Cute corner store sized store absolutely packed with anything Italian you could need in a pinch . Pastas, some produce, drinks, deli counter, etc. Every staff member was super nice. And they are well staffed for the size of the market. They have sandwiches available at the deli but no prices on the menu, why do places do this? Also I happened to be there on chicken parm day, great, except they used a frozen school lunch looking chicken patty. Given the quality of ingredients they carry and it's an Italian groceria, I expected a true chicken cutlet on the sandwich. read more

Groceria Merante - Chicken parm with the processed chicken patty. - Grocery Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is the coolest Italian store! Tiny but packed with great foods and a nice deli in the back. Julie, the owner helped me with a produce order. The artichokes were big and beautiful! Parking is tough here. There is only on street parking and looks like it is always busy. It is worth the walk! I will be back to try one of their sandwiches! read more

Not anywhere near our house but worth the drive. My family love their spicy antipasto salad. Tons of stuff in a small store.

Stopped by Oakland's Italian Grocery: loaded up on olive oil, Ricci's Italian sausage, biscottis, deli cheeses, spices and delicious meatballs They have a ton of good stuff here: fresh produce, cuts of meat, fresh pasta, desserts, seasonings and herbs, cheeses, hot meals, deli trays, etc., but no ice so bring a cooler and ice if you plan to load up. read more

Groceria Merante - Grocery Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A consistently excellent grocery shopping experience with nice takeout sandwiches from the deli case and seasonally reasonably priced fruits and veggies, along with cheeses and cold cuts both domestic and imported from Italy. Brands of excellent Italian pastas & deserts not widely available ...... along with impeccable service from the Merante Sisters themselves. read more

Pitt loves sandwiches as much as they love BEER As much as Shakespeare fans love KING LEAR As much as The Alley loves decor with DEER As much as my ex gf loved to CHEER As much as "As Folk" was preceded by QUEER As much as beachgoers love the PIER As much as Marky Mark starred in FEAR As much as NY Bagels come with a SMEAR As much as Titanic made me shed a TEAR As much as sheep don't love a good SHEAR As much as Los Angeles skies stay CLEAR As much as Barbi loves her new VENEER As much as Barbi loves her movie CAREER As much as the earth loves being a SPHERE As much as Britney loved my SPEAR As for the best wiches in Pitt? The MERANTE GROCERIA! WHAT! Pennsylvania is about to maybe rescue our election and get rid of Putin's b**ch, and now Pittsburgh is rescuing deli sandwiches with this incredible place that you absolutely must visit when in town. This has always been one of the best places to get sandwiches in Pittsburgh, and it only continues to get better and better, with perfect bread and amazing imported meats, and great cheeses, and expertly-made deli sandwiches. What to get: proscuitto, capicola, hot sopressata, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and hot fried peppers. Why: Because Meghan and I told you to. Sometimes they're less than friendly and sometimes they're extremely friendly, it just depends on the day and the person. The most recent time I came here the woman working the counter was amazingly friendly, and even gave me for some free stuff, which was amazing and delicious. They commented on how great my porn Barbi looked. I love it here a little too much, in fact, and despite Pittsburgh being such a great food city with at least 55 five star places that I can think of off the top of my head, if I was going to tell you to eat at only five different places in Pittsburgh, this would be one of them. If it were relocated to New Jersey or New York City, it would still be one of the best delis around and I cannot give a higher compliment than that. I have to thank Meghan, because it was her review that led me to order that exact sandwich (which you can see pictured below), and it's one of the best Italian sandwiches I've ever had outside Hoboken, NJ. That's not a joke, btw. Hoboken does make the best in the world - try Fran's and Andrea Salumeria. But here in Pitt, where sandwiches are a huge big deal, this is the best of the best. Forget all that Primanti hype, and come and try one of these. The peppers certainly are the best part, although the prices are damn amazing too. Huge cheap sandwich that will fill you up - a half is more than enough - with nice, typically Pittsburghese service, on a tiny little back street in Oakland that seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby college campuses. One of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Sorry to Rante about it. I'm just going to shut up and sit here on my Gross Rear until you go and try it. Also you should be aware, the nearby Gross-eria Mere-ant is pretty Gross and is owned not by a human, but by a mere ant. It's not as good as the Groceria Meerkat, which was featured on Meerkat Manor. However, this establishment - Groceria Merante - is better than both of them, despite actually being owned by humans. When I come to Pittsburgh, I peak like DANTE The girls are so good looking and they know what they WANT-E But when I want a sandwich here, I up the ANTE And come and get Prosciutto from GROCERIA MERANTE If you have a problem with me maybe you're just SALTY You can stay home reading some Emily BRONTE Or call up Miyagi and then learn some KARATE I'm just going to head on out to GROCERIA MERANTE Rapping might not be my talent, singing is my FORTE I've sold CDs from New Zealand to Zaire* to ZIMBABWE Granted some of my reviews are sometimes pretty NAUGHTY But put a huge long cylinder in your mouth at MERANTE! WHAT. read more

