Capital Region Ethnic Market Map

It's not a comprehensive list, but it will certainly help you spice up your food shopping. Compiled by Jessica Pasko.

Ali Baba's Indian Spices

10 Fuller Road Albany, NY 12205

As Sabrina found out when she visited in September 2009, Ali Baba carries a wide array of Indian and Pakistani spices, packaged goods, produce and more.

Try this
The spices. And the henna tattoos.

Asian Supermarket

1245 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205
phone: (518) 438-8886

This spot has become a local favorite ever since it opened. Albany Jane gave us a rundown on the cream of the crop.

Try this
Albany Jane says the hot bar is "awesome." And R says the sesame balls are "wonderful."

Cardona's Market

340 Delaware Ave Albany, NY 12209
phone: (518) 434-4838 | website: http://www.cardonasmarket.com/

A neighborhood Italian specialty store with great prepared foods and a small grocery section.

Try this
I buy a fair amount of cheese here, but I'm also a total sucker for the olive selection.

DeFazio's

266 4th St Troy, NY 12180
phone: (518) 271-1111 | website: http://www.defaziospizza.com/

This Troy landmark is famous for its pizza, but they also have a small shop next door.

Try this:
You gotta try the fresh pasta and sauce.

Dnipro

1533 Central Ave Colonie, NY 12205
phone: (518) 218-9271 | website: http://eurodnipro.com/

Dnipro carries a wide array of Russian, Polish and Ukranian specialties, and has a full-service deli. In the summer of 2010, it moved to a new, bigger location in Colonie.

Try this
Get some of the bacon from the deli case, and don't skip over the pickled goods.

Frank and Giovanni's La Marqueta

80 Morton Ave Albany, NY 12202
phone: (518) 462-1405

A neighborhood bodega specializing in Latin-American and Caribbean goods, including fresh or dried chorizo, cotija cheese, packages of chicken feet and real Mexican crema, which puts our sour cream to shame. There's also a full produce selection.

Try this
The frozen plantains and yucca make great, simple side dishes.

India Bazaar

1321 Central Ave Albany, NY 12205
phone: (518) 459-3108 | website: http://www.indiabazaar.nv.switchboard.com/

Carries a wide array of Indian and Pakistani spices, packaged goods, produce and Bollywood movies.

Try this:
I typically go for the assortment of dried lentils, chickpea flour and the chutneys.

Mexican Market

654 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12206
phone: (518) 729-5138

This blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot, tucked behind a CDTA bus shelter, has a small but dense selection of spices, canned vegetables and beans, Mexican sodas and prepared foods.

Try this
Albany Jane recommends the tacos, and says it's hard to resist the shelf of chicharrones.

Nora's

143 Troy-Schenectady Road Watervliet, NY 12189
phone: (518) 274-9393

A little shop in a Watervliet strip mall featuring all sorts of Middle Eastern groceries and a variety of delicious homemade items (and catering).

Try this
I'm all about the grape leaves (Mirdreams reports the secret to the tanginess is pomegranate concentrate). Bring them to a party and I promise you'll impress.

Olde Polish Deli

600 3rd Ave. Watervliet, NY 12189
phone: (518) 326-0943

Located in an unassuming little storefront in Watervliet, OPD offers up a mix of Polish groceries, sausages and other cured meats, and hot foods to go, including pierogi and galobki (stuffed cabbage.)

Try this
Don't miss the double-smoked kielbasa. It's delicious with sauerkraut or on the grill.

Parivar Spices and Food

1275 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12205
phone: (518) 512-5118

Local food bloggers can't get enough of the hot bar here, where the specialty chaat -traditionally snacks, but big enough for a small meal. Aside from the hot food, there's also a good selection of spices, jarred chutneys, frozen foods and other specialty items for you to peruse.

Try: Daniel B. recommends the dahi puri. He says it's a flavor explosion.

Pellegrino Importing

1197 Central Ave Albany, NY 12205
phone: (518) 452-4472

A fun little shop and deli featuring Italian and Greek specialties.

Try this
The Greek stuffed peppers and tomatoes.

Ragonese Imports

409 New Scotland Ave Albany, NY 12208
phone: (518) 482-2358 | website: http://www.myspace.com/ragoneseimports

A cute little shop in the New Scotland Avenue neighborhood that specializes in Italian goods.

Try this
Go for the frozen tiramisu. Amy says it's great.

Rolf's Pork Store

70 Lexington Ave Albany, NY 12206
phone: (518) 463-0185 | website: http://www.rolfsporkstore.com/

Rolf's carries all the German-American products you need for your own Oktoberfest celebration, and then some.

Try this
Did someone say wurst? As in, liverwurst? Yeah, maybe it makes me a weirdo but I'm kinda hooked on the liverwurst here. With a slab of onion and some good mustard. Oh. My. God. Oh, and the sausage products are all mighty fine, too.

S&A West Indian Grocery

350 Elk St. Albany, NY 12206
phone: (518) 427-1933

Caribbean produce, chutneys and jerk seasonings fill the shelves of this little place, which like many of these markets, also offers homemade, hot foods. It's your one-stop shop for fresh aloe vera leaves, Jamaican ginger beer and a steaming dish of goat curry.

Try this
Kaylen was impressed by the selection of tea, which included such exotic flavors as Jamaican gingermint and cerasee, a bitter melon flavor.

Timothy's World Market

1020 State St. Schenectady, NY 12307
phone: (518) 346-8802

Looking for your favorite Guyanese specialty or perhaps a machete? This is your place. This small store caters primarily to Schenectady's significant Guyanese population, selling a wide array of organ meats, salted fish and other delights along with the cookware and utensils to prepare it.

Try this
Pick up some dried chickpea snacks and a West Indian lemonade to tide you over on a tour through the Electric City.

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