Best fruit and vegetable stores in California: find options near you

I first visited here in 1978 and have thoughout the years. I don’t recall it being quite that busy back in the day. It must have gotten more and more popular. There’s so much history in there. With all those restaurants and kiosks, they should offer more plant-based options. I’m glad that at least there’s Besties Vegan Paradise.

If you’re looking for a fun and bustling spot in Los Angeles, the Original Farmers Market is definitely worth a visit. My husband and I had a great time exploring all the different shops, stalls, and eateries. There’s so much to see! We spent a lot of time in the main area and didn’t realize how much more there was to explore in the surrounding area. We were short on time, otherwise we would have loved to wander around even more. There’s a wide variety of food available, from fresh seafood to international cuisine, sweets, and everything in between. There’s something to satisfy every craving. It can get busy with a lot of foot traffic, but there are plenty of areas with seating to take a break and enjoy the atmosphere. Just a heads-up: it’s easy to get turned around in here because there’s so much to explore, but that’s part of the fun. One nice bonus is that a lot of space inside the market is covered, so even if the weather isn’t great, you won’t need to worry about rain or intense sun interfering with your visit. Overall, we had a fantastic time sampling the food and soaking in the lively vibes. It’s a great spot for couples, families, or anyone who loves a classic LA experience!

The Original Farmers Market and The Grove are really nice places to visit. At the Farmers Market, you have so many food stalls with delicious choices from all over the world. Right next to it is The Grove, a very pretty open-air shopping mall with great stores and a relaxed vibe. A big tip: Parking in the garage is extremely expensive. Even if you get a store validation for a discount, it still adds up fast. We stayed around 3.5 to 4 hours and had to pay $25! Normally a regular rate should be around $10 for that time. Try to look for street parking in the residential areas nearby to save money. Overall, a great spot for lunch and walking around, just be careful where you park.

Fun place to meander around and fill up on the sights and sounds. And smells! So much wonderful food. Markets, fruit stands, toy store, candy, and so many choices of food. You can go several times and not see everything. Plenty of seating, heaters, shade and trees. And parking! Make sure that you get it validated. There are restrooms, carts for shopping, and farmers market bags available for shopping.

Visited Original Farmers Market next to The Grove, and this place is a must-visit if you love food. It’s not just a market — it’s a food paradise with tons of different options. From classic American food to Mexican, BBQ, seafood, desserts, and even international cuisines, there’s something for everyone. What makes this place special is the atmosphere. It has a slightly old-school, historic vibe, but still feels lively and modern at the same time. You can just walk around, try different foods, and enjoy the energy. The portions are generous, and most of the food I tried was solid. It’s a great spot to come with a group so you can try a variety of dishes. Seating can be limited during busy hours, and it can get pretty crowded, especially on weekends. But that’s part of the experience here. Overall, this is one of the best places in LA to casually eat, explore, and experience local food culture. Check my profile for travel tips and hidden deals.

The Original Farmers Market feels like one of those rare places in Los Angeles that still holds onto its soul. It’s a mix of old LA charm and everyday energy—open stalls, diverse food counters, and the constant hum of people coming and going. What I love most is how unpretentious it is. You can walk in wearing anything, sit anywhere, and instantly feel part of the rhythm of the city. There’s something comforting about the variety: one moment you’re having a simple bite, the next you’re discovering flavors from different cultures all in one space. It’s casual, but never chaotic in a way that feels overwhelming. It’s not about perfection—it’s about atmosphere, memory, and experience. A place that stays consistent while Los Angeles keeps changing around it. My new goal becomes finishing trying all the stalls.

Very nice place and enjoy eats around. This place have more food to choice.

One of the best markets for fresh produce in the Bay Area. So much variety and feels straight from the farm.

This is the place where u can get decent amount of fresh produce and fruits with fair price. Everything is fresh here. Avoid weekends for peak popularity. Plenty of parking available.

