If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. Walking aisles of supermarkets can be super…read morefun. Think of all the different packaging design to devour. No, just me? Okay then. Awkward. This super chic grocer is up there for me. Head straight to the aisles of jams, chutneys, and other such condiments. Packaging branding heaven. I used to live across the road from James Street Market (and still visit frequently) and yes, it is as dangerous on your back pocket as you might imagine but let's break it down. For a slightly higher price you're selecting top quality produce, specialty cheeses, sweets and other accoutrements. You've got access to a patisserie (French Twist), a florist, a butcher, a fishery and sushi bar. The produce is always fresh and the ability to walk out empty handed? Extremely difficult. Case in point: a friend and I were recently on the hunt for salted caramel for a cheesecake. Sure, we could have made it from scratch (and normally we might have) but to put it bluntly "Ain't no body got time for that!". We'd hunted a few different specialty stores we thought would be on the money but it was James Street Markets that came through with the goods. The staff member that looked after us found it on the shelf with such air and grace. There was no trouble for her to point us in the direction of the jar that held our salted caramel dreams.

Despite its namesake, the drawing card for Fine Fruit On James is actually its cheeses. Yes, yes…read morethey also have fresh fruit and vegetables but in general, I find Brisbane has such an excellent range of fresh fruit and vegies anyway, especially if you shop for seasonal produce. You can usually pick up a few unusual mushroom types at Fine Fruit On James - enokis, King Oysters, wood-ear mushrooms but Asian supermarkets usually cover the same range. I repeat, it is their cheeses which stand out against their competitors. They have everything from camembert in the Adelaide Hills to Spanish manchengo. I became a goats' cheese convert after sampling their 'Lingot Chevre De Pelussin'. They also stock a decent range of gourmet deli products such as ice creams, pates, dips, oils, sauces and vinaigrettes. For an indulgent grocery shopping experience, Fine Fruit On James is the place to go.

You walk into the Rock'n'Roll Market Place with the intention of buying fruit and veg for the week,…read morestocking your fridge with nutritious fresh produce. Instead, you become sidetracked by all the lovely deli products on offer and before you know it, your basket is full of French cheese, home-style lemonade and artisan ice-cream. (Oh and there might be a cucumber or carrot someone in there.) Rock'n'Roll Market Place is a really fun place to shop if wanting to treat yourself to some nice, fancy foods, but not great if all you want to do is get your basics for a reasonable price. The fruit and veg there is a bit too pricey for me, but the quality is good and all the food is displayed well. Staff are extremely friendly, making this a pleasant place to shop and with a baker and butcher either side, it's conveniently placed. I would say it's a good place to shop for a weekend treat or special picnic.

From the owner: Fruit and vegetables, delicatessan goods and specialty products.read more

The Jan Powers Farmers Markets at Stones Corner run every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month…read more The markets take over the whole street, which is pedestrian only. Although all the stalls have umbrellas and marquees, on a hot sunny day there's quite a lot of direct sun and it can get pretty hot. The preview reviewer got the times wrong - they run from 6am to noon. I'm glad to see a good use for the Stone's Corner area, which was previously inhabited by a few odd cafes, discount outlets and a huge amount of empty shops. These markets are pretty much like all Jan Powers Farmers Markets - if you've been to any of the other ones, you'll recognise most of the stalls. The quality of food sellers, and fresh produce is pretty high and lots of great deli products - the Eumundi Smokehouse makes amazing chicken chorizo sausages!

I'm a fan of Jan Powers Farmers Markets and I love that there are more and more of them around…read moreBrisbane. As Rhiannon says, the suppliers don't tend to change that much but I'm OK with that as long as I can get fresh, locally made goats cheese and snack on a kransky or 3. You pay a bit of a premium for some things, however taste and quality is extremely apparent in food so if you want a really special meal pay a little bit more. Also, I always manage to find a chinese style stall at the back with cheaper veg so I can still fulfil my bargain hunter instinct.

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.

Always great produce and love the secret deli tucked away at the back. (Okay maybe it's not such a…read moresecret). But they have a great range of cheeses, small goods and anti-pasto. Balsamic semi-dried tomatoes are DELICIOUS! Oh and pick up some truffle brie while you're there as well.

Great avocadoes - I can always rely on it at Feast on Fruit. Sometimes a touch higher in price than…read moreothers, it's not significant because the fruit, veg and continental smallgoods are really good quality - no seconds here. I don't buy everything at this place, for example, I buy much cheaper juicing apples at one of my locals, but Feast on Fruit has consistently lovely stonefruit in summer and always good tomatoes and fresh herbs. Being situated right near the door of Morningside Woolies probably means the prices have to stay competitive or better, but that proximity to the yawning mouth of the multinational doesn't stop the queues at Feast on Fruit.

