You may be tempted to head to the nearest Jewel or Mariano’s for your next grocery run, but Chicago is filled with local grocers serving up fresh produce and grab-and-go items in their neighborhoods. Check out these neighborhood markets on your next trip to the store.

Exterior of Chicago grocery store, Stanley's Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in West Town.
Photo courtesy of Stanley’s Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Stanley’s Fresh Fruits and Vegetables - West Town

Known for uber-cheap produce, Stanley's fresh market attracts restaurant owners buying in bulk as well as the average shopper looking for a great deal. Plan accordingly coming here, and if possible, avoid the weekends and visit mid-week when the store has restocked. The shop opened in 1967 with a philosophy to provide the “best buys of the season.” Stanley’s also carries some dry goods and it has a small cooler section. Don’t miss the housemade chips, deli, and juice bar.

Harvestime Foods - Lincoln Square

Located in Lincoln Square on Lawrence Avenue, Harvestime Foods carries fresh produce as well as packaged health foods and kitchen staples. It has a full deli with Boar’s Head meat and cheese. Harvestime is a one-stop-shop local grocery store that also sells household items like laundry detergent, soaps, and paper towels. The store has weekly specials that run Thursday to Wednesday. Founded in 1995, Harvestime prides itself on taking requests and suggestions from the community in order to best serve it. 

Exterior of Chicago grocery store, Farmer's Pride.
Photo courtesy of  Farmers Pride

Farmers Pride - West Town

Located on Western Avenue in West Town, Farmers Pride is a small market with seasonal produce, a full deli and butcher, and a small selection of dry goods. This isn’t the place to come and do a full shopping trip, but rather a spot to find whatever is in season and fresh. Farmers Price also carries a good selection of local coffee and beer as well as wine. The market is known for its great customer service — don’t be surprised if employees remember your face.

Belli’s Juice Bar and Local Food Market - Pilsen

This juice bar and small grocery store is located in Thalia Hall in Pilsen. Belli’s specializes in raw, organic, cold-pressed juices that are created with locally sourced produce whenever possible. The market works directly with urban farmers within the city to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, local preserves, and eggs. Belli’s has a selection of made-to-order salads and soups. Weekly produce shares and juice cleanses are also available.

Checkout at Chicago grocery store, Garden Gourmet Market in Noble Square.
Photo courtesy of Garden Gourmet Market

Garden Gourmet Market - Noble Square

While Garden Gourmet Market has a solid selection of meat and dairy products, it also has a variety of vegan products. Located in Noble Square along Ashland Avenue near the Division Blue Line stop, Garden Gourmet carries a number of local coffee brands, including Dark Matter, Big Shoulders, and Metropolis, as well as plenty of local craft beers and a good variety of wines and liquor. This market is the perfect place to pick up a meat and cheese platter or fresh produce.

Morse Fresh Market - Rogers Park

Morse Fresh Market opened its doors in 2004 in Rogers Park and is committed to being as ethnically diverse as the community in which it’s located. The locally owned produce and garden market is the place to go for specialty ingredients that simply can’t be found at the standard grocery store. It has a wide selection of organic foods, gluten-free products, and more. Morse also has a hot food section with made-to-order food, including sandwiches, soups, salads, and homemade guacamole. It also has plenty of baked goods, from savory to sweet. 

Exterior of Chicago grocery store, Go Grocer in Wicker Park.
Photo courtesy of Go Grocer

Go Grocer - Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lakeview

Go Grocer has a few locations throughout Chicago, but it originated in the Wicker Park/Bucktown community. By 2013, the team behind Go Grocer opened its second location in Lakeview and has since grown even more. Founded on the desire to bring fresh, specialty items to the community, Go Grocer sells based on the neighborhood and direct community needs. Generally, Go Grocer locations will have a variety of natural and organic goods, vegan products, fresh produce, gluten-free foods, and specialty chocolate. It’s also a great place to find ready-made sandwiches and other quick snacks.