See all

I'm an Italian born and raised in Brooklyn. This place is my go-to for Boars Head cold cuts and other Italian delicacies. Friendly and welcoming staff. Highly recommended. read more

This is probably one of my favorite local Italian grocers with the exception of the ones in Bloomfield. Always a nice selection of the freshest foods. Meats, cheeses, figs, pasta, sauce, bread and more. An Oakland staple that we're lucky to have. read more

A wonderful little Italian store! Always fresh and delicious food! Everything I have bought from here is delicious, it's very high quality! I especially like the fresh lunch meat, cheese and the tiramisu. Everything is my favorite! read more

Amazing! I stop by around 3-4 times a month for veggies, dough, pasta, bread etc etc. really anything you can ask for at a corner store. Surprisingly large selection of groceries and spices, plus a great deli counter that I would love to utilize more. Prices on par with giant eagle or lower, and a much easier and faster shopping experience if you live in Oakland. The sandwiches are killer and the owners are super kind. They always greet me by name and make for a good interaction to brighten my day! Can't recommend them enough--stop by if you are in the area or looking for buying essential groceries or a great sandwich. read more

I want to address the sandwiches but first a few other things. The store is very small but every inch is packed with Italian food and produce. Frozen pasta meals, stuffed ravioli, stuffed shells, meatballs etc. There are sauces and spices and so many varieties of cheeses. If I were a nearby student I'd eat italian all the time. The deli section is also terrific full of italian meats,cheeses, and other Italian products. As so many reviewers have mentioned, the staff was very helpful and friendly. Now for the sandwiches which we heard were the best in Pittsburgh. Maybe we could have had something made to order but that didn't seem to be an option. We selected sandwiches that were made and in refrigeration. These $8 sandwiches were small and not well filled. We made a special trip for the grocerias sandwiches which have been described here as the best, and raved about by other online sites. They were not. Major disappointment but we still left with a bag of other things and deli products to make our sandwiches next time. If you are cooking your own meal this is a great place to go. read more

I've been doing the majority of my grocery shopping at Groceria Merante for the entire time that I've lived in Oakland and I wouldn't want it any other way! Not only is the selection awesome, but the family that owns the store are the kindest people and always put a smile on my face. The produce is always ripe and a great price, and they have all of the pantry staples like grains, pasta, and beans, as well as a good selection of oils, vinegars, sauces, etc. There is a great selection of deli meats and cheese, and they also have some frozen foods too. Be sure to check out their freezer of desserts by the register! read more

I stop by at least once a week, usually to grab some local and budget friendly produce - zukes, peppers, onions, tomatoes, berries, apples, greens and fresh herbs. Always a variety. As you explore the cozy space, you'll find the foundation ingredients to any Italian dish - sauces, spices, a fridge full of cheese! They also have a freezer section of pastas and dishes if you don't feel like cooking for yourself. In the back, they have a deli section that won't only provide meat, but homemade sandwiches as well. In agreement with many of the existing reviews - big fan. The staff is always friendly and willing to help you find anything you might be looking for. It is VERY affordable and definitely a gem you could easily overlook. Being a tiny space and given the current circumstances, they only allows 3 customers in (with mask) at a time. I haven't found myself waiting out there for more than a couple minutes, but having to wait longer would still be well worth the visit. read more

