Petersen's Meats looks like it's right out of a movie. I sometimes even find myself gazing through…read morethe glass at the older gentlemen as he carefully wraps up his customer's orders. You can tell by the way his hands work that he's been in this business for years. There are a couple of good butchers in New Farm, all offering great meat selections. The reason I go to Petersen's is because it makes me feel good to support that business. The shop is awfully quaint, and looks like the kind of place your grandma would have gone to get T bones for your grandpa because they were his special treat. (It's impossible not to get romantic about this store). On a busy day, I'd almost consider it fun to stand in the narrow customer area with every other man and his dog, breathing in that flesh smell, waiting patiently for someone to serve me. It's the atmosphere of this place that gets me more than specialty or novelty items they sell here (anything 'duck' is not ever a problem here). The prices are more than reasonable, and the meats are delicious. The butcher experience is a happy one here.

Petersen's is like taking a step back in time. This old-fashioned butcher makes me feel like…read morewearing a dress pinched at the waist and curlers in my hair, it has such and old world feel to it. Ah, how I wish the days of shopping for meat at an actual local butcher could be revived! And it can, if you all shop there. It's worth supporting a business like this because the produce is so fresh and extremely reasonable. The store is conveniently located on the corner James and Kent Streets in New Farm, and the prices are much better than other places in the area. Plus, the meat is fantastic! I have bought great lamb shoulders from Petersen's, as well as some of the best steaks I have had at home. So if you live in a bit of a carnivorous household then cease your trips to the supermarket giants and buy your fresh meat from a local butcher like Petersen's.

Ismail's Discount Halal Meats is one of the only halal butchers in the inner city of Brisbane. I…read moreknow there are a number of halal shops and butchers on the south side of town (Underwood, Sunnybank, Mt Gravatt), but Ismail's is the only one I know of in the city or Valley or inner suburbs. Located in the McWhirter Building, Ismail's Discount Halal Meats stocks a great range of chicken and beef sausages that are extremely tasty. They also stock beef salami and mortadella, which is very hard to get from most of the regular butchers or delis. My husband doesn't eat pork, so we're constantly on the look out for alternative deli/sandwich meats. The staff are always friendly and accommodating to any specific requests you have. We've asked them to cut the leg of lamb or rump steak a certain way, depending on what the recipe calls for.

Ismail's Discount Halal Meats is one of the original tenants of McWhirters, they were there long…read morebefore the apartments! The reason they survive is they know their niche and they fill it. They have all sorts of halal meats and meat products, and are traditional butchers in that they will offer advice on cuts and debone etc if you ask. It can be a less than inviting environment for a white girl on a summers day, but I guess that's more about respecting cultural appropriateness than anything else.

If you are a university student trying to make ends meet then Yuen's Market could be your lifeline…read more The jam-packed little Asian grocery store is located at the Brisbane end of Wickham Street in Fortitude Valley and has some incredible bargains! Don't be put off by the fishy smell - there is a fish monger at the back of the store where you can get fresh seafood - I have never had a bad experience buying my seafood here. They sell a variety of seafood including fresh fish, live mud crabs, mussels, prawns and squid. You can buy the fish whole or pre-cut, if you do buy a whole fish you can ask them to fillet and skin it while you wait. You can pick up bunches of fresh vegetables here for $1-$2 and there are so many choices of ramen noodles, some starting from as little as 24c (just make sure you add some veggies to your noodles to add some nutritional value). When I was living on Struggle Street during my trainee days I could do my entire weeks shop here for $30 or less! I still shop here at least once a month - it is a great place to pick up exotic ingredients and affordable seafood.

Love this supermarket, I actually prefer it over Burlington's…read more Sure the aisles are narrow and the shelves are jam packed but I find it is well organised and stocks pretty much everything I need. The only thing I wish they would stock is Fresh Galangal. The seafood is always cold and fresh looking, their spice range is great and their selection of fresh noodles, wrappers and tofu is awesome. I love the variety they have on offer. Although it can get quite busy, I have found the staff to be happy and helpful, and then if you can't find something there is always someone willing to point you in the right direction.

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. Walking aisles of supermarkets can be super…read morefun. Think of all the different packaging design to devour. No, just me? Okay then. Awkward. This super chic grocer is up there for me. Head straight to the aisles of jams, chutneys, and other such condiments. Packaging branding heaven. I used to live across the road from James Street Market (and still visit frequently) and yes, it is as dangerous on your back pocket as you might imagine but let's break it down. For a slightly higher price you're selecting top quality produce, specialty cheeses, sweets and other accoutrements. You've got access to a patisserie (French Twist), a florist, a butcher, a fishery and sushi bar. The produce is always fresh and the ability to walk out empty handed? Extremely difficult. Case in point: a friend and I were recently on the hunt for salted caramel for a cheesecake. Sure, we could have made it from scratch (and normally we might have) but to put it bluntly "Ain't no body got time for that!". We'd hunted a few different specialty stores we thought would be on the money but it was James Street Markets that came through with the goods. The staff member that looked after us found it on the shelf with such air and grace. There was no trouble for her to point us in the direction of the jar that held our salted caramel dreams.

