Best Grocery Stores London: Top Supermarkets in 2026

The best grocery stores in London depend on what you need. Aldi and Lidl are the cheapest, Tesco and Sainsbury’s are the easiest to find, Waitrose and M&S Food are best for quality, Whole Foods Market and Planet Organic are best for organic food, and Ocado is the best for delivery. For international ingredients, go to Southall, Green Lanes, Brixton or Chinatown.

Walk three streets in London and you will pass a Tesco Express, a Sainsbury’s Local, a corner shop and maybe a market stall. None of them is usually the cheapest way to buy your weekly food. This guide shows the latest prices, what each store is best for, and how to shop smartly, whether you live in zone 1 or zone 6.

Best Grocery Stores in London at a Glance

Store	Type	Price level	Best for	Delivery
Aldi	Discounter	Lowest	Cheapest weekly shop	Limited (some Click & Collect)
Lidl	Discounter	Lowest	Bakery and weekly deals	Limited
Tesco	Big supermarket	Mid	Branches everywhere, Clubcard prices	Delivery and Click & Collect
Sainsbury’s	Big supermarket	Mid	Fresh food, Nectar prices	Delivery and Click & Collect
Asda	Big supermarket	Mid (cheapest of the big four)	Bulk and family shops	Delivery
Morrisons	Big supermarket	Mid to high	Meat, fish and bakery counters	Delivery
Waitrose	Premium	High	Quality produce, speciality food	Delivery
M&S Food	Premium	High	Ready meals and treats	Via Ocado
Whole Foods Market	Organic	Highest	Organic and free-from	Via Amazon
Planet Organic	Organic	High	Organic, vegan, gluten-free	Limited
Ocado	Online only	Mid to high	Heavy shops without a car	Delivery, same-day in some areas

Which Is the Cheapest Supermarket in London?

Aldi. Independent price tracking of a full trolley of everyday groceries in June 2026 put Aldi first, with Lidl just £1.45 behind. Aldi had held the top spot for six months in a row at that point. The figures for Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Lidl already include loyalty prices, so the gap is real.

Here is how much more each shop costs than Aldi, as a percentage:

The latest Which? comparison for September 2026 points the same way. Aldi’s 93-item basket cost £159.48, Lidl with Lidl Plus cost about £161.48, and Tesco with Clubcard cost about £188. Prices change every month, so check the newest Which? figures before a big shop.

What the gap means over a year

Why London Changes the Answer

Those national prices assume you can reach a full-size Aldi or Lidl. In much of inner London, you cannot easily.

• Discounters sit mostly in outer London. Aldi and Lidl need big floor space and parking, so you find more of them in areas such as Ealing, Enfield, Croydon and Walthamstow. Central London has mainly small convenience stores.
• Convenience stores cost more. Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local and Co-op usually charge more than the big stores for the same item.
• Big shops are hard without a car. Carrying a full trolley on the Tube is not realistic, so many Londoners shop little and often, which costs more.

The best London answer is usually a mix: heavy items by delivery, a discounter run if you can reach one, top-ups locally, and fresh produce from a market.

The Main Supermarkets, Honestly Assessed

Aldi and Lidl: best for a cheap weekly shop

Aldi has the lowest prices and strong own-label products that often do well in blind taste tests. The downside is a small branded range and fewer stores in central London. Lidl is within pennies of Aldi once you use the Lidl Plus app, and its bakery is a highlight. Stock at Lidl can change from week to week.

Tesco and Sainsbury’s: best for coverage and everyday shopping

You are never far from a Tesco, and Clubcard prices bring costs down. Sainsbury’s is a good middle option with a reliable fresh range, but Nectar prices only apply when you scan the card or app every time. At both, the Express and Local shops cost noticeably more than the superstores. Both offer home delivery and Click & Collect.

Asda and Morrisons: best for bulk and fresh counters

Asda was the cheapest of the big four in the June comparison and suits family shops, but it has few stores in central London. Morrisons is best for its butchery, fishmonger and bakery counters, though it came out most expensive in the same comparison.

Waitrose and M&S Food: best for quality

Waitrose is strong on fresh produce and speciality food, and a new full-size Cricklewood store opened in October 2026. M&S Food is best for ready meals, snacks and treats. Both cost more, so use them for what they do best, such as a ready meal or a special ingredient, and buy rice, tins and cleaning products somewhere cheaper.

