Are you are fruit and veg snob? By this, I mean... Do you find yourself only picking the pretty…read moreshaped fruits, in the pretty clean shop? You might want to spend some time on the ugly ducklings and the underdogs because you might surprise yourself- in a good way. Darra is known for its Asian grocery stores, authentic Viet/Chinese restaurants, but this fresh food market in Darra has got to be one of the best here. It may look a bit run down from the outset, but definitely not compromised in terms of stock. The fruit are all good quality but they are not the most good looking. Some are oddly shaped, mismatched and with slight grazes, but still very tasty. In fact, there was a fruit picker who once told me that, big super market chains prefer to pick really traditionally good looking fruit, but it may not necessarily product the best taste. Whereas, small grocers like this are happy to sell on the odd looking ones with good rich flavour at a fraction of the cost. I would urge you all to give these little guys a chance, it's worth it. K & K Fresh Food Market don't just sell fresh fruit and veg produce, they also have an extensive range of Asian canned and packet goods inside the store. You will find a massive range in noodles from thin rice noodles to thick egg noodles, a variety of rice and packeted frozen meats. There is plenty of Asian cooking oil, sauces, seasonings, spices and more to be found here at considerably low prices to that in Woolies or Coles. If you are planning on making an Asian dish, I would highly recommend going to this ethnic grocer, K & K's, as opposed to a bit chain supermarket, so you can get the most authentic flavours at a fraction of the cost. I would also like to add, that this place is quite busy on weekends particularly on a Sunday where there is often a rush of people after mass investing in their weekly household goods.

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.

I love this butcher, great quality meat at great prices, and the butcher himself is a chatty,…read morefriendly guy. They also stock organic gurnsey cow milk, as well as a small range of fresh produce, and make sure you try the hand made mustard pickle, amazing!

One of my absolute favourite butchers in Brisbane. They have a conscious focus with their meat…read moresourcing and stock an abundance of grass-fed beef and free-range chicken, but unlike other butchers they don't charge a premium for it. They don't have a super shiny countertop display showing off all their fancy cuts, but they have amazing service - if you can't find what you're after in their big walk-in chiller, just tell them what you're after and I'd be very surprised if they don't have it. They're super-friendly bunch, nothing's too much trouble and they happily cut up the stock bones I get from them into lengths that will fit in my pressure cooker pot. I've been driving out of my way to get my meat from them for a few years now and would recommend them to anyone!

Good range for a small supermarket. Staff are friendly, good fresh section and alcohol range.read more

If this was my pantry I'd be fairly chuffed. But it's Julia's and at least she's kind enough to…read moreopen it up for Kenmorians six days a week. It's conveniently located next to The Single Guys which means it's the perfect combo for a morning coffee and stop to pick up some herbs, a ready made meal for your Parisienne Housewife dinner or to order a cake. On the morning I arrived the store had a delicious scent of cinnamon, cardamom and an array of Christmasy-spices. They'd been baking Christmas cookies and cakes. If there's a psychology of scent these guys have it down and it leaves you wanting to buy whatever they're cooking. And wait there's more: Julia's also have a small selection of bulk flours, oats and grains for purchase. A definite tick of approval in Brisbane's inner-West!

What a delightful experience to be allowed to shop in the pantry of an amazing cook. Julia has…read morecreated an amazing arrangement of both pre-prepared meals and scrumptious cakes. There's always irresistible home made sausage rolls for a snack. Surplus ingredients are for sale at reasonable prices. A jewel in the sometimes saddened western suburbs shops. A very homely feel as you can see Julia preparing meals whilst you browse the array of food.

After a couple of hours scouring the shops I was in need of some nourishment. I spied this shop and…read moreheaded inside in hope of finding a cookie. I was rewarded as there were a couple of different varieties. I chose a choc chip one, which was packed full of chocolate chunks. It's pretty hard to go wrong with a cookie and this one was perfectly satisfactory, but it didn't compare to some I've tried. Apart from cookies they had they usual range of breads, pies and sickeningly sweet looking things. I found it strange that they didn't seem to display their fresh bread loaves, but it was late in the day so there's a chance I had simply missed the prime bread buying time. It's a pretty typical bakery, with nothing too exciting to recommend but nothing to deter you either.

Macca's Bakery has a small, homely feel, not tacky and industrial like some bakeries have. They…read morehave warm red hues around the place plus classy looking glass jars packed full of tasty looking treats. They have a pretty typical range of baked goods, breads, slices, buns, muffins and pies. Not a bad place to stop if you're passing through and just want a quick snack or light lunch.

Try walking into La Vosh and walk out without something you know you shouldn't eat. I dare you!…read more As well as great coffee, La Vosh offers locals a delicious selection of freshly baked crossiants (try the Almond Crossiant - it will take you two sittings as it's just that big - but well worth the $4.50), bagels and petit fours. Oh, and each Friday you can enjoy their Callah.

La Vosh Patisserie can become a regularr of mine. Aside from their great range of bagels, they sell…read morefantastic yeast raised doughnuts - standard or with jam in the middle, yummo! They always give you a cute biscuit to go with your coffee too and offer bits and pieces at the register to tate test - can't argue with that. If you want to sit and stay for a while, the tables are covered with butchers paper, so children can do some drawing while mum or dad reads the supplied newspaper. Some of my favourites at La Vosh Patisserie include the ham and cheese croissant, the plain yeast raised doughnut and the blueberry bagel.

Java is a funky little café perched in a prime location to greet weary shoppers when they need a…read moregood feed and a strong, smooth cup of coffee. At least, that's how I found them. Breakfast is offered all day with a great range of cooked brekkie through to muesli, and their sandwiches are exceptional. A regular sandwich costs around $13 but they are ample and they are filling. The chicken in particular was very tender and very satisfying! Oh, and did I mention the coffee? I ordered a flat white which, some places I find like to water down a bit. Not only was my flat white strong and smooth, but it also smelt amazing and was just what I needed after some exhausting shopping. I went with two friends and we found it to be charming and a very relaxed atmosphere. The walls feature posters for gigs and events around Brisbane and add a bit of an indie vibe to the place. They're fairly busy but the staff were friendly and helpful. They also have high chairs for little kiddies if you want to bring them along.

If I am going to meet up with a friend for breakfast or lunch in Paddington, I will usually suggest…read morewe meet up at 'Java Lounge'. The bright interior decorations, food, location and service are all 5-star worthy here. I generally like to come here for a late breakfast/ brunch or after a shopping session at the Antique centre. Even when they are very busy, the service is generally quite speedy. I will usually order a milkshake here because I just love they way they make them here! I don't know what it is they put in them (maybe it is the ice cream) that makes them so Tasty but I can't get enough of them. There will usually be a "Breakfast Special" available which will set you back roughly $10, not bad value if you ask me. The breakfast meals are really well cooked and are pretty generous serves. Overall, I have been very pleased with my experience at Java lounge. It always offer good breakfast food, milkshakes, service and has a great vibe to it.