Introduction:
Italy is a country where food is almost a religion. So, if you’re a foodie who’s moving to Italy, you’re in for a treat, literally! But Italians have their way of doing things, even when it comes to doing groceries. So, to spare you the culture shock, we’ll get into details about Italian grocery stores and unspoken rules you should be aware of when shopping in Italy.
After reading this guide, you’ll know
- where and how to buy the best quality food products in Italy
- the difference between Italian supermarkets and Italian grocery shops
- the cheapest supermarkets in Italy
- the best open-air markets in the central Italian cities
- the best online grocery apps in Italy
- phrases you can’t do without when buying food in Italy
Italian Grocery Store rules:
As we mentioned, Italy has some unspoken rules regarding grocery shopping. Some might sound obvious to you, and some might surprise you. It all depends on where you come from. Especially if you’re moving to Italy from America, the differences can be significant.
To ensure the best experience, keep in mind that when doing groceries in Italy, you should:
- When you enter a store, greet the store clerk with a polite Buon Giorno.
- Rent a shopping cart. You can find them chained to one another at the entrance to an Italian supermarket. To separate a cart from the others, insert a 1 euro or 50-cent coin into a slot on the handle. After you’re done shopping, bring the cart back, lock it, and get your coin back.
- Never touch produce! Use plastic gloves when picking up fruit or veggies in supermarkets or grocery stores. Italians are pretty serious about hygiene.
- Weigh your produce yourself. When picking the produce, you’ll see a number next to the product sign. This is the number you need to dial on the tablet screen on a scale in the produce section when weighing your food. It will print a sticker with the barcode and price of the produce on it.
- Bring your bags. Grocery bags in Italian shops usually cost 5-10 cents apiece.
- Pack your groceries yourself. In Italy, store clerks don’t assist you with putting your items in bags.
- Tell the vendor at a market or specialized store what you intend to do with your purchase. That way, they can recommend exactly what you need and pick it for you. For example, you’d need a different apple for baking than for eating raw. If you’re looking for something ripe and ready to eat, say ‘per oggi,’ which means ‘for today.’
Local Grocery Stores in Italy:
Italy offers a variety of places to buy groceries. The most popular ones are supermarkets & local grocery shops (alimentary). The significant difference between them is that elementary schools are smaller and usually family-owned. They are corner shops that sell a bit of everything, from fresh and packaged foods to household items. Some elementary schools even sell delis and serve as lunch spots.
Italians are generally very social, and you’ll notice that the experience of shopping at a small corner shop is quite different compared to a supermarket. It’s way more personal. That’s why it’s rewarding to be loyal and friendly to your favorite vendors. Not only are you supporting a local business, but you are also earning your chance to get special treatment if a seller likes you! It’s common for grocery shops to close during lunchtime. The usual opening hours would be from 7.30 to 12.30 and from 15.30 to 19.30.
Specialty shops in Italy:
Italians love to go to different shops for different items. Many go to panetteria (bakery) to get fresh focaccia, macelleria (butcher’s) for meat, and fruttivendolo (greengrocer) or a market to buy fresh veggies and fruits. Unfortunately, smaller family-owned shops in Italy are slowly disappearing, giving place to supermarkets. That makes sense, as supermarkets are one-stop shops for buying anything from toilet paper to a steak. Many supermarkets in Italy even have their own butcher or bakery departments.
But in most cases, the quality and freshness of products from small specialized stores take a lot of work to beat. And if you’re a foodie, it’s worth making a few extra stops on your way home!
1. Italian Deli:
Delicatessens such as pizzeria pizzeria, norcineria, plumeria, or gastronomic are great places to get quality food in Italy. There, you can buy delicious ready-to-eat meals or shop for a variety of cured meats and Italian cheeses. Prices in such shops are usually per 1 kilo or (100 g), so the vendor will always ask you about the amount you need. If you aren’t sure what to choose or how much, ask the seller, and they’ll happily give you recommendations. You can also try things at Italian delis before buying. But keep in mind that it’s not lovely to sample multiple things without purchasing.
2. Butcher shops in Italy:
Of course, the best quality fresh meat you’ll find at the butchers or Marcella. Once again, don’t worry if you can’t make a choice. The cuts and measurements differ depending on where you’re from. Ask the butcher for advice, and they’ll ensure you get the best meat for your cooking needs.
3. Fishmongers in Italy:
Similarly, pescivendolo or ischemia are the go-to places for fresh fish and seafood. The best days for fresh fish are usually Tuesday and Friday, so be prepared that on other days, shops might have fewer supplies. You also don’t need to worry about cleaning your fish or seafood if you hate this sticky business. Most vendors will offer to do that for you!
4. Italian Bakeries:
Head to the forno (Italian for ‘oven’) for freshly baked goods. Most Italian bakeries have a wide selection of bread, sweet and savory pastries, and often a choice of pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice). Here, too, everything is sold by weight, so you don’t have to buy a whole loaf of bread if you know you can’t finish it. Instead, ask for a half or even a quarter. Italians don’t like wasting food, so it’s a common practice to get the exact amount you plan to eat.
Ethnic grocery stores in Italy:
If you want to shop for non-European products, you might realize that even if a supermarket has what you seek, it’s overpriced. Luckily, in most of the Italian cities, you can find smaller ethnic grocery stores. Asian ingredients are slightly easier to find. But if you live in a city like Rome or Milan, you’ll also come across multi-cultural shops selling Arabic, American, and African ingredients.
Convenient shopping in Italy:
Bigger shops are called supermercati. The name is self-explanatory. The quality of fresh food in Italian supermarkets is lower than at smaller grocery and specialty stores, and prices are sometimes higher. But the allure is in the convenience of having everything in one place.
Of course, Italy has plenty of discount supermarkets. Some of the cheapest supermarkets in Italy are Lidl and Eurospin. Larger chains such as Coop, Conad, and Esselunga are generally considered pretty good in terms of price vs. quality. Some of the most popular supermarkets in Italy are 1. Conad 2. Coop 3. Esselunga Superstore 4. Carrefour 5. Il Gigante 6. Lidl 7. Iper 8. Eurospin 9. Bennet
Paying for Groceries in Italy:
In most supermarkets, you can choose your preferred payment method, including credit cards. However, electronic payment might not be possible at a market stall or a small grocery shop, so it’s a good idea to carry some cash with you.
Phrases to know when doing Grocery Shopping in Italy:
Whether you’re in a supermarket or a butcher shop, the vendor or cashier will most likely not speak much English. So, as we mentioned earlier, it’d really pay off to know a couple of words and phrases to avoid awkwardness. Plus, believe us, Italians will really appreciate your efforts!
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