As our hunger for travel is suppressed, many Australians are turning to gourmet grocers to recreate their favourite culinary dishes from abroad. Our desire for high quality, unique, or hard-to-find ingredients has grown, helping to highlight independent Australian grocers that are leading the way in the gourmet food industry.

THE ITALIAN FRESH MERCATO

This locally owned fresh food market recently opened in Griffith Central, NSW. The Italian Fresh Mercato looks to recreate the authentic Italian experience at home. The market sells an exceptional range of handmade produce, deli goods, imported cheeses, fresh seafood, quality meats and local wines. Patrons can take a stroll down the arched gourmet pantry and find a selection of rustic tinned tomatoes & delicious nougat treats from northern Italy.

Beyond the impressive range of gourmet goods, the Italian Fresh has crafted the ultimate shopping environment for the Griffith community – with the fit-out featuring a pizza bar, café & wine tasting station . This blend of retail cross hospitality spaces, provides the everyday shopper with a unique + personalised experience.

Designed by i2C architects and inspired by the cafés of Italy, Mercato Café offers a taste of authentic Italian cuisine with freshly baked pastries and aromatic coffee. The cafe interior fit-out features curved walls, bespoke joinery and a detailed rolling pin ceiling, that sets the scene for a Mediterranean oasis.

Looking to discover a new wine? Take a seat at the Mercato wine tasting bar & soak up local knowledge about the best imported wines, craft beers and spirits. Don’t forget to admire the custom, locally sourced wine barrel ceiling before stocking up on your favourite beverage (or two).

BUILT BY UNITA | Martha’s Grocer + Cellar, Mornington Peninsula, VIC

MARTHA’S GROCER + CELLAR

 Built to exist seamlessly with Martha’s Table’s casual and fine dining offerings, the European food market inspired grocer and boutique cellar allows visitors to experience a taste of everything the Mornington Peninsula has to offer in one breathtaking, impeccably designed and expertly built venue.

In keeping with the intricate finishes found throughout the space, Martha’s Grocer uses carefully considered joinery and storage solutions to display its range of local and imported products in a light and bright setting. The fit-out showcases the selection of fresh antipasto and charcuterie items, take-home traditional meals along with carefully roasting coffee that can be purchased from Martha’s café. The Grocer’s Café, designed by Melissa Collison is nestled within the food market and focuses on Italian style bakery products with a cabinet full of home-baked goods.

In contrast, dark and moody Martha’s Cellar uses both innovative storage methods to showcase the range of hand-selected wines from the region and abroad. Not your average liquor store fit-out, The Cellar reflects the spirit of the Mornington Peninsula location, with an emphasis on embracing new and exciting varietals of the highest quality and carefully chosen wines. The detail driven fit-out included a mixture of textures & tones to create separate stylish spaces that function within one venue.

INSPIRED BY | Victora Churchill, Sydney NSW

VICTOR CHURCHILL

Known for its striking interiors and high-quality produce, Victor Churchill is a one-of-a-kind Sydney butcher located in Woollahra, NSW. In 2009, the space underwent an extensive hospitality refurbishment and has become a must-see attraction on Queen St. A visit to this iconic local grocer is designed to be a luxurious experience. Patrons can witness butchers in their glass-walled workshop carving before their eyes, see hanging meats rotating in the dry ageing room or design a custom meat board at the charcuterie counter.

 This bespoke fit-out features a front façade with see-through double glazed refrigerated vitrine, custom copper and glass shelving, rich timber wall panelling, Italian Calacatta marble slab ground and a floor-to-ceiling back-lit Himalayan salt wall. The Dreamtime Australian Design team spared no detail when creating this breathtaking European butcher shop that sure to transport you to back in time to a village-style boutique shopping experience.

Dreaming about building your own gourmet grocer? Get in touch.