Taking Stock Of Grocery Store Tourism: 10 Cool Stores To Check Out

Grocery store tourism is all the rage on TikTok, and it's no surprise. It's the perfect way to sample the local flavor of a place. Grocery stores and supermarkets offer insight into everyday living, cultural norms, and culinary traditions. Specialty grocers and mom-and-pop shops also can be a great source for snacks, sweets, condiments, beverages — even gifts and souvenirs — while traveling.

Here are 10 grocery stores around the country that we think offer fantastic local flavor and are worth checking out.

Stew Leonard's, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey

This regional supermarket chain started out as a small dairy store in Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1969. That year, founder Stew Leonard Sr. decided that it was time to switch from running a milk delivery business to developing what’s now described as the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores." Still run by the family of its namesake founder, Stew Leonard’s makes grocery shopping a fun outing that's complete with animatronics, costumed characters, and a petting zoo. Additionally, the store produces a line of prepared meals, baked goods, and beverages. They even still bottle their milk! Parties, theme nights, and special holiday breakfasts add to the local flavor of this grocery store tourism destination.

This 6.5-acre grocery showcase in Fairfield, Ohio, originated as a produce stand and has evolved into a larger-than-life global epicurean emporium. At this Jungle Jim’s location, wander through mazes of kitchen staples — literally hundreds of hot sauces, among other food finds — representing more than 70 countries. Customers can go on guided store “safari tours" and scavenger hunts. There’s also a cooking school and in-store podcast. Perfect for grocery store tourism, Jungle Jim's hosts festivals honoring beer, wine, hot sauce, and pickles. The market's second location in Eastgate, Ohio, also is a fun spot with photo-worthy décor and many regional, national, and international products.

Uwajimaya, Washington and Oregon

A fantastic place for grocery store tourism in the Pacific Northwest, Uwajimaya was founded in Tacoma, Washington, in 1928 by Fujimatsu Moriguchi. He began by selling Japanese fish cakes out of the back of his pickup, then word spread about Moriguchi’s food so much that he and his wife opened a small market in Tacoma. Amid the outbreak of World War II, the store was closed as the Moriguchis were sent to an internment camp in Northern California. After the war, the family reopened their shop in what’s now Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Along with seafood, produce, and meat departments, browse along a sake section, Asian beauty products, and a nice collection of housewares. This grocery store tourism designation is also perfect for souvenirs.

Zabar’s, New York City

It’s easy to envision yourself as a New Yorker doing your weekly grocery shopping at this Upper West Side landmark founded by Louis and Lillian Zabar in 1934. No doubt, you’ve spotted Zabar’s on countless TV shows and movies or perhaps in a Vampire Weekend music video. This four-generation, family-owned business specializes in roasted coffee blends, artisanal cheeses, caviar, and smoked fish. It’s also where you can order from a Jewish appetizer counter or pick up black and white cookies or fresh-baked rugelach along with Zabar's signature mugs, totes, and apparel — all of which make perfect grocery store tourism gifts.

In 1947, siblings Frank and Gino Corti opened this Sacramento grocery store, introducing their customers to European culinary delights not widely available in Northern California at that time. This store has added to Sacramento’s culinary scene so much that when it risked losing its lease in 2008, the city's chef community showed their public support. Food writer Ruth Reichl mentioned the store in her memoir, "Comfort Me with Apples." Chef and restaurateur Alice Waters also holds this grocery store tourism hot spot in high regard. Amid its impressive imported inventory, Corti Brothers has a solid wine department and a deli with great sandwiches.

H-E-B, Texas

Started as a family store in 1905, this top supermarket chain across the Lone Star State is where you'll come across some interesting Texas food finds. H-E-B fan favorites extend to the store's Poteet Strawberry ice cream, warm butter tortillas, Cafe Olé Texas Pecan coffee, and specialty salsas with flavors ranging from green chile tomatillo to smoky citrus. Select store locations also house the True Texas BBQ restaurant, where all-natural meats are slowly smoked to perfection.

Erewhon, California

Despite its humble beginnings as a food stall in Boston, Massachusetts, Erewhon has become a symbol of California’s health food culture and a pop culture sensation. This certified organic retailer and Registered B Corp., which has multiple locations in California, made headlines this year for selling a $19 strawberry from Japan.

If you go, try Erewhon's menu of high-end smoothies (perhaps a collagen peptides blend called Hailey Bieber's Strawberry Skin Glaze) or marvel at endless aisles of supplements. Through celebrity collaborations, mukbangs, and influencer culture, this health-food haven has become a social media phenomenon, as well as a supermarket staple for Angelinos.

Traverse City is known as the “cherry capital of the world” and this specialty store is stocked with just about every imaginable cherry-related product. Founded within Traverse City but now in multiple locations around Michigan, Cherry Republic carries cherry salsas, pies, preserves, beverages, sauces, and chocolate-covered cherries. At its first location in Glen Arbor, you'll find not only a store but also a winery and the Cherry Public House, a lunch and dinner spot with a cherry-inspired menu.

Kessler’s, South Dakota

Established in Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1939, at this family-owned grocery store, you can try "tiger meat" — a raw-beef dish made with seasoned hamburger meat — commonly referred to as South Dakota steak tartare. According to Kessler's owner, Reed Kessler, his great great grandfather, Jacob Sahli, introduced tiger meat to Aberdeen when he made homemade whiskey. Kessler's great grandfather, George Kessler, opened the store in 1939 and sold this meat as well. In addition to supplying local and regional products, Kessler’s heavily supports the community, hosting charity events and sharing its family recipes.

Back in 1939, brothers Danny and Joe Di Bruno opened a tiny market in South Philadelphia's historic Italian Market, providing premium imported cheeses, gourmet meats, and specialty items. Over eight decades, Di Bruno Bros. branched out with shops across Philadelphia and the neighboring suburbs of Wayne and Ardmore. Each location hosts educational and social events dubbed as After Hours Experiences.