If you’ve fallen into a food rut lately, sick of the same old stuff at skyrocketing prices, break up with your usual supermarket and head to an international grocer instead. Once you start looking, you’ll see Latin, Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern markets on many corners throughout the area. You’ll also find specialty ingredients alongside familiar favorites, often at much lower price points. Many of these neighborhood spots also offer hot food to take home. These are our favorites—and what we always pick up while we’re there. 

Spice Asian Market

2212 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, (941) 924-8066, spiceasianmarket.com

Along the south side of Gulf Gate Drive, a bright green market stands out from the rest of the strip mall businesses, beckoning passersby to see what’s inside. At Spice Asian Market, the aromas are as enticing as the exterior. The staff is always preparing something wonderful, whether it’s kimchi, seaweed-wrapped rice balls stuffed with tuna called onigiri, or, on the weekend, Korean staples like japchae noodles or bibimbap (beef and vegetables over rice and topped with an egg). Grab a snack for the road while stocking up on pantry essentials like Kewpie mayonnaise, which is made with extra eggs and is far superior to any mayonnaise at a big-box store, or Magi seasoning, a savory sauce you can add to anything and everything that needs an extra pop of umami.

India Bazaar

5260 S.R. 64, Bradenton, (941) 756-5373, indiabazaarbradenton.com 

Braving the traffic to get to S.R. 64 is a worthy sacrifice to step foot in this enormous Indian market—which we recommend doing next time you run out of any of your favorite spices. Here, you can buy dozens of varieties of imported spices in bulk for rock-bottom prices. (We even saw a 4 lb. bag of turmeric for only $14. Seriously.) Don’t leave the shop without a brick of paneer, a fresh farmer’s cheese that’s rich in protein and holds its shape no matter how much heat you apply. We also recommend strolling down the snack aisle for hot tapioca chips that are so seriously spiced, they’ll make you sweat. When you check out, ask for a samosa for the road. They’re as big as baseballs and stuffed with curry-spiced potatoes.

Los Comprades

1155 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, (941) 361-1461

You’ll be tempted to swing through Los Compadres’ counter service restaurant without checking out its attached market. Make time to do both. We insist you order something to eat—especially the quesadillas de masa with chorizo, a ground Mexican sausage layered with lettuce and cheese inside a cornmeal cocoon—before picking up some snacks and ingredients. If you’re looking for a cheese that will lend the most epic cheese pull to your next dish, buy some Oaxacan cheese, and while you’re at it, grab a container of Tajin Chamoy. It’s a spice blend made with dried chilies, fruit and salt—perfect for rimming your margarita glass. We can think of no better beverage to go with those quesadillas.

International Market & Mediterranean Grill

4944 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, (941) 210-3862, internationalmarketsarasota.com 

This market specializes in Turkish ingredients, and you’ll find huge jars of grape leaves alongside pickled vegetables, an enormous array of Eastern European, Turkish and Middle Eastern meats, and loads of sweets like the Damak baklava bar in which bits of crispy filo dough and pistachios are dotted throughout creamy white chocolate. Our must-grab ingredient is pomegranate syrup, which is used to round out all sorts of  rich Turkish preparations with a zip of tangy sweetness. Adjacent to the market is a small kitchen that churns out some of Turkey’s finest cuisine. The Mediterranean salad is bright and acidic, made with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and an array of fragrant herbs. For a meatier meal, try the cevapi wrap, with sausage links, cabbage, tomatoes and a garlicky yogurt sauce.