Smith and Maloney is the kind of place where you instantly feel healthy as soon as you walk inside…read more You suddenly feel leaner, more powerful and perhaps even a little tanned - it has that kind of impact. The walls are adorned with fresh, organic fruits and veggies - the big, beautiful kind you never see at the supermarket. They'll be great in your kale/banana/blueberry/spinach/whatever juice you make later in the day, you big health freak you. But on the back wall is what makes my heart sing most. The spices, oh Lord, the spices. Who you will find the most adorable, instagram-worthy spices you've ever laid your eyes on AND you can grab three for a measly ten clams. I sometimes pop in just for a yummy coffee or even a freshly squeezed juice - you can order through the front window if you're just zipping by on your daily jog. While I haven't partaken in the booze, they also sell organic and byodynamic wines. This is the good stuff that won't give you that nasty headache tomorrow morning...unless you drink three bottles. But you wouldn't because you're so fit and healthy and don't you need to get to pilates?

You know that thing they say about making sure you eat at least five serves of fruit and veg each…read moreday? I don't know about you, but sometimes it feels like a bit of a chore squeezing in all that health. Not so though when your fruit and veg comes from Smith & Maloney. S & M (hehe) entices you with its juicy good looks from a distance. As you walk up the street, you'll notice net bags of bright oranges hung decoratively outside the store, gently swaying in the breeze. Beneath the orange glow, more fruit - all delicious, all organic (I think). You could stop right there, outside the shop, do a little lean by the large open window and order a freshly squeezed juice. Or you could do yourself a fibrous favour by nipping inside, grabbing yourself one of those lovely wicker shopping baskets that make you wish you looked and dressed like French flickstress Amelie, and filling it till it resembles a mini version of the gorgeous display surrounding you. Oh sure, you'll fork out a pretty penny for the experience of getting your greens in such a sublime setting, and though you may end up a bit poorer of pocket, at least you'll have your health.

Beautiful fresh produce and gourmet providore. Here you'll find top of the range and practically…read moreeverything is ORGANIC Made or in origin. Great place where I've come to rely on for that also quick grab-and-go pressie of an unusually (read as hip and quirky) branded chocolate blocks with interesting flavour profiles. We aren't talking about Haigh's or Lindt type chocolates (nothing wrong with those!) here but locally or ethnic type of chocolates from far away places such as Mexico and Guatemala. So your recipient will be amazed with coconut mylk chocolate for example. The packaging is great and this you'll know it's going to be a great little pressie. The selection is vast with a huge range of organic toms including heirloom varieties, loads of fruit an veg from practically all continents (locally grown of course AND organic). Everything is fresh Fresh FRESH. Plenty to choose from with regards to cured meats and cheeses as well as dairy products of yogurt and ice cream. Artisan produce is plenty full too with Dench breads and pastries to choose from. Only gripe is that the bread baskets are fully exposed to everybody walking right past the open racks. Leaf also has a comprehensive but edited range of Asian groceries too so it's a great spot to grab that curry powder you forgot earlier. Also a nice kitchen paraphernalia wall full of gizmos you can't do without. There's also a section of beautiful colourful porcelain bowls and vessels great for use everyday. What really impresses me from the outside are their shop windows as Leaf likes to work with seasonal produce this the widows always reflect that. Service is great too, can't find what you're looking for just ask any of the friendly staff- chances are you may have already walked past it and were distracted by other "shiny" objects!! The only downer and why it hasn't gotten five stars from me is this. Prices. While you really do get what you pay for (last nights garlic was so amazingly fresh and delicate) but at $4.50 a whole big bulb you wonder why we resort to the $1.99 pack of six Chinese garlic. Organic food, and artisan food for that matter does come at a price and rightfully so. So the adage of "buy the best you can afford" strictly applies here. But judging from how popular this place is, Elwood is a prosperous place to live! Leaf if my indulgence. Which is dangerously becoming an addiction :-)

Great fresh produce it's healthy and tastes delicious! Cashiers are lovely and willing to help you…read morefind something. Also has sweet treats to enjoy! Amazing!

As a supermarket, Maxi Foods sits somewhere between a regular supermarket and a specialty market…read more Stocking your regular staples you can pick up your usual shopping here, including fresh fruit and veg, and meat and even alcohol in the liquor section. What I like about Maxi is the odd items you wont find at Coles. The cereal section for instance is a do-it-yourself affair, where you pick and choose form open canisters and fill up your bag of muesli or cereal by weight. The shelves too are quite industrial, and it gives the place a warehouse feel that most city stores would consider boutique.

