My reaction to most of the places in Chelsea Market is a resounding "meh." Sure, you can buy cupcakes from 4 different shops without going outside, but is that really worth a trip across town? Manhattan Fruit Exchange, though, is so worth the trip. It's like the affordable diamond in the overpriced gourmet rough of the market, and it's one of the few places in the city where I'm surprised every time the cashier rings me up - shouldn't I be paying at least twice that much?? They have a really large produce selection including a lot of organic stuff, bunches of fresh herbs for under a dollar each, dried mushrooms, spices, nuts, dried fruits I never knew could be dried (like cantalope, yum), dried beans, and it's all really well-priced... only downside is they don't take credit cards. Bring cash, but you won't need much. read more

The prices can be hit or miss, but the selection is always great. Whenever I'm in the mood to try a new fruit or vegetable (which is pretty often), this is one of my go-to spots. Recently I've enjoyed their nopales (cactus leaves), purple potatoes and brown beech mushrooms. Things like herbs may not seem that cheap until you pick up a bunch of basil or cilantro and realize it's twice the size of what you get elsewhere. Yes, it's cash only, but I'm generally shocked at how much I get for so little $. I just wish they were open later. Edit: They take credit cards now! read more

Great convinent small store packed with amazing fresh fruit and veggies. This place is also very well stocked in condiments and spices (also mushrooms!) There are a lot of rare and not your everyday variety of vegitables and fruits which makes this place extra special! It fits perfectly in Chelsea market and is my goto for groceries. I really wish Chelsea market open till 10 or 11pm but can't complain :) read more

Everything you want. Sometimes before you knew you wanted it. How can there be so much goodness packed into such a small space? The only thing bad thing I could possibly say about this place is that their chocolate section needs some serious work. read more

Finally incorporated some of my grocery shopping from this store. Nice selection of potatoes and other veggies. Bananas were being sold in plastic bags but they looked very fresh. They also sell Tonnino brand canned tuna which is some of the best you can find. I found everyone helpful. I wouldn't expect Whole Foods service as this isn't a billion dollar chain but you will get slightly lower prices. Some of the low points involved the freshness of some items and how tightly spaced everything is. Can you please get new garlic? Yea the bagged garlic that looks like its the same stuff from 2010! You can find the best dairy at Ronnybrook and a lot of other stuff from Buonitalia a few doors down so pick and choose here. read more

I've lived in Chelsea for over 2 years, but never ventured into Manhattan Fruit Exchange. I assumed it would be overpriced, like most of Chelsea Market...but they actually have a GREAT selection of fresh fruits/veggies at affordable prices (comparable to whole foods/trader joes). They carry some other basic grocery items (ie. pasta, oils, spices, cheese) of varying prices. Be prepared to look around in a tight space, but I got some yummy stuff! I've read the line can get long, but I went on a Tuesday night and waited less than 5 minutes to get to the register. read more

I am so tired of standing in line here while the cashiers chatter with one another. The customers are not at all happy especially the ones on their lunch hour. The prices are way up, and the food, to me, is often not fresh. It used to be soooo much better. My biggest peeve is that bundles of vegetables, like asparagus, though priced per pound weigh just enough over a pound to be irritating. This seems to me to be intentional, becuase they are so consistently over. The other day a package of spinach was $2.49 here while down the street the same was $1.29. I suggest you check their prices and make your purchases carefully. This place in my opinion needs a major management change . read more

A convenient fruit and vegetable mart for when I'm in the area, Manhattan Fruit Exchange has expanded over the years to becoming also a cheesemonger. Sales here can net bargains on fruit in season and prices are competitive and sometimes way cheaper than a Whole Foods. I've never tried the salad bar except for the guacamole, which is one of the best I've ever tasted. I also love the large selection of fresh herbs and different little potatoes, one of my favorite reasons for coming here. I like coming in here when I'm in the Chelsea Market just to look at the colorful displays even when I don't want to brave the long lines. Staff tends to be more on the slower and brusque side than cheerful, though you do get cranky efficiency at times. read more

yum. great place for veggies, fruits, cheeses and juice. prices are good and if you can't find it here, it's probably not legal to import into the united states. read more

