This is my go-to local supermarket. Open 'til late seven days a week, the prices are pretty good…read moreand the range is great. Banana Joe's was first opened as a fruit & veg market by Joe himself back in 1984, and has since expanded to include a great deli section and butcher. They have a huuuge cheese selection for a local supermarket, plus plenty of olives and a great range of organic products - ahh, Marrickville I love you. They also have some of the best Turkish delight I've ever tasted. Available in almond, vanilla and rose, it'll set you back just a few dollars for a plate and is great to take along to dinner parties. (Look near the dried fruit and nut section in the fresh fruit department.) The Banana Joe's website has a great tabouli recipe too!

I love Banana Joes…read more They have much better produce than Coles or Woolies and lots of specialty gluten free items, cheeses, cured meats and... just other quirky things, sometimes organic and health foodish, sometimes ethnic that are really good and/or hard to find. They have Chobani Greek Yoghurt (hit or miss at other supermarkets) and if they could just get on the Puregg Egg White train, I could ditch Woolies at Marrickville Metro completely and just shop here.

I love this place! Okay so it's not gonna be the best Reuben you've ever tasted, but it's so so so…read moreclose. Everything here is like 95% as good as you would find it back in the states. So if you're like me and have lived in Sydney for a while, this place is a godsend. They have both east coast and west coast reubens, onion rings, buffalo wings, thick shakes, actual delicious bbq sauce, just about everything you miss. And on top of it all, the staff/owner here is so nice! They served me my hot chocolate and accidentally spilt a bit onto the saucer, and they quickly apologized and replaced the saucer, before my brain even registered what happened. Love! Anyways, this is a great place for any American cafe nostalgia.

I can tell this place is inspired by Katz's deli in NYC since the Massive Reuben they serve comes…read moreclose to the same size. It's seriously hard to find a good Reuben in Sydney. Like, really hard...for some reason, there's been an uptick of Reuben sandwiches being offered in Sydney that aren't Reuben sandwiches at all. Just because you use corned beef on a sandwich, it doesn't make it a Reuben. If you use beef brisket and sauerkraut on a sandwich and call it a Reuben, you're full of crap...looking at you Copper Mill. A classic Reuben is a hot sandwich composed of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread. It originated in, you guessed it, America... Anyway, Reuben Republic started off as a food stall and then morphed into this brick and mortar shop. It's good too, as the sandwich is pretty legit. You can order an east coast or west coast Reuben (get the east) and you can get pastrami or corned beef. I personally prefer pastrami so I went with that. If you're hungry get the Massive Reuben (off the not-so-secret-menu) which is double portions of meat...my only gripe with this is there should be more sauce on it, but if you just ask for it they'll provide you some on the side. Service is top notch, and they have other offerings like shakes and salads. I would definitely come back, as it's been the most legit Reuben I've had in Sydney since Ruby & Rach is no longer around.

Don't be put off by the exterior, Tan Hong Phat Asian Groceries is packed full of interesting…read morethings to stock your pantry with and shove down your gullet on the way home. If there's an unusual ingredient you need for an Asian recipe, chances are you'll fine it here. From curry powder to tinned jelly to plates to shoes to unusual lollies, you'll have fun browsing the random goods on the shelves. Of course, there's also all the usuals like rice, coconut milk, bamboo shoots and fresh fruit and vegies. There's also a really good selection of refrigerated rice noodles and rice paper sheets of all sizes.

Very helpful. I was looking for pandan paste to make waffles and called to check if the shop…read morestocked it. The shop assistant explained how to use fresh pandan.

This shop looks rather tatty and unassuming from the outside, and its name - Alfalfa House,…read moreCommunity Food Co-op - conjures images of hippies and group hugs. I almost walked past, but then I saw a brightly coloured display of fruit and decided I should look in. I'm so glad I did. Inside, there must be every single oat, pulse, seed and flour imaginable. Plastic boxes of the sort that usually hold pic n' mix are filled to the brim with things such as brown linseed, hulled sesame seeds, popcorn, hazelnuts, split red lentils, black beluga lentils and so many others. In the centre of the shop is a magnificent vegetable display that could be part of an artist's still life. Leafy spinach and fluffy dill droop over purple cabbages, gleaming rhubarb and slightly muddy potatoes. This is essential shopping for people with food intolerances, as the range of rye, spelt, buckwheat, rice, chickpea and millet flours means there must be something for everyone. Best of all, I thought, were the enormous plastic tubs with taps attached, containing oozing liquids like black tahini, unhulled tahini, toasted sesame oil, raw sesame oil and agave nectar. I'm not even sure what you'd use most of them for, but evidently they are essential for some super-healthy recipes. This is an adult version of a lolly shop, but for the extremely health conscious. It does seem quite expensive, but that's because you're paying for top quality, local and organic produce, of the sort you'd never find in supermarkets. I'm not sure I'd come here for everyday items, but next time I stumble across a bizarre nectar or pulse in a recipe, this will be my first port-of-call.

