I like Mario's market because it sells bananas, kiwi fruit and pink lady apples cheaper than the…read moresupermarket's nearby. I love Mario's Market because it stocks fresh gnocchi, gourmet dips and organic yoghurts that you can't find in said supermarkets. Gourmet ice cream, fresh bread and vegetables that look like they were picked from the patch yesterday. The ingredients and produce are all fresh and simple - not many 'extras' are added to the packaged goods in the fridge cabinet. I really love Mario's because it introduced me to the Coyo - Coconut Yogurt - which has to be one of the most delicious healthy treats I've ever tried (it's now a staple in my breakfast diet). You can buy tasty bananas at $7.99/kilo and a mango will cost you $2.99 which is far cheaper than the competition in the area. Mario's Market use to be called Neutral Bay Fresh Food Grocer.

Ever since I overheard somebody returning blueberries to my local supermarket (it shall remain…read moreunnamed) because they found a bug in it (I won't say which one, its too gross) I decided that it might be time to do a separate fruit and veg shop. Neutral Bay is my shopping hood so I found myself at Mario's Market and I love it here. The produce is really fresh and there is a touch of gourmet deli with products like Maggie Beer available. They're a bit more on the expensive side than a big supermarket but for freshness and quality it's worth it.

No. The shop was open so I went to buy fruit and the guy said "the girls will be here soon to serve…read moreyou" then I went out to get coffee and when I came back he was serving a woman and as I walked up he looked at me and said "the girls will help you when they're here" ok, why could he not serve me?!?! He served her and then told me to wait!!! I do not recommend to anyone!!! I must however recommend the girl who served me later, she was amazing!!!

From the owner: Vumbaca Fruit Market has been a family run business on the Northern Beaches since 1963. We pride…read moreourselves on providing quality farm fresh fruit and vegetables that are sourced daily. We support local farmers in the Sydney area. Our prices are competitive. You can find continental groceries, nuts, cheeses and deli lines. Our friendly staff are here to serve you.

Ok so this store is probably a-dime-a-dozen in Chatswood or Cabramatta, but I probably wouldn't…read moredrive that far to stock up on frozen prata and tinned bean shoots, but they are cupboard (or fridge) staples in our house and I'm glad to have this Asian version of a corner store a bit closer to home. Think I'd pass on the fresh vegetable section, which sits out on Military Road and looks like it has worn the exhaust fumes just a little too long, but inside it's like being back in Chinatown ... a wealth of Asian ingredients and flavours that you can't find in Coles. I'm not a fan of Asian sweets, but there are plenty of those on the checkout counter, and some of those odd sweet/savoury mixes that seem to be so popular there. Plus rice in large quantities and a choice of ice cream flavours from durian to red bean.

This was one of those gems I found using Yelp. Let me set the scene for you: I'm in Woolies…read morefrantically looking for vegan oyster sauce, mirin and these salty PKU,s I don't remember the name of. Do you think I can find any of the above ingredients? No! So I open Yelp, I type 'Asian grocer' and this place is only 200m away. So I hop skip it out of Woolies and end up here, Passing the "fresh" selection of veggies out the front, I made my way in and as a very white male, had no idea where to start. My deer-in-headlights look must've been obvious because the shop keeper came out from behind the counter and asked if he cold help. I rattled off my list of ingredients while he scoured the store and came back with everything I needed - some with multiple options! I also walked out with a solid collection of tea, enough rice to feed a small nation and some vegan ice cream. Since then, I've been back a number of times and always have a brilliant experience.

A family run business stocking fresh quality produce…read more The owners are very friendly and give the best service. The fruit and vegetables are great quality and the variety is great. Coming from the food industry, I only shop there as it's truly the best shop around. It's a hidden treasure that I would highly recommend.

I'm a stickler for organic produce - especially when it comes to meat and dairy products. The…read moreantibiotics, hormones and GMO feed non-organic animals are given is rough enough not to mention battery farmed, caged and unethical conditions for the animals. So when I discovered Naturally Organic Meats was about a five minute walk from my house I was suitably thrilled. They have Black Angus cattle, calves, lambs, Inglewood Chicken, Sunforest Organic Turkeys, free-range pork as well as a range of organic products like organic pasta sauce. Their Mediterranean crumbed chicken schnitzel is the best I've ever eaten. The meat is understandable more than you'll find in the Coles across the mall but it really is worth it. My sister bought a supermarket schnitzel from their 'fresh' meat counter and it made us all feel slightly off - like you feel after a fast food purge. You just don't get that with the Naturally Organic Meats. Their number one supplier is "Strictly Organic" and are know in the industry for sourcing only the finest breeders of Australian Organic produce. Breeders include Mark & Kerry Foster of Ellesmere Beef Angus Cattle who have over 30 years of experience in the bio-organic farming. If you live in the Sydney Metropolitan area they will deliver for free if your order is over $100. All the meat is fresh - i.e. not frozen - and delivered in a chiller bag or foam box.

I have been guilty of buying my meat at the supermarket for a couple of reasons. One is convenience…read moreand the second is cost. I have always thought a trip to the butcher (let alone an organic butcher) would increase my weekly shopping bill by more than I cared to imagine. When I started shopping at Coles in Neutral Bay I did notice Naturally Organic Meat & Poultry. One week when I was feeling adventurous I thought I would give it a try. I bought a weeks worth of meat - two rissoles, five rosemary and mint sausages, lamb backstrap and two eye fillet steaks. The grand total came to $35! I couldn't believe such good value! The eye fillet steaks were the highlight of the week with the meat so tender it was melt in your mouth. Naturally Organic Meat & Poultry is now my go-to place for meat -never again Coles or Woolworths!

