Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Rainbow Grocery

    4.1 (1.7k reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Rainbow Grocery Photos

    Business Info

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Rainbow Grocery

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cathy
    Cathy S.

    It has everything FRESH, greatest selections of Organic vegetables, nuts, grains, cheese, teas, herbs, flours, best Healthy foods available. Bins of "you name it--they have it." Wonderful for single seniors who need a little of this & that. Fresh breads, pastries. Tons of Household items, dishes, soaps, health food, kind service assistance who are well acknowledged in vitamins, minerals, probiotics, probiotics, and so many more items I can't even name. They are fresh ready-made health foods. Fresh tofu, fresh pickles, fresh almond, tahini, peanut butter, all kinds, honey. It has more selections than you can name and what I love most is: one can bring their own jars and they have bags & pens to put item number for check out. Everything is very well organized and the staff is wonderful and you get a senior discount. And did I mention it's owned by its workers it's Co-op. Where They wear their heart on their sleeve..

    Michael L.

    This place is awesome! Such a great selection of various artisanal and healthy products. My favorite thing to buy here is the black sesame paste. Made from 100% organic roasted black sesame seeds and nothing else, it is jet black, super fragrant and extremely healthy for you. Highly recommend checking this place out and seeing what suits you best -- the prices are pretty reasonable too! Just one thing to keep in mind is that the store is vegetarian so you will have to get your meat elsewhere if you wanted to make meat dishes.

    This bottle has a kick to it
    Juan V.

    Rainbow Grocery Cooperative started in San Francisco with their original location on 16th street in the Mission District ( a half a block where I grew up). One of my earliest shopping experiences happened to be at Rainbow Grocery Cooperative on 15th and Mission ( second relocation) with my late dad who was a vegetarian for many years. I soon learned not all peanut butter tasted the same especially organic peanut butter. Today Rainbow Grocery has relocated on 13th street on Folsom. This location has a variety of drinks and organic foods and also an interesting book section. It seems the Easter egg hunt started earlier this year. If Costco runs out of eggs and you don't want to go on an Easter egg hunt around the city this is a great alternative to get boxes of Non-GMO eggs . Overall a great place to shop for locally sourced foods. Go to Rainbow Grocery co-op to shop Natural foods are sold inside and not slop but top US organic crop

    Cheese selection
    Pamela G.

    Rainbow is a SF institution but I'm not going to be a regular there. I haven't been in years and decided to go back and check it out. First problem is getting in the parking lot. I had to wait in a line of cars but finally got a place to park. It seemed to be a nice store but the prices are insane. Way too expensive. Long, long lines at the checkout. Too bad. I will stick to the farmers markets and Trader Joe's and Parkside market. But I know Rainbow has some very dedicated shoppers . I did find the Anika spice I was looking for , which was great but it was about $35/lb and a small bag was about $10.

    Local kombucha from It's Alive
    Lauren C.

    This is a natural food store of the highest quality. I'm judging primarily based on my two favorite specialty items, kombucha and tempeh, and Rainbow Grocery had extensive options for both from local and regional producers. Love that, so much. They had some kombucha brands that I did not find anywhere else in the city such as Lev's and Huney Jun. Awesome. I was even more blown away by the tempeh selection. Rarely do even great natural food stores have anything besides the big brand tempeh varieties. Rainbow Grocery had multiple types from three brands (Surata, San Diego Tempeh, and Squirrel & Crow). Crazy! It's a fairly large store with a wide and thoughtful selection of just about whatever health food item you're into.

    Bulk herbs $48-91 / lb. How do you justify this?

    See all

    Photo of Krys P.
    382
    1771
    8512

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yves C.
    1
    47
    13

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Tonatee G.
    94
    115
    12

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 3

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 5

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 3

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of L Z.
    0
    44
    0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    I love this place and hope it never goes away. It's too expensive for me to go here for everything, but I love that it's worker-owned.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 4

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Con S.
    0
    10
    1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 5

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 3

    7 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 3

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ry T.
    667
    2190
    7113

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M E.
    2
    32
    4

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 3

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Absolutely love this place! The selection is incredible as is their commitment to low waste.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jacob L.
    20
    195
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rhea A.
    308
    432
    1175

    2 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jacob C.
    454
    10
    4

    1 year ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 4
    Love this 3
    Oh no 4

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 44

    Rainbow Grocery Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Rainbow Grocery

    Do they take apple pay?

    Of course they take apple pay.

    Does Rainbow carry meat substitutes just as Tempe and Setan in bulk, or only packaged?

    yes

    Do they sell plastic/package free tofu?

    I saw Hodo tofu in the bulk section and you can bring your own packaging and tare it.

    Do they sell raw cacao?

    In bulk or packaged?? Packaged yes, bulk not sure but they do have lots of bulk. It's a high chance they do.

    I'm all for bringing Jars to fill with bulk items - but how do you keep from paying extra because of the weight of the glass?

    You weigh (tare) your container before filling and put that weight on the sticker along with the item number. They subtract the stated weight of the container.