Co-op and Iceland: useful extras

Co-op is everywhere in London and its member prices are useful, but non-offer items are pricey. Iceland is good for frozen staples and bulk value, with a narrow fresh range.

Best Organic and Health Food Stores

Whole Foods Market has its Kensington High Street flagship and has been opening more London shops in 2026, including Angel, Liverpool Street and Notting Hill Gate. It is the most expensive place to buy ordinary items, so go for organic, speciality and free-from products only. Planet Organic focuses on certified organic, plant-based and gluten-free food, with shops in places such as Westbourne Grove, Queen’s Park and Muswell Hill. Prices are high at both. For more options, see our guide to organic food shops in London.

If you would rather eat out than cook, our list of healthy cafes in London and the best vegan restaurants in London are good next reads.

Best International and Specialist Grocers

London’s specialist shops often beat the supermarkets on price and range for cultural ingredients. These are the main areas to know.

Cuisine	Where to go	Good for
Indian and South Asian	Southall Broadway (Quality Foods, VB & Sons); Taj Stores on Brick Lane	Spices, atta, lentils, fresh vegetables, halal meat
Korean and East Asian	Oseyo (many London shops); Chinatown; New Malden	Noodles, sauces, rice, snacks, frozen food
Chinese	Loon Fung and SeeWoo, Chinatown	Wide East and South-East Asian range
Turkish and Middle Eastern	Green Lanes; Turkish Food Centre (Catford); Green Valley (Marble Arch)	Fresh bread, olives, spices, halal butchers
Polish	Kłos Deli, Kopernik, Mleczko	Bread, cold meats, dairy, pierogi
Caribbean and African	Brixton Village and Market Row; Ridley Road Market, Dalston	Plantains, yams, cassava, peppers, seasonings
Kosher	Golders Green	Kosher food (check each shop’s status and certificates)

Halal and kosher: availability differs from branch to branch, so check the certificate or label in the shop. Kosher Kingdom in Golders Green had a major fire in May 2026 and plans to reopen in November 2026, so confirm it is trading before you travel.

London’s Food Markets, and How to Use Them

Markets are great for fresh produce, but only at the right time. Between 11am and 2pm on a Saturday, the famous ones feel more like tourist spots than food shops.

• Borough Market (8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL): full market Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5:30pm, with limited trading on Monday and Tuesday, 10am to 5pm. Entry is free. A weekday morning is much quieter, and it is an easy stop on a London sightseeing day near London Bridge.
• Broadway Market (London Fields, E8 4PH): Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm, with over 100 traders on Saturdays. Go at nine for produce.
• Brixton Village, Ridley Road, Chapel Market and Maltby Street: good for Caribbean, African and international ingredients. Local street markets in outer boroughs are usually the cheapest places for fruit and veg.

Timing rule: arrive at opening for the best choice, or near closing for discounts as traders clear stock. Bring cash and a bag, as small produce stalls often prefer cash. Remember that food halls are for eating, while produce markets are for shopping. Borough does both, but many trendy markets only do the first, at restaurant prices.

Best Grocery Delivery and Click & Collect

Ocado is the best online-only option. It sells the full M&S Food range, has a minimum order of about £40, and offers same-day slots in parts of London. Same-day fees are roughly £6.50 to £7.50, or free with a Smart Pass. Its Zoom rapid service reaches selected East and West London postcodes. Fees and coverage change, so check at checkout.

• Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons delivery suits heavy items such as drinks, tins, laundry products and pet food. A delivery pass pays off if you order more than once a month.
• Click & Collect is usually cheaper than delivery.
• Rapid delivery apps are convenient but expensive, so use them for top-ups only.
• Book early in the week. Evening and weekend slots in central London go first and cost more. Set “no substitutes” for items where a swap would be useless.

