Top 10 Types of Food Stores and Restaurants Offering Foreign Foods and Drinks
In today’s globalized world, the availability of foreign foods and drinks has never been more accessible. Whether you’re a foodie eager to try new international flavors or someone looking to explore different cultures through food, there’s a variety of options at your disposal. From authentic international grocery stores to multicultural restaurants offering exotic dishes, you can easily travel the world without leaving your city.
In this blog post, we’ll take you through the top 10 types of food stores and restaurants that offer foreign foods and drinks. These establishments not only serve as gateways to new culinary experiences but also bring people together through the universal love of food. Whether you’re craving Korean barbecue, Indian curry, or European pastries, these stores and restaurants have something to satisfy every craving.
1. International Grocery Stores
International grocery stores are a goldmine for anyone looking to explore foreign foods. These stores specialize in importing products from various countries and offer a wide range of ingredients, snacks, beverages, and packaged goods you won’t find in your typical local supermarket.
What You Can Find:
- Spices and Herbs: Get your hands on unique spices like saffron, turmeric, or sumac to recreate international dishes at home.
- Snacks and Sweets: Whether it’s Japanese Pocky, Mexican tamarind candies, or French macarons, international grocery stores offer a wide selection of snacks from around the world.
- Beverages: Try beverages like Japanese green tea, Brazilian Guaraná soda, or Turkish apple tea.
- Canned Goods and Sauces: Stock up on foreign sauces like sriracha, curry paste, or soy sauce for cooking.
Popular Stores:
- H Mart (Korean-focused)
- World Market (Global selection)
- 99 Ranch Market (Asian specialty)
- La Tienda (Spanish and Latin products)
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for an authentic experience, consider visiting international grocery stores in areas with a high concentration of expatriates or immigrant communities. You’ll often find more variety and even specialty items you wouldn’t find in regular grocery stores.
2. Ethnic Restaurants
Ethnic restaurants are some of the best places to experience foreign cuisines without leaving your neighborhood. These restaurants often specialize in authentic dishes from specific countries or regions. Whether it’s an Italian trattoria, a Vietnamese pho shop, or a Middle Eastern shawarma joint, ethnic restaurants offer the full experience of foreign culinary traditions.
What You Can Find:
- Regional Dishes: From Italian pasta dishes to Indian biryanis, ethnic restaurants focus on traditional recipes.
- Cultural Drinks: Many ethnic restaurants serve drinks native to their regions. For example, try a Mexican horchata, a Greek frappe, or a traditional Japanese matcha latte.
- Street Food: Many ethnic eateries serve popular street foods, giving you a taste of what locals eat in their home countries.
Popular Ethnic Restaurants:
- Ethiopian restaurants (for injera and spicy stews)
- Sushi bars (Japanese sushi and sashimi)
- Indian curry houses (for tandoori and flavorful curries)
- Italian trattorias (for wood-fired pizza and pasta dishes)
- Thai restaurants (for Pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice)
3. Food Trucks Offering Foreign Cuisines
Food trucks have become a trendy way to enjoy foreign foods without the need for a sit-down restaurant. They’re often mobile and bring authentic street food to urban locations, festivals, and food markets. Whether it’s a taco truck serving Mexican street food or an Indian food truck offering chaat and samosas, these food trucks are the perfect way to get an international meal on the go.
What You Can Find:
- Mexican Tacos and Burritos: Get your hands on delicious Mexican street food, including tacos, burritos, and elote (Mexican street corn).
- Indian Chaat: Street food vendors often offer chaat, a combination of crunchy, tangy, and spicy snacks like bhel puri and pani puri.
- Middle Eastern Kebabs: Many food trucks specialize in shawarma and kebabs, served with fresh pita bread and tangy sauces.
Food Truck Favorites:
- The Taco Truck (Mexican)
- Curry Up Now (Indian street food)
- Kebab Caravan (Middle Eastern)
- Banh Mi Boys (Vietnamese sandwiches)
Pro Tip: Follow your favorite food trucks on social media to track their locations and discover new food truck pop-ups in your area.
4. Farmers’ Markets with International Stalls
Farmers’ markets aren’t just for local produce – many farmers’ markets feature vendors who sell international foods and drinks. These markets are a great place to sample and purchase foreign ingredients, pastries, and homemade sauces. You’ll also find ready-to-eat meals from different cultures that allow you to try foreign foods in an outdoor, casual setting.
What You Can Find:
- Fresh Produce: Some farmers’ markets specialize in fruits and vegetables from specific regions of the world.
- Artisanal Breads: Discover Mediterranean, French, and Italian bread varieties baked fresh.
- International Delicacies: You may find Italian cannoli, French crepes, Japanese mochi, or Spanish churros.
Recommended Markets:
- Union Square Greenmarket (New York City – features global food vendors)
- Hollywood Farmers Market (Los Angeles – great international food trucks)
- San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market (offers global food products)
5. Bakeries Specializing in Foreign Pastries
Pastries are a significant part of foreign cuisines, and bakeries specializing in international treats can transport you straight to Paris, Istanbul, or Vienna. French patisseries, for example, offer croissants and macarons, while Italian bakeries serve cannoli and biscotti. These bakeries are perfect for anyone who loves indulging in sugary, buttery treats from different cultures.
