166 Best Places to Shop in USA

Just a few miles up the road from Medford in the little town of Central Point, you'll find one of the planet's most respected cheese makers (in 2019, Rogue became the first U.S. cheese maker ever to take the top prize at the prestigious World Cheese Awards). Begun in 1935 by Italian immigrants and now run by David Gremmels, this factory store sells all of the company's stellar cheeses, from Smokey Blue to a lavender-infused cheddar, and you can often watch the production through a window. Delicious grilled-cheese sandwiches and local wines and beers are also available—enjoy them at one of the sidewalk tables outside.  Ardent fans of this place might want to check out Rogue Creamery Dairy Farm, outside Grants Pass, and about 30 miles away from Central Point. Tours of the milking operations and the farm are available, and you can buy cheese and other gourmet goods there as well.

Northeast of St. George, this suburban outpost of the legendary family farm and fruit stand in central Utah is a favorite stop for delicious apples, cherries, peaches, pears, and watermelons. Be sure to sample the fresh-pressed apple juice and cider. The ice-cream parlor doles out tasty treats, including shakes and apple-cider slushes.

Inhale the aromas of spices and coffee beans as you enter this trading post that's been a neighborhood institution since 1948. They're not just purveyors of nuts, cheeses, olives, and other Middle Eastern grocery items, but also have a gourmet deli of prepared foods. Hot saj (unlevened flatbread) sandwiches are made to order, filled with curried chickpeas, falafels, za'atar (Middle Eastern spice blend) chicken, or harissa (hot chili pepper paste) salmon, along with your choice of veggies.

This woman-owned shop created by two sisters who grew up harvesting seafood on Alaska commercial fishing boats is the perfect place to stock up on filleted, smoked, jarred, and frozen wild Alaska salmon and halibut. They also sell fishing gear and Alaska-made cards, books, and clothing.

This 200-acre organic farm and dairy on the edge of Bow produces exceptional cow's-milk cheeses, plus kefir and yogurt. There's also a selection of pork, veal, and beef products, from animals raised on this beautiful farm. You can sample the goods in the tasting room or get a bite to eat—cheese plates, mac and cheese, and labneh (a cheese made from strained yogurt) cheesecake are among the specialties. There's cider, beer, and coffee, too.

Ted Dennard's Savannah Bee Company has been featured in such national magazines as O, Vogue, InStyle, and Newsweek, and with good reason—the whimsical shop features locally cultivated honey and bath products that are simply wonderful. You can sample and buy multiple varieties of honey and even raw honeycombs, and there's an entire bar dedicated to mead, a delicate honey wine; enjoy a tasting for a sweet experience. Children enjoy the life-size beehive.

The Spice House draws rave reviews from local home cooks and glossy national food mags alike for its head-spinning range of top-quality spices sourced from around the globe. At the brand’s Old Town outpost, an aromatic storefront with a modern apothecary vibe, you can shop for edible reminders of your Chicago sojourn in the form of spice blends created to capture the essence of the city’s neighborhoods.

When it comes to authentic New York food, it's hard to beat this local-favorite specialty food emporium. Best known for its smoked fish counter, not limited to lox (smoked salmon), sliced to order, Zabar's also features one of the largest selections of domestic and imported cheeses and salamis in town, bakery items including cheesecake, ground-to-order coffees, and prepared foods like soups and stuffed cabbage the way Grandma made them. And that's only the ground floor. Upstairs are housewares, from espresso makers to fondue pots to serving dishes. Head next door, to the Zabar's Cafe, to score a cup of gourmet coffee and a bagel and lox with cream cheese.

This market sells a wide range of fresh and dried fruits, including cherries, pears, apricots, and peaches, as well as chocolate-dipped fruits, nuts, and locally produced jams, jellies, and syrups. During the growing season, the market sells fresh produce as well. There's a second location in Grand Junction.

At this 250-acre farm, pick apples and berries or buy freshly baked fruit pies and cookies and outstanding homemade ice cream. Fall brings cider pressing, hayrides, pumpkins, and music on weekends. Author John Irving's experiences working here as a teen inspired The Cider House Rules.

Cozy up in this small store, filled with the company's elegantly packaged all-natural teas. Ingredients are blended right in town in small batches. Pots and tea accessories, and of course a large selection of cups, are also sold.

A few steps from Fremont Street you'll find every conceivable form of jerky, including bacon, ostrich, alligator, salmon, and even tofu, with hot and spicy choices to boot. Take home the Las Vegas specialty jerky shaped like all four suits in a deck of cards. It's not all jerky; there are candy and other products as well.

With a mission to promote sustainability, community, and delicious, local honey products, BeeFavored is an urban beekeeping business with products made from honey that is harvested on a rooftop in the heart of Harlem. Artisanal honey blends, jams, syrups, barbecue sauces, spices, herbs, teas, candles, and pet products are crafted with organic ingredients and make excellent and unique New York souvenirs. 