If only I was like those newly-turned thirty couples you see swimming through Newtown.. The…read morearchitects or art curators who have somehow found the pot of gold at the end of life's rainbow and are consequently blessed with the option to shop at Alfalfa House, Newtown's premier food co-op. Co-ops are something near and dear to my heart; I couldn't be more of an advocate for all they do and who/what they support. But unfortunately, Alfalfa House leaves me little option but to walk slowly passed the window in hopes that something, anything, will pop-up on sale. Throw this dog a bone, already! Needless to say, the prices are galaxies far far away from this Buzz's budget. There is an impressive stock of fruits, vegetables, and dried products, including grains, quinoa, and dried fruit of every flavour in store, and they always have a seasonal shift of what's on offer. The staff is extremely helpful and they even have a cute little garden in the back that you're welcome to play around in; Saturday mornings are volunteer time! Heavy hearted just thinking about all the delicious produce I'm too poor to buy .... To infinity and beyond, I suppose!

There is a lot to be said for the Vietnamese butchers on Marrickville Road. The main thing is that…read morethey are so much cheaper than woollies, and cheaper than butchers in shopping centres. For example, where I might pay $18/kg for T-Bone steak in another butcher, or up to $24 in woollies, Vinh Hung is consistently low, around$12-15/kg. The rest of their meat is cheap too, with all kinds of cuts of beef, pork, chicken and lamb. Parking can be a pain but if there isn't a spot on the street across the road, then take the next right and there is 15 minute parking in that cross street. Plenty of time to walk down there and get your supply for the week.

This is a great local butcher. Friendly service, fresh produce and great prices. Hard to find…read moreproducts like chicken carcasses and pig trotters are had for a bargain and the meats are always so fresh. Parking can be a little tricky at times but well worth it for all the choice selections otherwise on offer. Highly recommended!

Cross between a fishmarket, factory wholesaler and retail shop, Faros Bros offers fresh seafood at…read morea fraction of supermarket prices. Not many people can afford to pay for parking at Sydney fishmarkets or make a special trip to Pyrmont to buy fresh fish. This place brings the fish to you! When you walk through the plastic flaps and into the giant cool room, it's evident what is for sale. Fresh fish and all different kinds of seafood lines the walls, so close you could touch it. But you don't, because there are people in gumboots, gloves and hairnets waiting to pick out the produce of your choice. There are people in the back gutting fish for the shop, so if you want to buy something whole, they can fillet it for you on the spot. To get an idea of price, the most recent visit I bought salmon cutlets for about $18 per kilo. A bit cheaper than the salmon fillets at $24 per kilo. Beats supermarket prices in the salmon stakes by at least $10 and makes eating fresh fish an affordable habit. If going at Christmas or New Year time, or any other holiday period be prepared to wait in a queue outside. Then be prepared to take out a whole garbage sized bag full of seafood for your holiday celebrations. Faros Bros is always busy and at super busy times there is a ticketing system. Parking is a bit hairy, with only 6 or so spaces in front of the shop, and on street parking a little difficult. There are now more spaces on the other side of the road, but take care when looking for a park as it's in a one way street with cars crossing from one lane to the other depending on which direction they are going.

