where they were selling breaky sammies for $5 and they were huge! We got one of those and a gian samosa from an Indian vendor. The samosa was almost the size of my hand. Ain't gonna find any samosas like that in Hawai'i unless you make em yourself. We also got pork belly shish kabobs. It was a great experience and so much fun too! If you're ever in Brisbane I recommend going to Rocklea markets. Everyone just seemed so happy and excited even though it was a bit rainy that day. It was also a good place for families. My boyfriend and I will be back next time we're in Brisbane again.

This place has pretty much everything you need for your grocery essentials…read more Clean and lots of selections of local produce and meats. They have a sushi stand inside where they make rolls daily. The place has a butcher shop, Deli, Bakery and a small pizza shop inside.