The Washington, DC area has several gourmet food stores offering a wide selection of items from fresh vegetables to choice meats, to bakery items to delicious desserts. Here are my top picks of gourmet food stores in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Most of these stores also offer party platters and are great places to check out when planning a special gathering.
1. Rodman's Discount Gourmet
Rodman's is a Washington, DC institution. The store opened in 1955 as a corner drugstore and has evolved into an international marketplace offering unusual and exotic foods, wines and ales, housewares, and bodycare products. There are now three locations: Downtown on Wisconsin Avenue, White Flint Plaza in Rockville and Viers Mill Road in Wheaton.2. Whole Foods Market
The national gourmet food chain is considered to be the world's leading retailer of natural and organic foods. There are many locations throughout Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. Find a wide range of items from fresh fruits and vegetables to gourmet meats and seafood. Whole foods offers a nice selection of prepared items to go and catering services for large and small parties.3. Dean & DeLuca
This store in Georgetown offers a nice selection of gourmet and specialty foods, premium wines, high-end kitchenware and gifts. Dean & DeLuca offers catering services and you can also shop online. The retail chain is based in New York and has 14 stores and cafes in select U.S. cities.4. Balducci's Food Lovers Market
This gourmet food store, previously operated under the name of Sutton Place Gourmet, offers a nice selection of prepared foods, produce, wines, cheese, meats, bakery items and more. Stores are located in Bethesda, Maryland and McLean and Alexandria, Virginia. There is an express location at Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets. Balducci's also operates High Noon, a breakfast-and-lunch shop and a catering service.
5. Trader Joe's
This growing chain of food stores offers a wide range of grocery items, including organic selections, appetizers, prepared meals, cheeses, cereals, snacks, and more. There are many locations around the Washington, DC area.6. Wegmans Food Markets
Wegman's is a wonderful food store chain, based out of Rochester, New York. The stores are huge and offer a tremendous selection of foods and a large cafe. They currently have six stores in Virginia in Sterling, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Gainesville, Leesburg and Woodbridge.
