Ninth Avenue International Foods

543 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018, United States
+1 212-279-1000
$$$ Grocery store
(172 Reviews)

Ninth Avenue International Foods is a grocery store that stands out in the heart of Midtown West, right near the Port Authority bus terminal. It’s a go-to spot for anyone looking to dive into Mediterranean pantry essentials and beyond, especially those who appreciate sourcing specialty ingredients you won’t typically find at a standard supermarket.

Walking in, you get a sense of a market where bulk spices aren’t just on the shelf but displayed openly in barrels, like Hungarian paprika and vibrant Indian spices, inviting a tactile and aromatic experience. This setup reflects how locals often shop here: deliberate and inspired by the variety and quality on offer. The store’s selection goes beyond spices—think traditional spreads like taramasalata and eggplant dip, a robust array of cheeses like feta, and seafood items such as octopus, catering to those who enjoy cooking Mediterranean dishes or craving authentic flavors from the region.

The atmosphere is that of a well-loved neighborhood market rather than a polished chain grocery, with an emphasis on hands-on browsing and knowledgeable staff ready to share tips or suggest items. Frequent shoppers include longtime locals who trust the store’s consistency as well as travelers passing through the bus terminal who stumble upon it and appreciate a quick cultural food fix or a snack like Greek baklava or spanikopita from the prepared foods section.

It’s best visited during off-peak daytime hours when the staff is able to engage, helping pick out hard-to-find ingredients or recommending new items to explore. For food enthusiasts who like to experiment with Mediterranean cooking or just want to stock up on quality imported spices and condiments, Ninth Avenue International Foods feels like a practical and authentic choice embedded within the busy city street life.

  • Ideal for shoppers seeking Mediterranean specialty products and bulk spices
  • Friendly and informed staff add to a simple but pleasant shopping experience
  • Convenient for locals and travelers near Port Authority looking for authentic foods
  • Open barrels and well-organized sections make browsing engaging and sensory
What they serve
Serves food
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

07:30 AM - 05:45 PM

Tuesday

07:30 AM - 05:45 PM

Wednesday

07:30 AM - 05:45 PM

Thursday

07:30 AM - 05:45 PM

Friday

07:30 AM - 05:45 PM

Saturday

07:30 AM - 05:30 PM

Sunday

Closed

172 Reviews
Steve Young

21 Dec 2025

Such a foodie paradise. Incredible bulk spices at great prices. Bulk coffee looked great as well. Come check out this unique store with friendly customer service.

Dennis Denev

29 Nov 2025

You don't know this place? You have to be kidding me! Ok, well, this is the best-kept secret in this hood. When I used to live here, I would come to this store to get taramasalata, eggplant spread, feta cheese, octopus, and almost any Mediterranean goodies! This place rocks! Did you know that they supply all the Mediterranean grocery stores in Astoria with their spreads? The food here is always fresh and tasty. Come here. They have a good selection of spices, dates, nuts, and more. Now since I don't live in the neighborhood, I have to commute on the train for an hour to do my grocery shopping.

Denise Foster

15 Nov 2025

One of my favorite mainstays in the city. Best spices, great prepared foods and excellent customer service. The people are so nice and very knowledgeable. Happy they are still around and hope they are for many many more years. I have been shopping here for at least 15 years or more.

Betsy Van Die

05 Nov 2025

I was pleasantly surprised waiting for my hotel room across from the Port Authority bus terminal on West 40th to stumble upon this delightful store. I was amazed by the imported spices in open barrels, including lava-red Hungarian paprika and wildly-hued Indian spices. The Greek baklava, spanikopita, halvah, yogurt, assorted olives and feta cheese looked wonderful. They also sold honey, pastas, pitas and a limited array of cooking utensils and metal pans. Products strung from aged wooden rafters overhead brought to mind Mediterranean bazaars. I found out my friend Barb has bought feta cheese here for years - she said it is the best in NYC!

Iman A

02 Nov 2025

This grocery store has a lot more than any normal store mainly Mediterranean and excellent quality. They have the kindest friendly staff ever.

Leah NYC

31 Oct 2025

Always a very positive experience with extremely helpful and kind staff whom I always tip because these days I don't take helpfulness and kindness for granted. This is my go-to store for several things. For ex., I buy some prepared food here (scrumptious ... octopus salad, taramosalata, spinach pie, baklava), but also large cans of good Greek olive oil, and some bulk cereals, such as fine cut (#1 cut) organic bulgur, and sometimes spices, which are also sold in bulk. Greatly appreciate this store!

Lisa Baird

12 Oct 2025

A grocery specializing in bulk imported foods and spices (coriander, xhipotle, garlic, turmeric, etc), particularly Greek. There was an impressively large variety of bulk coffee beans. Whole plant Greek tea, lots of olives by the pound.

Terri Sterniday

09 Oct 2025

Fresh spices in bulk! I like that the clerks package everything for you - it keeps everything neat and clean. No stranger's hands in the products or cross contamination to worry about. Will definitely be back to try the Spanakopita and salads.

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