Best Gourmet Food Shops In Boston

Sometimes a regular grocery store just doesn't cut it. When you're looking for that perfect piece of cheese for a party, or an unforgettable cut of meat for a special dinner, you go to the experts. Where can you go in Boston for this? Here are a few of the best gourmet food shops in the city. By Lori Lennon

Savenor's Market

160 Charles St.
Boston, Mass. 02114
(617) 723.6328
www.savenorsmarket.com

Savenor's Market is a bright, beautiful market that features cheeses, chocolates, breads, and meats... lots of meat. Savenor's sells the usual meats, such as chicken, steaks and sausage, but they also sell the unusual, such as llama, wild boar and kangaroo. Savenor's is also well known for its bacon. The tick-cut bacon blows the Oscar Meyer brand out of the water. Once you try this bacon, you will have a hard time going back.

The one setback is price. Exotic meats are pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for. I mean, where else can you find kangaroo! And here's a fun fact. Julia Child was a loyal customer of Savenor's and purchased the meats for her show "The French Chef" from the original shop on Kirkland Street in Cambridge.

South End Formaggio

268 Shawmut Ave.
Boston, Mass. 02118
(617) 350-6996
southendformaggio.com

South End Formaggio is known for its never-ending variety of cheeses. Although they do sell other items, such as breads, chocolates and spices, many people go there simply for the cheese. It can be a bit overwhelming going into the shop at first, but customers rarely leave disappointed by the selection.

Tutto Italiano

1889 River St.
Hyde Park, Mass. 02136
(617) 361.4700
tuttoit.com

Tutto Italiano, located in Hyde Park, can be found in a strip mall on River Street, but don't let the exterior fool you. Once inside, you will feel like you have been transported to a different world. Tutto Italiano features fine Italian meats, cheeses, wines, desserts and fresh bread. But what Tutto Italiano is known best for is its sandwiches, more specifically, their Italian sandwich. Fresh cut Italian meats placed in between fresh baked bread... need I say more?

At lunchtime, there is usually a long line of people, craving Tutto's fresh sandwiches, so be patient, it'll be worth the wait. The sandwiches are a bit more expensive than you average sub, but you're definitely paying for quality.

Tony's Market

4253 Washington Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
(617) 323-7313
www.tonysmarketroslindale.com

Recommended by Universal Hub's http://universalhub.com own Adam Gaffin, Tony's Market is home to what many people say are the best sausages around. Tony's is an old school butcher shop and is run by, you guessed it... Tony. Tony's sausages – sweet, hot and Greek -- are handmade on the spot, but the Greek sausages have to be ordered in advance.

Tony's specializes in all kinds of meats, but also sells imported groceries, such as pastas, prosciutto, cheese and olives. The butcher shop is very popular, so it is suggested that you call your order in ahead of time to make sure you get what you want.

The Boston Cheese Cellar

18 Birch St.
Roslindale, Mass. 02131
617.325.2500
www.bostoncheesecellar.com

The Boston Cheese Cellar, located in Roslindale, specializes in cheeses from all over the world; it's also another UHub favorite. The knowledgeable staff is more than happy to make recommendations for you, and can customize cheese platters for events or parties. The Boston Cheese Cellar often teams up with Solaria, a wine shop in Roslindale, to host wine and cheese nights.