For me not much beats a sunny Saturday strolling a farmers market with an organic mocha and almond…read morecroissant in hand. This is one of the best farmers markets to do that. London and California have some pretty good ones but this is up there with the finest. I love the way the stall make a horse shoe shape around Civic park - you can meander past all the food and finish up in the grassy centre so that you can munch on all your new delights. Last market I bough a giant size broccoli that must have been cut at the roots because it was about the size of five supermarket broccoli attached together. Because they were attached to the main stem it lasted for a good week and a half and that wasn't because it went off but rather we ate all. Even better - it cost about $4 - bargain. Saying that, whilst much of the seasonal fruit and vegetables are reasonably prices many of the other products aren't so cheap. Organic meats, milk, wood fired breads, fresh pasta, bottled sauces, organic coffee beans, gluten free sweets, fresh muesli, tea tonics, natural skin care ranges, fresh flowers, organic cider and a stall with a banana bread stacked wall are some of the pricier items. Some of my favourite buys have been a cashew nut spread, beetroot hummus and edible zucchini flowers. There is usually a good busker strumming out some tunes too - I like to pop him my gold change from that indulgent mocha I bought! It happens on the third Saturday of every month from 8am - 12pm. Under cover parking is available in the Ridge St. car park behind Civic Park.

When I moved to North Sydney I was delighted to find an organic store so close to home. I worked…read morefor a well known organic beauty store in London for a few years so am always interested to see how we compare in oz on this front. In terms of organic beauty Taste have a decent range - Dr Hauschka, Weleda, Trilogy, Suki to name but a few. They have some men's ranges, plenty of natural soaps, hair dyes, pamper products and baby care skin care. Beyond beauty they have a fantastic range of health foods. I've bought gluten free baking powder, lentil pasta, sprouted bread, coconut yoghurt, seaweed snacks, organic teas, coffees and chocolate - pretty much anything you can think of that Wholefoods might have these guys do too. The difference is, though the shelves are most certainly full, it doesn't feel crammed or stuffy in here. As well as packaged goods there is also a decent selection of fresh organic fruit and veg. It's obviously more expensive than supermarket produce but it tastes more alive. There is a fairly energetic come feisty in-house naturapath in store there most days who is a wealth of information and pretty good at sales (my personal trainer sister walked out with four treatments for her dermatitis). There is a fairly good range of vitamin and minerals. The staff are gentle, sweet and helpful. If you fancy a fresh organic fair trade juice or coffee they can whip one up for you to enjoy on the tables and chairs outside. Mind you, this right on Falcon Street so the car fumes don't bode well for your organic snack - unless it goes straight down the hatchet, that is. Parking available underground on the premises.

I love this place, except I always leave having spent $200+. It's expensive but the quality and…read moreselection is excellent. I'd recommend buying pantry staples at Woolies or Coles, but meats, veggies, and speciality items at Harris Farms. The seafood is very high quality!

The remit for Mosman market appears to be handmade and beautiful - we don't really care if it's…read moreorganic or not. It is definitely the place to head to if you're looking for a gift. Priority is given to hand crafted and home produced goods and this ensures that the goods on sale are unique and usually of a high quality. This arts and crafts market suits the affluent demographic of the area perfectly and there is always a lot of foot traffic; though how many are actually buying is another matte,r as the stall holders tend to remain constant, so once you've seen the offerings it can get a little tiresome. Many stalls focus on children's clothing, accessories and toys -think Cath Kidson/Penny Scanlan - lots of flowery bonnets, retro cowboy/spaceman designs and wooden toys. There's jewellery in a range of price brackets and styles: from dainty silver earrings to chunky resin necklaces. I once bought the most delightful butterfly wing earrings that had been 'frozen' in resin (not good for ones Karma though I'm pretty sure). Artists that display here tend to be pretty conservative or focus on photography of the local area. There's clothing, leather goods, soy candles as well as food stalls selling pretty cupcakes, chutneys and relishes, olive oils from the Hunter and organic honey. There are a small number of fast food outlets one selling Dutch Pancakes that are just sensational. Mosman Markets occur on the Mosman Square and Village Green on the first Saturday of every month, pretty much come rain hail or shine; they're a hardy bunch the Mosman Marketers though they didn't have it too touch today, in beautiful 26 degree autumn day. Nice to kick back and relax to the jazz band that play around mid-morning.

Eureka! My search for the best coffee in Neutral Bay is over. And it ended so fortuitously. There I…read morewas, having ordered my vege burger from Fab Food, nipping around the corner to get a passable soy piccolo from Chaos, when I saw it- right next door! You know when you suddenly realise that the very thing you have been seeking was right in front of your eyes all along and somehow you were blind to it? Cucciolo is simply gorgeous. The charming kitchen area is as open-plan as it gets, and I am personally a BIG fan of being able to see what people are doing to your food. They specialise in artisan breads and amazing Italian cakes and pastries. And my (Bonsoy- soy drinkers will get it) piccolo was perfect. Just the right strength, not too milky, and my $1.50 home-made date biscotti went down a proper treat. Love!

The BEST thing to come to Neutral Bay ever! When I first walked past Cucciolo I thought I would…read moresee Johnny Depp as it reminded me of the little shop in the movie Chocolate. I've enjoyed the coffee and quiche and last weekend bought my first cake, the chocolate torte for a dinner party. Every one loved it and wanted to know where I had got it from. Topped with blueberries and hazelnuts. Do support Cucciolo - you will not be disappointed. Lyn, Cremorne