Restocking your fridge and pantry doesn’t have to be boring. When you visit a specialty grocery store, you’re guaranteed to stumble upon little treasures and treats you didn’t know you needed—a loaf of crusty bread, a wedge of European cheese, a bottle of artisanal olive oil, a zesty new cooking sauce.
Specialty markets thrive in the in-between. They’re part errand, part indulgence—a place you go when you need a bit of inspiration in the kitchen. They are the playgrounds of charcuterie boards and the snackable, spreadable dreams that impromptu picnics are made of.
Boutique grocers are where you find the oh-so-special ingredients you just can’t find in a typical grocery aisle. They stock the fanciest meats and cheeses, freshest spices, pantry staples with stories behind them and condiments that somehow make everything you eat taste better. Here are seven spots in Boulder and beyond where browsing is half the fun—and restraint is optional.
Cheese Importers
Perhaps the king of “just one more thing” shopping trips, Cheese Importers is a Longmont treasure. It’s impossible to scan the shelves without mentally creating a wish list of proteins and dairy. A very, very partial list of the wonders you’ll find at Cheese Importers includes a fromage cave with around 500 cheeses (sourced from way more places than you have stamps in your passport), artisanal European chocolates, long-cured salamis, jewel-toned preserves and fruit spreads, infused oils and vinegars, ultra-creamy butters and more baking mixes than you can shake a whisk at. It’s the kind of place where you go in for a chunk of cheese and leave plotting an entire dinner party—or at least a very ambitious snack board. You can also pick up bread and pastries from the Moxie Bread Co. outpost located inside. 103 Main St., Longmont
Savory Spice
A mecca for anyone who’s serious about seasoning, Savory Spice is where Boulder turns when recipes call for something a little more specific than “season to taste.” The shelves are lined with freshly ground spices, global blends, a rainbow of salts, whole vanilla beans and rubs that make it easy to travel by flavor alone. This is the kind of place where, when you request cinnamon, they ask “Ceylon or Saigon?” Where paprika can be sweet and spicy, smoky or Creole. Whether you’re hunting for a single standout spice or inspiration for an entire meal, the staff here is more than generous with samples and advice. 2041 Broadway, Boulder
Peppercorn
If you haven’t been inside Peppercorn—the iconic blue-and-white-striped awning kitchen and gourmet shop on Pearl Street—what have you been waiting for? This iconic, independent store has been wowing locals and visitors for nearly 50 years, thanks to its incredible selection of specialty foods, cookware, cookbooks and housewares, much of which you won’t find anywhere else. Stock up on artisan chocolates, pastas, vinegars, spice blends, baking products, jams, sauces and other “How did I ever live without this?” finds. 1235 Pearl St., Boulder
READ MORE: Peppercorn: Boulder’s Iconic Kitchen Supply Store
Le Frigo Deli + Provisions
A love letter to French food culture, Le Frigo aims to bring the best of it to Boulder pantries and kitchens. Need a frozen croissant at the ready? They’ll happily stock your freezer with the finest laminated doughs. Got a hankering for a salty ham? Take your pick among Iberico de Bellota, Prosciutto di Parma, pancetta and guanciale, among several others. Have a goal to create the best-ever cheese board? Step inside Le Frigo’s walkable cheese cave for picks from France and beyond. There’s a café, too, turning out baguette sandwiches and freshly-baked pastries that feel effortlessly Parisian. 5360 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
Blackbelly Market
Boulder’s only whole animal butcher shop, Blackbelly believes that exceptional foods must come from exceptional sources. So yeah, their steaks and salami are going to taste loads better than grocery store finds because they source from local ranchers making ethical, sustainable choices in their animal raising. Beyond cuts and sausages, the market offers ready-made meals, stacked sandwiches and one of the best breakfast burritos in the Rockies. The staff can guide you through everything from everyday proteins to special-occasion cuts, but no matter what you choose, you know this meat can’t be beat. And if you get extra hungry while shopping, make a reservation for dinner at the equally delicious restaurant next door. 1606 Conestoga St., Boulder
Atlas Valley Purveyors
Talk about one-stop shopping. Lafayette’s Atlas Valley Purveyors is part boutique liquor store, part butcher shop and part specialty grocer. That means you can find the perfect pinot noir to go with your filet, or your new favorite local whiskey to sip alongside your barbecue. Family-owned and operated across three generations, the shop combines local know-how with old-school hospitality, making every visit feel personal. 2770 Arapahoe Rd., Lafayette
Marczyk Fine Foods
Take a foodie road trip to Denver to Marczyk Fine Foods, which could be the gold standard for Colorado’s specialty grocery stores. This beloved neighborhood market, open since 2002, is stocked with so many amazing products that you might need to call your credit card company ahead of time and set a spending limit. From hard-to-find pantry gems to easy-to-reheat meals, there’s a lot to love—and taste—at this Denver market institution. Expect exceptional cheeses, fresh-baked bread, locally made treats, premium meats and sandwiches worth the drive. 770 E. 17th Ave., Denver & 5100 E. Colfax Ave, Denver
