Colorado grocery stores don’t have a good reputation. In fact, two of the state’s biggest grocery chains, Safeway/Albertsons and King Soopers, are poised to go on strike over unfair labor practices. (King Soopers employees already went on a 12-day strike in February.) But despite several Denver-area shops repeatedly landing on an annual ranking of the worst grocery stores in the nation, we still think there’s a lot to love about the Mile High City’s grocery scene—especially when it comes to small, local businesses.
Whether you’re chasing down the perfect pierogi or want to sip some wine while you shop (yes, really), the metro area’s grocery store lineup is diverse and underrated. Here’s our guide to the best markets in Denver to tick off everything on your list.
GW Supermarket
- Where: 2200 W. Alameda Ave., Unit 18, Denver (Athmar Park); 12303 E. Mississippi Ave., Aurora; 6600 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield
- Hours: Hours vary by location; check website.
With more than 20 stores nationwide, GW Supermarket (which stands for Great Wall Supermarket) is one of the country’s leading purveyors of Chinese goods, although you’ll find flavors from all over Asia on its shelves. Shoppers flock to GW for its wide range of produce, such as jackfruit, Hami melon, and kabocha squash, as well as seafood like cuttlefish and crystal crabs. But we’re drawn to the vast dry goods selection, with offerings including bulk coffee, all manner of cooking oils, and candy.
All three GW locations used to be called Pacific Ocean Marketplace—a local store that was sold to GW in 2022. Our editors’ verdict? Not much has changed, other than a small price bump.
H Mart
- Where: 2751 Parker Road, Aurora; 5036 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster
- Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
What started as a small immigrant-owned shop in Queens has since grown into the largest Asian grocery brand nationwide, and locals head to Aurora and Westminster to reap the fruits of H Mart in Colorado. There, you’ll find endless packs of ramen, dumplings, seafood, and fresh lychee that you’ll struggle to find elsewhere. The Aurora location is significantly bigger and features a vast selection of produce, while Westminster’s includes a food court and a liquor store (which is your cue to stock up on sake).
Natural Grocers
- Where: Locations vary, check website.
- Hours: Hours vary by location, check website.
In 1955, young parents Margaret and Philip Isely opened the first Natural Grocers on West Colfax Avenue with just $200 to their name. Today, the health food chain is still headquartered in Lakewood, and 45 of its 169 stores are located in Colorado. We especially like the grocer’s own brand of goods, which are made without artificial flavors, synthetic color additives, or added artificial preservatives. But Natural Grocers also carries a number of other Colorado-based brands, like Golden’s Bonfire Burritos and gluten-free baked goods from Colorado Springs’ Outside the Breadbox.
Lucky’s Market
- Where: 3960 Broadway, Boulder; 425 S. College Ave., Fort Collins
- Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Trish and Bo Sharon, two chefs from Boulder, were tired of having to visit multiple farmers’ markets, health food stores, and conventional chains to find everything on their grocery list, prompting the couple to launch Lucky’s Market in 2003. There, you’ll find organic produce, made-in-house offerings like kielbasa sausage and beef/bacon burgers, and even those big brands you don’t want to run to Walmart for, like Cheerios. At the Boulder location, you can also visit Lucky’s Bakehouse Cafe (with breakfast offerings like scrambles and burritos) and Lucky’s Bakehouse (don’t skip the croissants).
Leevers Locavore
- Where: 2630 W. 38th Ave., Denver (Highland)
- Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Leevers Locavore in Highland turns grocery shopping into an experience. The fully employee-owned shop starts with an on-site bar when you walk in (meaning you can sip an IPA while you shop). There’s also three on-site restaurants: a grab-and-go deli, Basil Doc’s pizza, and One Two Three Sushi. We’re especially drawn to the local goods on the shelves, from retailers like Honey House Honey and Hävenly Baked Goods. But whatever you go to Leevers for, we recommend stopping by on Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., when you’ll be treated to live music from local musicians like blues band the Delta Sonics.
Tony’s Meats and Market
- Where: Multiple locations; check website.
- Hours: Hours vary by location; check website.
Tony Rossaci’s grocery résumé started when he was just nine years old; he worked at a small corner market in Detroit making $3 a week. After serving in the military and starting a family, Rossaci moved to Denver, where he opened a store of his own in Centennial—the original Tony’s that’s still there today. Since then, Tony’s Meats and Market has expanded to two other locations (in Littleton and Castle Pines), and one of Rossaci’s sons, Daniel, is the market’s current CEO…