Despite its namesake, the drawing card for Fine Fruit On James is actually its cheeses. Yes, yes…read morethey also have fresh fruit and vegetables but in general, I find Brisbane has such an excellent range of fresh fruit and vegies anyway, especially if you shop for seasonal produce. You can usually pick up a few unusual mushroom types at Fine Fruit On James - enokis, King Oysters, wood-ear mushrooms but Asian supermarkets usually cover the same range. I repeat, it is their cheeses which stand out against their competitors. They have everything from camembert in the Adelaide Hills to Spanish manchengo. I became a goats' cheese convert after sampling their 'Lingot Chevre De Pelussin'. They also stock a decent range of gourmet deli products such as ice creams, pates, dips, oils, sauces and vinaigrettes. For an indulgent grocery shopping experience, Fine Fruit On James is the place to go.

I go past this place everyday on the bus. What originally brought me to Rayner's door was the few…read moretimes I'd spied whole rabbits for sale in the shop window. When I finally went to Rayner's to more thoroughly peruse their goods, I was pleasantly surprised. They've got quail, free range duck ($14.99 kg), duck parts, and other delightful meats on offer. Their sausage selection is also top notch: mint and rosemary and honey macadamia are two recommendations (both $13.99 kg). They also offer gluten free sausages! (enquire about price in store). If you're into your more fancy kind of nosh, they offer pate and the like as well. The service isn't terrific. When I was last in there, it was only myself and another lady ahead of me who were waiting to be served. After a couple of minutes of the lady waiting there, a man came to serve her. It took a lifetime for her to walk out with her goods, and I can't fathom why- her order seemed simple enough. I had been waiting for ten minutes at this point, and I couldn't bring myself to wait any longer in a practically empty butchery, especially when there were two other people out the back talking casually with each other. It's something of an expensive butchers, (a premium rib fillet will cost you $41.99 kg) but it's also a butchery where you can find meats you wouldn't be able to get so easily otherwise. If you're after your usual cuts, then you could probably find cheaper meats elsewhere. However, if you're looking for something a little different, I would make a bee line straight to Rayner's front door.

Old school butcher - new school way!…read more My favorite butcher in Brisbane. Fantastic organic meats, incredible range. The team here are very helpful and genuine - cooking tips galore, suggestions and a general authentically warm manner. Tell them what you need or what you plan to do and look out - the most helpful advice I've ever had!

Attention all lactose and gluten intolerant beings! This deli is a must-go for all those suffering…read morethe crippling affects of said allergies. Intolerant free? Don't worry, there's still rows upon rows of sumptuous produce for you too, I was just a little over-excited to see such a large variety of allergy-specific foodstuffs. This deli is huge, and it's easy to get lost in aisles of towering cheeses; pasta sauces; ready-made and ridiculously healthy meals; gourmet ice cream, gelato and sorbets; and olive oils. Seriously, there are so many varieties of olive oil, it's hard not to believe you're in Italy. But the best part? The huge selection of gluten-free muesli (yes, there is the Byron Bay's own Brookfarm Muesli [though exceedingly expensive it is outrageously delicious]) as well as dairy-free gelato and the gluten-free pasta. And it's not just the spaghetti which is gluten-free, it's everything from squid-ink pasta to tagliatelle. And of course, to be true to any deli, Zone is packed with fresh fruit and veg, a huge number of cuts of meat and wonderfully sweat pastry treats (I highly recommend the Turkish Delight...out of this world!).

This is my favourite deli in all of Brisbane and luckily for me it is close to work. Also a tip…read morethat not many know is that they give 10% discount to Qhealth staff when you show your ID badge at the till. What could be better! It is a small store but it has a bit of everything. There is a large gluten free section which is fantastic for a one stop shop. The fruit and veg is to die for, it is bigger and tastier than more mainstream supermarkets. It is pricier, however it stays fresher than items purchased elsewhere. As for the deli section WOW, I love love love it. The antipasto selection is vast and all super tasty. I am not someone who likes olives, in fact I can be found discretely trying to spit them out, however the olives from zone fresh are delicious and you can find me fighting for the last one! Definitely try the stuffed olives with brie and sweet chilli. You can also order platters from zone fresh. I have ordered some for this weekend so i will report back. The butcher section is also fantastic. The meat, poultry etc is all delicious and great quality. You can get some handy hints from the butchers for recipes for dinner. I also love the oil selection in zone fresh. My husband is a chef so likes to experiment with different things. This store is a cave of treasures for him to create culinary delights. Don't expect to get things cheaply in zone fresh but do expect the best quality and service.