We are a family of five about to travel in Italy. We have been told supermarkets are scarce in Rome, Florence and Venice. Does anyone know the addresses of supermarkets in those cities?

Hi A,

Does it have to be a supermarket?

Will shops and farmer's markets suffice?

I can't give you the exact address or the names but I know of two supermarkets in Venice.

There's one on Strada Nova in Cannaregio, and another one on Le Zattere in Dorsoduro.

In Florence, Standa is a good supermarket. It's in the area a little east of the Duomo, but I don't know the address (and there may be more than one, for all I know.)

The locals have to eat ,too-you will find lots of food to buy.It may not be in a super duper shiny megamarket,but you'll find plenty.

There's what passes for a supermarket in Rome on Via Monte di Farina. But the open air market at Campo de Fiori, which is surrounded by bakeries, butcher shops, wine stores and a good delicatessen is a few steps away.

I've been to the one mentioned above on the Doroduro in Venice. Actually it was a little hard to spot... I followed an older local woman with her little empty shopping wagon/basket, figured that had to be where she was going and it was!

Anyway I think the name was Bilbo(?) and it's around the Zattere vaporetto stop, near the post office.

> I think the name was Bilbo

That's Billa (or maybe with only one L?). The same shop as the one on Strada Nova.

It is indeed Billa with two Ls.

There's a big Coop at Piazzale Roma and a couple of other Coops scattered around. There's a supermarket at the south end of Campo Santa Margherita--I can't remember the name, though.

A lot of the supermarkets in the historic centers of Italian cities have relatively small shopfronts, but then a warren of rooms stretching behind. So they may not be immediately apparent to you. The staff where you're staying should be able to tell you where to go.

I like shopping at small shops and open-air markets, but sometimes you want the convenience of a supermarket--you can get jam, shampoo, olive oil, dried pasta, yoghurt, cookies, camera batteries, etc., as well as meats, cheeses, and veggies all at one time.

Oops--should have specified that the other supermarkets I mentioned are also in Venice.

Tell us where you're staying and we can be of more help....it doesn't help if we tell you about a great supermarket that is a long way from your hotel/flat.

Aussies:

Here are some supermarkets in Rome:

SUPERMERCATO STANDA (Via Cola di Rienzo 173, inside the COIN department store)

SUPERMERCATO GS (Via Monte di Farina) the largest supermarket in the historical center between Campo de’ Fiori and Largo Argentina.

SUPERMERCATO DI MEGLIO (Via Giustiniani 18b) doesn’t look like much from the outside but is huge.

SUPERMARKET (Viale di Trastevere, 60 inside the Oviesse department store)

There is also one right near the Trevi fountain (the street on the left side that leads up to it).

Hope this helps and enjoy your trip.

kappa and KT, thank you for the help (Billa). it was a little hard to spot from the promonade, with mostly an awning outside markign it. but did have everything you'd want including deli, fresh produce, etc.

If you have problems finding a supermarket in Rome, you could always go to the one in Termini (the main train station). Its not huge but its adequate. We've picked up a few things there on several occassions.

Tracy

In Venice: BILLA Supermercato-there are two locations, but I've only used the one on the Strada Nova in Cannaregio-you can't miss it, coming down from the train station, it's about a 5-7 minute walk, past the Venice Casino, just past a bridge (Ca Gottardi on the right) on the left hand side.

I think the other Billa is in Dorsoduro, but don't hold me to that.

During our stay in Rome at Easter, we found a supermarket [Espar from memory] on the north side of the via nazionale up towards the termini end. It wasn't huge but it was adequate.
there was also a much smaller one on one of the little streets that run off the via n'ale towards Via Cavour on via del boschetto. Also lots of small delis, greengrocers, etc in this area which is called "monti".
If you are renting an apartment, your rental agency or owner should be able to tell you this; if you are in a hotel, reception should help you out.
Have a great time.

Other posters including me already stated (correctly) Billa stores are located in Cannaregio (on Strada Nova) and at Zattere (near San Basilio vaporetto stop in Dorsoduro). And if it helps there is one on Lido, on the street midway from Lido vaporetto stop to the beach, at a corner on your left. Unlike the ones on Venice proper, this Billa has not only food but also clothing.

Rome has Sma supermarket, near termini, opposite St Maria maggiore cathedral.

Bookmarking Since I remeber finding markets in Italy rough!

there a new, to me at least, Conrad (sp?) largish supermarket with seemingly supermarket pricing on the lower shopping level of Rome Termini station, just under the east end of the station, with long hours daily