There are a number of similar names for this small, but mighty, establishment floating around on…read morethe internet: Ninth Avenue International Foods, Ninth Avenue International Market, International Grocery & International Food, Ninth Avenue International Grocery, or just what's written on the sign: International Grocery. Whatever the actual name, it seems that this Mediterranean specialty store has been open since 1947, run first by the Smitsis Family, and then the Karamouzis (including brothers Sotiris, Dinos, and Panayiotis). The Karamouzis moved it a few doors north to its present location in 1983. The neighborhood around the store has evolved a great deal over the years, but inside, old world charm persists. Everywhere you look there are bulk bins, barrels, and sacks brimming with: - Spices: all the staples needed for Mediterranean, Indian and North African cuisines, including za'atar, dried tamarind, cloves, allspice, rock salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, red pepper, black mustard seed, etc... - Dried fruits: pineapple, apricots, raisins, figs, diced orange peel, dates, etc... - Dried nuts: cashews, macadamias, almonds in every form, walnuts, pistachios, etc.. - Grains, beans, lentils, and flours - Coffee I love that International Grocery has stuck with bins and barrels for all these years. Bulk bins were the norm when the store first opened and are so much more environmentally friendly than the ubiquitous single use plastic packaging we see nowadays. Environmentally conscious folks are increasingly coming around to appreciate bulk bins and I wouldn't be surprised if they became the hot "new" trend in coming years. If you stick with something for long enough, it comes back into fashion, right? The wonders don't end with all those glorious bins, however. Far from it. Improbably, all of the following (and more) also neatly fit into a store the size of a suburbanite's two-car garage: - Olives -- about 10-15 kinds by my last count, but I've seen even more varieties at times. I love my crisp, green Castelvetranos and black Kalamatas; the Progeny loves her pimento-stuffed Manzanillas. - Antipasti (mushrooms, artichokes, giardiniera, gigantes plaki) and preserved lemon peel - Feta (Bulgarian, Greek) and other cheeses - Tzatziki and other spreads - A variety of fresh and packaged pastries (baklava, kourabiedes, koulourakia) and halvas - Olive oils, pomegranate molasses, carob molasses - Pita breads and pasta - Rose water - Amardeen (an apricot leather used to make a Syrian drink of the same name) Prices are quite fair and the owners + staff are kind, generous, gentle and gracious. When my 10-year old privately expressed interest in the orange peel to me, one of the owners overheard and offered her some to try. They didn't look at all askance when she delightedly opened various bins to sniff the beautiful aromas within. (I did teach her to waft the smells to her nose by hand a la chemistry lab, instead of sticking her head into each bin.) As much as I detest the areas around Port Authority -- it's one of the dirtiest, smelliest parts of NYC -- I do go out of my way for International Grocery and will for as long as we're both around.

Given the high quality of products, excellent personalized service and magical ambiance,…read moreInternational Grocery is a necessary fixture from old New York that i hope will continue well into the future! Try something from their wide range of olives, excellent cheeses, babaganouche, hummus. Treat yourself to the best dates in the city - awa baklava!!! Of course, there are spices galore, arranged in barrels, offering old world charm and earthy fragrances! Everyone working there is a gem. Thank you International Grocery!

If you want a market that feels like you just walked into Italy this is it. While small, it has an…read moreamazing selection and everything you need. There are so many authentic Italian food items you can't find anywhere else! Highly recommend the Brasilena cafe soda--you can't find that anywhere outside of Italy except here.

They have a lot of imports and Italian delicacies here for a little deli. Small and full of flavor…read moreshall we say. I grabbed a pre-made sandwich and oh my goodness it was like heaven and when I say pre-made that was made this morning for sure it was extremely fresh mixed meats and peppers felt like heaven and brought me back to my childhood growing up with my grandparents in Malta. I also bought a beautiful foccacia bread, a piece of good provolone, Prosciutto di parma. Siciliana aranciata which is worh getting so much better than Pellegrino aranciata and the Italian cherries with liqueur for those that don't know be careful they have pits inside like olives do. Customer service is top notch! This is an old school place cash only old fashioned scales for the cold cuts etc. A place of nostalgia and fresh air. You have to visit at least once! Street block parking with meters.