What You Can Find:
- French Pastries: Croissants, eclairs, and macarons are staples of French bakeries.
- Italian Desserts: Enjoy Italian cannoli, tiramisu, and ricotta cheese-filled pastries.
- Middle Eastern Sweets: Baklava, Turkish delight, and rosewater-flavored cookies.
Popular Bakeries:
- Bouchon Bakery (French pastries)
- Mastro’s Bakery (Italian desserts)
- Bakalava Café (Middle Eastern sweets)
Pro Tip: Pair your foreign pastries with an international coffee blend for a complete culinary experience. Try an espresso from Italy or a Turkish coffee from a Middle Eastern bakery.
6. Wine and Liquor Stores with International Selections
If you’re a fan of foreign drinks, wine and liquor stores with global selections are a great place to shop. These stores offer a variety of wines, beers, and spirits from different countries, including French Bordeaux, Italian Prosecco, German beer, and Japanese sake. Many also carry mixers and beverages like Mexican tequila or Caribbean rum.
What You Can Find:
- Imported Wines: Discover a range of wines from regions like Bordeaux, Tuscany, or Napa Valley.
- International Beers: Enjoy beers from countries like Belgium, Germany, and the UK.
- Exotic Spirits: Stock up on international spirits like rum from the Caribbean, vodka from Russia, or sake from Japan.
Recommended Stores:
- BevMo! (Wide selection of international spirits)
- Total Wine & More (Offers global wine options)
- Astor Wines & Spirits (Specializes in international wines and craft spirits)
7. Asian Supermarkets
Asian supermarkets are fantastic places to find authentic ingredients from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. These stores often carry hard-to-find spices, sauces, noodles, and snacks, as well as frozen foods and drinks from all over Asia. Whether you’re cooking at home or searching for exotic snacks, Asian supermarkets have everything you need.
What You Can Find:
- Sushi Ingredients: Seaweed, sushi rice, and fresh fish for making sushi at home.
- Instant Noodles: Discover a variety of instant noodles from Japan, Korea, and Thailand.
- Asian Snacks and Sweets: Try unique snacks like wasabi peas, mochi, and pocky.
Popular Stores:
- H Mart (Korean grocery)
- 99 Ranch Market (Pan-Asian)
- The Asian Market (Variety of Asian goods)
8. Latin American Markets and Restaurants
Latin American markets and restaurants offer a rich selection of foods and drinks from Mexico, Central America, and South America. You’ll find authentic tacos, empanadas, tamales, and churros. These places also offer traditional Latin drinks like horchata, agua fresca, and Mexican hot chocolate.
What You Can Find:
- Tacos and Burritos: Authentic Mexican flavors with fillings like carnitas, al pastor, and barbacoa.
- Salsas and Hot Sauces: Spicy Mexican, Peruvian, and Argentine sauces that bring flavor to any dish.
- Latin Drinks: Horchata (rice drink), agua fresca (fruit drink), and Mexican hot chocolate.
Popular
Latin American Spots:
- La Vida Mexican Restaurant (Mexican cuisine)
- El Patio Mexican Grill (Variety of Latin American dishes)
- Las Empanadas (Argentina-style empanadas)
9. European Delicatessens
European delis often carry high-quality, imported items like cured meats, cheeses, olives, and artisanal bread. Whether you’re looking for Italian prosciutto, French brie, or Spanish jamón, European delicatessens offer an authentic taste of Europe in the heart of your city.
What You Can Find:
- Cured Meats: Prosciutto, salami, chorizo, and other regional specialties.
- Cheeses: Brie, Camembert, gouda, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Breads and Pastries: Ciabatta, baguettes, and croissants.
Famous Delis:
- Murray’s Cheese (New York City, famous for European cheeses)
- Formaggio Kitchen (Boston, offers international cheese and deli products)
10. Fusion Restaurants
Fusion restaurants creatively blend different foreign cuisines into unique, mouthwatering dishes. These places often take elements from various culinary traditions, combining them into something entirely new and exciting.
What You Can Find:
- Korean Tacos: A fusion of Korean bulgogi and Mexican tacos.
- Sushi Burritos: An inventive fusion of Japanese sushi rolls and Mexican burritos.
- Indian-Pizza Fusion: Think naan crust with tikka masala topping.
Notable Fusion Restaurants:
- Kogi BBQ (Fusion of Korean BBQ and Mexican food)
- Chutney Mary (Indian and British flavors)
Conclusion
Whether you’re craving authentic dishes from faraway lands or experimenting with new flavors, food stores and restaurants offering foreign foods and drinks are the perfect places to expand your culinary horizons. From international grocery stores to ethnic restaurants and food trucks, the options are endless, and the flavors are rich and diverse.
Next time you’re in the mood for something exotic, try visiting one of these establishments. You’ll be amazed at the variety of flavors and the cultural experiences that await you. Exploring foreign foods and drinks has never been more exciting or accessible – all you have to do is take the first bite!
