Looking for quality local independent grocers in Melbourne? Melbourne's love affair with independent grocers runs deep. Long before "curated" became a buzzword, family-run stores across the city were doing exactly that - hand-picking the best produce, importing the good stuff from Italy and Greece, and building the kind of loyal, multi-generational customer base that no chain supermarket can buy. Here are the independent grocers doing it best (based on our personal visits), from inner-city delis to suburban institutions.
The Happy Apple — Essendon, Ascot Vale, Seddon, Newport
One of Melbourne's leading independent grocer groups, The Happy Apple has built a loyal following across four stores, including its founding Ascot Vale site on Union Road and its newer Essendon store on Mount Alexander Road. Expect bright, contemporary fitouts, beautifully presented fresh produce, artisan bread, a flower counter and a coffee bar — premium without losing its neighbourhood-grocer feel.
I visited the Essendon store for its first anniversary celebrations and sampled some of the amazing producers on offer, and had the pleasure of meeting owner Hamish, who has been in the trade for more than 20 years and employs plenty of locals across his stores. It's a great legacy dating back to the original Ascot Vale launch, and it shows — a genuinely premium offering, beautifully set out, with engaging staff and terrific specials, including on wine.
Spring Street Grocer — Melbourne CBD
Tucked into the base of a heritage building on Spring Street, this CBD specialty grocer is best known for Australia's first underground cheese maturation cellar, alongside house-made gelato from its in-house gelateria and a tightly edited range of pantry staples, charcuterie and coffee. It's a favourite lunch stop for city workers and a genuine destination for cheese lovers.
I've made many visits to Spring Street Grocer over the years, including for its specialty cheese events, and it's fantastic to have such an offering right in the heart of the CBD.
Piedimonte's — Fitzroy North
Opened as a small Italian deli in 1958 by the Piedimonte family, this Best Street institution has grown into a full supermarket while holding onto its old-world character — think hand-cut deli meats, an enormous range of continental pantry goods, and staff who still walk customers' shopping to the car. It's one of Melbourne's most-loved examples of a grocer that grew with its community rather than away from it.
I had a great visit to Piedimonte's and met the owners (Joseph and Lorenzo) on one occasion — there's an old-school nostalgia to the place at times, with a unique personality all of its own, and it's clearly a much-loved part of the local community. They are a one stop shop for premium products and we love their displays and the fact they are family-owned.
DOC Delicatessen — Carlton
Part of the DOC Group alongside DOC Espresso and DOC Pizzeria, this Lygon Street deli is where Melbourne comes for imported Italian staples - Parmigiano-Reggiano wheels, cured meats sliced to order on a Berkel slicer, and a deli counter stacked with fresh pasta, cheeses and antipasti. It's a working deli for a working kitchen, supplying the group's own restaurants as well as home cooks.
I've visited DOC several times in Carlton, even walking there from the city on one occasion - it has an incredible range of Italian produce and imported treats, and the coffee is off the charts good.
LaManna — Essendon Fields
Founded by Pasquale LaManna as a fruit shop in West Preston in 1953, LaManna has grown into Australia's largest independent supermarket - a 10,000sqm food hall at Essendon Fields incorporating fresh produce, meat, seafood, a bakery, patisserie and full grocery range. It's now run by the third generation of the LaManna family and remains a genuine destination rather than a quick errand stop.
I've made many visits to the Essendon Fields store, which is genuinely huge - a converted aircraft hangar with so much to choose from and dedicated specialty areas throughout. It's a proper afternoon out, not just a shop.
LaManna & Sons — South Yarra
Despite the shared name and heritage, LaManna & Sons on Chapel Street is a separately owned and run business, helmed by brothers who bring a polished, modern take on the family's fresh produce legacy to South Yarra's well-heeled shopping strip. Expect immaculately presented fruit and veg, a strong deli section and grab-and-go prepared meals suited to the area's fast-paced clientele.
I've also made many visits to the South Yarra store, which has a real touch of class to it, and I love following their social media, which captures the store's personality beautifully.
McCoppins — Hawthorn East & Clifton Hill
Family-owned since 1978, McCoppins started life as a wine bar and has grown into a small, beloved group of gourmet supermarkets and bottleshops. Each store is stocked for its neighbourhood - Hawthorn East and Clifton Hill both carry an excellent deli counter, artisan bread and a well-chosen wine and craft beer range, with staff who genuinely know their cheese from their Chardonnay.
Mediterranean Wholesalers — Brunswick
A Sydney Road staple since starting life as a milk bar in 1941, Mediterranean Wholesalers is Melbourne's go-to for imported Italian and Spanish groceries in serious bulk - think pasta aisles that stretch for days, an extensive deli of prosciutto and cheeses, and homewares alongside the pantry staples. It's less a grocer, more an occasion.
I've visited Mediterranean Wholesalers many times, and once again it's a great place to stock up on genuine Italian products.
The Leaf Store — Elwood, Hawthorn & Armadale
Founded in Elwood in 2007 by fruit and veg wholesaler Leon Mugavin, The Leaf Store describes itself as "your village grocer" — and it shows, with a strong focus on organic and specialty produce, artisan bakery items and a curated deli. The brand has since expanded to Hawthorn and Armadale, each store keeping the same community-first, market-inspired feel.
I was really impressed on my visits to Leaf, and came away with a great selection of premium produce, which I featured on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a grocer "independent" in Melbourne?
An independent grocer is privately or family-owned rather than part of a major supermarket chain like Coles or Woolworths. Many, including several on this list, are part of the IGA network but remain independently owned and operated.
Which Melbourne grocer has the best deli counter?
DOC Delicatessen in Carlton and Mediterranean Wholesalers in Brunswick are both standouts for imported Italian smallgoods and cheese, while McCoppins' Hawthorn East and Clifton Hill stores are known for their curated local and international deli range.
Are LaManna Essendon Fields and LaManna & Sons South Yarra the same business?
No. While both trace back to the same LaManna family fruit-shop heritage, LaManna at Essendon Fields and LaManna & Sons in South Yarra are separately owned and independently operated businesses today.
Which independent grocer is best for organic and specialty produce?
The Leaf Store across Elwood, Hawthorn and Armadale leans most heavily into organic and specialty produce, while The Happy Apple also stocks a strong range of vegan-friendly and specialty pantry items.
Do independent grocers deliver in Melbourne?
Most of the grocers on this list, including The Happy Apple, LaManna and The Leaf Store, offer online ordering with home delivery or click-and-collect options.