    Do they have cow milk?

    Yes.

    Do you carry Just Egg?

    Yes we carry Just Egg and Eggology, another egg replacement product.

    Do they sell black sapote here?

    I've never seen it in Northern California and I'm a bit of a fruit but so I'm always looking for the unusual varieties. I've seen the white sapote (which I like much better that the black - and it looks similar when not ripe) at Farmer Joe's in… Read more

    Do you carry dried Cleaver herb?

    Yes we generally do! Our bulk Herbs section carries a very wide variety of western herbs. Availability sometimes fluctuates so we always recommend calling the store to make sure we have it in stock. Call (415) 863-0620 and ask to be transferred to… Read more

    Does Rainbow have Community Grains flours (especially whole wheat) in the bulk bins? Do they carry Kamut flour in bulk also?

    Sorry, I don't know... Next time when I'm in there I'll be sure to keep and eye out on it..

    Do they sell meat/dairy? Or is this a vegan store?

    The only meat they have is for pets. They carry a wide variety of dairy products as well as eggs.

    What are the best or yummiest things to buy here?

    If you’re vegan, check out the cheese section in the back of the store. Rainbow has the best selection of nut-based cheese in SF proper.

    Do they sell dry ice?

    No

    Do they sell liquid hand soap in bulk from the dispensers?

    Yes

    View All 23 Questions

    Review Highlights - Rainbow Grocery

    this place rocks .....I make the pilgrimage from the Peninsula to come up and get goodies in this place...

    Mentioned in 30 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Grocery 24,323 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Other Avenues

    Other Avenues

    4.1(294 reviews)
    4.9 miOuter Sunset
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    50 years in business

    I don't live super nearby to this Co-Op grocery market but my good friend does and she brought me…read morehere while on a walk, and I was blown away by the whole place! Firstly, it was my first time shopping at a co op and I really really really love that aspect of it. Anytime I can support a business like this, I want to! But beyond that, I was skeptical that the prices would be outrageous and was fairly surprised that they really weren't! Ok sure, some items were pricey, and that's true for any small store in this city, but for the bulk items and dry goods, the pricing was incredibly reasonable! I even found the same scones I buy at my local box box grocery store for cheaper here!! What?! I was also just blown away by the variety of choices.. they've got everything here.. produce, condiments, dry goods, chips, snacks, bulk items, tea, medicines and supplements, and a section of boutique handmade goods that was so awesome to look through!! I don't live close by but I will be back anytime I go to see my friend (which is often).

    Looking for a clean, less chaotic bulk store and co-op in SF? Other Avenues is what you're looking…read morefor! OA has a plentiful bulk section with all the teas, grains, and beans you could ask for. A few hard-to-find favorites are: dried boba, soba noodles, THAI TEA(?!) and all the liquids. And of course, bringing your own containers is encouraged. Phew! I wish they would start a refrigerated section for things like miso and tofu!

    Photos
    Other Avenues - Bulk food section

    Bulk food section

    Other Avenues - Bulk teas

    Bulk teas

    Other Avenues - Blogged @ pinkfoodie.com: beautiful beets from Other Avenues!

    See all

    Blogged @ pinkfoodie.com: beautiful beets from Other Avenues!

    San Francisco Herb

    San Francisco Herb

    4.6(152 reviews)
    0.2 miMission
    $

    The Pros: Massive Variety: Truly a "one-stop shop" for tea…read moreenthusiasts. Low Pressure: The staff greeted me and then stayed hands-off until I had questions. The Price: Easily some of the best values in the city. The Con: Sealed Packaging: Everything is pre-sealed in 1lb plastic bags. Because of the sealing, you can't smell the tea before buying. I'd love to see them implement scent jars in the future to help with the selection process. Neutral Observations In-House Packaging: All the tea is packaged identically in 1lb bags, which suggests they likely process and bag everything in-house. Labeling: I didn't notice any specific organic labels on the packaging, though I didn't explicitly ask. If this is a deal breaker, you may want to ask. Review If you're looking for a genuine loose leaf tea source -- your search ends here. I stumbled upon this place after endless online searching (blogs, search engines, etc) and it was well worth the effort! Just a heads-up on navigation: G-Maps is slightly off. If you rely solely on that, you'll be a few doors down. Look for the Volvo mechanics and the shop is located just on the other side. The exterior is unassuming, no windows, just a sandwich board on the sidewalk and a door. Looking inside it's a bit of a mysterious vibe, you'll see a stairway to the left and a hallway ahead. Go for it. Ignore the single pane glass, bank-teller-style window to your right (which directs you to the main door) and just head in. Also, keep an eye on the clock because, per the phone tree, they close for lunch from 12:30 to 1:00. I arrived right after 1pm and was able to park right in front. There was also plenty of other parking spot around at that time. IDK why, but before walking in, my imagination had prepared me for an old-world San Francisco opium den. I was thinking there was going to be this lingering aromatic smoke, plush floor pillows, people lounging, sipping tea, and the soft, ambient melodies of an upscale spa. I had also pictured rows of heavy, whiskey-style wooden barrels overflowing with loose leaf tea, topped with clear lids and metal scoops. The reality is much more utilitarian. This is not a den or a spa. It's clean, straightforward, and focused entirely on their product. The selection is robust and incredibly diverse. While they claim "wholesale to the public", I can't verify the industry margins, but I can tell you the prices are very good for the quality you receive. The employee greeted me and then stayed hands-off while I browsed, which I appreciated. When I did ask specifics, they had basic foundational knowledge. Honestly with the diversity and sheer quantity of products offered, it would take forever to earn a Tea Master badge. No harm no foul. The only real bummer here is that everything is pre-sealed in 1lb plastic bags, so there is no way to smell the product. I'd really appreciate scent jars in front of the bags. Since they seem to be doing the packaging in-house anyway, it makes me wonder why they haven't set aside a small amount of each batch for scent jars. It wouldn't require a change in their supply chain, just a few ounces and a glass jar to help customers navigate that massive variety. That aside, I absolutely loved this place. I've been searching for a spot like this for a long time. I'm just glad I finally found it. If you're at all interested in loose leaf tea, I'd suggest giving these folks an honest try.

