Grocery store tourism is trending for 2026 and these are the stores worth traveling for

Sometimes I really struggle to convince myself to go to the supermarket, even though there’s one right in front of my building. Grocery shopping for everyday items is such a monotonous task that every now and then I have to treat myself to some new product just to get myself to go. Otherwise, I would probably live solely on frozen pizza and restaurant takeout. However, when I’m traveling, my aversion to shopping melts away like snow in the April sun, to the point where I can’t wait for the moment I need a small item and have to hunt for a supermarket. Simply put, grocery shopping in another city—or even just wandering through a store, gives me a perfect glimpse into the locals’ daily life, and the shelves are often full of products I’ve never seen before. Read: supermarkets in other countries are anything but boring.

I’ve known for some time that I’m not the only one for whom visiting a supermarket, even if I don’t need anything, is an essential travel activity. For several years, I’ve been watching viral videos from Japanese supermarkets, where people buy entire meals that they then cook in on-site machines. In fact, I’ve watched these videos so much that I’m convinced I could navigate a 7-Eleven as easily as my local corner shop. Yet I didn’t expect that supermarket visits wherever we go would become such a huge trend that 2026 has been declared the year of grocery store tourism.

If you haven’t been religiously visiting supermarkets in every city you go to, which I honestly can’t understand, but I don’t judge—you’ll probably be surprised to learn that this activity is one of the biggest travel trends of 2026. However, when you see some of the stores I’ve been saving in my inspiration folder for years, I think it will be completely clear why people travel miles just to try viral butter or instant ramen in a plastic packet. Below, I reveal my secret obsession and share some of my favorite corner shops to watch on social media and, of course, visit in the future, because going to them is more than shopping; it’s a kind of travel experience.

La Grande Épicerie de Paris, France

Throughout my life spent online, many things have gone viral, so I didn’t think anything could really surprise me. However, viral butter certainly changed that belief. Don’t get me wrong, I love butter like everyone else. But would I travel to Paris just for butter? Highly unlikely. Yet the elegant Parisian supermarket La Grande Épicerie de Paris stocks butter that is supposedly worth a trip to the French capital. We’re talking about the viral Maison Bordier butter, handmade in France, known for its silky texture and rich flavor. That already sounds amazing, but an extra bonus is that some of these butters come in special flavors, like truffle.

Of course, viral butter isn’t the only treasure in this stylish store. La Grande Épicerie de Paris opened in 1923 as part of the legendary luxury department store Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, and from the start, it was conceived as a place for sophisticated shopping. The store has two locations in the city, at 38, rue de Sèvres and 80, rue de Passy, where you can find numerous French domestic products, over 1,000 types of cheese, fresh meat, and ready-made dishes that are said to rival restaurant quality. If you ask me, that alone is reason enough to visit this corner shop. And of course, don’t forget the butter.

Photo: Courtesy of La Grande Épicerie de Paris

Fortnum & Mason, London

Had someone told me before I developed my hobby of exploring remarkable supermarkets around the world that there was a corner shop with multiple floors and a staircase so grand that the entire space looked like a hotel, I think I would have struggled to believe them. Yet that is exactly the case with the London supermarket Fortnum & Mason. This chain opened back in 1707, and today it is a luxury corner shop full of local specialties and its own products. Fortnum & Mason is known as the “Queen’s grocer” thanks to its long tradition of supplying the British royal family and holding Royal Warrants granted by various monarchs, officially confirming it as a provider of top-quality food and groceries.

Unsurprisingly, Fortnum & Mason is famous for its exceptional teas. You can find them in special packaging in the section dedicated to everything for a traditional British tea party. Of course, there are also gourmet products, homemade jams, biscuits, wines, and the well-known baskets where you can find curated selections of local products. Fortnum & Mason has five locations in London, with the most popular store on Piccadilly Circus, which, thanks to the exterior clock featuring the two founders, is an unmissable tourist attraction.

Photo: Courtesy of Fortnum & Mason

Peck Milano, Italy

Few things can compare to Italian delicacies, from pasta to wine, and the Peck grocery store in Milan elevates the shopping experience to another level. Peck is a historic and highly esteemed delicatessen located in the heart of Milan (Via Spadari), opened in 1883. This corner shop stands out with an incredibly large wine selection, boasting up to 3,000 Italian and international labels. Since Peck started as a small delicatessen specializing in cured meats, it goes without saying that the meat products are truly of the highest quality.

But Peck also stands out because it is not just a supermarket; it is also a bistro and wine shop where you can sample excellent dishes and wines immediately after shopping. The food in this restaurant is genuinely high quality, making it worth stopping by for a quick shop and a bite during a visit to Milan. In addition to the location near the Duomo, Peck can also be found near Porta Venezia, as well as in Japan and Singapore.

Photo: Courtesy of Peck Milano

7-Eleven, Japan and South Korea

Probably the most viral of all supermarkets is the famous 7-Eleven. While this chain can be found all over the world, the stores in Japan and South Korea have taken the internet by storm. In Japanese cities, you can find 7-Eleven on almost every corner, as there are over 20,000 stores in the country. It’s no wonder that 7-Eleven appears in nearly every travel guide to Japan. But what’s the deal?

7-Eleven in Asia is a supermarket unlike anything we’re used to in Europe. In these stores, not only can you find an incredibly wide selection of Asian food, but you can also prepare and eat it on the spot. Particularly viral is the instant ramen, which can be cooked right next to the checkout. Special machines heat the water and food so that in just a few minutes you can have your meal ready and eat it in the store. Beyond ramen, you can also find the viral onigiri, a rice snack that has taken the internet by storm, as well as soft strawberry and cream sandwiches that have surely caught your eye on social media. The way drinks are sold in 7-Eleven is also unique, as ice and cups are purchased separately, allowing you to mix any flavors and juices you want.

Photo: Romeo A, 7-Eleven Japan, Cora Pursley

FamilyMart, Japan

FamilyMart, the second-largest chain of convenience stores in Japan, just behind 7-Eleven, is also viral and offers a similar experience. You can find it in several other Asian countries as well, including Thailand, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. It stands out for special products you won’t find in other supermarkets, exclusive coffee brands, and local snacks.

Larger FamilyMarts also feature Fami Cafe, an in-store bar where you can sample local coffee and pastries. The bento and ready-made meals here are particularly surprising, as they are seasonal and regional, often including experimental flavors. If you’re looking for good onigiri or sandwiches, you’ll find them at this store too, but pay special attention to the sweets and snacks, as there is a wider selection of local and limited-edition products.

Photo: Taby Ls, @familymart.japan