Beautiful, farm-fresh produce market celebrating the bounty of near lands. Well-priced. A friendly, roadside farm stand feel, but stocked at the level of a large grocery. Excellent option (on a food corner) in North Berkeley.

Great selection of produce, bulk items, and specialty products.

This is my favorite grocery store in the world, and, happily, it’s just a mile from our house. The quality, variety, and affordability of the produce here is off the charts. I don’t know how they do it, but you can buy purple and yellow cauliflower 365 days of the year, artichokes, dozens of types of greens, dozens of varieties of the most delicious apples you have ever tasted. I don’t understand how they manage to fit it all into one small, beautiful store. If you live in Berkeley, Albany, or El Cerrito, I encourage you to shop here. If you are visiting, come check it out as a wonder of local, organic, nourishing food. I wish only that every neighborhood had a store like this.

Excellent range of quality produce at good prices. Almost no meat/fish products. Extremely crowded. Parking lot was a zoo. In this region, demand for food access is so high that people line up in the store isles to checkout, making it especially hard in small stores to get what you need and to move around. Just prepare yourself for the intense experience! I can’t imagine there is any grocery store in the region i’ll give a 5-star review to. There’s so much demand here that stores do whatever, it really explains a lot about the Trader Joe’s shopping model. Monterey Market is excellent for produce.

I absolutely love Monterey Market! As a former chef, I’m particular about the quality of produce—and this place never disappoints. Their selection of fruits and vegetables is not only diverse but also incredibly fresh and always in season. The way they display their produce is truly beautiful and inviting, almost like a farmer’s market meets fine dining. It brings back memories of the quality ingredients I once worked with in professional kitchens. A true gem for anyone who values fresh, vibrant ingredients.

So many stands!! There was a lot of fresh produce and plants/herbs. I would say there was less prepared food than I would have liked for the amount of total stalls, but the sheer size of the market ensured I had plenty to pick from. Multiple great coffee options with unique menu items.

Exceptional place, people are very friendly, a good vibe, everyone is relaxed. Greta a place to buy natural products made by local farmers.

Wow, what an incredible experience at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market! I was blown away by the vibrant sights, mouth-watering food, and stunning fresh produce – especially the fruits! The market was bustling with energy, and the variety of vendors offered something for every taste and craving. From juicy, ripe fruits to artisanal cheeses and baked goods, every bite was a delight. The produce was exceptionally fresh, and the farmers’ passion for their work was evident in every carefully curated display. I left with bags full of goodies and a huge smile on my face.

I LOVE this farmers market. I go every sunday and there is wonderful food, drinks, flowers, pastas, breads, whatever your heart desires! I typically go shopping and than make my way to the food section and enjoy lunch. The flowers I purchase usually last at least two weeks and the vendors are truly amazing humans. I highly recommend and think it is one of the best markets. It is open from about 8am – 1pm.

We came across the Hollywood Farmers Market since we were early for our show at the Pantages. And, I’m so glad we did. I absolutely love it!! It’s a great place to grab a bite, coffee or drinks before a show. It’s across from the Pantages Theater, located on Ivar & Selma, south of Hollywood Blvd. This extensive open market has all sorts of local produce, vendors, flowers, bread, live music and food booths! They have a diverse array of vendors. There was a lot of fresh fruit and veggies, with samples. There were things I hadn’t seen before at a farmers market, like fresh oysters being shucked. They have several seating areas but they do tend to fill up! Parking can be a bit of a challenge. With so many culinary delights, it’s well worth a visit.

Lots of vegan options in the section that had meals. I got a lovely pastry with pear, peach and vegan custard from one stall and a mushroom wrap from another. The fresh fruit and vegetables that I think were mostly organic looked absolutely awesome but I was flying out two days after. I couldn’t carry food with me that was going to perish. I always recommend the Hollywood markets for us vegans because there’s just so much to select from. It’s very easy to avoid the food section where the meat is but there is random other stores amongst the fruit and vegetables that have flesh like sea animals so you kind of just have to rush past those stalls

Fantastic farmers market! The food was amazing. We had oysters, yaki onigiri, juices and cookies. Each was really great and all the people were super friendly! And there is music on every street!

