Are you that person who wanders into a farmers market and swoons over the heirloom tomatoes? Do you love the idea of visiting a local fromagerie for a French artisan farmhouse sheep’s milk cheese? Are you intrigued by snack foods from Korea or a fresh loaf of borodinsky bread? Here in Boston, we love our specialty food shops! Check out these nine unique and tasty specialty food stores in the Boston area. Bon appétit!
American Provisions
613 East Broadway, South Boston
1971 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester
This pair of neighborhood shops is dedicated to connecting the community with real food and locally made treasures. American Provisions specializes in curating artisan cheeses, cured meats, natural wines, and craft beers. Oh, and a trip to these shops would not be complete without grabbing one of their spectacular handcrafted sandwiches!
Formaggio Kitchen
358 Huron Ave., Cambridge
94 Hampshire St., Cambridge
268 Shawmut Ave., Boston
Since 1978, Formaggio Kitchen has remained dedicated to discovering tastes from around the world and bringing them to their three Boston-area stores. Formaggio Kitchen’s mission is to bring a European shopping experience to their family of local stores. Best known for their expansive cheese selection, this shop also offers specialty items from sauces to chocolates to baking supplies to pastas.
H Mart
1028 Beacon St., Brookline
3 Old Concord Rd., Burlington
581 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
101 Falls Blvd., Quincy
With four Boston area locations — and dozens more across the country — H Mart is your local Asian food experience market. This authentic Asian market carries staples like soy sauce and fish sauce in addition to unique items like Korean ice cream and Japanese pickles. H Mart is the spot to explore the flavors of Asia!
Italian Kitchen
1071 Main St., Brockton
This Italian groceria is a dream for Italian food lovers. This neighborhood gem has been bringing Italian tradition and family cooking to the table since 1947. Stop in to find take-and-bake options along with an array of Italian specialty grocery items.
BazaAr Supermarkets
424 Cambridge St., Allston
1432 Beacon St., Brookline
855 Worcester Rd., Framingham
30 Tower Rd., Newton
With four Boston-area locations, BazaAr Supermarkets boasts an electric array of gourmet food and spirits from around the world. This Eastern European grocery connects customers with cuisines from Russia, Turkey, Romania, Germany, Austria, Italy, Armenia, Spain, Moldova, Ukraine, Israel, and many other countries. BazaAr bakes fresh artisanal bread at their stores each day, and their homemade Eastern European-style sweets are always just right!
Portugalia Marketplace
489 Bedford Street, Fall River
For more than 30 years, this exceptional Portuguese specialty grocer has been dedicated to fostering a love for Portuguese cuisine and culture. The brick-and-mortar store was built in a refurbished textile to provide a unique shopping experience. Portugalia Marketplace offers all things Portuguese cuisine with a large prepared foods counter, baked goods, fresh fish, and more than 1,300 wines and spirits.
Eastern Lamejun Bakers
145 Belmont St., Belmont
For more than 60 years, Eastern Lamejun Bakers has been a beloved Eastern European and Armenian bakery in Greater Boston. Decades-old family recipes are used to make handmade treats everyday, from cheese turnovers and zataar manaeish to paklava and chocolate halva.
Wasik’s Cheese Shop
61 Central St., Wellesley
The Wasik family specializes in selecting the highest quality cheeses from around the world. With more than 60 years of experience, this local favorite is the go-to spot for cheese, charcuterie, wine, and other gourmet items. Build your own board, or let Wasik’s Cheese Shop do the work for you with one of their customer cheese boards — perfect for entertaining friends and family!
Greek International Food Market
5204 Washington St., West Roxbury
This authentic Greek market is a Boston gem. Experience the traditions of the Mediterranean through homemade meals like pastichio and spanakopita to authentic Greek imported products like olives and specialty meats. The Greek International Food Market is a Greek food lover’s dream!
This article was written in 2018 by Jenny Berk and has been updated for 2024!
