I have been growing to Frederick since I moved to Richmond about eight months ago. They have tons…read moreof healthy produce in products that will never make you feel guilty about eating them. On top of that they are huge supporters of local businesses and small businesses which have a special place in my heart and to be honest is the main reason why I keep going back to this place. The workers are also very genuine and I always have a lovely chat with them when I come in to buy something.

Wonderful cheese selection in the cheese cave that is downstairs with a knowledgeable cheese…read moremonger. I went to cheese stores all through Melbourne and around Brisbane and this was where I found the greatest selection of cheese made in Australia. Upstairs has a variety of boutique products from granola to chocolate. Also, there is a gelato counter and espresso bar as you enter the store.

This place looks like nothing more than a gelato shop from the front, so you'd be forgiven for not…read morerealising there's a whole specialty grocery inside -- and they also do delicious made-to-order artisan sandwiches to take away. To get a sandwich, bypass the gelato out front and go inside, then bypass the groceries and head straight to the back. There's a cashier here who will take your order and bring your sandwich out to you after about a 10-15 minute wait. I love this place because of their four vegan sandwich options: a tofu salad open sandwich with sesame and lime dressing; a bagel sandwich with a tofu and corn fritter and curried cashews, cucumber, and coriander; a tempeh burger on focaccia with kimchi and ABC sauce; and an eggplant, pumpkin, spinach, white bean, and basil pesto on focaccia. If these descriptions don't have you drooling right now, I don't know what's wrong with you. All vegan sandwiches are $11.50 and come with potato chips. This is a fair price for a delicious and rather filling lunch. Their non-vegan sandwiches aren't much more expensive either. My favorite is the tempeh burger with ABC sauce -- it's like an Indonesian sweet soy sauce -- oh man. Just the right mix of unusual but awesome flavours. There's no seating here -- it's take-away only, unless you're out front having a gelato. While you wait for your sandwich, you can peruse the specialty grocery items. They have a small but impressive collection of hard-to-find and locally-made items, such as La Tortilleria tortillas, local hand-made chocolates, jars of refrigerated kimchi, and chips made from all manner of non-potato things -- kale chips, bean chips, turnip chips.... Just be prepared for some sticker shock. These specialty groceries don't come cheap. (One of the chocolate bars was $14!!! It better be chocolate CRACK, at that price.) All in all, a great place to come for an awesome take-away sandwich with fresh and often unusual ingredients at lunchtime, and a fun place to peruse if you like your exotic, organic, hand-made/hand-dipped/hand-chopped/hand-crafted/hand-tooled/hand-whatever fancy-pants specialty grocery items. You know who you are. (Note the sandwiches are a Monday-Friday lunchtime thing only. I came once on the weekend and they weren't making sandwiches. The gelato is available all the time, but I admit I haven't sampled it yet.)

I have refused to purchase fruit and veggies from the supermarket for a long time now, for reasons…read moreI don't need to get into here. Fitzroy's finest is a great alternative. Situated on a busy corner on Smith St, they have huge competition with a mega mart right next door. They are obviously doing something right, because they continue to be there after years of competition. Thankfully banana prices are coming back down - I picked up a bunch today for 5.99 a kilo. There is always a few great specials out the front on the street and there is a decent varying selection inside. Besides fresh fruit n veg, they also stock spices, eggs and have a daily box of ciabatta rolls. They also do free delivery - perfecto!

I'm aaaaaall for Woolie's selection, and sometimes good clearance prices. I mean, come on, I'm a…read morebroke student. But this place beats them bigtime in the fruit and vege departments. HUGE avocados, like big as a melon. Super fresh capsicum. As many mushrooms as out on the farm, and sometimes the only place I can find shallots (perfect and necessary for cooking almost any sauce dish). Seriously, skip the fruit and vege at Woolies, head right next door and get it all there, but bring cash because they're not huge fans of using EFTPOS for a $9 bill.

This is a one-stop superstore for the organically and healthy minded. There is a great selection…read moreof fruit and vegetables in front and a couple of isles full of vitamins, supplements, milks, breads, oats, cereals and other groceries down back. There is a decent selection of meats and dairy as well. They stock informative books and magazines and even cater those with a sweet tooth with a great selection of chocolate. The prices are pretty good too if you start to compare with other organic retailers. Some of their prices are even the same as the mega chain supermarket just down the road. Situated on Smith St and servicing the healthy for the last 20 years, this family owned business is a pleasure to come and shop in. There is a very earthy feel with passive staff and smiles and positivity all around. If you can't make it down, they also have an online shop and even do home delivery.

