WillTravel

In Rome, I've read there is a supermarket in the Spagna metro station. So that solves that problem for me. (I'm staying near the Barberini metro stop.) Any other suggestions?

In Florence, any suggestions about supermarkets near the Piazza del Carmine in the Oltrarno?

For Venice, I am staying in Cannaregio. Any supermarkets there? I know that any such store in Venice is likely to be quite limited in size.

cf5657

It's not hard to find grocery stores in Italy.

In Venice there is a grocery store at the main Vaporetto entrance when you come in from the car park or the train, I can't remeber what it's called but there is a grocery store there on the left before you board the Vaporetto.

You should also be able to find one on some of the main shopping streets.
In Rome there is a really good open air market in Campo di Fiori and again you can find a grocery store just about anywhere.

cmt

Must it be a SUPERmarket? I saw lots of outdoor markets in Canareggio, with all sorts of fish, fruit, vegetables, and other foods, and there seemed to be plenty of small stores near the markets for other practical necessities.

Boodja

In front of the vaporetti at Piazzele Roma is a Co-op. This is the closest to a US-type supermarket (just about everything under one roof) you'll find, with a meat counter, dairy, and various sundry items. But as someone else mentioned, there are many smaller markets to be found with fresh vegetables in the neighborhoods.

If you're feeling really adventurous, take the free bus to the Panorama Store from P. le Roma to Mestre. It's huge and Walmart-like, with a larger supermarket section than my neighborhood Safeway in CA. Just what you're looking for when you're on vacation (wink-wink.)

Good luck and happy travels.

carina

Rome; there's a big Conad store in the basement of the termini station and I seem to recall a large supermarket across from Santa Maria Magggiore.

Florence; not sure about the Piazza del Carmine, but just a short bus trip away there's a small Conad/Margherita grocery store attached to the SMN train station. The entrance is outside the station, on the Via Alamanni side.

Eli

Rome: Walking several blocks south from Piazza Barberini along via del Tritone, there is a SPAR on the right hand side, off the main street.

Melissajoy

While we were in Rome, Florence, and Venice, we didn't see any USA-style large supermarkets...but then, we weren't looking for one either. We did come across many smaller grocery stores and various smaller shops which sold the things we needed. Also the smaller grocery stores and shops are more interesting as they are different from what we're used to in the USA.

We never had to walk far without coming across little stores selling drinks, sandwiches, produce, and various supplies.

jdraper

When we were in Venice last year they had recently opened a larger supermarket in Cannaregio right on the Strada Nova. It was fairly new as when we had stayed in the same area previosly there were only small markets and street produce markets in the area. You can't miss this new one on the Strada Nova.

Mischka

Hi,
We bought lots from the store that jdraper mentioned and they have a good cheese counter.
There are quite a few smaller stores along Strada Nova.
Before we went to Venice last April I found this one on the net http://www.imascari.com/
from the web site it seems simple to find but we walked around in circles and asked people but never found it. I have just mailed them for directions but would be very grateful if someone could tell us all where it is as it seems to stock wonderful goodies.

WillTravel, you will find many lovely little stores as you wander around.
There is a nice one right at the Trevi Fountain in Rome, great sandwiches with yummy italian meats and cheeses as fillings. Not a big supermarket though. http://web.tiscali.it/riposati/

If you hear of any good stores please post as I'll be back in January.
Have a good trip

rialtogrl

Where is this new supermarket on Strada Nova? I didn't see it on my last trip.

Willtravel, in what part of Cannaregio are you staying?

Drogheria Mascari is not really a supermarket, and it is not in Cannaregio - it is in San Polo. They have wine, coffee, candy, and gourmet items. It is easy to find - from the bottom of the Rialto Bridge, facing the market area, simply walk straight. After a couple of blocks it will be on your left. There are liquors and candies in the window. If you get to the next campo, you have gone too far.

WillTravel

Thanks for the tips everyone. I am planning to minimize restaurant use so I wanted to be able to buy various foods and staples. The suggested smaller shops sound good too.

rialtogirl, I'm staying at La Forcola in Cannaregio - here is the map if that means anything to you:
http://www.laforcolahotel.com/en/location.htm
It looks to be near Strada Nuova.

suze

My trick for finding grocery stores-

Watch for old ladies with their shopping baskets (either empty or full). I first discovered this in Venice; the store was practically right in front of me but I hadn't noticed it as there was little signage, you needed to walk in thru a plain doorway. Following the lady rolling her empty cart, I found my way. Great small grocery store in Dorsoduro near the post office.

Castleton

Where is the post office in Dorsoduro???

Mischka

Thanks for the info rialtogrl, I will print and follow your directions. And yes I knew that it was not really a supermarket and is in San Polo. I was hoping to find some goodies to bring home, and wine to drink while in Venice of course, not that I had a problem finding wine last time there

suze

Castleton, think it was right on the quai/promonade near the vaporetto stop? I was staying at La Calcina so somewhere between that hotel & where you head over L'Accadamia bridge? If memory serves.

kappa

I've seen at least one supermarket(small but defititely a supermarket with 2 or 3 cashier lines) on the Strada Nova one year ago. I entered there to buy some snacks. I don't remember the exact location but it's not hard to find it. If only I can remember the name of the shop. It might have had an English name... could have been Coop or Flag something. Sorry about the very vague description. I've been many times to the big(for Venice) one in Dorsoduro district, on the quai along the Giudecca canal. That one was called somthing like Bille.

rialtogrl

WillTravel, there is a little supermarket - Suve, I think - near your hotel. Go out to the Strada Nova and go left. Walk a couple of blocks and it will be on your left (by this time it will not be Strada Nova anymore, but go towards the train station. There is also a Coop Supermarket behind Campo S.S. Apostoli, in the other direction.

Mischka, Mascari is a really cool store. If it is wine you are after, when you go into the store, go to the left. The wine is in a back room past the counter. Ask one of the staff if it is OK for you to go back there. They will send someone in to help you.

kappa

The one on the Strada Nova I've been to was Standa (so it's an italian name) which you will find on the left of the Strada Nova coming from Rilato. The one in Dorsoduro is Billa.

rialtogrl

I just thought of another good shop for you to check out, WillTravel. Rizzo! Walk towards the train station on Strada Nova, and this street turns into Rio Tera San Leonardo. Rizzo will be on your right. They have a bakery and a deli, and sell wine and lots of other good stuff.

jdraper

The supermarket on the Strada Nova is called Billa and it is located on Strada Nova about one block from McDonalds. If you are walking up the Strada Nova toward the train station you will see McDonalds on your right and Billa will be on the same side of the street about one block up. I can't think of the names of any other landmarks except Hotel La Forcola, which is about one block further up toward the train station. This is a full supermarket with multiple checkout lanes, rolling carts and you will find everything that you could possibly need.