Merante's has been my go-to for local, quick groceries in Oakland. The family that owns this place is super nice. I am welcomed every time I come in. They even gave me a nice, brand new reusable bag this winter. They have delicious frozen gnocchi, ravioli, and tortellini. The frozen tiramisu might be the best I have ever had, and you get a decent portion size for $8. They have a rotating stock of produce that is always very reasonably priced, and a great selection of dried pastas, spices, and more. My favorite thing about Merante's is the refillable olive oil bottles that they sell. You get a discount if you bring back your bottle to refill after buying it here the first time. The olive oil is pretty cheap and it is delicious! The only downside is that they are only open during regular business hours, so it is hard to get to, but this is the nature of a small, locally-owned grocer. read more

I've been coming here as a Pitt college student for almost 3 years now! They have the BEST produce that is always fresh and ripe! I would get my basics here like bread, condiments, fruit, vegetables, hummus, eggs since it is affordable and right in south Oakland! They do have some special Italian desserts, snacks, etc!! Also the staff is always friendly and welcoming! read more

This is a wonderful market with a surprisingly large selection of goods despite its size, not to mention the delicious sandwiches you can buy too. If you're like me and are unimpressed with Giant Eagle, you could absolutely do most of your grocery shopping here. And you'll get friendly service that is totally unmatched at large chain grocery stores. I'll definitely be coming here regularly from now on! read more

Great food. Great people. I will return. Authentic Italian. The Deli is amazing. I was welcomed as soon as I walked in the door. What a gem for Pittsburgh. read more

To say Merante's is a small and local Italian grocer hardly does it justice. As an undergrad at Pitt, Merante's added a new light to my South Oakland kitchen. Whether I wanted cold cuts to make sandwiches all week, fruits and veggies to sustain my meals, or imported and pre-packaged gems to impress, I could always rely on a quick and affordable trip to Merante's. Nearly a decade later, I still swear by their meatballs and daydream about taking off work early to stop in and get a loaf-of-bread sandwich. read more

This is a great little Italian Grocery store... not the biggest selection of produce, but they have a respectable deli. They are best known for their Italian hoagie. I don't hesitate to call it the best sandwich in Pittsburgh. It consists of a whole loaf of Italian bread, hams, capicola, salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, and hot or sweet peppers. The meats on sandwich change from day to day. A whole sandwich is $10 and a half sandwich is $5... they'll also make you any kind of hoagie you want, just ask. Get a San Pellegrino Limonata with a half hoagie and you've got yourself a great meal for less than $7. And no one ever gets a whole hoagie more than once. read more

Walked in here for some pantry needs, walked out with amazing fresh figs which i stuffed with walnuts and a dollop of soy cream cheese instead of goat cheese. Great dessert. Also found some wonderful imported olive oils, pastas, canned tomatoes and what is that wonderful smell coming from behind the counter? The deli girl was frying hot peppers in olive oil. I'll take that entire pan of peppers and a loaf of bread and make a meal of that! Unfortunately she was just making lunch for the staff, after the peppers were cooked she added crumbled hot sausage and about a dozen eggs and made a huge frittata. I wonder how she got my father's recipe? Oh, wait, all Italians make this. Sorry, let me get back to the review, It's so tiny here that i and two other customers were a crowd, but Groceria Merante has the authentic flavors of Italy. Cheeses, charcuterie, oils, vegetables, breads, pastas, and canned items. Wonderful hidden gem on Bates Street. read more

An ode to Groceria Merante: Ohhhhh how I miss that red white and green awning! And if I was still living in da burgh I would no doubt be a regular once again. In college I lived about 4 doors away from this diamond in the rough in South Oakland. Merante's nourished me for finals, snow days, my pre- 21st birthday meal, summer bbqs, graduation, lazy sundays.....you get the picture. Basically I existed off of the local produce, sliced deli meat, BOMB pumpkin ravioli, pasta, frozen sausage, and soup they sell here for the 2 glorious years I lived next door and I MISS IT!!!! Without Merante's I would have frozen on my way back from Giant Eagle, or existed off of Stouffer's Mac n Cheese from CVS. One time I was so poor I couldn't even afford to buy a 40 from the O, they let me keep a running tab for a few days until my next pay check so I wouldn't go hungry, which goes to show you they don't make em like this place anymore. You are making a mistake if you don't stop by if you're in the area and check out Merante's. read more