Great little shop packed with free samples to try. My favorite was the Jumbo Medjool Dates! I wasn’t too snarky so I only tried a couple things. They did give me some free lemons 🍋. Also, the employees were super friendly and gave me recommendations to stop at on my road trip. Thank you!😊

This is an oasis in the desert when traveling highway 58. I’ve been here many times, and they are always friendly, they’re conveniently located just off the highway, always have the freshest fruits and vegetables (along with all kinds of tasty dried fruits and vegetables), have delicious shakes and smoothies, and offer clean restrooms. On my trips to California, I ALWAYS look forward to stopping at California Fruit Depot.

Probably the best orange juice I’ve ever tasted so far. They had a lot of very interesting and surprising delicious dried fruits and vegetables (perfect for road trip snacking!). So glad I decided to give it a try. Prices are reasonable, too.

An absolute gem of a stop! The girl working the front counter was so kind, and you could sample everything in the store!!! Highly recommend an orange and then buying a milkshake

so many types of dried fruit! you can also sample them. they also have some fresh fruit, produce, nuts and local honey. they make fresh milkshakes and smoothies too! very fun place to stop. they also have a cute small decorated pumpkin patch for youngsters and photo ops. definitely stop by if you see their signs. exit 119 off of 58. the staff was very kind and polite.

Absolutely a favorite spot to stop and stock up on fresh fruit and nuts! The customer service is top-notch—friendly, attentive, and genuinely eager to help. They offer free samples of all their products, which makes browsing a delight, and they have the best assortment I’ve seen anywhere. From chocolate-covered nuts, pretzels, and ginger to a huge variety of dried fruits and fresh fruit, there’s something for everyone. If you’re in the area, this is a must-visit! They go above and beyond—if the item you want isn’t on the shelf, they’ll custom-make it for you if it’s in their inventory. We wanted specific nuts that weren’t displayed, and the staff member was happy to put together a couple of bags just for us. Highly recommend—fresh, delicious, and outstanding service every time! 🍎🥜

Ladies at counter/register were amazingly nice! The store has tasting samples for all items. Valencia oranges are soooo sweet! Yum!

I really like this market BUT its definitely on the pricier side. I have bought expired food from here that I’ve had to take back (didn’t notice until I got home), which, for the price they charge, I would expect them to not be selling expired food. But other than that, its a really clean market and the people working here are generally pretty nice. The lines can be very slow though so be prepared to wait quite awhile to checkout. Fresh produce always and the deli food is pretty good, especially the sandwiches.

First time at the La Mesa location. I can always count on the Salmon Steaks being good but today got some pepperoni pizza slices. Great pizza and better than 7/11 pizza (comment i made at the counter as the two of us laughed). Looking forward to stopping by again when I’m in the area or passing through.

The best market, especially for locally sourced items and produce. I love their specials and usually shop the sale. There isn’t a better priced cheese selection anywhere else.

I come here for the deli but they are so slow and don’t accept orders for cold cuts online or over the phone. They make you wait for an average of 15 minutes, waste your time, don’t make your full order at the same time. Pretty frustrating and wish their delivery service was faster.

This is the best grocery store in San Diego that we have found. We spent a lot of times at Sprouts or WholeFoods before we moved to La Mesa and discovered this place. It was bought back from Srouts and lcoally owned again for a while now. Produce and bulk offerings are top notch. Very solid cheese dept. One of the things that really shines here is their meat department. Their in-house, thick cut bacon is the best bacon I have found in a retail setting. Their breakfast sausage and similar options are also very good. If you haven’t given this place a shot, you should.

I almost don’t want to share how great my experience was, because I want to keep this hidden gem all to myself! There was such a wide variety of healthy, fresh foods at such reasonable prices! The whole store is organized nicely, really well lit and very clean. The employees that I spoke directly with were all so kind, helpful, and informative! The food I bought was so delicious and they make it all fresh daily! I will absolutely be returning here regularly.

