Broodscappen Doen in Maastricht

Lets build on Wednesday’s Aldi article shall we? The Dutch phrase for grocery shopping is broodschappen doen, and I find I tend to do it more often here than in the US. Maybe it’s my small refrigerator. I’m not particularly adventurous when it comes to shopping for food, but Maastricht is bursting with grocery shopping options and alternatives for everyone from the budget cook to the gourmet. Here’s a few suggestions and Dutch words to help you along.

Grocery Stores

The Dutch grocery store (or supermarkt) is your one stop shop for food. With a little bit of everything, plus the paper and cleaning products you need to keep a household running, this is how I choose to do my grocery shopping. I find it the simplest option and clearly so do many other people since the stores are almost always busy. Shopping early in the day is advisable since produce and milk frequently sells out and isn’t restocked until the following morning. Most grocery stores are open a little later than the average store, typically to about 8 pm, but they are not usually open on Sundays. Grocery stores you’ll find in Maastricht are:

• Albert Heijn: My preferred shop and the most common in Maastricht.
• C1000
• Jumbo
• Amazing Oriental Aziatische Supermarkt
• Aldi

Farmers Markets

If you like to buy you produce, bread, meat, and cheese outdoors you can do so at one of the weekly open air markets in Maastricht. Since many vendors are from the region, the produce is frequently fresher and sometimes cheaper than the grocery store. Seafood lovers in particular should check out the Friday Fish Market.

• Weekly Market on Wednesday: Produce, bread, meats, and a variety of non-food products.
• Organic Market on Thursday: Organic produce, bread, and meat.
• Fish Market on Friday: Huge selection of fish and seafood. Plus everything you find at the Wednesday market.

Specialty Shops

Finally the best way, although frequently most expensive way to purchase quality food is through a specialty shop. I thick that small shops are a popular way to grocery shop in Maastricht. The food is always fresh or fresh-made, and the shops are owned by local people rather than chains. The professionals in the shops can make recommendations as well if you’re about to cook a new recipe. I only regularly visit two speciality shops in Maastricht. Simon Levelt is a loose leaf tea, coffee, and chocolate store with a great tea selection. Nearby, the Green Shop is an organic produce shop and during the summer they have great deals on berries. Here’s a few of the types of shops you’ll find and what they are called in Dutch:

• Butcher (de slager): For all sorts of meats, including fresh slavinken.
• Bakery (de bakker): Fresh backed bread, pies, vlaai, and baked sweets.
• Tea shop (theewinkel): Gormeat tea and coffee. Sometimes combined with chocolate shops.
• Chocolate shop (chocoladewinkel): Local chocolaters as well as larger general candy stores.
• Green grocery (groenteman): Fruit, vegetables, and maybe a few other odds and ends.
• Cheese shop (kaaswinkel): The best option for fresh local and international cheeses.

There are also a couple of small, ethnic grocery stores to watch out for as well. These can help you fill out your menu with a variety authentic international cuisine and sometimes you’ll find a surprise; like baking soda at the Asian grocery store on the Markt square.

What’s your favorite way to buy food?

Grocery image licensed under Creative Commons.

6 Responses to “Broodscappen Doen in Maastricht”

1. Alison says:

   March 12, 2010 at 10:56 am

   I generally stick with what I can find at AH, although I’ve found if I go too early in the morning — and that can be from opening until as late as 1 p.m. — the selection is limited, because they haven’t restocked yet! We have Plus stores here in Utrecht that can be a good source of the occasional US food items. I do visit our Saturday outdoor market when I want some good shrimp, cheese — 3 for €5 — or more unusual vegetables, like okra. The tokos are great for a broader selection of canned beans, baking soda!, and various Asian ingredients. I’ll probably go today, in fact, to pick up some wonton wrappers. They also have a fantastic selection of spices.

   Reply
   • Amanda says:

     March 13, 2010 at 7:23 am

     Good point. Its all about timing with grocery stores around here. I almost never get out before noon for my shopping so I’ve never encountered a lack early in the day. 3 for 5 euro cheese sounds great.

     Reply
2. rebecca mbay says:

   March 12, 2010 at 11:47 pm

   A lot of grocerie stores around, like the Brusselse poort, but Albert Heijn is indeed very easy when you are in the center of town.

   Reply
   • Amanda says:

     March 13, 2010 at 7:24 am

     I don’t think of Brusselse poort itself as a grocery store, but it does have two grocery stores in it: AH & C1000. That’s actually where I do some of my shopping.

     Reply
3. Melissa Willems says:

   March 16, 2010 at 3:54 pm

   It’s nice to know AH is a favorite of everyone..I found it to be my fave over the years and man that Asian Market is fabulous..can’t wait to shop there! Have you found any Italian Markets?

   Reply
   • Amanda says:

     March 16, 2010 at 3:58 pm

     I haven’t found an Italian market yet, but I bet there is one. I’ll have to ask around.

     Reply