Grocery Shopping Made Fun at These Specialty Food Markets

The next time Old Mother Hubbard complains about your empty cupboards, take the kiddos on a cultural food tour and pick up groceries at the same time.

By Shannon Reed March 18, 2015

When was the last time you and the kids had fun while at the grocery store? That’s what we thought! Between asking for cookies to declaring how bored they are, your little shoppers are usually not too excited about it either. What if we helped you turn a mundane task like getting groceries into something fun the whole family could enjoy? Yes, it can happen!

There are several specialty and ethnic food markets across San Diego that offer a slightly different shopping experience where kiddos can explore, sample food and listen to music — all while you cross items off of your grocery list and grab something fun to make for dinner. Click through the slideshow to check out our favorite family-friendly specialty markets.

Miramar Cash and Carry

Don’t let the name of this market fool you. It's a spacious Indian market with a full ice cream counter located right inside. You and your little shoppers can check out the produce and sample some of the exotic looking fruits. The huge frozen food section is legendary with all the different varieties of Indian favorites and standard American fare. This market gears to a vegetarian lifestyle with bins of any kind of dried bean one could ever want and too many spices to count. Your little spice hunters will love smelling them all and checking out the small area where traditional Indian cookware is sold. After you grab the items you need to restock your pantry and freezer, grab some fresh Naan bread, paneer cheese and the chutney of your choice for a quick, flavorful dinner and maybe some ice cream to go.

Miramar Cash & Carry
9252 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA
858-566-4819

What are your favorite places to shop for groceries that are off the beaten path? Tell us in the Comments!

—Shannon Reed (and photographs too!)