Eight Ways to Cut Your London Food Bill

1. Always scan your loyalty card. Clubcard, Nectar and Lidl Plus prices are now the real shelf price for members.
2. Split your shop. Staples from a discounter or online, fresh produce from a market, top-ups locally.
3. Buy own-label basics such as tinned tomatoes, pasta and frozen vegetables.
4. Look for yellow stickers. Most stores reduce fresh items in the evening. Timing varies by branch.
5. Try Too Good To Go. It is good value in London because of the many bakeries and delis.
6. Check the unit price (pence per 100g) to see if an “offer” is a real offer.
7. Avoid convenience stores for the big shop. Same product, higher price.
8. Visit markets at nine or at four. Best choice at opening, best prices at closing.

Which Store Suits Your Situation?

If you are…	Shop like this
A student or on a tight budget	Aldi or Lidl if reachable; otherwise Iceland plus a street market. Avoid the big shop at an Express.
A family in outer London	Fortnightly Aldi or Asda run, delivery for bulk, market for fruit and veg
Living centrally with no car	Online delivery for staples, Co-op or Tesco Express for top-ups, market at the weekend
Cooking from scratch	Market produce, a discounter for cupboard staples, Morrisons counters for meat and fish
Short on time	Delivery pass plus M&S or Waitrose for ready meals
Buying organic or free-from	Whole Foods or Planet Organic for speciality items, a discounter for everything else
Cooking Indian, Turkish, Asian or Caribbean food	Southall, Green Lanes, Chinatown or Brixton for better range and prices

Practical Tips: Transport, Allergies and Busy Times

• Transport: use the Tube, buses or a folding trolley in central London. If you drive for a big shop, check Congestion Charge and ULEZ rules on the TfL website first. Outer superstores usually have parking.
• Accessibility: confirm wheelchair access with the individual branch, especially in older high-street shops.
• Allergies: UK shops must show the 14 major allergens on labels. Always read the label and ask staff if unsure. Food Standards Agency hygiene ratings for any branch are on ratings.food.gov.uk.
• Festival times: expect busy specialist shops around Ramadan, Eid, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Christmas. Shop early and check holiday opening hours.
• Kitchen set-up: if you are new to cooking in London, our guide to essential kitchenware for London kitchens covers the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest supermarket in London?

Aldi, followed within pennies by Lidl. If there is no full-size discounter near you, Asda is usually the cheapest of the big four, and online delivery from a superstore is cheaper than shopping at a convenience branch.

Is Aldi cheaper than Lidl?

Slightly. In June 2026 Aldi’s trolley was £1.45 cheaper than Lidl’s with Lidl Plus. In practice the two are very close.

Is Tesco more expensive than Sainsbury’s?

Only a little. In the June 2026 comparison Tesco with Clubcard cost £194.67 and Sainsbury’s with Nectar cost £193.30. Use whichever loyalty card you will scan every time.

Is Ocado more expensive than Tesco?

Ocado is usually priced mid to high and adds a delivery fee unless you reach the free-delivery level or have a pass. Its strengths are range, M&S Food products and slot quality. Compare the same basket at checkout.

Which London store has the best quality produce?

Waitrose for supermarket produce, and Borough Market for artisan and seasonal food. For the best value on fruit and veg, use a local street market.

Where can I buy authentic Indian or Asian groceries?

For Indian groceries, go to Southall Broadway or Taj Stores on Brick Lane. For Korean and East Asian food, try Oseyo, Chinatown or New Malden.

Which London grocery stores offer same-day delivery or click and collect?

Ocado offers same-day delivery in parts of London, and Tesco and Sainsbury’s have rapid delivery in some areas. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and some Aldi stores offer Click & Collect. Coverage depends on your postcode.

When is Borough Market open?

The full market runs Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5:30pm, with limited trading on Monday and Tuesday from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free. Check the official Borough Market website before you go, as hours can change.

The Bottom Line

There is no single best grocery store in London, because the cheapest chains are the hardest to reach and the most convenient ones charge extra. Shoppers who spend least split their shopping: staples from Aldi, Lidl or a delivery slot, fresh produce from a market, and top-ups locally with the loyalty card scanned every time. That keeps roughly £30 a shop in your pocket, which is over £1,500 a year.

Prices are from published UK basket comparisons for June and September 2026 and change monthly. Opening hours were correct at the time of writing, so check your nearest branch before you travel.

Sources: Which? supermarket price comparisons; independent UK basket tracking (June 2026); Food Standards Agency; Transport for London; official store and market websites.