I recently read that eating seafood is good for your mental health. You could call this the…read moreapothecary of mood enhancing substances. I came for the crab. The unlucky Crustacea are my flavour of the month right now, after I discovered how easy it is to make your own Singapore chilli crab sauce, which I admit I I have been craving after since I went to Jumbo's in Singapore earlier this year. (There is a great SBS food video and recipe that's easy to search for, if it's up your alley too) Googling for seafood outlets that are on my way home from work, I found the yelp reviews straight away. Easy for me to get to when swinging home through Marrickville. It's true you wouldn't know it was a seafood shop from the outside, but the fact you can very rarely get a spot in their tiny car park is testament to the fact a lot of people shop here. Park on the opposite side of the street to avoid the frustration of squeezing in. Think of something from the great deep blue that you can munch on and they probably have it here. Oysters, all of the Oysters!. Scallops on or off shell. Cooked yabbies - make yer own crawfish pie! Thinking I might do that next time I go. Fish of all species, Prawns cooked or raw, Octopus, Squid, and the one thing I came for Mud Crab. They have 2 tubs, one for boys and one for girl mudcrabs. I'm not up on the ethics of Mudcrab choosing, so I went for the biggest one. That sucker was alive and kicking. Trussed up of course, but that's the thing about crab.. fresh is best and you have to dispatch that little beggar on your own. She cost me $19. and she was delicious. There is a ticket system to get served, but for some reason I got bumped up the queue. I dont know if there were any tickets left, but the staff were immediately helpful and attentive. Prices seem pretty good, and everything looked fresh as a daisy. I dont even remember there being that fishy fish shop smell. Faros Brothers is totally worth of my half century review. If you're a local, go and see them the next time youre in need of a seafood fix I dont think you'll be disappointed.

The fruits and vegetables are always fresh (though they don't always have everything as they buy…read moreseasonally). Range of cheeses, dairy and meats also good, sometimes a little pricey due to 'organic' bend, but there is also a good range of staples at comparable prices to the local Foodworks. great range of frozen treats as well as beans, pasta and rice. their pet food is cheaper tan the local big supermarket. The guys who run it are super nice and friendly. if you need vegan, gluten free etc, there are good ranges for you. wish they had a cheaper spice range (only stock organic).

Addison Road Centre is the country's largest not-for-profit community centre. It's host to a bunch…read moreof different groups (including Reverse Garbage), but I come here for the organic markets. Every Sunday from 8.30am to 3pm, the place is buzzing with stalls and shoppers. There's a bunch of food available for noshing right away (great smoothies, juices, coffees, cakes, wraps, spring rolls, etc) as well as a huge range of fruit and veg, dried pasta, cheese, wine, tapenades and more. If you're set on eating organic, look out for the yellow Certified Organic signs on the stalls, or ask the operators. If you keep walking towards the back, you'll also find a bunch of clothing, soaps, cards, antiques and enviro-friendly stalls too. There are a few tables scattered around and usually some musical entertainment, or keep walking to the end of the line and you'll find a grassy field to sit and guzzle your purchases. The 428 city bus stops right outside the font gate or there's plenty of free parking available in the surrounding streets.

If you like bo-ho in the city then this is THE place to be. Organic Food Markets are located at The…read moreAddison Road Centre Marrickville and are on every Sunday rain, hail or shine. From the eclectic to the eccentric, from organic to conventional, eco-friendly, chai-tentingly chillaxing this market would have to be THE best Organic Market Sydney's Inner West around. This can be seen in the choice of foods/produce to specialty products is a true reflection on how diverse the population who shop here week-in week-out. Such is their devotion some will travel from as far as Blue Mountains simply to achieve their weekly Organic fix! Best bit being that they are on rail, hail or shine! This market has something for everyone including the kids:jumping castles, pony rides, babycino, eco friendly baby food and clothing and SO much more. The Raw and Vegan community are more than able to be satisfied at this market, as well as those with a sweet tooth! Could NOT recommend this market highly enough than already done! Do an online search for these markets and the number of blogs are a testament as to its love not just by the public but by the stallholders as well!

Good quality produce at good prices. The only down side is that there isn't a lot of vegan options…read morewhich I've come to expect at a fruit and veg market. However they make up for it in Greek and Italian options if that's your thing.

If the staff were kind and understanding I would definitely go in there. I was brutally attacked…read moreoutside the shop and they stood and watched and along with the almost dozen people standing at the bus stop they did nothing but watched now when they see me they look at me like I'm scum I was attacked because a lady bought a couple of thousand dollars of products off me and didn't want to pay for them. She thought it would get her out of it and till now it has worked it's still in the court process. Don't judge because the only being who has the right to judge isn't on this earth.

An Aladdin's cave of fruit, vegetables, nuts and all things brightly-coloured and nutritious. They…read morehave some great offers on the seasonal food too. If you can't wait until you get home to guzzle what you've bought, order a fresh fruit juice or pot of yoghurt whilst you pick up the rest of your groceries. Quite simply, delicious and nutritious.