Upon discovering Charlie & Liz's, I've decided I would happily catch the bus from New Farm to West…read moreEnd every week to buy fruit and veg in order to stick the finger to the corporate grocery giants. You might ask why I would go this effort? Well, I'll tell you. At this "Self Serve Fruit Mart" the produce is fresher, the prices are lower and service is friendlier than any Coles/Woolworths experience I've had. Not only that, but the produce is all seasonal and chances are the farmer who grew it is benefitting much more from the stock sold. I am a HUGE believer in supporting local business, so if you're in, around or even ever in West End, I would highly recommend you pick up your weeks groceries from somewhere like Charlie & Liz's Self Serve Fruit Mart. Not only will you save money, but what you spend will be feeding the local economy and helping more locals out.

I often walk past this fruit and veg shop and whether I need anything or not, my eyes linger on the…read morebeautiful displays of fruit stacked up on the footpath. My legs keep going but my head and neck kind of lag behind, the voice in my head saying, "Maybe I NEED some of those mangoes or perhaps a pineapple." Whilst this is a nice little fruit and veg shop with temptingly displayed produce, I'd never do all my fruit and veg shopping here as it's too small and too expensive. I try to do a bulk shop on the weekend at either The Gabba Fruit Market or the Davies Park Markets, where you really get value for money, but if I forget something, I'd much rather pop into Charlie & Liz's than go to Coles. It's a handy little store, in the middle of Boundary Street, the produce is good and supporting small businesses is always good.

If you are a university student trying to make ends meet then Yuen's Market could be your lifeline…read more The jam-packed little Asian grocery store is located at the Brisbane end of Wickham Street in Fortitude Valley and has some incredible bargains! Don't be put off by the fishy smell - there is a fish monger at the back of the store where you can get fresh seafood - I have never had a bad experience buying my seafood here. They sell a variety of seafood including fresh fish, live mud crabs, mussels, prawns and squid. You can buy the fish whole or pre-cut, if you do buy a whole fish you can ask them to fillet and skin it while you wait. You can pick up bunches of fresh vegetables here for $1-$2 and there are so many choices of ramen noodles, some starting from as little as 24c (just make sure you add some veggies to your noodles to add some nutritional value). When I was living on Struggle Street during my trainee days I could do my entire weeks shop here for $30 or less! I still shop here at least once a month - it is a great place to pick up exotic ingredients and affordable seafood.

Love this supermarket, I actually prefer it over Burlington's…read more Sure the aisles are narrow and the shelves are jam packed but I find it is well organised and stocks pretty much everything I need. The only thing I wish they would stock is Fresh Galangal. The seafood is always cold and fresh looking, their spice range is great and their selection of fresh noodles, wrappers and tofu is awesome. I love the variety they have on offer. Although it can get quite busy, I have found the staff to be happy and helpful, and then if you can't find something there is always someone willing to point you in the right direction.

I usually combine a visit to COCOS fruit and veg with a purchase from here. Theses guys have the…read morereliably cheapest chicken wings, drums etc in Brisbane, along with $20 kg eye fillet of ok quality. ( cryovac odd shapes... but its the meat you want yeh ?) They often have other good specials esp pork as well and some interesting sausages. Always friendly and helpful ( although most butchers seem to be ... must be somthing that comes from handling their meat all the time)

Friendly staff. Lots of parking. Lots of choice. Staff was a little slow but i think he was…read moretraining. Assume the food is good if this review stays 4 stars. I'll be back if not.

Had a sample of the Fresh Rocky Road, the store's signature product. Liked the combination of…read moremarshmallow and strawberry with chocolate covering. Bought a bag along with some dark chocolates to try. Wished I had room to try their signature beverages.

This is a review for both locations on Adelaide St…read more 144 Adelaide St. has the 3 for $15 deal, 156 Adelaide St. sells drinks. 144 sells pre-measured goods, 156 is where you can scoop out your own desired amount. I tried their 56% iced chocolate drink at 156 Adelaide St., which was fantastic. Would definitely stop by for a chocolate drink any time I am back in Brisbane. Highly, highly recommend. I bought chocolates at 156 first. Everything I saw was $6 for 100 grams, but I didn't know what 100 grams of chocolate looks like (darn Imperial system) so I ended up getting a pre-packaged and wrapped pack of 4 random goods for $30. Mixed bag whether it's worth it or not. Buying the 4 packs separately would have been cheaper, but the milk chocolate-covered strawberries in the gift set weren't in stock individually at the 144 store.