This French specialty-food shop carries imported cheeses, cured meats, and the finest olive oils from carefully sourced producers, who also sell their wares to fancy restaurants in New York City and Martha's Vineyard. Bizalion doubles as an informal eatery; on the small menu are some appealing sandwiches, including one with arugula, pine nuts, prosciutto, goat cheese, and olive oil on toasted bread.

Part of the fun in visiting this pastoral farmstead in Bow, apart from stocking up on fresh-picked (or pick-yourself) organic blueberries, is sampling the wide range of gourmet goodies. Bow Hill prepares and sells juices, salad dressings, pickled preserves, and other treats made with local blueberries—there's blueberry ice cream, too.

Since 1948, Burg’s Corner has been peddling peaches from Jimmy Duecker Orchards, alongside a wide range of other fruits, vegetables, and products from local vendors. Stop by for a bowl of homemade peach ice cream topped with fresh peach compote, and snap a photo in front of the “Life Is Peachy” mural. Off-season, there is plenty of other beautiful produce to purchase, as well as a plethora of preserved peach products.

In addition to shelves of Vermont-made jams, mustards, crackers, and maple products, the store features a long central table with samples of a dozen Cabot cheeses.

Amazing sandwiches, croissants, and coffee.

Maine leads the way in whoopie pie adoration, and gourmet shops like this one offer up all kinds of imaginative flavors including chocolate cakes with chocolate hazelnut and cayenne cream, vanilla cakes with maple cream, or seasonal options like pumpkin cakes with cream cheese cream and Granny Smith apple spiced cake with caramel cream. There are even gluten-free options. And the best part? They can be shipped all over the continental United States.

After a morning drive on the Hana Highway or an afternoon at Hamoa Beach, you can stop at this fun stand to grab fresh fruit or a tropical smoothie and to shop for jewelry and local art. Stretch your legs on a leisurely stroll, or just kick back and enjoy the breezes and the views.

This upscale specialty market and café features classic paninis, salads, and every type of fancy, fizzy drink imaginable. It's an ideal spot to prep for a picnic. Note the locally produced items, such as Callie's Pimento Cheese and Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Small Batch Tonic Syrup.

"The Caviar Sisters" Petra and Saskia Bergstein created this sustainability-minded brand that has developed a cult following among caviar connoisseurs and chefs in the Bay Area. Their chic above-street-level boutique on Union Street allows the public to pick out some of the finest caviar products in town—and feel good about it.

This family-run business boasts the largest walk-in refrigerator of cheese and cured meat in Colorado. With more than 350 types of cheese, it's no doubt the best place in the state to stock up on all things cheese. Be sure to also check out the massive selection of imported kitchen and household items as well as perfumes.

Sure, these days you can go to any ol' grocery store and find excellent cheeses, but you'll never find (or learn) what you will at this neighborhood favorite, which is essentially an interactive ode to incredible cheeses and wines. Oh, and the charcuterie, pasta, condiments, and breads are amazing, too.

Pick up a snack or the makings of a picnic at this lively basement-level cheese shop that stocks both domestic and imported cheeses, along with German sausages, other meats, and all the accoutrements for a picture-perfect charcuterie board. There's also a shop at the Pybus Market in Wenatchee.

This is the place to buy the same premium (and very expensive) fruits, micro greens, edible flowers, and rare vegetables that the farm grows and harvests for many of San Diego's upscale restaurants, and for such famed California eateries as Chez Panisse in Berkeley and George's in La Jolla.

This gem of a supermarket carries standard groceries and a surprisingly good selection of specialty items for such a small store. They also have excellent organic and Hispanic food aisles. Fresh poke is available by the pound at the butcher counter. This is probably the best place on the island for fresh fish, as the owner once fished with all his current suppliers and still maintains those connections. Grass-fed meats are plentiful too. Prices can be on the high side at times, balanced with good prices on other items.

Olive oil is only the start at this Andersonville gourmet shop focused on sharing the joys and health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Dozens of olive oils from around Europe are available, as are oils infused with flavors like garlic, lemon, and truffle. You can also pick up vinegars, mustards, and other foodstuffs to pair with your oil—and of course, they've got actual olives, too. 

Coming to Saturday's farmers' market, open 10 am–2 pm, is reason enough to stroll around Clark Park with a coffee, fresh bread, and a hunk of cheese. The market grows in size in relation to the fairness of the weather. The park, especially from May into September, often has additional events on weekends, including the Clark Park Music Fest, Shakespeare in Clark Park, and craft fairs. The Green Line Cafe is a good coffee shop on the opposite corner.

Homer is famous for its halibut, salmon, and Kachemak Bay oysters. For fresh fish, head to Coal Point Seafood Company, which can also package and ship fish that you catch.