The ultimate guide to cheap grocery shopping on the North Shore

We’ve put together a list of local independent grocers with produce that’s often cheaper than major supermarkets, and regular specials.

Reckon we’ve missed your favourite spot? Send us an email via [email protected].

New Yen Yen Supermarket

A small Chatswood supermarket offering cheap Asian greens — bok choy, gai lan, choy sum — along with some hard to find Chinese produce like Er Jing Tiao and Xinjiang chillis. As with most Asian grocers, they will sell you a bunch of coriander for under a dollar.

Where: 2 Endeavour Street, Chatswood

Box Divvy

Box Divvy is a business setting up local food hubs across Australia, acting as a middleman between buyers and farmers. This week, the St Ives hub has eggplant at $1.33/kg, Roma tomatoes at $5.53/kg and Brussels sprouts at $6.63/kg.

Find your nearest hub on the website’s map here.

Willoughby Fresh 

A small family-owned fruit and vegetable market offering weekly specials displayed out front. Currently selling bananas for $3 a bunch, quarter watermelon for $2 and a tray of six lemons for $4.99.

Where: 67 Penshurst Street, Willoughby

Produce markets

Weekly markets across the North Shore are a great way to source fresh, affordable produce while supporting small farmers. Here are the regulars: 

Hornsby Organic Food Market

When: Every Thursday, 8am – 2:30pm

Where: Hornsby Mall

St Ives Organic Food Market

When: Every Saturday, 8am – 1pm

Where: St Ives Showground

Mosman Farmers Market

When: Every Wednesday, 8am – 2pm

Where: Georges Heights Oval

Northside Produce Markets

When: First and third Saturday of every month, 8am – 12pm

Where: 200 Miller Street, North Sydney

Panetta Mercato Macquarie Centre

The go-to for your pecorino, pancetta, arancini and all the other Italian delights Woolies doesn’t stock. Also sells a wide range of fresh fruit and veg. Great selection of canned fish.

Where: Macquarie Centre, Level 3

Turramurra Wholefoods

A small organic grocer offering monthly specials on items like olive oil, butter, stock and juices. Monthly specials published on the store's Instagram. 

Where: 20 Princes Street, Turramurra