I have mixed feeling about Frazier Farms Market. They are one of the best places to go to get organic and clean fresh grocery foods, supplements and meals and even have a soup and salad bar and juice bar. I love that they have a huge organic section. If you eat healthy and organic, this is the place to go. They even make fresh wheat grass juice or many specialty or custom juices or smoothies. I love getting raw milk and vegetables here. My only issues are they don’t carry all the specific supplements I like and choose and their prices are a bit high for the service foods and juices. It’s now my go to place for groceries though, besides Trader Joe’s.

Excellent middle eastern meats and grocery options. We bought 4 takeout meat dishes. The ribs were outstanding. Please stop by if you’re in the area and want a home cooked style meal.

I LOVE THIS PLACE SO MUCH! I come here for their plates of food, it is always fresh and delicious! But i also come for their amazing coffee and tea selection 💖

Solid market for your middle eastern market needs! Though I would skip on the food, lacked a bit flavor everytime I go. Only ever got the beef, chicken kebabs, and falafel. The falafel tasted dry but would definitely still come back for my spice runs, lavash, labneh, etc. Owner/ customer service is friendly.

I’m Eastern European and this is the only place in Clovis where I can find Russian foods. The service is great, unlike most Eastern European stores, and they sell local produce too! The tiny homegrown apples they had recently, I had to stop myself from buying ALL of them because they’re SO DANG GOOD! You can taste the homegrown in them. Also, I love having access to foods not ladened with fillers, additives and chemicals. 4 ingredient breads, PURE butters, preserves with 2-3 ingredients, ALL MEAT sausages and so much more! Update: they’re AMAZING!!! I finally ordered some plates to go and it was THE BOOOOMB 😍 out of this world yummy!!! I’m so grateful to have this lovely shop so close to home!!

My go-to for most things Mediterranean and Armenian. They have pretty much everything I need and they are very nice people. If they had more fresh produce I would give them a five-star rating.

All I have to say is WOW! The food was good. Coming from Los Angeles and being exposed to a diverse selection of Mediterranean restaurants, I have to say that this place is delicious and authentic! It is not a sit-down restaurant at all. Only take-out. The wait is about 10-15 min when you place an order. There is no where to sit, and it’s a tiny market. The market itself sells items such as their garlic sauce and hummus (fresh). Along with pastries, deli, and items you can buy home to make your dishes. The combo plates do not come with hummus. You get your protein, salad, rice pilaf and garlic sauce. Although I believe you can sub the garlic sauce for hummus, but I like both and had to pay extra for a container of hummus which was way too much for my dish. There was plenty to save if you would like to use it for chips.

Everything was so delicious!!! The only «complaint» we had was the grilled vegetables were not cut up the way we thought they would be and the ones we thought were green peppers were some sort of green flaming hot chilis lol. Now we know and we will ask for ALL red peppers next time. I HIGHLY recommend for sure!!! It was supberb!

What an interesting store! Fresh lamb and veal plus ALL KINDS of international treats!!! Super excited to try that Turkish Coffee!!!

Papaya Fresh International Marketplace is easily one of the best places to shop in Fresno! Whether you’re looking for fresh local fruits and vegetables, high-quality meats, or international groceries, this market has it all. Their selection of Middle Eastern products is outstanding, with a huge variety of authentic ingredients, spices, sweets, fresh bread, and specialty items that are hard to find anywhere else. The store is also known for its halal butcher, bakery, and prepared Mediterranean foods, making it a true one-stop shop for many families. Papaya Fresh International Marketplace What really makes this place special is the staff. Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help you find what you need or answer any questions. The customer service makes every visit enjoyable. The market is clean, well-stocked, and offers an amazing variety of products from around the world while still carrying fresh local produce. Whether you’re shopping for everyday groceries or looking for authentic Middle Eastern ingredients, I highly recommend this market. It’s one of my favorite places to shop in Fresno, and I always do

⭐ 1/5 Unfortunately, this was one of the worst grilled-food experiences I’ve had. The meat was extremely dry, overcooked, and had almost no flavor. Everything tasted like it had been sitting too long rather than being freshly grilled. I rarely leave a review this negative, but the food was genuinely disappointing. When you order grilled meat, you expect it to be juicy, seasoned, and flavorful—this was the complete opposite. Based on my experience, I would not recommend it and would not return.

