Brisbane’s Top 10 Providores
In Mondo Organics September newsletter they provided a list of the top 10 providores in Brisbane. I have to say I definitely agree with this list.
Pennisi was truly a find, I adore cheese and they have all the best cheeses at the best prices in town. I can purchase a hunk of my beloved d’affinois for half the price I would pay anywhere else.
All India Wholefoods (down the road from Pennisi) is truly wonderful for it’s spices. I always stock up when I go there.
Happy shopping!
The list
1/ Northey St Organic Markets, Operating every Sunday morning @ Northey St, Windsor on the banks of Breakfast Creek. Get there before 10am. This is where we all go to shop for locally grown organic fruit, veg, bread and dairy products. The market has a relaxed atmosphere and is great for kids.
2/ Heinz Butcher 611 Stanley St, Woolloongabba. Heinz himself is the owner here with the help of his family. He has a great range of organic chicken, duck and eggs. Heinz makes his own German style sausages without any fillers and they are delicious, and he also has a smoker out the back. He is a butcher who loves what he does and it shows. You can trust him!
3/ Pennisi Distributors 17 Balaclava St, Woolloongabba. This huge deli wholesaler again is family run business with Catarina at the helm. Pennisi has a fabulous range of local and imported cheeses @ good prices. This is the Italian convenience deli of Brisbane! It has the ingredients to make the best mouth-watering antipasto. Fill a basket, grab a bottle of wine and you are set for the day or a week if you choose.
4/ All India Foods Wholesaler 31 Balaclava St, Woolloongabba. (a 30 metre walk from Pennisi). The freshest spice in Brisbane ground or whole @ the best prices. Relishes and chutneys and all natural pre-made spice mixes and curry meals for those of you in a hurry. Tamarind pastes, snacks and an amazing range of pappadums: wheat, rice, potato etc.
5/ Samios Foods 36 Annerley Rd, Woolloongabba. Again, this is a family owned business which has been operating in Brisbane for over 71 years. They specialise in exceptionally well-priced Greek foods, spices and small goods. We go there for non-dairy cheese, delicious olives, snails, tapanades, sun dried tomatoes, pesto, chestnuts, dried & candied fruits, cous cous, pasta, turkish delight, salted cod, dried fish roe and other delicacies.
6/ Raptis Fish Market 90 Colmslie Rd, Colmslie 3249 7800 This is the freshest, best seafood in Brisbane – the closest you will get to the Sydney fish markets. The great news is that they are open 7 days a week, so you can go down there on a Sunday afternoon pick up some fresh prawns and oysters and head around the corner to Colmslie Reserve – a beautiful little park sitting on the river. I was there a couple of Sundays ago with a dozen freshly shucked oysters, fresh lemon, some good rye bread, French butter and a bottle of Italian pinot gris!
7/ Hong Lan Asian Supply 56 Vulture St, West End. This is a small, inexpensive Asian supplier in West End that has everything Asian, plus cheap squid and fresh fish (whole) kept in eskies on the floor. They have a great range of fresh rice noodles, Asian greens, tropical fruits (in Summer), and an amazing range of Asian condiments. Very tight shelving, however, when you get to know the shop after several visits, it all becomes easier.
8/ Mick’s Nuts Store 31 Hardgrave Rd, West End. This shop is tiny and 9 times out of 10, it’s packed. Why? They have the best and freshest nuts in Brisbane at the best prices. Check out the great deli range of goat and sheep cheeses in the fridge, marinated olives, homemade Greek dips, organic grains, eggs, nuts and pastas. Also sheep milk, organic yoghurts and milk. We go late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
9/ Sol Breads Bakery 23 Vulture St, West End. (directly across the street from Mick’s Nuts). Great place to pick up real bread made with care and excellent organic ingredients, and lots of wheat-free options. Sol Breads also carry a great range of organic sorbets and ice creams in the freezer. The chocolate brownies are pretty good too!
10/ Mrs Flannery’s Natural Grocers 52 Annerley Rd, Woolloongabba This is like a clean, large, well stocked organic supermarket. Great for chemical free detergents and washing powders; they will sell in bulk packs if you ask. Also great for frozen organic meals and meats, self-serve bulk organic snacks, grains, pasta, rice, (without the weavels!!) They also carry a great range of supplements and more often than not have a trained naturopath on duty for advice.
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