The Fresh Market feels special the moment you walk in. It combines an upscale grocery store with a…read moresophisticated farmer's market vibe. The incredible variety of high-quality food and gourmet items will literally make your mouth water.
Inspired by the food markets of Europe, this Greensboro based specialty grocery chain at the Towers Shopping Center in Southwest Roanoke, offers a refreshing change of pace. It provides a much more intimate, personalized shopping experience than your average Roanoke supermarket. No wonder it was again voted in 2026, #1 Best Grocery Store by USA Today Readers Choice, as well as #1 Best Grocery Produce, Bakery, Deli, and Prepared Foods.
Today, I was able to confirm all of the above through personal experience. As I walked around the store, I was very impressed by all of its departments and the high quality of their offerings. They have beautiful flowers, fresh bread, amazing steaks and seafood, sparkling fruits and vegetables, a great variety of coffees, top-of-the-line wines, and exquisite prepared foods, among others. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a true sense of this wonderful marketplace!
What impressed me most was their excellent staff. They were highly engaged and genuinely eager to help. When I asked the meat department if they carried Hanger Steak, the employee gave me a well-reasoned explanation for why they didn't. Little did he know, I had already thoroughly researched Hanger Steak for one of my previous restaurant reviews!
At the bakery, I fell in love with their Strawberry Chantilly Cake and its sliced almond topping. The Triple Chocolate Truffle Cake also looked amazingly delicious. I ended up purchasing a Small Fruit Tart to enjoy as a dessert for dinner alongside some sushi I also bought there.
Although they have a small seating area with a few tables and a microwave for anyone wanting to dine in, I decided to take my treats inside the shopping center to eat at the marble tables and chairs.
My cashier, Malikai, was friendly, efficient, and made the checkout process incredibly smooth and fast. Paying with Google Pay was a breeze.
I highly recommend this high-end grocery store! It is on the pricier side, but absolutely worth it for the excellent quality and customer service.