Yum We were in the area and looking for something good to eat. Google maps said that, swarma corner was near. We found it inside the Papaya fresh international marketplace. My husband ordered a wrap with chicken and no tomato for me and a beef wrap for himself. We wondered around the store and found some awesome things we can’t wait to try. We got our food and it was so awesome! Yummy! My chicken wrap was perfect. Full of meat from the first bite. The sauce is delicious. Yum I had a few bites of my hubs and mine was better. We highly recommend this awesome place and the awesome people that work there.

The good-ish: hummus tastes like hummus. Good portions for the price. Bad: no flavor!! Just sour dry meat, sour white sauce, bland rice. No hint of garlic or flavor in anything. Even the red onions had no flavor. I went by the reviews and was very disappointed. I ordered ubereats.

Food was great!!!! Try their lamb Gyro! It’s pretty good. Only thing is it’s not quite like a New York or Seattle. Not enough white sauce. All in all, I’ll be back.

Horrible experience at this store. All the workers were rude to me besides one person who did end up helping me. I think her name was Maya. The rest of the staff was very unhelpful.

Very yummy food and a good service. I was looking for an ethnic place to eat and I found this place. Also very clean and easy parking.

I love this place. I have been a regular for over a month now. The owner of the store is absolutely the sweetest. She makes you feel like family. It’s always a pleasure to see her. She is from Armenia, so be patient with her as there is a language barrier. She has the best selection of produce and it’s the cheapest in Fresno! All produce is from local farmers in Fresno!

Exactly the place I’ve been searching for in Fresno for my fresh produce. I found this place while driving by. I stopped because it said it is a ‘farmers’ market.’ The first thing that caught my eye after I walked is their big, bright red, juicy tomatoes. I bought a few of those and had the best tomato sandwich of my life! Since my first visit, I’ve been back 5-6 times in the last 3 weeks. I keep buying more of their produce and just being mind-blown at how much better it all tastes than what you buy at chain markets. The owner told me that their produce comes from a local farmer. It’s always fresh and just so tasty! Also, a lot of their packaged goods come from Armenia, and they are just incredibly amazing! After my experience here, I won’t be buying my food anywhere else. This place is 8 miles away from home, but it’s worth the drive and the time! Plus, the owner is incredibly sweet, welcoming, and helpful, which makes the whole experience even more amazing. She’s always at her store and is more than happy to help with whatever you’re looking for. If I could give this place 100 stars in this review, I would!! I’m so happy I checked this store out because it has changed so much for me (for the better) in terms of what I now consume. I recommend this place 100000%!

Wonderful grocery store with great prices and grocery selections. Fresh produce is from local farmers and very fresh. The owner is very nice and customer oriented. This place is always clean and welcome. We keep coming here from San Jose for the last 10 years and we’ll always come here in the coming years.

I have been shopping here for 3 weeks now, almost DAILY. This place has the best produce selection around. Tell me where you can get white peaches for $1.69 a pound?! Nowhere, except here! All produce is from local farmers and is fresh daily. The owner of the store is who will ring up your groceries. She is the sweetest lady ever. Now, mind you, she is from Armenia. So, there is a cultural difference that Americans need to be more understanding of. She will also GIVE you samples, NOT charge you for them. The owner of the store will tell you how to make all sorts of foods. If you ever need a new recipe, just ask her! The lahmajun is absolutely the best! All Armenian food is made fresh daily using the store’s produce. The store is always clean! Please disregard these negative reviews left, & visit the store yourself. You won’t regret it. This place is absolutely the best market in frenso. You won’t find cheaper prices anywhere in the central valley.