We have been shopping on and off at Maxi Foods since it opened. When Aldi opened we shopped there…read morefor quite a while, but having shopped again at Maxi this morning I am reminded of why I like shopping here. Like the previous reviewer I am impressed with the extensive range of specialty products, in addition their fresh meat provides extensive choice and cuts as well as bulk product. The fishmonger is the best in Ferntree Gully, excellent range and many prepared from fresh whole fish. The range of fruit and vegetables is good, however this is one area that from my experience doesn't compete well on price. Finally they appear to employ a range of staff, from young to mature age, they are friendly and you see the same faces over the years. I guess I can take comfort in knowing that my spend is supporting an Australian medium size business.

Much like Carissa and Joanne, I really have come to like Leo's. They do have everything, and then…read moremore. You will find the usual suspects found in most supermarkets, but then nestled in and among them regular products, are the rarer, imported and highly sought after brands and makes. For me, the highlights are definitely the fresh food and deli sections, as well as the sauces and jams. Be sure to peruse each and every aisle, you'll definitely discover new items even amongst the most mundane of product categories. The selection is simply amazing. There's nothing I thought was naff at all. Certainly the buyers for Leo's know their stuff and what their cleintele wants. I reckon Leo's excels in bringing us a lot of organic, imported and local gourmet foods whilst still serving our needs of regular products. Be sure to read my tips on Leo's. Worth a trip northside.

This gourmet supermarket is a serious foodie heaven. It starts as you walk in, or run in if your…read morethat excited, I won't judge....or will I? Straight away your hit with the smell of freshly squeezed orange juice and to your left a cooler with dips and yoghurt's, freshly made sushi, pasta and pizza to entice you. Next up your in the fruit and veg section where you will find everything that is in season and moving on to the meat section where everything is represented, rabbit? Yes. Duck? Sure. And then your headed past the bread (Philippa's bread for me please) and your almost at the deli. The deli is where the magic happens. A cheese section that would sate a field of mice and most cheese gourmets. The freshly cut meats, salads, quiches and antipasto would be a welcomed addition to your Spring racing picnic. The range here is fabulous, and the staff helpful. The deli is all kinds of right. Then there's the cake and pastry cabinet at the back of the store next to the milk and the baked goods, fresh bread, rolls, danish and muffins. The health food aisle down the center of the store divides the fresh section to the grocery section, where usual supermarket brands are dispersed with gourmet variations. Head towards the checkouts and you will find chocolates, magazines and flowers rounding out your trip. There is usually not enough checkouts open, but its worth the wait for foodie inspiration. The Liquor store is as varied and well stocked as the supermarket. More expensive then your average chain supermarket but you pay for what you get, and what you find at Leo's is a great range of high quality produce. If your a foodie, looking for something special or just want to grocery shop to the sound of popular jazz or world music then Leo's Fine food & wine is for you.

Congratulations to Chris and the Scicluna team on the revamp of the Mentone store. It is stunning…read more A great range of fresh fruit and vegetable complimented by a well selected range of grocery provisions.

What a treasure of a health food find! A very nice variety from sliced meats to pastas to fruits…read moreand vegetables...caters to gluten free, vegan, and the whole gamut of goodness in the culinary realm. Give them a go; you will be glad you did...Enjoy!

I have to be honest with you fellow Yelpers, I have never been inside Sonsa Foods. By the sounds of…read moreit I really should as it seems like another grocery store that just offers stuff you can't anywhere else. What I have sampled here and do on a fairly regular basis are their freshly made juices in a hole in the wall right in front of the store. You can pretty much take your pick from all the veggies and fruits they have on offer. They are made right in front of you and are really tasty too. They are that bit cheaper than the chains such as Boost etc. If passing, it's hard to miss and hard not to be tempted!

I came for the juice but I stayed for the rest…read more Since moving to Oz I haven't bought a new juicer so this place has replaced me juicing for the moment. This is one of the only things I have found in Oz that is cheaper than the states. Fresh cheap juice! Tara who usually juices on the weekends when I come in is always smiling and is friendly. Come in to get good hummus for cheap and a large selection of nuts. Also when Woolys across the street is selling $4 avocados come here for $1 avocados.

I go here for my fresh fruit & vegies as it's across the road from my little ladies workplace…read more The staff are always chipper, and the fruit and vegies always at a decent price, and what's better, always fresh. With an Aldi and a Coles in throwing distance, the fact that this greengrocer is always busy proves that people do care when buying produce, and would rather get it fresh than from a supermarket. I love the small section stocking Asian foods and drinks too. It's here I pick up my tofu, my pastes and sauces...and my secret addiction, chili chickpeas.

This is my favourite greengrocer. I go to this store every week for my fruit n veg. Things are…read morealways cheaper than elsewhere. Staffs are friendly.

Simon and his staff here make my organic shopping a pleasure. In fact it's something I look forward…read moreto. They make you welcome with one of the best serves of organic coffee around. The staff are knowledgable and are always happy to search for "hard-to-find" organic and healthy produce. It you visit once, you'll be hooked. Get in quick for artisan breads as they go quick. Always a pleasure.