Groceria Merante's deli has the best sandwiches in Pittsburgh, at the best prices. $10 for a whole sandwich (on a whole loaf of bread) or $5 for a half (on a half loaf of bread), these sandwiches should last you the entire day. Plus, the grocery is fantastic, with imported Italian foods. Finally, the legend of the sandwich is this. One day, a Pitt student wandered out of bed, hungover, and walked down to the local deli. He asked for a sandwich, they pulled out a loaf of bread, and loaded it with meat, cheese, and peppers. The next day, a small sign by the cash register advertised sandwiches for sale. And they've been serving them ever since. read more

This place is the perfect Italian grocery store. Great local bread and deli meats, wide selection of in season fruit and vegetables that are cheap and a ton of canned and boxed Italian products. The fresh sandwiches and amazing, as well all of there homemade soups, salads, and meals like meatballs or ravioli. To top it off the ladies that run the place are amazingly friendly and know all about their products. They know what's in season and what's good for this or that recipe read more

An awesome Italian grocery and deli. It's a good place to puck up fresh bread, pasta, and cooking oils amongst other Italians specialties. At the deli counter you can order sandwiches with the special being an Italian sandwich for $5 on half a loaf of bread and $10 on a whole loaf. read more

What a great place! There is so much good stuff packed into every little corner. A small but well-curated hit-parade of Italian cheeses, any salted pig-part you could want, a nice assortment of produce, a respectable deli counter, and a really nice shelf full of hard-to-find factory pasta shapes. This cozy market is just wonderful, and made better by a very friendly family running the place! read more

A lot of everything packed into a small space that gives off that warm inviting Italian Sunday dinner feel.

I've traveled from NJ to get a classic Merante sandwich, and used visiting my friends as an excuse. They still don't know so please don't tell them. I'm not kidding, the Merante with half sweet half spicy peppers is the perfectly balanced sandwich and one that I crave often. If you're lucky enough to live within a couple hours of this place, you have to try it! read more

Awesome little grocery store!! It's family owned and operated, all of the frozen Italian dishes are handmade, and it has a wonderful selection. Everyone who works there is very kind and friendly, and it's always brightens my day to see the owner's adorable puppy!!!!! read more

In every level of business the Merante family has stood for best traditions of Italia. Bravo!

I love Merante's. The deli is by far the highlight. Huge selection of sandwich meats, both imported and domestic, and a good number of cheeses as well. You can get an Italian sandwich (their most popular) or create your own--my usual is proscuitto, capicola, hot sopressata, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and hot fried peppers. The peppers are the best part, definitely get them if you like spicy, but have a glass of water handy! Oh, and did I mention it's literally served on a freaking LOAF of bread?! I always get a half sandwich and usually can't get through the whole thing. I can't imagine anyone could eat a full sandwich, except maybe the dude on Man vs. Food. Down to the grocery part, the selection isn't the best but the cramped set-up is charming and reminds me of the in-city grocery stores I used to shop at in Florence. They have some interesting imports, but I do wish they had some more unique products, as most of the sauces and pastas they carry can be bought at Market District for much cheaper (I realize they can't compete with mass merchandiser prices, but I just don't shop here for those items). I especially wish they had mozzarella di bufala, but you can get bocconcini-sized fresh mozzarella at the deli counter if you ask for it, and it's pretty good. It is also the only place in the city I've seen that has San Benedetto iced tea (at the risk of sounding like a total alcoholic, the peach is the perfect mixer for peach sweet tea vodka). The frozen ravioli are also good, although I prefer going to Donatelli's in Bloomfield for this since they have more variety. So overall, while some of the selection could be improved, I truly love Groceria Merante and am ecstatic to have it right around the corner from me. At times I kind of hate Oakland, but Merante's is the ray of sunshine that cheers me up when I start second guessing my living arrangements. Amazing little place that more people should really know about. read more

Groceria Merante - the storefront (taken from their Facebook page) - Grocery Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Have only been once but I didn't know there was a card minimum and they were very nice about it and still took my card because it was the first time. Very nice people and good food read more