I LOVE mex!! It makes grocery shopping fun and just adds to the whole experience of eating healthy and cooking for yourself. I get all my produce here -- delicious fruits, fresh veggies -- and other healthy products that tend to be hard to find at places like D'ag (gluten-free products, nut varieties, etc.). Plus, after picking up your weekly produce here, you can walk over to The Lobster Place on your way out and pick up fresh, yummy fish too :) read more

Simply the best and cheapest fruit and vegetables in the city, at least outside of farmers' markets. Where else can you find red peppers for under $1 (in season, on special, but still) and onions for 65 cents? Their selection is great, too; they have all the kinds of vegetables you can think of, and then some. I sometimes wish their tomatoes looked a little fresher, though; those I still buy at Union Square. I have the good fortune to work next door, and it's a good thing that I do: I do just about all of my produce shopping here, and it would be hard for me to go back to normal supermarkets again. read more

Manhattan Fruit Exchange is the only place I've been able to find dried cantelope. Aside from that wondrous find, they have a great selection of dried and fresh fruits, as well as veggies, and spices, and cheeses, and nuts and candy. Unfortunately, they only take cash, so be prepared when you see all the yummy looking fresh produce that you undoubtedly will desire to take home with you. Try the dried cantelope - you won't be sorry! read more

I swoon for the Manhattan Fruit Exchange. It is like a refrigerator in there, and it is cash only. BUT. The produce is gorgeous. It makes me giddy in the way that only bountiful fruits and vegetables can. And they have like twenty different kinds of mushrooms! If you're looking for any kind of obscure produce I'm sure they have it there. I almost bought tamarind pods last time. read more

This place is Candyland for those, like me, that believe fruit and vegetables are nature's candy. It is cheap as hell for NYC, reliable and is always just a wonderful experience. Go, now. Oh and bring cash! read more

Worst havarti sample ever. But, kumquats are good, and you can buy them here for cheap.

A hidden gem in Chelsea Market. Their prices are INCREDIBLE. Super fresh produce and spices in Manhattan for Suburban supermarket prices. This is a cook's paradise. Lots of unique and hard to find items. Plus a great low priced salad bar. I LOVE this place!! read more

Absolutely love love this place. This is my one stop shop for all produce and cheese! Everything is super fresh and there is a huge variety. Their selection of mushrooms and cheeses is great. The only downside is that they only take cash. read more

Worst service ever. Stand in line forever. The owner rushes around frantically, publicly humiliates his staff and eyes his customers as they simply pick and choose from fruit and vegetables that at times need to be handled before purchasing as it is not always fresh!!! There are plenty of other markets with equal amounts of variety, lower prices and are certainly more pleasant to shop in. This business is not worth visiting. read more

Decent shop, but for the Chelsea Market one would think it'd have slightly higher standards of freshness/seasonality/organic/etc. I do like that they'll have some specialty fruits that no one else carries, but think their cured meat selection isn't the greatest. (Replace Columbus with Neiman Ranch, please.) And, sorry, but I have to knock a star off for that horrible chemical smell that sweeps over your face as soon as you set foot in the place. Is it the floor cleanser? Some mysterious air "freshener"? It smells so bad....PLEASE change it, and I promise to come back and give you back the 4th star! :) read more

Seeking shelter from the short downpour, the Manhattan Fruit Exchange was a fortuitous find in the Cheslea Market. I was looking for St. Agur cheese that was out of stock at Whole Foods, and I found the last wedge here. Also, I found the best selection of mushrooms, both dried, and fresh, that I've seen so far in NYC. This is a really tiny, but well-utilized space. Huge diversity of high-quality food items here! read more

Very well-priced. Great selection of fruits, veggies and all sorts of other random treats. The guys behind the cheese counter will let you try any cheese before you buy. I really love this place. I just wish that the aisles were slightly wider and that it wasn't cash only. read more

Meh... I expected so much more from this place, but frankly, their tomatoes at best are just as tasteless as anywhere else, except when they are actually disgusting and taste like chlorine or something. Yes, they do have some exotic fruits that are otherwise hard to find, but that's probably the only reason why you'd need to go there, instead of, say Whole Foods or Fairways. And the cashiers aren't the friendliest bunch either. read more

For the best juice deal in the city, go to the back of the store and seek out the Blueberry Lemonade. Only a buck. Gotta have it.

