What Exactly Is Grocery Tourism?
This isn't your average pre-checkout snack run in a new city. Grocery tourism is the intentional act of planning part of your vacation around visiting a specific supermarket or local market. For these travelers, a grocery store is more than a place for
provisions; it's a cultural institution, an edible museum, and an immersive experience all in one. It’s about discovering regional specialties you can’t find back home, gawking at aisles of exotic ingredients, and understanding a place through the food its people eat every day. Instead of just dining out, these tourists want to see where the real ingredients live, breathing in the atmosphere of a bustling Italian deli, a sprawling Asian supermarket, or a beloved regional chain.
Why Is This Happening Now?
Several cultural shifts are stocking the shelves for this trend. First, the explosion of food media on platforms like TikTok and Instagram has turned everyday food discovery into compelling content. A 'haul' from a unique grocery store can go viral, turning a trip to the market into a shared adventure. Second, there's a growing desire for 'authentic' travel experiences. Tourists are increasingly looking to connect with a destination like a local, and there’s nothing more local than the neighborhood grocery store. Finally, the stores themselves are evolving. Many are no longer just sterile rows of shelves; they are vibrant, experience-driven destinations with food courts, cooking classes, and theme-park-like layouts designed to entertain as much as to sell.
The U.S. Grocery Store Bucket List
While a trip to La Grande Épicerie in Paris or the Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo has long been a foodie pilgrimage, the U.S. has its own roster of must-visit supermarkets that draw visitors from across the country. These aren't just stores; they're destinations that have built loyal, cult-like followings. Here are a few that have become bona fide tourist attractions.
The Italian Marketplace: Eataly
With massive locations in cities like New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas, Eataly is less a supermarket and more a multi-story Italian food theme park. You can wander through aisles piled high with imported Parmigiano-Reggiano and hundreds of pasta shapes, watch mozzarella being pulled by hand, grab a glass of wine at one of several bars, take a pasta-making class, and then sit down for a full meal at a rooftop restaurant—all without ever leaving the building. It’s an overwhelming, intoxicating celebration of Italian food culture that can easily fill an entire afternoon.
The Regional Cult Favorite: Wegmans
To the uninitiated, it’s just a grocery store. To its legions of fans, Wegmans is heaven on earth. This East Coast chain inspires a devotion so intense that its store openings create traffic jams. People will drive hours to experience its legendary prepared foods section (a massive food court with everything from sushi to pizza), pristine produce, vast cheese department, and almost comically helpful staff. Visiting a Wegmans is a rite of passage, giving travelers a taste of a regional obsession that lives up to the hype.
The International Wonderland: Jungle Jim's
Located outside Cincinnati, Ohio, Jungle Jim's International Market is perhaps the wildest grocery experience in America. What started as a roadside fruit stand has morphed into a 200,000-square-foot food labyrinth with kitschy animatronics, themed sections (the British section has a giant Robin Hood-era castle facade), and an international food selection so vast it includes products from over 70 countries. You can find an acre of produce, a boat-shaped seafood department, and an entire building dedicated to wine, beer, and cheese. It’s a wonderfully weird and delicious destination that feels more like an Epcot pavilion than a grocery store.
The Cultural Touchstone: H Mart
Thanks in part to Michelle Zauner's bestselling memoir, *Crying in H Mart*, this Korean-American supermarket chain has been cemented in the public consciousness as more than just a place to buy kimchi and gochujang. For many, it's a vital cultural hub—a connection to heritage for Korean Americans and a delicious gateway for everyone else. Visitors are drawn to the sprawling food courts serving authentic Korean dishes, the endless aisles of unique snacks and noodles, and the impressive banchan (side dish) bars. A trip to H Mart is a deep dive into the flavors that define modern Korean cuisine.
