The best options for grocery delivery in NYC

Would you like to save money and help reduce food waste? That’s what the guys at Misfit Market offer, working direct with producers to cut out the middle man passing on the savings to you while helping save product that would otherwise go to waste. The quality is exceptionally high, too; nearly everything they source is organic, and sold at up to 40 percent below what you’d pay in your local deli. Everything is delivered to your door on a day and time of your choosing, and you can tailor your delivery to perfectly suit your tastes. 

Fresh Direct has more or less become a household name in New York City over the 20 years it’s been around. Though Fresh Direct won't entice more frugral shoppers, its prices are comparable to the ones you'll see in brick-and-mortar NYC grocery stores. The in-house bakery and partnerships with local farms also mean that the offerings often win points for freshness. 

Mercato partners with local food purveyors to deliver specialty local items directly to you. Get the catch of the day from Greenpoint Fish & Lobster, Italian provisions from B&A Pork Store, Japanese groceries from Sunrise Mart, cheese from Murray’s Cheese and more specific groceries from hyper-specific stores worth traveling to - only you don’t have to! 

Amazon is the third richest organizations in the world and it’s easy to see why: they get you with the subscriptions. Amazon Fresh is free with a Prime membership. However, they do have huge warehouses with a wide variety of products, so if you’re willing to pay for it, you can have fuss-free simplicity at your fingertips. Meaning you can get the latest music releases and a pair of sunnies, while you’re picking out your groceries.

Wholesome foods at wholesale prices is the M.O. of this wellness-focused online grocery. You can shop by diet and lifestyle needs (gluten-free, vegan, keto), and the shop offers a wide range of organic foods, as well as clean beauty and nontoxic home products. Shipping is carbon-neutral, packaging is compostable, and every annual membership sponsors a family in need. 

Unlike Fresh Direct or Amazon, Instacart sends out personal shoppers to fetch your items rather than delivering from a massive private inventory. This is a big plus for all the people who can’t live without specific brands. And if something is out of stock, you get an actual human suggesting substitutions. However, many NYC grocery stores already mark up their prices and you’re meant to tip your shopper, too. But if you can't function without your favorite brand of almond butter, the extra money for delivery is probably worth it to avoid those long, shuffling lines at your local market. Instacart shoppers can also help you gain access to NYC’s membership stores, like Costco, without your own membership, and will trek to Wegman’s or specialty retailers when you can’t make it.

For us no-car New Yorkers, buying in bulk can be a pain—literally. (The shoulder ache after hauling a sack of potatoes onto the subway is real, yo.) Boxed is here to help: The membership-free delivery service offers everyday groceries, household items, and health supplies in bulk at wholesale prices, so you can easily stock up for winter or the next governmental lockdown, whichever comes first. 

For anyone who has been trying to fill the Costco-size void left in after moving to the city, Google Shopping is here for you. You can order in bulk from stores in your area, including, yes, Costco, along with Fairway, Target, PetSmart and even the Chinese supermarket chain 99 Ranch Market. The minimum purchase required for free delivery varies from store to store. Unfortunately, it does not offer fresh fruit and vegetables, but if you’re trying to stockpile dry goods, pet food and a year’s worth of toilet paper, look no further.

Once exclusively available to high-end chefs, Natoora opened up to everyday consumers in 2020, allowing New Yorkers to access excellent specialty produce from the tristate area. The app is appealing to scroll through as you pre-order deliveries of seasonal fruits, vegetables, baked goods, poultry, dried goods and more. The prices aren’t the cheapest, but the quality is top notch, and worth the splurge for a special recipe or occasion. Natoora currently delivers throughout ​​Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, plus The Hamptons on Saturdays. 

Fancy something from Fairway but a little something else from Whole Foods? Get your Postmate on the case. These guys will zip around the city, picking up the products and brands you want, and will even aim to get them to you within 30 minutes if possible. And if you don't know what exactly you want, they have service for that too! There's a free seven-day trial too, so you can cancel post-haste if you change your mind.

Though it's primarily used for restaurant delivery and takeout, Seamless also offers grocery delivery from markets, delis, bakeries and bodegas around the city. Handy labels reveal each store's delivery fee and order minimum, so it's easy to see which nearby option will be cheapest. Seamless tends to work with smaller vendors than some of the other services on this list, but that can actually work to your benefit. Since the order minimums are lower, it's a great option if you just need a quart of milk or six-pack of beer delivered. 

This Long Island-based digital farmer’s market is perfect for plant-based eaters and omnivores alike. Every item on the site has sourcing and season information, and pricing is pretty similar to quality New York supermarkets. A robust pantry section also curates local items like tortilla chips from Tortilleria Nixtamal, juices from Red Jacket, local honey, grains, dips and more. Meal kits, like a shakshuka box from Manhattan restaurant Shuka, and pre-made meals, are also a nice local alternative to larger name brands.