I was on my way home from the city on Wednesday and I remembered that I didn't have any munchies…read morefor games night with the guys. And right next the entrance of Melbourne Central Station there is this grocery store. " The Urban Asian Grocery" reads the slogan on the pillar out front. It had great range of chips with all kinds of Asian flavors, like masala. And the guys kind of compete to bring unusual chip flavors when they come over for our regular Wednesday night games night. This week I had the most novel flavor of chips. Otherwise it is a pretty regular grocery store - what more can I say?

Don't be confused by the name and go here thinking its a Woolies type grocery store. It is, as the…read moresign at the entrance suggests, an Asian specialty food market. Sure, they've got a good variety of Asian goods, yeah its in a central location in Melbourne Central conveniently near the train station, and it is clean and pretty. However, I can get the same, if not better, large range of Asian rices, noodles, sauces, herbs and spices from my favoured local markets around Glenroy, with friendlier and more helpful service and at prices that make me smile, not cringe.

Brunswick Convenience store pretty much sums it all up in the name. It's a run of the mill,…read morenon-chain convenience store near the corner of Albion St and Sydney Rd but with internet café facilities. There's your usual selection of cold beverages, general assortment of foodstuffs and last minute items such as deodorant and feminine hygiene products, along with a couple of varieties of phone credit. It has a better than average collection of loose sweets, with individual Trolli jelly lollies, Wicked Fizz, different flavours of Mentos and Zombie Chews among the highlights. The prices across the board are about the same as you'd find at a 7/11. They no longer stock metcards. It's open until midnight seven days, so it's a good late night alternative to the bevy of other supermarket-esque facilities that close up a tad earlier in the area.

Colonial Fruit Co is a bit of a godsend for decent fruit and veg…read more Im not the type to frequent farmers markets, and usually rely on getting all my stuff from the supermarket. Quite often though, the quality and range of the supermarket fruit and veg is.... well... lacklustre. Colonial is right next door to my regular supermarket, so anything I cant find in my regular shop, I pop by here afterwards and fill in the gaps. The produce is fantastic, extremely fresh. They also have some deli items, like cheese, olives and smallgoods. Pricing in incredibly reasonable, some items even cheaper than at the huge chain store.

Coles - what can I say. It's my local only because it's so convenient and the trip to the markets…read moreis a 25min drive or more depending on traffic. The staff are friendly not being biased because my aunty works there but say hi to Thi and the other familiar faces. :)

Local. Sweet. Fresh. Fruit. Vegetables. Cheap…read more Need I go on? The Ripponlea Fruit Shop makes Glen Eira Road complete where it spreads out onto the path almost like a market enticing you with the fresh and colourful produce. The herbs tingle your senses as you walk past and the smiles from the staff mean you have to look inside. It's cheaper than your average supermarket so if you're in the area there's no reason not to get better food for less money!

Fantastic array of produce and lovely staff. I always go here if I'm looking for something special…read moreto add to a meal. They also have a great range of health foods.

Excellent and well-stocked local organic food store. Knowledgeable friendly staff and dangerously…read moregood chocolate. Also a nice cafe bar at the entrance selling drinks and snacks. Great health alternative to Piedimontes supermarket over the road.

Wild things food is the league of Thomas dux,and other wide ranging organic stores. The smaller…read moreindependent food store that sells fresh produce, organic products, and a small amount of ready meals. The majority of it's stocks are predominately healthier, and while pricier it is good support the independents, and buy foods of a much higher qaulity than a lot of groceries. This doesn't need to be every day, but when you're looking for the fresh version of something, i.e, pastas, and meat products, and want to indulge in superior ingredients, then wild things is the place for you. Not a place one would shop at everyday, but a nice place to do so. It seems these types of stores are becoming a trademark of the more well off suburbs.

Excellent stop for essential Asian provisions. Miso, crushed chilli paste, mushrooms of all…read morevarieties, bok choy, bean curd, dim sum and more! Extremely great value too!