Firstly, a confession…read more Although I occasionally brought organic produce, I had not signed on to the organic way of life. I thought it would be too expensive, boring, and not flexible enough for my student life. How wrong I was. I discovered Organic Wholefoods on Smith Street a couple of weeks before, and am now prepared to make weekly migrations to stock up on fruit and vegetables and a few other products as well. Organic Wholefoods boasts some beautiful regional produce (juicy oranges, enormous mushrooms and free range eggs) as well as an enormous range of cereals, flour, tea, nuts and more. I was particularly impressed with the wide range of tea and coffee, and had to get my hands on some of the Mount Zero Extra Virgin Olive Oil (under $20!). I was surprised to see that the produce was pretty reasonable (a couple of dollars here and there more than Coles of Safeway) but after buying and trying out the food I could definitely tell the difference. Although I may not have the budget to buy organic for everything, visiting and trying the produce stocked at Organic Wholefoods was an eye-opening and enjoyable decision.

It was a lovely spring morning and I decided to go for a coffee crawl in the Collingwood area…read more Initially I was going to skip this place, but since I was down here I decided to give it a shot, and I am really glad that I did. The coffee was nothing short of magical. It is actually one of those organic food stores, but they also do meals, and of course coffee. Having wandered past here a number of times, I finally decided to give it a shot, and am really glad I did.

What a cute little cafe to stumble upon today! Even though this is at the base of a new build (if…read morethere's one thing inner-city needs it's more new high rise apartments!) nothing about this cozy abode is cold and uninviting, in fact quite the opposite! Giving off a rustic Parisian vibe, Oxford Larder houses an array of delicious, home-made goodies, from salads to pastries to sweet cakes and full breakfasts/brunch menu. Stocked from floor to ceiling with perfectly selected items, from beaten copper pots to home made cordial, hand made pickled marmalades and fresh bread, fresh pasta and and sauces. Plus so much more! The place itself is quite small, but that just means the atmosphere is homely and almost 'other-worldly'. The kitchen bursts into the dining area so the place smells amazing, and really authentically transports you to old Europe! Not sure if that's what the owners are going for but that's how I took it! There's also lots of funny/punny things to buy! From locally made hand creams, candles and soaps; kitchen wear (inc aforementioned copper pots!) tea pots, tea towels and utensils. Plus more, but I'm running out of space. Also the place is super LGBT friendly and there's a real sense of community there. Shout out to the LezMons (home made pickled lemons, presumable by lesbians hehe) Incredibly friendly staff, awesome coffee and food, fantastic vibe and overall awesome place. Would def recommend.

One of the only well stocked health food shops in the Richmond area. A little pricier than others…read morebut I have always received helpful & friendly service when I have visited and am looking for something in particular! They have a wide range of supplements, health food products, skincare & cleaning products as well as a small range of fresh organic fruit and vegetables. If you are local and looking for a convenient health food shop, this is the place to go.

So happy to find this natural foods shop during my stay in Richmond, Melbourne! Very decent…read moreselection despite smaller size of the store (I'm used to my massive natural foods co-op in San Francisco and Whole Foods on practically every corner, so there's that to keep in mind), and lots of beauty products, supplements, herbs, etc. Not much of a produce selection, but it was the week between Xmas and New Years. My understanding is they have a lot more to choose from usually. No matter. Still got my "hippie essentials" (pure young coconut water, organic dark chocolate, gluten-free granola, etc.). The woman at the counter (one of the owners, I believe) was also very nice. Highly recommend this place!

This is the best grocery store I've ever been to. They have a great selection of Thai products. The…read moreprices are reasonable and the staff is friendly.

The minute you walk in the door for bite you are treated just like family just great pastaread more

The name says it all - Great Asian Food Store!…read more Clean, organized, well stocked with weird and unusual food delights. Looks a little less welcoming from the outside, but it is very modern inside. Its built into the first floor of a parking lot. Its fairly new, it appeared in mid 2017. You have to try their salted egg potato chips, they are amazing. If you are feeling even more game, give the salted egg fish skin a try, you won't regret it. They are awesome!