Apna Bazar is an ethnic grocery store specifically targeting Indian food and spices, hell spawn hot…read moresauces, Indian curry seasonings and all food staples including Basmati rice of Indian cultural cuisine of a large selection. It is clean and wide aisles when browsing. I came here specifically for fresh fruits and tomatoes due to the very reasonable price and quantity without economic shrinkflation or compromise. Inflation and agflation 2023 era shrinkage greatly affects my household as working families. This grocery store does offers limited pots, pans and cooking utensils but do NOT expect to be high quality pots for avid cooks/ chefs as Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, or Calphalon standard quality. There are also mainstream American frozen foods, juice, soda of standard American brand names available. Customer service is, indeed, nonexistent and albeit dismissive, curt, mired in disgruntled melancholy behavioral appearance exhibited and transparent to customers. Return policy is absolutely deplorable egregiously inferior and excessively poor standards of a traditional brick and mortar business. I agree with previous Yelpers with the excessively poor female cashiers' customer service and stolid dismissive behaviors. They do, indeed, exhibit rude scowl belligerent looks to customers as serial thieves. Personally, I like to explore, wanderer freely and openly, plus read products throughout the entire store aisles to see if any item possibly attracts my attention for potential purchase(s). This business is located in South Richmond Hill, Queens serving Little Guyana and is very accessible by MTA subway A train Lefferts Boulevard, buses Q8 and Q112.

Well stocked Asian store with lots of good options for Indian spice and other worldly items…read more However, the customer service is horrible! Especially, the ladies at the checkout registers. Really a turn off and makes me want to support other business instead of this one. My message to the owners, train your staff to be more hospitable, to the community. Don't open a business that depends on the desis and treat them as though you are better than them.

The name says it all at ShopFresh Supermarket. Usually we buy fruit, they have the best fruit in…read morethe area. Their products are fresh, sweet, ripe ready to eat. Staff is helpful and courteous.

I've driven by ShopFresh many times, but have never stepped in because I am loyal to another…read moresupermarket. However, I was nearby recently and decided to give it a shot. Wow, produce, fish and meat all appeared fresh and decently priced. There were lots on sale and more importantly, the space was super clean! I just wish the aisles were wider, but otherwise, I am returning again!

Great good, great prices & great service. Every single I've had there has been fresh, delicious &…read moreaffordable.

It is a highly recommended Uzbek foods grocery place! In NY!…read more I was impressed by the highest quality plov, Somsa and manti kinds cocked out of native Uzbekistan. They do it really great! Juicy and yummy! Once you checkout your picks you may enjoy it at your place or University park near by. Once you miss a real Uzbek foods, Go immediately to this grossery place! There are five of them in NY.

I love this place and always shopping from there about more then 25 years also new owner is very…read morenice guy , I hate to say this but a day before new year I shopping from there and the cashier who is Iranian don't gave me the receipt and change in the car my wife ask me where is the receipt and I said no have it when we go home I finger out with extra charge and change he screw me about $80 ,today again I was there I shopping about $40 and he gave me change and I put in my pocket without looking and when I come home was only $10 , he screw me another $50. I know is my bad because never I count the money when I get the rest,I don't care about this much money but be careful with this charlatan, please asking for receipts and count your money, don't be stupid like me.but they loosing customers like this.

This place is now under new ownership it's clean and looks great. They have all types of Middle…read moreEastern spices, breads, . They have a large fruit and vegetable stand and also a kosher butchery, the new owner is now making delicious Persian stews and kebabs made to order also kebabs that you could take home and make in the convenience of your home, I tried the stew. It was delicious and the kebab was great as well. Wish him all the best.

If your looking to purchase Halal meat this is the place to shop at…read more Wide sections of produce, different varieties of international spices.

Pretty sure I got just scammer my keys disappeared I was in the store for like 10-15 min max I. The…read moreveggie department and oil aisle and they are just gone spent 30 min looking for it now I'm waiting for locksmith. Owner didn't wanna run camera and when he did he was very passive and did not care . I spent two days instacarting for this money and now it's all gone tryna get locksmith very upset

Always great customer service, and we always find what we need. Prices are good and always able to…read morebuy our European snacks! They have different types of frozen Burek. Granted fresh ones always taste way better but this is the second best thing when you get that crave.

I worked at Euromarket in Astoria, Queens, New York for 8 full days. The owner, Panayiotis Menikou,…read moretold me to bring two forms of ID and said we would complete the paperwork later. After I left for personal reasons, he initially avoided paying me -- not answering calls and not showing up to work when I came by. I eventually went to the store late one night to speak with him in person. After arguing for about 20 minutes, he only paid me half of what he owed me. During my time there, I also witnessed serious food safety issues. The store was selling expired products -- including pantry items and drinks -- and instead of discarding them, employees were instructed to erase expiration dates using rubbing alcohol. Several customers even complained about expired items while I was there. Please be aware of these practices before supporting this business.