Central Market

Central Market is Mecca for foodies, plain and simple. Whether it's single-origin coffee beans, orange blossom water, 10-year-aged cheddar or $120-a-pound Iberico ham you seek, this maze of a grocery store has it all. A behemoth of a produce section offers no fewer than 10 different kinds of potatoes, not to mention fresh juices, pricy wild mushrooms and obscure imported fruits from rambutan to Buddha’s hand. The seafood and meat departments are equally well-stocked with everything from house-made sausages to a variety of fresh oysters. A dizzying array of cheeses will dazzle even the most dedicated of fromage-philes, while the wine department’s extensive selection includes plenty of bargain-priced bottles. The in-house bakery bakes an impressive array of pastries, breads, and desserts, and even freshly made tortillas. Pretty much the only thing you won’t find at Central Market are lowbrow American staples like six-packs of Coke and Doritos. For such pedestrian fare, you’ll have to trek to your local megamart.