This place is so convenient, especially for a college student living in South Oakland. They have fresh bread, deli meat and produce. Occasionally there are good deals on the produce. It's a great place for me to pick up minor grocery items that I need the last minute, like a lemon or eggs. Most importantly though, they have really good bread here! Fresh, straight from a local bakery every morning. Groceria Merante is my go-to for fresh, quality bread. read more

If you want to find a wide-variety of quality Italian goods, cheap prices and excellent customer service, Groceria Merante is the place for you!! They have everything from sliced imported meats and cheeses, sandwiches, frozen pastas and meals, fresh produce (at an extremely reasonable price), and rotating desserts that never disappoint! It's perfect to run in if you only need 1 item, or you can buy everything you need for an amazing homemade italian meal! The customer service is UNMATCHED - genuine friendly family - run service. I love asking the employees for recommendations and help deciding on what pasta goes with what cheese, etc. They go out of their way to offer helpful suggestions and make sure I find just what I need. They even let me take my groceries home and come back later in the week to pay when my credit card / the machine were not working properly. I absolutely LOVE grocery marinate and would recommend it 100/10. read more

Absolutely stellar place. Selection is a bit slim overall due to the size of the store, but they manage to cover most necessities (deli, produce, eggs, bread, cheese, frozen sausages/fish/meats, aside from the specialty Italian foods). Groceries are cheaper nearly across the board than anywhere near by, sometimes dramatically (79 cent avocados, 39 cent grapefruit, versus nearly double that at Giant Eagle). Produce is generally fresh and cycles through a good variety. They sometimes even have locally sourced produce. Their sausages are excellent as well. I've had a few sandwiches from there too, and they're pretty great, though I generally opt for buying deli meats myself and preparing food at home to save a bit of cash. The staff are extremely nice, helpful and genuinely seem to enjoy their family business. They've recommended numerous items to me and seem to help people out with recipes if you ask. They've also offered to gift wrap things near the holidays. They even once let me buy $25 of food on 'credit' when I forgot my wallet. I've lived a few minutes away for the past 2 years, and the place has become my standard destination for groceries. I'll probably bus back from time to time after I move to Lawrenceville. You'd have to be crazy to shop anywhere for your groceries as a Pitt student living in South Oakland. I hope to see them still doing there thing for years to come. read more

Small place near the University of Pittsburgh campus. Though it is small, it is packed with great Italian foods (both prepared and not), with a small amount of produce. Have yet to try the sandwiches that I have heard are great, but I would still recommend this place for whatever needs you have. The main appeal is the ownership. They truly care about the food they make, and if you build a relationship with them, they will make great suggestions and write recipes on the spot for you to take. If food=love, then this place is paramount. read more

Best Italian hoagie in Pittsburgh! The peppers are to die for! You will not be disappointed. Cute little market with a lot of interesting finds in terms of food (witch finger grapes, pumpkins, drinks). read more

Groceria Merante - Grocery Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Best place to get well-priced produce and authentic Italian food!! The family that owns it are the sweetest people and make you feel extremely welcomed. read more

I just had a dream that i was back in oakland shopping at my favorite Souf oakland store. Ah how I miss shlepping up the street per vedere il merante sorelle. Once they get to know your face they make you feel like family. This is where you can get good bread and the best pre prepped frozen local ravioli if you are so inclined. A great selection of imported products and what ever produce is in season. Get your olives, sun dried, and cheeses here. Ask them about their sandwiches they make at lunch with fried hot and sweet peppers. They make em outta those huge loaves of local bread. The first dinner that I ever prepared for my now husband I made with products purchased from the sisters corner store. Thanks for being there for my college years and beyond. I think I learned a lot about food prep from just hanging around the store on occasion. Miss you guys! ~Blondie now in Portland ORE. read more

I second Adam M's review, and would add that the sandwiches are cheap and delicious. For $10, you get an entire loaf of Italian bread split open and filled with toppings. read more

Groceria Merante - Grocery Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Amazing little market with very cheap prices for quality food! Also, the family that owns this gem is so kind! If you live in Oakland and you haven't been here yet, I'm not sure what you're waiting for. read more