The popular Gourmet Grocer in Birdhaven is a local gem, boasting authentic old-style grocer décor, a wide selection of tasty food offerings, as well as involvement in community-driven initiatives to support local causes. This is your one-stop destination for a little bit grocery shopping and then a delicious bite to eat before you leave.
About Gourmet Grocer
Larry Hodes, owner and restaurateur, says The Gourmet Grocer’s range is constantly growing and adapting, with a ‘something for everyone’ selection of healthy offerings, decadent treats, and everything else in between. The store had its ‘look and feel’ revamped, featuring plenty of wood and authentic old-style grocer décor, that has created a homey ambiance that's peaceful, tranquil and comfortable. Hodes’s passion for detail means he was involved in every new or refreshed aspect of the store, right down to the music that is played, based on his love of great music.
“We’ve been fine-tuning the Gourmet Grocer to be the optimal local grocery shop, deli, restaurant, roastery and coffee shop, bakery, winery, and a great place to meet, since we first opened in May 2020 – when our restaurants closed because of the pandemic. The number of strings to our grocer bow just keeps on growing, our menus adjust to changing needs and seasonal ingredients, and we regularly add new items to our deli,” explains Hodes.
The Gourmet Grocer’s Offerings
Here's a list of features and offerings you can find at The Gourmet Grocer:
- A sunny outdoor restaurant with a must-try-everything menu featuring fresh crushers and smoothies, indulgent milkshakes, burgers, buns and bagels, pasta dishes, hearty mains, moreish toasties, indulgent desserts, coffee, juices, and much more.
- A specialised grocery store with a unique range of products and ingredients that are seldom found in mainstream supermarkets.
- A deli which offers specialised cold meats, cheeses, Mediterranean olive selections, hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, grilled marinated vegetables, and more.
- Home meal replacement meals – both fresh and frozen – served in generous single and double portions.
- A bakery offering a tempting selection of decadent, indulgent and delicious fresh-baked goods.
- A winery with an excellent reputation as a stockist of great craft beers and special, good value and premium wines.
- Cofeffe Coffee Bar & Roastery that has a large coffee roaster on site and roast their own Birdhaven blend.
- Community-driven initiatives with various charities, including the Angel Network, hosting pay-it-forward drives; collections for artists; and other activities. This, notes Hodes, is an important part of who the Gourmet Grocer is as a business, “We’re an integral and involved part of the wider community.”
The Gourmet Grocer was built on small suppliers. When the idea came to him and his wife, Annie, to open a store, they contacted their wide network of small suppliers to bring their products to what had previously been the Voodoo Lily Restaurant, which transform into the Gourmet Grocer.
As the months have passed, Hodes has been committed to maintaining the support of as a key value of the Grocer. “We’re constantly looking for ways to create opportunities for all of us to grow together,” notes Hodes. He says that as he is a business coach in his day job, this has allowed him to help small suppliers with aspects of their business that they might not have the expertise to cope with, or may not have thought about – such as with labelling, packaging, costing, and other aspects – that can help them increase and improve their profitability.
For More Information
For more information about the Gourmet Grocer, visit their Facebook page.
Website is coming soon: www.thegourmetgrocer.co.za
You can contact them on 011 442 6965 or [email protected].
Opening hours:
- 07:00 – 18:00 on Mondays
- 07:00 – 19:30 from Tuesdays – Saturdays
- 07:00 – 17:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays
Address: The Gourmet Grocer, St Andrew Street and Wrenrose Avenue, Birdhaven, Johannesburg.
