“Grocery Store Tourism”
Grocery stores are having a moment on social media as they are fast becoming the must visit attraction for travelers. ‘Shelf browsing’ is the new and delicious way to explore a destination’s culture, uncovering local foods and flavors, the new brands to try out or analyzing the contrasting aisle configurations that just make sense. With 78%* of travelers agreeing that trying new foods is a big part of their travel experience, hitting the grocery shops is becoming the first stop on the itinerary, so to help, we have identified the top destinations around the world for this new travel trend.
Los Angeles, United States
Los Angeles is glitz, glamor and a food lover’s paradise. Since opening its doors to LA’s locals in 1969, the bougie Erewhon grocery store has become a tourist hotspot, drawing visitors intrigued by the outrageous prices and unique finds. Shoppers will be wowed by the sushi sandwiches and celebrity-designed smoothies that brighten any social media photo dump. The store even offers valet parking, making it a whole 5* experience from arrival to departure. Some of the city’s it grocery shop spots include Bristol Farmers, a gourmet grocer with its color-coordinated vegetables and boasting a poke bar; Andrew’s Cheese Shop for wine, beer and speciality meats and cheeses; and Farmshop, dedicated to showcasing California-inspired fare serving breakfast, lunch and dinner using locally sourced ingredients in the on-site restaurant.
Where to stay: Located between Venice Beach and Santa Monica Beach, STAY OPEN Venice Beach is the perfect environment to bond with like-minded travelers over a love of food, with a Whole Foods Market and Ralphs within walking distance. Providing a shared lounge and kitchen, with some rooms even having their own sea-view balconies, this property is within touching distance of the hustle and bustle of the city, providing the ultimate Los Angeles travel experience.
Lyon, France
Known as the gastronomical capital of France, Lyon has more restaurants per head than any other city in the country, 14 of which are Michelin starred. To the French, eating and indulging in the wonders of food is an experience in itself, making the country a must-visit for any foodie looking to enjoy the art of feast. Along with fine dining, its streets are dotted with famous supermarkets also known as hypermarchés that include Monoprix, which combines food retail with beauty, fashion and home products, and Carrefour, renowned for its well-stocked meat and produce departments. While browsing its many aisles, visitors can buy fresh ingredients and prepare delicacies such as the petit salé, one of the region’s most traditional dishes made from lentils cooked with sausages and vegetables. Crown this meal with a visit to Pralus to try out the famous praline tart made with red almond candies. Alternatively, those who prefer discovering this city’s gastronomy with an expert should try out a Guided Food Tour where guests can visit a variety of restaurants in Lyon’s Old Town and sample cheese platters and praline pie along with a glass of wine.
Where to stay: In the heart of Lyon lies MOHOM - Bellecordière which boasts intimate street views from elegant rooms, with enough space for a whole family to enjoy Lyon’s culinary scene. While here guests can make full use of the apartment’s fully equipped kitchen, cooking up regional classics while enjoying the comfort of the property's cozy amenities including a fireplace and living area.
Mexico City, Mexico
One of the largest cities on the planet, this metropolis is home to a vibrant food heritage filled with Spanish, Chinese, French and Arabic culinary influences. Foodies who love sampling local flavors will be pleased to hear its streets are dotted with a plethora of farmers markets and gourmet food halls featuring authentic native delicacies such as chilaquiles, tamales and quesadillas. This Mexico City Market and Salsa Making Secrets with Local Familygives travelers the chance to go grocery shopping in two off-the-beaten-path street markets, the Mural and the Flower, to learn more about the city’s history, culture and politics, and afterwards finish with an interactive salsa making lesson with the help of a local expert. Shop for the regions lesser-known chiles, chile de árbol, chile manzano, and chile habanero, perfect for adding into any roast meats or stocks; or pick up a comal, the ultimate utensil, a flat, round, heavy griddle that you can use to roast tomatoes and chiles for salsa, and to warm tortillas.
Where to stay: Enjoy a stay at Casa de la Luz Hotel Boutique, featuring 1500s historic architecture, a bar, terrace and views of the city. An à la carte breakfast menu is offered to guests staying in this property daily, with lunch and dinner also served on site, dishing up local and international delicacies. This Travel Proudproperty is in close proximity to a range of the city’s popular sights including Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, Mexico City Museum and National Palace.
Bali, Indonesia
As an affordable destination for travelers, Bali’s supermarket shopping experience is also light on the wallet. Across social media, content creators have shown how much people can buy with a single Pound, Dollar or Euro in a Bali supermarket, from skincare products and coffee beans to soft drinks and beer. Offering a great selection of grocery stores, from 7/11 to Grand Lucky and Pepito Market, travelers will wish they brought a bigger suitcase. Some of the local delicacies include the Bali Banana and the Beng-Beng, a local chocolate bar. After the fun of the supermarkets, travelers can expand their food knowledge even further with this Street Food Tour, and be chauffeured around Bali whilst testing and trying all different types of specialities, from Babi Guling (suckling pig) to Balinese cake.
Where to stay: Providing travelers with everything they could need all in one space, Kanvaz Village Resort Seminyak is an ideal accommodation option. Just 700 meters from Batu Belig Beach, the resort features an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a terrace to admire the beautiful Bali views. A variety of cafes and restaurants are on this hotel’s doorstep, not forgetting Bintang Supermarket just a short drive away from all those Beng-Beng bars.
Bologna, Italy
With its nickname of ‘La Grassa’ (the Fat One’), Bologna is known as Italy’s culinary capital and is home to some of the most world renowned food, including tagliatelle al ragu, tortellini and Parmigiano Reggiano. While not the traditional grocery store destination, Bologna’s residents enjoy a range of gourmet delis and independent boutiques to source the best quality produce. The Quadrilatero is the oldest food market in the city, spanning an array of streets and bursting with several indoor stalls and market spots. Foodies will love strolling through the city’s first covered market, Mercato di Mezzo, an indoor food haven offering a pizzeria, beer pub, pasta bar and restaurant. Another must-see is Via Pescherie Vecchie, located on the corner of the Quadrilatero; one of the best gourmet delis in Bologna with fresh bread and take-out heaped sandwiches filled with delights such as mortadella and chunks of burratina. And don’t forget to pick up some cured meats and local balsamic vinegar from Modena at Salumeria Simoni, a gourmet grocery shop known for having some of the best food in the city.
Where to stay: Five minutes’ walk away from Bologna’s food haven is Casa Andromeda in Canton de’ Fiori, a charming one-bedroom apartment in the center of the city. Guests can enjoy a spacious area to cook up and feast on locally sourced produce, while overlooking the picturesque city views from a floor-to-ceiling window.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total, 27,730 respondents across 33 countries and territories were polled (including 1008 from Argentina, 1012 from Australia, 505 from Austria, 1001 from Belgium, 1002 from Brazil, 1009 from Canada, 1009 from China, 1002 from Colombia, 508 from Croatia, 504 from Denmark, 1011 from France, 1011 from Germany, 1016 from Hong Kong, 1004 from India, 510 from Ireland, 504 from Israel, 1014 from Italy, 1004 from Japan, 1009 from Mexico, 1014 from The Netherlands, 1015 from New Zealand, 500 from Portugal, 502 from Singapore, 1010 from South Korea, 1009 from Spain, 502 from Sweden, 507 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 1003 from Thailand, 502 from the UAE, 1007 from the UK, 1005 from the US and 1007 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in July 2023.