Lady at the register is horrible; Lacks integrity. Overcharged me and did not give me the receipt. . . Kept pushing and asking where else do I shop for groceries and why I don’t come here more often. . . Oranges were mainly rotten, veggie boxes in the produce section are empty and many items are not fresh. . . Even though Armenian cheese was frozen hard as a rock when I bought it. She asked if I had been next-door to the restaurant, I said no, since it had changed over, I never went there. She claimed that the café has been there for 17 years ever since her store opened….!? Not true. There are many alternative international and Armenian stores in Fresno that I would rather give my money to.

Best Armenian Grocery Store in Fresno. I just visited this store a few weeks ago and I found the best jam I have ever tasted in my life. The sweet owner made fresh homemade pastries that was called «honey pastry» and it was so good, it just melts in your mouth. I also tried the pickled turnips those were very good also. And tonight I tried lamajun and it was very good. I also tried their homemade yogurt it’s so good, just add some jam t(Anish Blackberry) to it or some raw honey it was so good. Going to keep shopping in this store. This store has so many good items you just want to try it all. They have homemade cannolis too and Baklavah and other pastries. Yum! Don’t forget to ask the owner about her coffee it’s the best coffee I ever tasted. She mixes it up for you. You will enjoy this store. You’ll see. Blessings

We asked the bakery for a custom cake with our own decorations this was what they made

NO STARS!!! PLACE IS DIRTY! I BOUGHT FOOD THAT WAS EXPIRED A MONTH AGO!!!! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??????????????? THE LADY, A CASHIER, WAS CLEANING FLOORS WITH A DIRTY RAG AND A WATER BOTTLE!!! NO BLEACH NOT EVEN PINE SOL OR SOME DISINFECTANT! JUST SPREADING THE DIRTINESS ALL OVER THE STORE! GROSS!!!! I HOPE THE FDA OR WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE CLOSES THIS PLACE DOWN! ITS AN ABSOLUTE DISGUST!!!!

Its great! Personally I don’t like tacos or things like that but they take your order very quickly and the building is very clean both on the inside and out. Employees are so kind. Customer service on peak👌Def recommend for those who do like this type of food😁👍

Great sales and service. A gentleman helped with putting my groceries in my car. Thank you so much

They all are always working on their store and making sure customers are accommodated in their walk-through the store. I grew up watching the progress so I’m pleased with the growth. From the meat shop in the back to the bakery on the front end of the store.

Delivering is in the alley, some trucks or companies are not allowed to reverse in the door due to the space and difficulty about it . It took me a a few minutes to get it.. if you are a professional on this go for it, if not don’t risk getting your trailer damage or semi little small space.. you may need someone to watch your right side since the trailer can hit the metals on the side

We were paying an electric bill. Two kids were messing around. They were assisting us. We payed the bill bull but the kid ripped the receipt which we need. We told him to give us the receipt but no, he said, » it’s okay it’s payed already.» And yesterday night we got a text message saying we need to pay the bill for last month which we did. Thanks a lot. I would rate this 0 stars but I can’t.

My dad sent me here to get neck bones. Great prices on meat friendly service and very clean. I’ll be back.

For me it first looked like Vallarta supermarket. Variety of fresh produce and meat . Lil bit on expensive side but have a lot of variety in almost every item. The floor was clean not crowded at all . I visited this supermarket in afternoon time.

There was a lady that came after me and started talking to one of the gentle men in front and they let her pay before me when I was in line waiting . There was two other people behind me waiting . Thats not okay .

I love this place we got to go get fresh meat from the meat department we also got to find a lot of other items that we needed. I bought a very good comal that I brought home to Washington. It was pretty amazing. I love everything that they have in the store one stop shop, except for something that they didn’t have was beer which I thought was very weird for being such a big store.

Very nice people and they have a good fresh meat

My corner market that I use every week! Friendly, ez parking and fantastic butcher counter! I only buy my ground beef here. Been patronizing for 20 years and more!

Its an okay store,you can find your essentials here.