These New York restaurants have temporarily become grocery stores

Even before the state mandated that non-essential workers stay home, New Yorkers were already stocking up. It was nearly impossible to find basics like eggs, dry pasta and frozen vegetables, among other things at many supermarkets and bodegas—forget about toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Now, it's even more impossible to get a grocery delivery time slot. 

Luckily, delivery and takeout is still an option at many restaurants and bars (including alcohol to-go), but there’s still only so much of that our bank accounts can handle. It’s a safe bet to say more of us are cooking (or at least upping our home bar game) than ever before. Now, there’s another option for shopping as some restaurants morph into temporary corner stores selling everything from produce and condiments to noodles and yes, even hard-to-find toilet paper. Not only is it a nice way to support your local restaurants, but it's a good hack for avoiding those crowded grocery lines.  

Hart's 

Customers who love going to Hart's can rejoice. Though the restaurant is currently closed for dining, they've pivoted to offer pantry options such as fresh ricotta, tinned fish, marinated olives, fancy olive oil and more. Supplies runs out fast, so be sure to check back on their site. Hart's sister restaurants, The Fly and Cervo's are also pivoting to focus on pantry items, so check out their sites as well for more options closest to you.

Mo's Original

This Prospect Lefferts Gardens' Caribbean-Japanese concept by the team behind the beloved bar Glady's is offering a fusion of prepared food and pantry items. Alongside your order of jerk pork and smoked beans, you can get items such as miso, ramen noodles, Kewpie mayo and more. 

The Clam Community Fish Market

From 11am-7pm daily, The Clam is now operating as The Clam Community Fish Market with Early Morning Seafood, which has been a longtime purveyor for the West Village favorite known as a seafood lover’s haven. The quality of the seafood will be better than anything you find at grocery stores across the city and is also discounted (halibut is sold at $10 for a 6-oz. filet and oysters are $1 each). There will be daily specials announced on Instagram but you can also call Chef Mikey during store hours at 212-242-7420 to place an order. Sauces, spices and wine to-go (at 30 percent off) are also being sold—at a proper distance, of course.

Butcher’s Bodega

Photography: Courtesy of Butcher's Daughter

Butcher’s Daughter was one of the early trendsetters in the all-day café craze with its juices, veggie-focused menu and Instagram-friendly vibes. Now it’s been temporarily transformed into Butcher’s Bodegas offering produce, basic pantry items and miraculously, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Hours are 9am-9pm daily with delivery available until 9pm pickup available until 8pm.

Cafe Alula

This Lebanese-inspired cafe is selling bread from the popular She Wolf Bakery as well as pita from its window. If your sweet tooth has a hankering, there are cakes and cookies for sale in addition to their usual coffee, sandwich and salad options. They open until about 6 or 7pm daily.

Hill Country Barbecue Market

Photography: Courtesy of Hill Country Barbecue Market

A longtime favorite amongst barbecue fans, Hill Country was always more popular for its barbecue than the market part of its name. While the restaurant’s dining room is closed, you can buy meats, sausage, fresh produce and even adult beverages to go in the temporary market (if you don't feel like cooking, prepared meals are available for takeout). They’re also offering a “No Touch Drop-Off/Pick Up” option to be extra cautious.

Greenpoint Fish & Lobster

Some of the most pristine seafood in the city is served at this Brooklyn favorite (also featured on our EAT List, aka the best 100 restaurants in New York City). While you won’t be able to sit down for a lobster roll or a dozen oysters, there will be plenty of fresh seafood on sale daily from noon-7pm.

Avocaderia Bodega

Our Time Out Market  restaurant partner, known for serving up all things avocado, has pivoted its restaurants to become an online-only bodega selling cheese, salmon, and, yes, flour. 

Boca Santa

Bed-Stuy newcomer, Boca Santa decided that instead of trying to make a go at delivery-only, Natalie Hernandez would turn her restaurant into a Mexican provisions shop. In addition to CSAs that are available for pick-up, customers can also get salsa, tortillas and beans at her transformed restaurant. 

Colonia Verde

Fort Greene Latin American favorite has also evolved into a to-go pantry shop. On their website you can purchase raw skirt steak, salsa, and even soup to be delivered to workers on the frontlines. 

Saraghina

The beloved pizza spot is currently doing deliveries of its pies, but it's next door bakery has all the staples you can dream of. There's Saraghina ice cream, bread, heritage meats and even fresh produce CSAs available. 

Rhodora Wine Bar

The wine bar from the team behind neighborhood-y spots such as Rucola and June is also functioning as a shop to get your produce from. In addition to their to-go wine bottles, the team is offering access to weekly CSA pick-ups. 

Thankyou Cafe

While Rockaways beach days seem like a far off dream, those who live nearby Thankyou should be thankful for their grocery offerings. The team hopes to reopen as its regular cafe soon, but in the meantime, you can order items such as bottled cold brew, wild arugula, peach jam and maitake mushrooms. 

This posted has been updated throughout. Emma Orlow contributed additional reporting. 

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