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epicurean guide> markets
a hand-picked selection of the best independent, neighborhood gourmet grocery stores and listing of local farmers' markets.
grocery + gourmet markets:
Rockridge Market Hall: 5655 College Avenue, 1-888-952-4005
College Avenue's upscale european-style gourmet marketplace offers a wonderful produce, bakery, coffee bar, deli and pasta shop with charcuterie and cheese; along with Hapuku Fish Shop, Paul Marcus Wines, Enzo's Meat, and Bloomies, the flower shop.
pros: high quality, great selection, validated free parking available in back lot.
The Village Market: 5885 Broadway Terrace, (510) 547-3200
An independent produce market in the Broadway Terrace/Oakland Hills neighborhood with european flair featuring skinny aisles loaded with goodies. Friendly staff and yummy deli and meat/fish selections, organic produce or buy straight off the grill. Bonus: find a charming nursery next door, plus attached cafe and gift shop.
pros: convenient prepared kebabs and marinated meats, on-site bbq for an easy afterwork meal. cons: can be pricey
Farmer Joe's: 3426 Fruitvale Ave, (510) 482-8899 & 3501 MacArthur Blvd, (510) 482-8178
Now offering two locations in both the Dimond District and Laurel. This neighborhood favorite and locally-owned market with a wide selection of produce at great prices. Find everything from baked and dried goods; bulk foods complete with Delizia olive oils, vinegars and other speciality oils; to organic and free-range meats and cheeses.
pros: affordable prices, butcher and fish market. 2 locations. cons: smallish organic produce selection.
Piedmont Grocery: 4038 Piedmont Ave, (510) 653-8181
A fabulous neighborhood grocery store! Find a great meat counter with knowledgeable butchers, wonderful cheese and prepared foods sections, fresh produce, good party food, desserts and wine.
pros: great selection of prepared foods, butcher, produce quality. cons: expensive.
Yasai Produce Market: 6301 College @ 63rd., (510) 655-4880
Produce and dried goods in this cute convenient corner market in Rockridge on College, just across the street from the always buzzing Cole Coffee (Formerly Royal Coffee) near the Berkeley border. Family-owned.
pros: quaint setting, quick neighborhood stop shopping. cons: produce quality can be inconsistent
Ver Brugge Foods: 6321 College Ave. (510) 658-6854
Another great rockridge neighborhood meat and seafood market with several wild fish selections, steaks, poultry options. Find beautiful wild seafood, such as ahi tuna steaks - perfect seared for a yummy tartare or a thick filet mignon.
pros: good prices, wild seafood, fun, friendly staff. the perfect Italian neighborhood butcher atmosphere. cons: can be quite busy during peak afterwork hours. minimal organic meat offerings.
oakland farmers' markets:
- Downtown "Old" Oakland: Fridays 8am - 2pm
- Fruitvale: Fruitvale Bart Station every Thursday from 2-7pm
- Grand/LakeShore: Saturdays at SplashPad Park.
- Jack London Square: Broadway & Embarcadero, Sunday, 10am - 2pm
- Montclair Village: LaSalle Ave every Sunday 9am- 1pm. Large selection of produce, free garage parking.
- Temescal: Claremont DMV Parking Lot. Sunday 9am - 1pm. Nearly all organic.