    I needed dried lavender for simple syrup and ice cream and found this place online. Prices are very…read moreaffordable and they have so many options! I'm not able to post all my photos but this is some of what they offer! Will definitely come back.

    Photos
    San Francisco Herb
    San Francisco Herb
    San Francisco Herb

    See all

    Green Earth Natural Foods - Delicious yogurt

    Green Earth Natural Foods

    4.1(139 reviews)
    1.4 miAlamo Square
    $$

    I love Green Earth Natural Foods…read more They have more than I need for fill-in grocery shopping or a quick run to get a necessary item to make dinner, like fresh dill, tumeric or shiitake mushrooms. White truffle oil? Got it Diamond Crystal salt? Got it World's Best Cat Litter? Got it Canned espresso? Got it Fresh coffee beans? Got it Dragon fruit, eggs, scallions, pasta - Got everything All sorts of useful items big and small including the best chicken & cheese burritos and generous packets of fresh herbs from basil, dill, rosemary, oregano, mint and more. Though leaning heavily vegetarian, they stock Mary's organic chicken and other non-vegan and vegetarian items. My son grew up with this store since he was 5. He's become a vegetable-loving kid be it celery, kale and apples to make a morning juice drink or Chinese broccoli as a dinner side. He's learned about healthy food and nutrition from shopping here with me - and that's a gift that lasts a lifetime. True Blue to Green Earth Natural Foods!

    Best spot on Divis for a quick grocery run! I mostly buy 'emergency' vittles from here. Milk,…read morebread, eggs, cheese or different spices for when I've run out or forgotten to buy from elsewhere. The staff is always super friendly and knowledgable. Love that it's usually open when I need it and is reasonably priced for a corner market.

    Photos
    Green Earth Natural Foods - Great produce, good amount grocery items - a fav store

    Great produce, good amount grocery items - a fav store

    Green Earth Natural Foods - (Squeal!) white truffle oil, been so long!

    (Squeal!) white truffle oil, been so long!

    Green Earth Natural Foods

    See all

    The Good Life Grocery

    The Good Life Grocery

    4.3(138 reviews)
    1.2 miPotrero Hill
    $$

    good life grocery is the best. i love shopping local, and the employees are always so friendly and…read morekind. it's wonderful to have a grocery store in the neighborhood spreading positive energy. the store itself is quite small and some things may be priced higher than at a larger grocery store, but it's perfect for grabbing some quick things and in-season produce. highly recommend good life!

    The Good Life is a solid choice if you are selective about what to buy. If you are short for time…read moreand only want to go to 1 store, this might not be the best option depending on what you are looking for but they do have the things you will need to make a tasty meal. Some things are definitely more than you'll pay elsewhere (most of the crackers for example). Pasta and canned goods prices were okay; in general maybe a bit higher than some places but not too much so. For vegetables, they do have some nice deals and stuff you may not find elsewhere (heirloom tomatoes, early girl tomatoes, variety of fruit and different vegetables). I felt like the tomatoes alone were worth the trip (grape tomatoes for cheaper than I saw anywhere else, beautiful heirloom tomatoes at a decent price, and early girl tomatoes which can be hard to find in the winter [I haven't had them yet but they looked fresh]). There aren't a ton of options for the meat counter but they are all quality items and the prices show. For example, the only chicken they had was Mary's chicken. The cheese selection was great especially for a small store and they had some nice meat, olive and peppers (homemade?) options for charcuterie boards. They also sell premade meals. Probably not the place you should buy everything you need but it's a good supplemental option and there were some gems. I guess they have a few locations so I would be back to this one if I'm in the area and would also check out one of the other stores if convenient too.

    Photos
    The Good Life Grocery - Fresh flowers

    Fresh flowers

    The Good Life Grocery - Produce

    Produce

    The Good Life Grocery

    See all

    Rainbow Grocery - grocery - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...