A great place to find fresh and varied produce in the city. I found some unusual items here and recommend it!

Ok, a small demotion for the lack of organic produce. The stuff they do have is all wrapped in plastic and styrofoam.

The produce is beautiful and very well-priced. Cash only knocks a star off their rating. I know. It's fruits and veggies. You should be able to pay for that in cash, right? When I make the trek out here, though, I stock up. read more

Nice little grocer in Chelsea Market with many of my favorites such as habanero chili peppers, dried porcini mushrooms, and St. Marcelin cheese. read more

I love this place Often come here to get a salad for lunch, if I'm in the mood to try a different type of fruit, or simply for fresh produce in general! They often have samples outside of the store in the afternoon: fruit salad, guacamole, fresh juices (carrot and oj usually) read more

Some nice selection. Nectarine was juicy. 1st apple I bit into was dry and I chose a bad one I guess

Great produce at great prices with other little snacks for your carb cravings. I'd like them a lot more if they had more natural and organic products rather than some of packaged goods. I really dislike that they re-package candies, nuts and wrapped chocolates in plastic containers -- it's such a waste of plastic. Why do you need to put a handful of Swedish Fish in a plastic container (and sell it for double the price of a full box!) instead of just selling the box? So much wasted plastic! On the flip side, they FINALLY got credit card machines! read more

I need to get a life....this is my last Yelp review for the day. Fruit Exchange is my favorite spot for...you guessed it....fruits & vegetables. Selection is very fresh, great quality and prices are fair (for Manhattan). It gets crowded, but their lines move really fast. read more

For fruits and veggies you can't do better than this place in chelsea. Fresh produce and variety of plant/dairy foods that trumps most places around. Prices are reasonable and seasonal. read more

This used to be one of my favorite places in the city for fresh, inexpensive produce. Then on a recent visit, I observed one of their workers standing by the berry display, opening up containers of blackberries and blueberries, weeding out the ones that looked visibly past their prime, throwing those old ones out, and condensing the remaining berries in the containers. Although I had some trepidation, I purchased a few containers of the berries anyway. They were awful - practically liquified. Just because berries aren't moldy doesn't mean they aren't old and past their prime. I thought this was a pretty shady practice. Since then I've been too skeeved out to purchase from Manhattan Fruit Exchange. read more

So disappointed. Was always my "go to" for the best produce at fabulous prices but those days are apparently (way) over. Might as well go to Whole Foods, better value and selection there. read more

I tried this place as it was recommended by a friend... what a great find! The produce was of very high quality and everyone was so helpful. They worked to make sure I had everything I needed. Alyssa and Jose were particularly helpful. What a great business... I can see how they have been serving NYC for so long. read more

best place to buy fresh produce. great prices, lots of stuff. and also quality items like mozzarella & madagascar vanilla extract & italian antipasto, etc. it makes me happy. bring your own shoulder bags to bring stuff home. i always find that i buy so much stuff here that it comes in handy to be prepared to carry it. bad cell phone reception inside :-) read more

Huge selection of common and exotic fruits and vegetables. Amazing prices for Manhattan. Same applies for spices, dairy and dry beans. Selection of Murray's cheeses inside. Don't come here for organic produce. read more

Above average quality merchandise but check your receipt before leaving the store, half of the time there are errors, seems to me, too many for honest mistakes. read more

by far my new favorite place to buy all of my produce. so cheap - very fresh. beats out the prices of any leading grocery store in the area. for the chelsea market - this has got to be the biggest bargain in the building. veggies for the week generally run me less that $15. try to do that at food emporium! read more

The produce here is very reasonably priced. My only complaint is the cashiers. Some of them are idiots. They can't get the prices right. I looked over my receipt a couple times after I left the store and realized they got things wrong (i.e., overcharged me), but I was too lazy to go back and argue over a few cents or dollars. Also, their math skills are non-existent. If the total is something like $9.51 and I give them $10.01, I get this confused look from some of them. I'm giving you the penny because I want 2 quarters back and not a handful of change. Just put the number into your register and let the machine tell you the right change! read more